US410611A

US410611A - Fence-picket-crimping machine

Info

Publication number: US410611A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1889-09-10
Anticipated expiration: 1906-09-10

Description

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet l, M. M. SHELLABERGER.

FENCE PIGKBT GRIMPING MACHINE.

No. 410,611. Patented Sept. 10, 1889. e

@Xhtmeooeo 3440414 601 (No Model.) 5 SheetsSheet 2- M. M. SHELLABERGER. FENCE PIOKET GRIMPING MACHINE.

No. 410,611. Patented Sept. 10, 1889.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3. M. M. SHELLABERGER.

FENCE PIGKET CRIMPING MACHINE. No. 410,611. Patented Sept. 10, 1889.

QwUm moo e0 N. PETERS Phuto-t'rihngrphar, Walhmgian. 11c.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5. M. M. SHELLABERGER.

FENGB PIGKBT GRIMPING MACHINE.

No. 410,611. Patented Sept. 10.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MICHAEL M. SHELLABERGER, OF BEAVER FALLS, PENNSYLVANIA.

FENCE-PlCKET-CRIMPING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 410,611, dated September 10, 1889.

Application filed June 12, 1889. Serial No. 313,974., (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, MICHAEL M. SHELLA- BERGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Beaver Falls, in the county of Beaver and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence- Picket-Crimping Machines; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in fence-picket machines or crim'pers; and it has for its object to provide means whereby both sides or legs of a hair-pin or doubled picket may be simultaneously crimped, thereby requiring less time for the passage of the picket through the machine and increasing the capacity of the latter.

Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide an automatic feed, whereby the pickets are drawn positively through the machine and discharged, when completed, without danger of becoming jammed and twisted.

Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide adjusting means for the coacting parts, whereby a simultaneous and accurate adjustment thereof may be attained; and, furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide special adjusting means for the several parts, whereby the initial independent adjustment thereof may be made.

\Vith these objects in view the invention consists in the combination, with opposing die-bearing disks, of an endless or continuous die-carrier operating between said disks and carrying dies which mesh with those of said disks.

Furthermore, the invention consists in the combination, with an intermediate die-carrier, of opposing die-bearing disks provided with adjusting devices, whereby they may be siln ultaneously adjusted either toward or from the said carrier.

Furthermore, the invention consists in the opposing die-bearing disks and intermediate die-carrier provided with intermeshing dies, and having adjustable gearing whereby the carrier may be independently adj usted either forward or backward to cause said dies to mesh accurately.

l urthermore, the invention consists in an automatic feed-bar geared to the die-bearing members and adapted to admit the rods for the pickets at regular intervals; and, furthermore, the invention consists in certain other novel features and combinations of devices, which are hereinafter fully described in connection with the accompanying drawings, and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan View of a machine embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same. Fig.3 is a similar view of the opposite side, partly in central section. Fig. fis a transverse sectional view. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of the divided shaft with its adjusting devices. Fig. 6 shows the contiguous faces of the adj ustingdisks. Fig. 7 is a detail view of a portion of the die-carrier. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the box shown at 27 in Fig. 3. Fig. 9 is a plan view, partly in section, of the upper adjustable brackets and adjusting means. Fig. 10 is a detail view of the movable miter-wheel wit-l1 its adjusting devices. Fig. 11 is a plan view of the die-bearing disks and the die-carrier detached from the machine. Fig. 12 is a detail perspectivelview of the die-bearing disks and die-carrier, with the wire partially bent thereon; and Fig. 13 is a detail view of a completed picket.

The main driving-shaft A is mounted in suitable bearings a a, and carries a bandpulley A, which is driven by a suitable counter-shaft overhead. (Not-shown.) The driving-shaft also carries a pinion B, which meshes with a gear-wheel Don the shaft D, the ratio between the pinion and the gear-wheel being preferably as one to five. The shaft D also carries a miter-wheel E, which meshes with a similar wheel E on the shaft F, which is arranged at right angles to the main drivingshaft. The said shaft F is divided at an intermediate point, thereby forming the independent sections F F, which are provided, respectively, at their contiguous ends with the adjusting-disks f f, whose opposing faces are separated by an interposed washer or packing e, of leather, rubber, or other suitable compressible material, which is capable of forming a friction contact between the disks. The disks are provided, respectively, with a series of concentric slots f 2 and perforations f which register with each other and are engaged by the adj usting-bolts f Either section of the shaft F may be rotated independently of the other after loosening the adjusting-bolts, and they are clamped in the desired position by tightening said bolts. The slotted disk f is also provided with an annular cheek f which fits snugly in a corresponding annular recess f in the face of the disk f to steady the disks, and the section F of the shaft projects a short distance into the hub of the disk f to assist in strengthenl ing the parts and rendering the shaft firm. When the adj usting-bolts are tightened, the friction caused by the interposed washer or packing, above referred to, prevents the disks from turning independently of each other. The shaft F is geared through the miterwheels jj to a horizontal shaft J, parallel with the driving-shaft, and the shaft J is in turn geared through the miter-wheels G G to the vertical shafts g g, which carry the opposing die-bearing disks H H.

20 20 designate the upper parallel guiderods, arranged above the die-bearing disks,

and 21 21 designate lower parallel guide-rods,

arranged below the die-bearing disks and parallel with the upper guide-rods, and the said vertical shafts g g are mounted in bearings in the upper adjustable brackets U U and the lower adjustable brackets P P, which are carried, respectively, by the upper and lower guide-rods, said brackets being provided, respectively, with eyes it u and p p to fit on the guide-rods. The centers of the upper guide-rods are connected by a stationary crosshead T, which is provided with set-screws t t to secure it firmly to the rods, and in the center of the cross-head is mounted a right-and-left screw-bolt T, which engages the brackets U U at its opposite ends, whereby when said bolt is turned the brackets are moved either toward or from each other simultaneously. The brackets U are provided at their centers with recesses u u, in which are received the nuts u" to engage the threaded ends of the bolt T, the latter being held from longitudinal movement in the cross-head by the collars t 15, which bear against opposite sides thereof, and said nuts are provided with peripheral perforations or sockets u to receive a suitable pin or rod (not shown) to enable them to be turned. These nuts are adapted to be turned to properly adjust the brackets when the machine is constructed, so as to arrange the die-bearing disks in the proper relative positions, after which a small threaded pin t is inserted in a small perforation in the side of the recess 11/ and engaged in one of the peripheral sockets in each nut, which are preferably threaded for its reception. Thus the pins are prevented from jarring loose and releasing the nuts when the machine is in operation. The brackets P P are also provided with stationary nuts, which are engaged by the threaded ends of the right-andleft screw-bolt P, which is mounted at its center in a suitable stationary web P, whereby the brackets P P may also be moved simultaneously either toward or from each other.

The adjusting-bolts T and P are provided,respectively,with rigid sprocket-pulleys 2 and 23, which carry the adjusting sprocketchain 24, the sides of which, between said sprocket-pulleys, are carried, respectively, around the power-pulley 25 and the idler-pulley 26, which are mounted in'abox 27 in front of the vertical shafts g g. The power-pulley 25 is provided outside the said box with a squared projection R for the reception of a wrench, whereby the chain may be moved, and the shaft of the idler-pulley is mounted in horizontal slots 14 in the sides of the box. A yoke N is connected to the shaft of the idler-pulley, and its threaded shank is extended through a perforation in the end of the box and engaged by a tightening-nut N, whereby the idler-pulley may be drawn forward to tighten the chain 24. It will be seen that by turning the power-pulley the chain 24 is moved, thereby turning the sprocketpulleys 22 and 23, and consequently the adj usting-bolts to which they are fixed, in the same direction, thereby adjusting the vertical shafts g g (and the die-bearing disks) either toward or from each other, simultaneously. Thus after the initial adjustment of the brackets which carry the shafts ggany subsequent required adj ustmentof all the bearings of the vertical shafts is done simultaneously, thereby preventing cramping in the bearings.

The miter-wheels G G, which mesh with the miter-wheels G G on the vertical shafts g g, are feathered on the shaft J, and are provided with. grooved hubs g, which are engaged by the adjusting yokes or stirrups W W, the

threaded arms to w of which extend through perforations in the brackets P P and are engaged by nuts w w, whereby said miterwheels G G may be adjusted toward or from the said brackets to mesh properly with the miter-wheels G G. The shaft D also carries the parallel sprocket-wheels K K, over which and the similar idler sprocket-wheels K K travels the die-carrier or chain Z, which is provided with lateral ears or lugs z z, to be engaged by the teeth on the sprocket-wheels. This die-carrier is composed of links or sections 28, which are provided, respectively, at their opposite ends with boxes 29, to receive the cross-heads 30. Said links or sections are 33 being adapted to project up between the dies on the opposing edges of the said disks. These dies 33 may be of any preferred form, governed by the form which the picket is to assume when crimped, those shown in the drawings consisting of double-tapered blocks 40, having rounded depressions 4:1 in their opposite sides to receive the projecting rounded dies Set on the disks. Each die of the carrier is arranged on a separate link and extends from one end of said link to another, each die being provided with a depending web or rib 42, which fits in the groove 33 in the link, and is secured therein by means of rivets, screws, or the like. (Not shown.) It will be seen that when the carrier bends to pass around the pulleys the dies do not interfere with each other. The head-die 43, which strikes the center of the wire to cause its initial bending and forms the head of the picket, is preferably rounded, as shown, or arrow-head shaped.

Parallel laterally-adj ustable guides S S are arranged above the die-carrier on the plane of the die-bearing disks and are provided in their opposite faces with guidegrooves s s, which are designed to receive the crimped picket and guide it to the end of the machine, where it is discharged.

At the front end of the table X, which is arranged at one end of the machine, is a transverse bar 2, divided at its center to form a small open space 3, through which the dies of the die-carrier may pass, said transverse bar being provided with a chamfered front edge, and in rear of the latter is arranged the automatic feed-bar V, which is carried by the sliding brackets V V and fits down in a channel 4;, adapted to receive the wire or rod from which the picket is to be formed. Said brackets W V are provided with vertical guide-slots o, fitting on the screws or pins '0, and are also provided with anti-friction rollers L, which ride on cam-disks J J on the eX- tremities of the shaft J As the said shaft rotates, the cam-disks thereon raise the brackets V V and the feed-bar V to allow a rod or wire to drop into the channel 12 in the path of the first die 43 on the die-carrier, which die engages the center of the rod or wire and draws the same forward between the opposite head-blocks 8 8, and thereby doubles it until its legs sweep across the tableX and come in contact with the diverging stop-flanges Y Y thereon. The bar 2 is grooved to form said channel 0, and the head-blocks 8 are secured to the front side of channeled bar on opposite sides of the space or opening 3 therein, whereby when the center of the wire or rod is drawn forward by the head-die 43 these head-blocks strike the wire or rod on opposite sides of its center and detain the ends thereof, thereby doubling the same. These headblocks also retain the legs of the picket in their parallel positions until they are engaged by the disks and crimped. Receiving-arms 5 5 are affixed to the transverse bar 2, on which the rods or wires are laid by the operator preparatory to their being received in the channel o, and 7 represents an adjustable gage against which one end of said rod or wire is placed so that its center may come exactly opposite the interval or space 3.

The operation of my improved crimper is as follows: A rod or wire of the proper length (that is, double the length of the proposed picket) is laid on the receiving-arms 5 5 with one end in contact with the gage 7, and when the feed-bar is raised by the rotation of the cam-disks J said rod or wire will drop into the channelo and the feed-bar will drop down thereon and hold it firmly in place. The first die on the die-carrier, which is preferably round, as shown, or arrow-head shaped, engages the center of the rod or wire and doubles the same, thereby causing its ends to swing out from beneath the transverse bar 2 and assume a position in contact with the stopflanges Y Y. The center of the rod or wire is carried forward between the opposing peripheries of the die-bearing disks, and the dies of the latter, meshing with the dies on the die-carrier, crimp both legs of the picket simultaneously, and as the latter passes beyond the disks its legs are received in the grooves of the guides S S, and it is moved along until it drops from the extremities of the guides. The advantage of these guides is that as the die-carrier passes down over the sprocket-wheels K K it does not draw the picket down, its dies readily disengaging therefrom. Each complete revolution of the die-carrier preferably forms three pickets, the dies being arranged thereon in three independent groups which are separated by intervening open spaces, (or spaces not provided with dies,) which open spaces are adapted to pass beneath the feed-bar just as the latter is raised to admit a rod or wire. The die-bearing disks are adapted to form three complete revolutions while the die-carrier is making one revolution, and its periphery is provided with an open space corresponding with the open spaces in the chain. It will be seen that each group of dies on the die-carrier is of the same length as a completed picket, as, also, is the group of dies on each disk, and it will be understood that the group of dies on the disks must be arranged so as to mesh exactly with the groups of dies on the die-carrier. If the carrier, through any accident, gets slightly ahead or in rear of the disks, so that the dies do not mesh exactly, the adjustable coupling in the shaft F is loosened, and the sprocket-wheels K K are turned so as to readjust the carrier. If the die-bearing disks are too close to the die-carrier or too far therefrom, the power-pulley is operated, so as to move the shafts g g from or toward each other and thereby adj nst the disks.

The shaft 35, to which the idler sprocketwhecls K K are fixed, is mounted in bearings on the arms of the yoke 36, and the threaded shank 37 of the latter extends IIO through a cross-head 38 at the rear end of the machine, and is engaged by a tightening-nut 39, whereby the die-carrier may be tightened when it becomes loose.

The peculiar construction of the die-carrier which is shown and described herein forms the subject-matter of a prior application of sprocket-wheels or that portion which is in operation, thereby preventing sagging,which would interfere with the satisfactory operation of the machine. This portion of the 0011- struction of the carrier adapts it'peculiarly for use in a machine of this character. The

blanks or open spaces in the die-carrier are preferably about three links or sections in length, thereby allowing ample time for the feed-bar to rise and admit a rod or wire and drop back to its position before the head-die engages the said rod or wire.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In amachine for crimping fence-pickets, the combination of the endless carrier provided with a series of dies and the rotary disks arranged on opposite sides of the carrier and carrying a series of dies which mesh with those on said carrier, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of the die-bearing disks, the die-carrier bearing dies arranged between said disks, the channeled bar arranged at right angles to the carrier to receive the rod or wire for the pickets, and the table provided with divergent stop-flanges to check the legs of the picket, substantially as specified.

3. The combination of the die-bearing disks, the interposed die-carrier bearing dies, and the parallel grooved guides to receive and guide the legs of the completed picket, substantially as specified.

4.. The combination, with the die-bearing disks and the interposed die-carrier bearing dies, of the transverse channeled bars and the feed-bar fitting in said channel and geared to the die-bearing disks, substantially as specified.

5. The combination, with the die-carrier bearing dies, of the die-bearing disks having theirshafts mounted in laterallymovable brackets, and the right-and-left screw-bolts connecting said brackets in pairs, whereby they may be moved toward orfroln each other, substantially as specified.

6. The combination, With the die-carrier bearing dies, of the die-bearing disks having their shafts mounted in laterally-movable brackets which are connected in pairs by right-and-left screw-bolts, and the adj ustingchain connecting rigid pulleys on the said screw-bolts,whereby when said chain is moved all the brackets are operated simultaneously, substantially as specified.

7. The combination, with the die-carrier bearing dies, of the upper and lower parallel guide-rods, the sliding brackets mounted in pairs on said guide-rods and connected by .right-and-left screw-bolts carrying sprocketpulleys, the die-bearing disks having vertical shafts mounted in bearings in the said brackets, and the sprocket chain engaging said sprocket-pulleys and passing around intermediate pulleys 25 and 26, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

8. The combination, with the die-carrier bearing dies, of the upper and lower parallel guide-rods, the sliding brackets mounted in pairs on said guide-rods and provided with revoluble nuts, the right-and-left screw-bolts connecting said brackets in pairs and provided with rigid pulleys connected by an endless chain, and the die-bearing disks provided with shafts mounted in bearings in the said brackets, substantially as specified.

9. The combination, with the die-carrier bearing dies, of th e movable brackets mounted on parallel guide-rods and provided with revoluble nuts, the retaining or looking pins or rods fitting in peripheral perforations in the said nuts, the right-and-left screw-bolts connecting said brackets in pairs and connected together for simultaneous operation, and the die-bearing disks provided with shafts mounted in bearings in the brackets, substantially as'specified.

10. The combination, with the die-carrier bearing dies, of sliding brackets connected by right-and-left screw-bolts which are geared together for simultaneous operation and the die-bearing disks having their shafts mounted in bearings in the said brackets, substantially as specified.

11. The combination, with opposing disks bearing dies, of a carrier arranged between the disks and provided with a groove or channel and the dies providedwith webs or ribs secured in said grooves or channels, substantially as specified.

12. The combination of an endless carrier provided with dies, the sprocket wheels or pulleys supporting said carrier, the rotary disks arranged on opposite sides of the carrier and provided with dies to mesh with the dies-on the carrier, and the divided shaft having separable sections which are geared, respectively, to the sprocket wheels or pulleys and the rotary disks, and having their contiguous ends provided with perforated disks which are engaged by clamping-bolts, substantially as specified.

13. The combination, with a die-carrier having its dies arranged in groups with intervening blanks, of the die-bearing disks arranged on opposite sides of said die-carrier and having blank spaces to correspond with the blanks on the carrier, substantially as specified.

14. The combination, with a die-carrier, of ihe shaft J, geared to the said carrier, the die-bearing disks provided with shafts having miter Wheels G, the movable miter- Wheels G, feathered on the shaft J and provided with grooved hubs, and the yokes engaging the grooved hubs and having their threaded arms extended through suitable brackets and engaged by nuts, substantially as specified.

15. The combination, with a die-carrier and the opposing die-bearing disks, of the shaft J, geared to said die-bearing disks and carrying cams J, and the feed-bar carried by sliding brackets having anti-friction rollers bearing on the said cams, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

MICHAEL M. SHELLABERGER.

Witnesses:

J. 1 MERRIMAN, GEo. W. l\/IORRISON,