US974446A

US974446A - Mechanism for covering leaf-pneumatics.

Info

Publication number: US974446A
Application number: US57820110A
Authority: US
Inventors: Horace W Stowe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1910-08-20
Filing date: 1910-08-20
Publication date: 1910-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 1927-11-01

Description

H. W. STOWE.

- MEOHANISM FOR oovmme LEAF PNEUMATIGS.

APPLICATION FILED 79.20, 1910.

Patented Nov. 1,1910.

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H. W. STOWE.

MECHANISM FOR COVERING LEAF PNEUMATIOS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 20, 1910.

' Patented Nov. 1, 1910.

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Irv/2212 01 I 67m la /mg 027M HORACE W. STOWE,

0F MERIDEN,

CONNECTICUT.

MECHANISM FOR COVERING LEAF-PNEUMATICS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 1, 1910.

Application filed August 20, 1910. Serial No. 578,201.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HORACE W. Srown, a citizen of the United States, residing at Meriden, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Mechanism for Covering Leaf- Pneumatics, of which the following is a specification, reference being made therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a novel mechanism for facilitating the accurate and thorough affixment of the flexible fabric, or bellows-fold coverings, to leaf pneumatics such as are employed as playing pneumatics in automatic piano-players, player-pianos and other mechanical musical instruments; the object of my invention being to provide a convenient and efficient mechanism whereby a strip of flexible fabric can be held and drawn taut about the glued edges of the pneumatic leaves, the parts of the pneumatic properly gaged and supported to give uniformity of ex ansion, and the whole firmly clamped an confined to insure close and permanent setting of the glue.

Another object is to provide a gagin means that can be readily attached to, an detached from the leaf of the pneumatic for gaging the spread of the leaves, and guiding the same into the clamping matrix; and which will not interfere with the applying of glue to the edges of the leaves.

I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 represents an elevation view, one half showing the exterior front, and one half being shown as with the front board removed, and with some portions in section, the better to reveal internal construction. Fig. 2 represents a plan view, one part as a section along the under side of the handlever, and the other part showing the top of the table. (The rearward portion of the supports for the levers is omitted to save space on the drawing.) Fig. 3 represents a vertical section at the line X on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section of the hand-lever and presser devices carried thereon. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing one of the drag devices. Fig. 6 is a separate back View of the side clamp. Fig. 7 is a face View (on larger scale) of the gage-block for regulating the form and placement of the pneumatic; the relative size of the latter being indicated by dottwo sets are of similar construction and arranged in right and left order as a connected pair, and disposed upon a unitary base or frame, as illustrated. Each set of mechanism is practically independent in its operation and use, and may therefore be made entirely separate if desired. The organization of the mechanism at the right hand and left hand being substantially the same, a description of one set of devices will apply to both or either; hence the corresponding parts, right or left, are designated by the same reference letters or numerals upon the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, B indicates a supporting frame or body-block having a flat top or table surface 2 and a suitable foot or base A. Said supporting body is re cessed at the front to afford space for the working parts, and a movable front-board F is provided for inclosing the mechanism; said front-board being hinged, as at H, or otherwise connected in a manner to permit ready access to the working parts for cleaning or other purpose. The front-board is secured to the body at its upper part by screw-bolts 3, said screw-bolts being preferably provided, for convenient removal, with thumb-heads, as shown on Fig. 2.

The numeral 5 designates a movable plunger or end-seating block of rectangular form, having its top end covered with an elastic facing, and of a dimension approximately corresponding in width to the end of the pneumatic to be operated upon, while the length of said plunger is slightly greater, or approximately the same as that of the pneumatic leaves.

The plunger is arranged in a rectangular work'receiving space or guide-way 6 within the body B; said space being open at the top to the table-surface 2. At one side of said space the wall is rovided with an elastic facing strip 4, while at the opposite side there is a chamber within which is arranged a movable side-clamping member 7 having an elastic facing strip 8. The elastic facings 4 and 8, which are made of semisoft rubber or similar material about oneeighth of an inch, more or less, in thickness, extend down from the opening to a distance about equal to the length of the pneumatic P, and together with the end facing of the plunger 5, form a yieldable matrix within which the pneumatic may be laterally embraced as hereinafter further explained.

The lower end of the plunger is provided with a projecting lug or pin 9, and connected by cord 10 with a weight 12 that runs within a guide-way recess 11 in the body, and acts to impart to the plunger a normal tendency to assume an elevated position. The cord passes over a suitable sheave 14 mounted in the upper part of the body, which latter is suitably recessed for accommodating the sheave and cord, as indicated. The partition 13 is slotted to allow the pin 9 to move up and down therein, the .upper end of said slot forming a stop for arrest ing the plunger when its top end is approximately flush with the table surface.

The side-clamp plate 7 is provided at its back wit-h suitable springs 15 for giving forward pressure thereon; and with guiding and limiting devices; pins or screws 16 for keeping it in proper relation. It is also furnished with an outstanding loop 17 attached thereto and disposed within a slot or recess in the body B. A rocker-bar or shaft 20 extends from the front through.

said loop and is provided with a cam 19 that engages therewith, whereby the sideclamp plate can be retracted by turning said rocker-shaft. The forwardly projecting end of the shaft is formed as a crank or offset handle for convenient manipulation by the operator.

Along the back of the table surface 2 is an upright flange 22; and above the flange I arrange a vertically movable bar 23 having forwardly projecting arms 24 on which are mounted yieldable drag-devices 25, which bear upon the table surface when the bar 23 is depressed. Said drag-devices are preferably made best illustrated in Fig. 5, and consist of a short bar or cylindrical member having upwardly projecting prongs 26 that are loosely supported and guided in the drag-bar arms 24, while light downwardly pressing springs 27 are arranged in connection with said prongs for giving yielding pressure to the drag-devices. Pins 28, set in the prongs above the arms, prevent the escape of the drag-devices from their supporter.

The drag-bar is mounted on guide-rods 29 that slide in openings in the body, and upwardly pressing springs 30 are combined therewith for elevating the bar. A spring latch 31 is provided for holding the dragbar depressed with the dragdevices 25 pressing upon the table surface 2. The springs 30 elevate the bar and lift the drag devices from the table surface when the latch is released, which is done preparatory to placing the covering fabric on the table surface.

34 designates a hand-lever fulcrumed upon a rearwardly extending bracket '13 of the body, to swing'up and down over the work-receiving space and plunger 5. Said hand-lever is provided with a suitable handle 33 and with a latch mechanism for retaining it in depressed position. The latch mechanism is preferably constructed as shown in Fig. 3, with an inclosed swinging latch member 35 pivoted at 36 and having a notch that engages a lug or lip 37 onthe front board; a spring 38 that advances said latch; and a latch-retracting handle member 39 that releases the latch when the leverhandle 33 and member 39 are grasped. Upon the under side of the hand-lever, at a position in coinciding alinement with the plunger, there is a downwardly projecting presser device 40 having an elastic facing 41. (See Fig. 4.) Said presser is connected with the hand-lever, or a guide-block fixed thereon, by limiting screws 42, and is backed by an expanding spring 43 of sufficient power to exert the desired degree of pressure.

The numeral 45 indicates a gage device, which consists of a wedge-shaped block provided near its thicker end with a projecting boss 46 having an under-cut and lip 47 at its lower side, the under-cut approximating the thickness of the pneumaticleaf P, and a projecting stud or end surface 48 at a distance from the ,face thereof corresponding to the required spread of the pneumatic leaves P P at the position of the air-hole 49 in the v leaf 1?. The taper of the gage-block is the same as required for the expanded pneumatic and the lateral width and length of the gage-block is somewhat smaller than that of the pneumatic leaf, as indicated by the dot-and-dash lines on Fig. 7. The straight side of the gage fits against the back of the receiving space for guiding and supporting the pneumatic while the covering fabric 50 is being affixed thereon.

The operation is as follows: The operator spreads a strip of covering fabric 50 upon the table surface 2, adjacent to the back flange and across the matrix opening, then presses down the drag-bar which is caught by the latch 31 and held with the dragdevices pressing upon the fabric at either side of the matrix mouth. The operator then takes the gage-block 45 and inserts its boss 46 through the air hole 49 in the leaf P and draws it downward so that the lip, 47 locks onto the edge of the opening, as in Fig. 8, and the end of the boss impinges against the inner side of the leaf P the two leaves having been previously hinged together at 51.

The gage-block and leaves are thus firmly united; then while holding the parts with the thumb and fingers resting on the back of the gage-blocl:,:1nd back of leaf P glue is applied to the edges of the leaves, by passing them in contact with the face of a glue-delivering roller, or by other means. Then all the edges have received glue, the spread end of the pair of leaves is placed upon the fabric 50 directly over the plunger 5, and with the back of the gage-block against the flange 22; then by pressure of the finger on the top end of the gage-block the parts are forced downward into the matrix, depressing the plunger 5 and elevating the weight 12, until the lower end of the plunger bottoms or rests against the base A, or some other suitable stop provided therefor. (See Fig. 3.) As the fabric 50 is drawn in the drag-devices 25 drag upon its surface giving tension thereon winch causes the fabric to lie smooth, even and taut upon the edges of the leaves P and P When the plunger has reached its lowest position the operator, before removing the finger from the end of the gage-block, turns the rocker-shaft 20, permitting the springs 15 to force inward the side clamp 7, firmly clamping thepneumatic edgewise between the elastic facings 4 and 8, and holding it at that position. The ends of the fabric are then folded in over the hinged end, and the hand-lever 34 is then swung down and latched, bringing the presser 40 against the end of the pneumatic and producing an endwise pressure thereon between it and the end of the plunger. After the pneumatic has remained in press for a suflicient time, the operator releases and lifts the hand-lever 34 and throws over the rocker 20 whereby the side-clamp is retracted, and the finished pneumatic is automatically ejected from the receiving space by the action of the weight 12, lifting the plunger 5. The gage-block is then removed from the pneumatic by forcing it endwise sufliciently to unlock the lip 47 from the edge of the opening and withdrawing the boss therefrom. The gage-block is then ready to be used for another pneumatic. The pneumatic in one of the mechanisms is allowed to remain under pressure while the operation, as above described, is repeated in the other mechanism, thus alternately working the right and left mechanisms. The plunger movement is such that when the plunger is at its lowest limit the elastic facing of the plunger stands between the lower ends of the elastic facings 4 and 8, so that the covering fabric 50 is pressed firmly about the corners of the leaves P and P thus producing a very perfect, close and square corner upon the pneumatic.

By the use of my invention the work of covering leaf pneumatics can be performed with great practical facility and despatch;

and in a superior manner, while giving a product of greater uniformity and excel; lence.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In mechanism for the purpose described, the combination of a recessed body-block having a top table-surface, and provided with a receiving space or guide-way leading from said surface, a plunger movable within said. space, and adapted to bottom at the base thereof, means for elevating said plunger, a laterally movable side-clamping plate, means for controlling said plate, drag-devices located above the table-surface at the right and left of the receiving-space opening, a top-pressing member, a swinging lever carrying said member, and means for retaining and. releasing said lever, substantially as set forth.

2. A mechanism of the character described, comprising a supporting body having a table-surface and a work-receiving space opening thereto, a spring-pressed clamp-plate at one side of said space, elastic facings at the side Wall of the space and on said clamp-plate, means for controlling said side clamp-plate, an elastic-faced plunger movable in said receiving-space, means for automatically elevating said plunger, dragdevices at either side of the opening, means for yieldingly pressing said drag-devices toward the table-surface, an overhead handlever carrying a spring-pressed elastic-faced presser in alinement with said plunger, and means for locking said lever at depressed position.

3. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with the recessed supporting-body having the work-receiving space; of the side-clamping plate, guiding and limiting devices therefor, an outstanding loop attached to said plate, forwardly pressing springs acting against the back of the plate, a rocker-shaft having a cam that engages said loop, and means for manipulating said rocker-shaft for controlling the side-clamping plate.

4. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with the body-block having a pressing matrix therein, and a table-surface across the mouth of said matrix, movable plunger therein, and means for automatically elevating said plunger, of spring-pressed dra devices adjacent to the opening in said tab e-surface, and means for elevating and depressing said drag-devices.

5. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with the supporting body having the work-receiving space and side pressing means therein, and the table-sun face for supporting the covering fabric; of a vertically movable drag-bar having arms projecting over said table-surface, drag-devices loosely supported in said arms, pressure springs for said drag-device, guide-rods and elevating springs for supporting said drag-bar, and a latch-device for retaining the drag-bar at depressed position.

6. In a mechanism for the purpose specified, a gage-blockfor supporting and guiding the pneumatic leaves, said gage-block provided with a projecting member having an under-cut and lip for insertion through the air-hole of the leaf and locking upon the edge thereof, and its end projecting against the opposite leaf for gaging the spread of the leaves in relation to each other.

7. In combination With means for inclosing and pressing a leaf pneumatic, including a supporting body having a rectangular matrix space therein With a straight back Wall, a side-clamping plate and semi elastic facings that contact With edges of the pneumatic; a tapered gage-block of smaller area than the pneumatic leaf, and

provided With an under-cut projecting boss that engages With the interior of the pneumatic, the outer face of said gage-block being adapted to guide and rest against the straight back Wall of the matrix space.

8. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination, of the body-block recessed at its front, the reciprocating plunger, its counterweight, the connecting cord, guide-sheave, and side-clamping devices arranged Within said recesses, the removable front-board forming a closure for said recesses, and the binding screws for retaining said front-board firmly in connection With the body-block.

Witness my hand this 16th day of August,

HORACE IV. STOWE. Witnesses:

FRED. E. BEMIS, STANLEY B. WHITE.