US379358A - Machine for hinging boxes - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1. A. U. BOLTON.

MACHINE FOR HINGING BOXES.

Patented MELT. 13

' -INVENTOR:

ATTORNEYS WITNESSES n. ravens. PhollrLiMn-aphar. wman vm. m;

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

A. 0. BOLTON.

MACHINE FOR HINGING BOXES. No. 379,358. Patented Mar. 13, 1888,

ATTORNEYS.

N. PFIEHS, PhotoL'IlMgnP er. Washingiun, D. C,

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.) I

A40. BOLTON.

MACHINE FOR HINGING BOXES.

Patented Mar. 13, 1888.

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N. Finns, Phokolilhogrwhzr, Washingiom nfc.

UNIT D STATES PAT NT O FICE.

ANDREW G. BOLTON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

MACHINE FOR HINGING BOXES.

SPECIFICATION fc 'ming part of Letters Patent No. 379,358, dated March 13, 1888.

Application filed May 4, 1887. Serial No. 237,069. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ANDREW G. BOLTON, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and improved Machine for Automatically Hinging Boxes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to a machine for automatically hinging boxes; and it has for its object to provide a means whereby hinges may be firmly and properly attached to any box in a rapid and effective manner, and wherein, also, the machine will be of simple yet durable construction.

The invention consists in the process of attaching hinges automatically to boxes, and in the construction and combination ofthe several parts of the machine, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine, and Fig. 2 a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a detail view, partly in section, of the hammers, nail-guides, and feeding mechanism for the hinges, and Fig. 4 is a detail plan view of the hinge table. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the upper portion of the hinge-guides. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view of a box, a hinge in position thereon, and the side hammers. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view of the nail-boX and guides. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the same; and Fig. 9 a front elevation of one of the guides.

In carrying out the invention, a frame, 1,

. is provided, adapted for attachment to a table or other suitable support, and upon said frame a standard, 2, is mounted, adapted to slide transversely the frame, the motion of said standard being regulated by a screw, 3, held to turn in the under side of the frame and passing through a lug integral with the under side of the standard, said lug extending through a slot in the frame, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

A lever-arm, 4, is pivoted in the upper end of the standard 2, to the forward end of which lever a sliding block, 5, is pivotally connected, and into said block or carriage 5 at the lower event preferably equal to the number of apertures in the hinges placed for attachment, and the punches are so positioned in the carriage that one punch will be in vertical alignment with each aperture in the hinge when the latter is properly placed for attachment to a boX or similar receptacle.

A block, 9, is attached to the front of the standard 2 near the base, substantially aligning the aforesaid projection 8, which block 9 is provided with a number of vertical apertures, 10, as shown in Fig. 3, so positioned as to receive the punches or hammers 6. A series of downwardly and inwardly projecting tubes, 11, are projected through the block 9, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and made to intersect the apertures 10 near the base of said block, one tube being provided for each aperture.

By means of a suitable apertured plate, 12, and a flanged locking-collar, 13, a series of spring-tubes, 14, are detachably held in registry with the various, apertures 10, (see Fig. 3,) the said tubes being open at the top and the lower ends being split and bent inward so as to substantially close the same.

To the rear of the standard 2,at each side, a Y-shaped upward and outwardly extending auxiliary standard, 16, is secured, the inner member, 17, being shorter than the outer member, 18. Upon the members 18 the outer ends of a connected series of boxes, 19, are pivoted, a box being provided for every aperture 10, and the said boxes are provided with openings 20 in the front, covered at will by a slide, 21, through which the nails contained in said boxes drop down upon guides 22. For each boX a guide, 22, is provided adapted to project a distance beneath the same, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, which guides consist of two strips of metal or other suitable material, placed side and side, having faces inclined inward and downward, and with a space, 22,

intervening their parallel longitudinal contiguous edges, as shown in Fig. 8. Each set of plates is attached at the ends to horizontal bars 23, whereby all the guides are connected and placed in horizontal alignment one with the other. At the outer ends of the connected guides they are pivoted upon the shorter member, 17, of the auxiliary standard 16. Thus the nail boxes and guides may be given any desired inclination.

A horizontal reciprocating bar, 24, is held to slide in brackets 24, suspended from the end guides, which bar 24 is provided with an integral pin, 25, centrally the under face, adapted to travel in cam-groove 26, as shown in Fig. 8, which groove is located in the upper surface of a semicircular projection, 27, integral with the lever 4.

The inner edge of the bar 24 is provided with a series of curved slots, 28, equidistant apart and equal in number to the nail-guides, which are equal to the number of nail-apertures in the hinge to be secured; and at one side of said slots the bar 24 is provided with attached fingers 29, which fingers, partially surrounding the slots 28, are sharp at. their ends and fiat upon their outer edges. The outer edges of the fingers, projecting beyond and parallel with the inner edge of the bar 24, are adapted one finger to slide in a groove in the outer end of each guide, as illustrated in Fig. 8.

Beneath each slot 28, and inclosing the same, ahopper, 30, is secured to the under side of the bar 24, which hoppers are connected each with one of the tubes 11in the apertured block 9 by a line of flexible tubing, 31, as shown in Fig. 1.

A box, 32, is provided to hold hinges, which box is made narrower at one end than the other, having the narrowest end piece provided with a series of apertures, 32, con forming to the contour ofthe hinge to be used,and, if found desirable,one or more interior guides, 33, for said apertures. The said box 32 is supported at the frontof the machine, and preferably at an elevation above it, by a crankrod, 34, attached centrally the under portion of the box and to the lever 4 near the outer end, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, whereby the box is rocked up and down by the movement of the lever 4.

The hinge-box is given a downward inclination, and from the reduced end,which may be open, a lip, 35, is projected,which lip ishinged to one arm of a spider, 36, attached to theside of the standard 2. From the hinged lip a chute, 37, is projected outward in a semicircle to a termination beneath the spring-tubes 14, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The chute 37, which is held in position by the arms of the aforesaid spider 36, is constructed of two parallel strips of suitable material, preferably metal, and when the usual cigar-box or angle hinge is used, as illustrated in the drawings, the chute, where it connects with the lip of the box 32, is given a downward and outward curve, 39, away from the machine-frame, and from thence describes a gradual curve to a point near the end. At the termination of the curve the upper plate extends horizontally beneath the spring-t ubes 14, against the under side of which the portion of the box to be hinged is adapted to rest, and in the end of said plate,which constitutes a table, 40, aslot,

41, is out, which slot conforms to the contour.

of the hinge it is adapted to receive, as shown in Fig. 4.

The inner plate, which assumes the position of upper plate near the bottom of the curve, is cut away at that point and a light springarm, 42, having a downwardly-extending free end, is attached at one side, which arm, passing through the plate, serves to retain the hinges at the base of the chute until otherwise removed, as shown in Fig. 4. To theiunerportion of the upper plate of the chute a longitudinally slotted spring, 43, is attached, which extends forward over the hinged aperture in the table 40, as shown in Fig. 4.

A finger, 44, encircled by a coiled spring, is held to slide in asleeve, 45, integral with a lever, 45, which lever and finger are connected by means of a rock-shaft, 46, with the leverarm 4 to the rear of the center, from which leverarm the finger 44 receives motion. The finger is .adapted to enter the slot of the spring 43 and at the proper moment engage a hinge and carry the same over the aperture in the table 40, as shown in Fig. 4.

In tubular bearings 47 and 48, attached to the upper surface of the frame 1, the inner bearing, 47, of which is constructed at the end similar to the tubes 14, a horizontal punch or hammer, 49, is made to reciprocate by means of an angle-lever, 50, and rock-shaft 51, as

shown in Fig.2, the said bearings being so positioned that the end of the inner bearing will be in alignment with the aperture of the sh ortor angular arm of the hinge 52 when said hinge is positioned upon the box, and the in ner bearing, 47, is provided with an upwardly and rearwardly extending tubular connection, 53, as shown in Fig.6, and a flexible tube, 54, uniting said connection with one of the nailboxes 19, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The lever-arm 4 may be operated by a connection, 54, from a treadle, 55, as shown, or in any other suitable manner, and the hingechute may be altered to suit any form of hingefor instance, in a butt-hinge the chute may curve regularly from top to bottom and a channel be formed longitudinally and centrally of the chute to receive the hinge of the butts.

Upon the vertical portion of the framel an adjustable support, 56, is provided, adapted to hold the box, which suppport is adjustable both laterally and vertically through the setscrews 57 and 58, or in any suitable or approved manner.

In operation the nails are thrown promiscuously in the boxes 19 and the hinges in the box 32. The slides in the nail-boxes are lifted andthe shaking or jarring movement of the machine causes thenails to fall upon the inclined surface of the guides, where, from the same cause and by force of gravity, they assume a vertical position in the space 22, supported by their heads, as illustrated in Fig.7, the lowermost nail bearing against the sliding bar 24. As the said bar is reeiprocated by the movement of the lever-arm 4 the slots 28 therein are brought in registry with the end of the aforesaid space 22, the point of the fingers 29 at the same time passing between the end nail and the one next to it, guiding the said end nail into the aforesaid slot, where upon it passes through the hopper 80 and tubes 31, and is conducted down in one of the spring-tubes 14, as shown in Fig. 5. The above distribution of the nails is accomplished upon the upward movement of the lever-arm 4. The opposite flat sides of the fingers 29 now close the spaces 22 and prevent the nails from passing into the slots 28 until the fingers have been retracted and again moved forward. Thus the requisite number of nails to each hinge will be provided.

The hinge box being constantly rocked by the motion of the rockshaft 34, the hinges are guided and passed out through the apertures 32: of the box when they pass from the chute 35 upon their face, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 5. Then, dropping into the outwardly and downwardly curved portion 39 of the chute 37, they, by means otsaid curved de- (dine and their own gravity, make about a quarter-turn, righting themselves, as alsoillnstrated in Fig. 5, having what is designed to be their under face upward, and being held in a substantial horizontal position by the engagement.oftheirupward]ypmjecting angnlarportion with one edge of the chute. Having autoniatically straightened themselves, they pass down the semicircular portion of the chute, turning gradually as they proceed, until the first hinge comes in contact with the finger 44, as shown in Fig. 4, the other hinges following on down until the chute is filled. Upon the downward strike of the lever, which carries the hammers or punches 6 to a contact with the nails positioned in the springtubes 14, and before the said punches come in contact with the nail-heads, the movement of the carrier 5 is so timed that the finger 44 will engage the last hinge in the chute, carry it forward under the pressure of the springplate to a registry with the aperture 41 in the table 40, through which it drops in position upon the box placed beneath the table 40,as shown in Figs. 2 and 6. It is thereupon retained in position by the slotted springplate 43, the said plate being provided with apertures which register with the apertures of the hinge, but are larger than the latter. The continued downward movement of the lever-arm and carrier brings the hammers in contact with the nails, forcing them through the spring-tubes 14 into the box through the various apertures in the spring and hinge. The upward movement of the carrier causes more nails to descend, and also propels the horizontal side hammer, 49, forward,

thereby driving the nail in the vertical end projection of the hinge illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6. The box is then placed to receive another hinge and the operation continued. As the number of fingers 29, nail-guides, springtubes, hammers, and apertures in the slotted springplate is in practice equal in number to the apertures in the hinge to be applied, and as the hinges are fed one at a time by the finger 44 past the arm 41, with their apertures in line with the spring-tubes and hammers, it follows that when the machine is operated, as hereinbefore described, the hinges will be fed one at a time to the nailing mechanism, which has been supplied automatically with the requisite number of nails, as has also been fully set forth.

In the event a hinge is to be placed away from the edge of a box the entire mechanism may be moved forward to the necessary position by means of the screw 3 or other equiva lent device.

It will he observed that a ratchet or other form of screw-driver may be substituted for the ham mers, and screws be employed instead of nails for securing the hinges.

Having thus fully described my invention,I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The combination, with two sets of nailholders at right angles to each othcr,and hammers or drivers for each set to drive the nails in two directions simultaneously, of a receptacle for hinges, a chute leading, therefrom to a point adjacent to said hammers or drivers, and a feeding-finger forcing the hinges from the delivery end of the chute into position for action-by said hammers, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the hammer or driver and means for reciprocating it, of a block having an aperture to receive said hammer or driver, and an inclined aperture or tube leading inward through said block and communicating with its aperture, the flanged collar screwed on the end of the block, an apertured plate resting on the flange of-said collar and provided with a spring'tube registering with the aperture "in the block, and split and bent inward to form nail-holdingjaws, and means for feeding the nails or screws into the inclined aperture or tube in the-block,substantially as set forth.

3. In a nailing mechanism,the combination, with the reciprocating block threaded at its lower or outer end, of an internally-flanged collar screwing thereon, an apert-ured plate resting on said flange, and a nailing hammer or driver passed through said aperture and having a retaining head fitting said aperture, whereby the head of the hammer may be held against the end of the reciprocatiugblock, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the nailguide, of a reciprocating bar at right angles to the said guide,normally closing the delivery end of the IIO guide, and having its side next to the guide recessed for the passage of the nail, and a finger on the bar extending over said recess beyond the inner face of the bar, formed with a flat outer edge and a sharp forward end, that part of the bar just in advance of the sharp end of the finger normally closing the nailguide, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, in a hinging-machine, with the frame having a laterally and vertically adjustable box-support on its front side, of a horizontally-adjustable standard on the upper face of the frame, means for adjusting the standard toward and from the said front side, and the nailing and hinge-feeding mechanisms mounted on said standard and its connected parts and delivering at points above the box-support, whereby the box and the standard and its parts may be brought into proper position for the application of the hinges to the desired parts of the box, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination, with the frame having a standard, the main operating-lever pivoted thereon, and means for rocking said lever, of the vertically-sliding block connected to the forward end of the said lever, the hammers or drivers secured to the lower end of the block, the fixed block having vertical apertures through which said hammers pass, and downward-inclined tubes communicating with said apertures, and the nail-holdingjaws or fingers, the pivoted nail-chutes, flexible tubes for con ducting the nails therefrom to the said inclined tubes, a regulating feed bar between said tubes and chutes, a projection on said bar, a cam on the said lever acting on said projection, a hinge receptacle or box rocked from the main lever, a curved chute leading therefrom to a point below the nail-holders, an operating-finger for pushing the hinges into position at the delivery end of the chute, a rock shaft to which said finger is connected, and a rod connecting said rock-shaft with the main lever, substantially as set forth.

7. The combinatiomwith the main operating sleeve, a spring connecting the rear end of the finger with the said arm, and a rod or pitman connecting the rock-shaft with the main lever, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination,with thefrarne, theinain rocking lever mounted thereon, the two sets of hammers or drivers sliding in planes at right angles to each other and operated from said main lever, nail-recei vi ng tubes through which said hammers pass, and feeding-tubes communicating therewith in advance of the hammers or drivers, of the hinged receptacle rocked from the main lever, the hinge chute formed of the parallel plates curved outward and downward at their points of connection with said receptacle, and thence gradually curved to a point adjacent to the two sets of hammers or drivers, and the feeding finger, also operated from the main lever, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination, with the spring-tubes 14 and 47, the hammers 6 and 49, adapted to reciprocate in said tubes, the adjustable nailboxes 19 and guides 22, a slotted reciprocating bar, 24, provided with fingers 29,and means for connecting said bar and said spring-tubes, of a rocking hingebox, 32, a semicircular inclined chute, 37, hinged to said box, adapted to carry hinges, and provided with an upper outwardly and downwardly inclined or twisted surface, 39, and a finger, 44, actuated from the driving mechanism of the hammers,adapted to convey the hinges in position upon a box, all operating substantially as herein shown and described.

ANDREW c. BOLTON.

Vitnesses:

J. F. AOKER, Jr., C. SEDGwIcK.

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