US431954A - Self feeding machine for shaping irregular forms - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l;

' W. REID. SELF FEEDING MACHINE FOR SHAPING IRREGULAR POEMS. No. 431.954. Patented July 8, 1890.

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W. REID. SELF FEEDING MACHINE FOR SHAPING'IRRBGULAR FORMS. No. 431,954. Patented July '8, 1890..

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM REID, OF VEST HEBRON, NE\V YORK.

SELF-FEEDING MACHINE FOR SHAPING IRREGULAR FORMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 431,954, dated July 8, 1890.

Application filed October 26, 1889. Serial No. 328,233. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM REID, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vest Ilebron,

in the county of Washington and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Feeding Machines for Shaping Irregular Forms; and I do hereby declare the following to he 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.

My present invention relates to an improvement in machines for dressing, planing, shaping, or turning irregular forms, surfaces, or articlessuch as shoe-blocks, chair-rockers, chair-backs, saw-frames, and innumerable other irregular-shaped pieces of wood used in various constructions-the object of the invention being to provide a machine in which an article may be completely dressed or shaped during one passage through the samethat is to say, a machine which will shape and smooth one side of the wood, then automatically reverse the position of the blank so that its other side may be properly turned, thus producing the finished article at one handling of the blank and avoiding the trouble and labor, incident to many machines of this class, of putting the articles twice into the machine; and the invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, substantially as will be hereinafter fully described, and then claimed.

In the accompanyingdrawings, illustrating my invention, Figure l is a side elevation of my improved machine for shaping or turning irregular forms or articles. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is an outline side elevation of the machine, certain parts being omitted, looking from the side opposite to that of Fig l, and drawn on an enlarged scale. Fig. at isa transverse vertical sectional elevation on the line 00 m of Fig. 3.

Similar lettersof reference designate corresponding parts throughout all the different figures of the drawings.

A indicates the main frame of the machine,

wherein the several mechanical parts of the invention are arranged. The details of the structure of this frame may vary within wide limits, and hencelwould state that I am confined to no particular construction thereof,

but reserve the liberty of making it in any 'way that will best serve its purpose and use.

In one end of the machine-frameA is journaled a horizontal shaft D, carrying near one end thereof a pair of wheels suitable for sup-- porting a conveying-bed for the articles to be shaped. In the other end of the main frame are two other -similar wheels. These four :wheels are preferably polygonal sprocketwheels C O, and the conveying-bed consists,

preferably, of two parallel moving belts or chains B B, made up of interpivotal links of suitable size and adapt-ed to be engaged by the sprockets on the wheels C C.

On the opposite end of shaft D from. where the sprocket-wheels are situated is a gearwheel f, which meshes with a pinion f on a stud projecting horizontally from the side of the main frame and carrying likewise a pulley f, to which is applied a belt running from a pulley b on a horizontal shaft 1), carried in bearings upon the upper side of the main frame. This shaft 1) has a fast and loose driving-pulley 19 over which the actuating-belt runs, and by this means, through the connecting mechanism just specified, the shaft D is driven and the accompanying chains 13 B are propelled.

A series of clamps for holding the articles to be shaped or dressed, and corresponding in length and general shape and arrangement to said articles, are mounted on the endless gearchains B B. It is evident, of course, that said clamps will vary in shape to suit the different articles with which the machine is employed. In the present example of the invention the clamps are adapted for holding oval shoeblocks, and in fact the general arrangement and relation of the mechanical parts have been devised with this purpose in View of shaping shoe-blocks. However, myinvention is by no means limited to this one use, and the pres-.

modifications are permissible and readily apparent to the skilled mechanician without departing from the principle of the invention.

The clamps carried by the parallel conveying-chains B Band used for holding the articles while being acted on by the cutting mechanism, as will be hereinafter described, c011- sist each of the following parts: A flat plate H is firmly secured to two opposite links on the conveying-chains. This plate is in general of a rectangular shape and may be of greater or less size. When the links that carry the plate are moving along the distance between the wheels, the plate Will be in a horizontal position. When the clamps are on the upper lengths of the endless chainsthat is, when they are passing underneath the cutters-the plates H H enter and run in gibbed guideways a a, (see Fig. 4,) which hold them securely and firmly. Secured to the plate H at right angles thereto and at the edge thereof is another vertical plate I, which forms one of the jaws of the clamp. Alongside of the plate I is a plate or jaw J, carried on the end of a horizontal endwise-adjustable shaft L,which is journaled in bearings in parallel standards K K, mounted a short distance apart upon the plate H. Said plate H is slotted at j, beneath the movable jaw J, to permit it to have room to reverse when the shaft L is revolved for that purpose. It will be observed that by the endwise movement of shaft L in its bearings the reversible jaw J can be adjusted toward or away from the fixed jaw I for the purpose of clamping or unclamping a blank-as, for instance, the shoe-block O. The portion of shaftLbetween the standards K and K is provided with a rack L, which is engaged by a segment-gear on the end of a lever 70, pivoted at 7c, and susceptible of more or less vertical movement, the result of which, either up or down, is (owing to the engagement of segment-gear and rack) to shift the jaw-shaft endwise in one direction or the other. The end of the pivoted segment-lever k is provided with a roller Z. The weight of the pivoted lever is sufficient (when the clamping device is in the proper position) to open the clamp and unbind the article which has previously been held in a tight grip. During the progressive motion of the clamps under the actuation of the chains which convey them each lever 7c will be lifted every time its roller Z comes in contact with and rides upon one of the straight bars m m, (see Figs. 2 and 3,) the result of which lifting of the pivoted lever will be to force the jaws together and compress the blank between them, and said lever will fall every time its roller faces 02, the result of this falling movement being to unclamp the blank. In the present example of machine I preferably have two raised surfaces m m and two depressed surfaces 91 n in the length of the machine. The raised edges m m are so located with respect to the cutting or shaping mechanism that this action of the clamps in firmly holding thearticles will take place and be continued while the articles are being operated upon by said cutting devices, and the depressed edges 0?. 'n are so located that the articles may be unclamped as soon as the cutters cease to act. The outer end of the jaw-shaft L is provided with an arm M, curved on its under side and fastened horizontally and at right angles to the shaft L. During the progressive motion of the clamps and at a time when they are unclamped this arm M encounters and rides upon a pin N, projecting horizontally inward from the standard or upright N, affixed on the main frame. Fig. The result of this is to lift the arm M and throw it over through a semicircular arc in the direction of the arrow nearthe middle clamp in Fig. 3, which motion rotates the jaw-shaft and reverses the jaw. The face of the reversible jaw opposite the fixed jaw is preferably furnished with spurs or pointed projections, which embed themselves into the blank or block, and thus enable said reversible jaw to hold the blank with a sufficientlystrong connection to keep it from falling even when the clamp is open. Now, suppose the clamp containing ablank to be moving along with the roller riding upon the raised edge m (see second clamp from left in Fig. 3) and the cutters acting upon said blank, when the roller is transferred from the raised edge m to the depressed edge a, theblank will be automatically unclamped, but will be still held by the retaining-spurs on the reversible jaw. At the same time the arm M will strike the pin N and the jaw J will reverse, carrying with it the blank, which will now present its opposite side to the remaining cutters as soon as the roller Z rides upon the next edge m, and again firmly clamps the movable jaw against its fixed companion. In this manner it will be seen that the shoe-block or other article may be dressed upon both sides with but one handling, as the machine will automatically reverse it after one side thereof has been dressed and offer its other side to be dressed by other cutters. The arm M is held in each of its positions by resting on suitable pins or projections, as shown. By referring to Fig.

2 it will be seen that two clamps have not yet reversed, one is reversing, and two have reversed. As the clamps journey around on the endless bed the curved arms M will drop back under the action of gravity into the proper position for their lower curved edges to be in readiness to meet with and ride upon the opposing devices, which accomplish a shifting of said arms. 1 drops into and rides upon the depressed sur- In this machine I preferably employ four cutters, one pair of which is arranged to act upon one side of the shoe-block or other blank, while the other pair is arranged to act upon the reverse side of the shoe block or blank, the members of each pair revolving in opposite directions. It will of course be understood that a different number of cutters (See the middle clamp in ICC IIS

may be employed when the machine is-to be used for other purposes than that of shaping oval shoe-blocks; but in the present instance I conceive that the best results are to be attained by the employment of four cutters. These cutting devices are arranged as follows: On the upper side of the main frame A of the machine are mounted four vertical frames, about equal in height,but differing in width to permit them all to be belted from a common shaft. For instance, if the first frame is twelve inches wide the second frame should be sixteen, the third twenty inches, and the fourth twenty-four inches. These frames are lettered F F F F. The pair of frames F and F are located tolerably close together, as are alsotheframesF and F Each of thesevertical frames is provided with gibbed guideways to receive a vertically-movable plate, which carries the cutter-shaft. the plate G, which moves up and down therein, carrying the horizontal shaft h, having at one end a pulley and at the other a cutter i, said shaft It being journaled in suitable bearings on the vertically-movable frame G, the lower end of said plate G havinga downward extension, which projects through the main frame and is provided with a small roller g. The frame F receives the vertically-movable plate G, which carries the horizontal cuttershaft h, having at one end a pulley and at the other a cutter i, said shaft h being supported in suitable j ournal-bearings affixed to the plate G, and the downwardly-extending end of said plate G being provided with a small roller g. The vertical frame F receives the vertically-movable plate G carrying a horizontal cutter-shaft 71?, having at one end a pulley and at the other a cutter 2' said shaft 712 being carried in suitable bearings on the slide-plate G while the lower end of said plate G which projects downwardly, is furnished with aroller g The frame F receives the vertically-movable plate G which carries the horizontal cutter-shaft it having at one end a pulley and at the other a cutter i said shaft 7L3 being held in proper bearings on the sliding plate G while the lower end of plate G is provided with the small roller 9 The horizontal shaft 1), above described, is provided with a series of four pulleys c c c 0 A belt runs from c to the pulley on the cutter-shaft 723. A twisted belt runs from the pulley c to the belt on the cutter-shaft 7L2. A straight belt runs from the pulley c to the pulley on the cutter-shaft h, and a twisted belt runs from the pulley c to the pulley on the cutter-shaft h. In this manner it will be seen how the cutting devices are actuated, and it will be observed that the members of each pair of them will move in opposite directions. Journaled in the main frame beneath the vertically-sliding plates G, G, G and G and at right angles to the cuttershafts carried by said plates is a horizontal shaft E, provided with a series of cams e e e a The cam e revolves in contact with the The frame F receives roller g on the slide G. The cam e revolves in contact with the roller g on the slide G. The cam e revolves in contact with the roller g on the slide G The cam e revolves in contact with the roller g on the slide G hence during the rotation of the shaft E the cams thereon serve to adjust the slides vertically so as to bring the cutters into proper position to act upon their work, so as to make the proper forms and outlines thereupon as may be necessary to convert the blank into the desired article or object. The cam-shaft E has a mitergear cl on the end thereof ,which engages with a miter-gear d on the shaft D. As the shaft D revolves the camshaft is likewise actuated by reason of this miter-gear connection. The cams 011 the camshaft may vary in form and outline, as may be desired.

The operation of my improved machine for dressing or shaping irregular forms, surfaces, or articles will be clearly evident from the foregoing description of the construction and arrangement of the several mechanical parts without need of any extensive description of the minutiae of the operation of each part. The operator drops a blankas, for instance,

a blank for a shoe-block-into the open jaws of the clamp when the said clamp is in the position shown to the right of Fig. 3, the pivoted segment-lever having its roller resting upon its depressed edge a. As the clamp moves on toward the cutters and the roller in lthe pivoted arm mounts the raised edgem, the blank is immediately clamped automatically and firmly and presented to a cutter rotating reversely to the ordinary direction given to planers. This cutter will begin to act upon the material of the blank and to shape it into the desired form, the cam on the cam-shaft all the While operating upon the downwardly-extending portion of the vertical slide, so as to keep the cutter in proper position to correctly outline the blank which itis dressing. The first cutter will round or shape the first end of the upper side of the blank;

but when the cutter is operating upon the middle portion of said blank it will be sud-- denly raised up in its work by the action of the cam-shaft upon the sliding plate, and simultaneously with this sudden elevation of the first cutter the second cutter will, by the proper movement of the proper cam, be lowered down to where it can begin to cut into the wood of the blank, and as this second cutter runs in a direction the reverse of the direction of revolution of the first cutter, it will dress the remaining half of the upper side of the block and thoroughly shape and I outline it into the correct form and figure preferred. As the clamp moves on and the end of the pivoted segment-lever drops off the raised edge m and falls onto the depressed part it, the reversal of the position of the block will take place in the manner which has been above described in treating of the construction of the clamp. VVhenthe piv-.

oted lever again mounts a raised part m and the block or blank is again firmly clamped, it will be presented to the action of the other two cutters, whose mode of operation is similar to that of the first pair.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a machine for dressing irregular forms or articles, the combination of the main frame, the endless conveying-bed arranged therein, the automatically-operating clamps carried by said bed, the horizontal guide-bar upon the top of the frame having its edge formed with alternate elevations and depressions, the vertically-adjustable slides carrying the cutters, the cam-shaft whose cams adjust the vertical position of the said slides, and an obstacle in the path of the clamps by encountering which each one is reversed, substantially as set forth.

2. In a machine fordressing irregular forms or articles, the combination of the endless conveying-bed carrying the automatically-operating clamps, the main frame having on its upper side a horizontal bar formed with alternate elevations and depressions, a pair of oppositely-rotating cutters and vertically-moving slides carrying said cutters, together with the cam-shaft for adjusting said slides, and an object in the path of the clamps by encountering which they are reversed, as set forth.

3. In a machine for dressing irregular forms or articles, the combination of the endless conveying bed, the automatically operating clamps carried thereby, consisting, essentially,

of a rigid jaw and a movable arm provided with a jaw, the vertically-adjustable slides, the frames in which they are arranged, the cutters carried by the slides, the cam-shaft arranged beneath said slides so as to vertically adjust them, the horizontal bar on the top of the main frame formed with alternate depressions and elevations, and the obstacle arranged in the path of the clamps to be encountered thereby, as set forth.

4. In a machine for dressing irregular forms or articles, the combination, with the main frame having a horizontal bar upon the same, the edge of which is formed with alternate elevations and depressions, and the endless conveying-bed, of a reversible clamp for holding the article to be dressed, consisting of a plate secured to the bed, a rigid jaw on said plate, and a movable jaw having a shaft provided with a curved arm adapted during the progressive motion of the clamp to encounter an obstacle 'and thereby reverse the clamp,

substantially as described.

5. In amachine for dressing irregular forms or articles, the combination, with the dressing mechanism and the endless conveying-bed, of a clamp for the article to be dressed, consisting of a flat plate secured to the bed, a rigid jaw on said plate, a movable jaw having a shaft provided with a rack and a horizontally- ;curved arm, a pivoted segment-lever engaging said rack, a bar or surface on the main .on said plate, a movable jaw having a shaft suitably journaled in standards on the plate, said jaw being provided with retaining-spurs which embed themselves in the article, and

said shaft having a rack and also a horizontally-curved arm, the pivoted segment-lever engaging said rack, a bar or surface on the main frame having alternate elevations and depressions whereon the segment-lever rides, and the obstacle in the path of the curved arm, substantially as set forth.

7. In a machine for dressing irregular forms or articles, the combination, with the vertically adj ustable slides, the cutting devices carried thereby, the conveying-bed consisting of parallel chains having interpivoted links, and the duplicate sprocket-wheels arranged in each end of the frame, of a series of clamps carried by said chain, each consisting of a plate secured to opposite links of the said parallel chains, a rigid jaw on said plate, and a movable jaw having a suitably-journaled rack shaft provided with a horizontallycurved arm, the pivoted segment-lever engaging said rack-shaft, the bar on the upper side of the frame formed with alternate elevated and depressed sections, and the device in the path for shifting the curved arm, substantially as described.

8. In a machine for dressing irregular forms or articles, the combination of cutting devices, an endless conveying-bed and a clamp thereon, consisting, essentially, of the plate secured to the bed, a rigid jaw on the plate, and a movable jaw having a shaft suitablyj ournaled in standards on the plate and provided with a rack, the pivoted segment-lever engaging said rack, and the bar or surface on the upper portion of the machine-frame having alternate raised and depressed sections whereon the segment-baris adapted to move, substantially as described.

9. In a machine for-dressing irregular forms or articles, the combination of the main frame of the machine, the vertical frames arranged thereupon, the vertically-adjustable slides moving in said frames, the cutting devices carried by said slides, the cam-shaft for adjusting the slides, the endless conveying-bed, and the self-operating clamps carried by said bed, together with the horizontal guide-bar on the top of the main frame formed with alternate depressions and elevations, and the obstacle in the path of the clamps which are ICC IIC'

encountered thereby so as to reverse them, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination of the main frame, the vertical frame secured thereupon having ways, the vertically-adjustable slides moving in said ways, the cutting devices carried by said slides, the shaft provided with clamps which operate upon the lower ends of said slides for the purpose of adjusting the same, the mechanism for imparting to said cutting devices a reverse rotation, the endless bed consisting of the parallel chains passing over sprocket-wheels, and the automatically-operating reversible clamps, constructed substantially as described, whereby the opposite sides of the blank are presented to turn to the action of the cutting devices, substantially as described.

11. In amachine fordressin g irregular forms or articles, the combination of the main frame, the vertical frame thereupon, the verticallyadjustable slides in said vertical frame, the reversely-rotating cutters carried by said slides, as specified, the cam-shaft whose cams adjust the vertical position of the slides and thus regulate the cutters, the main drivingshaft having pulleys belted to the pulleys 011 the cutter-shafts, and the endless bed with its clamps, substantially as described.

12. The combination of the main frame, the conveying-bed consisting of parallel chains passing over sprocket-wheels located at either end of the machine, the Vertical frames mounted on the main frame and having gibbed guideways, the verticallyadjustable slides moving in said guideways, the cutter-shafts journaled on said slides and each carrying a cutter-head and a pulley, the cam-shafts operating upon the lower ends of the slides for adjusting the same vertically, the driving devices for actuating the cutters, and the adjustable clamp consisting of a rigid and a movable jaw, substantially as described.

13. The combination of the main frame A, the cuttingdevices, the conveying-bed, and the automatically-reversible clamp, consisting of a plate H, secured to said conveying-bed and slotted at j, a fixed jaw I, mounted on said plate, a movable jaw J, having shaft L journaled in standards K K, mounted on said plate 11, said shaft L having rack L, together with the pivoted segment-lever 70, having roller Z, adapted to ride on the straight edges m and n on the upper side of the machineframe, substantially as and for the purpose described.

14:. The combination of the main frame A,

the vertical frames F F F F mounted on WVILLIAM REID.

Witnesses: J. A. AsHLY, A. J. McAULEY.

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