US2523388A - Top stop attaching machine - Google Patents

Description

p 26, 1950 A. G. NATZKE EI'AL 2,523,388

TOP STOP ATTACHING MACHINE Filed June 18, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR5 p 1950 A. s. NATZKE firm. 2,523,388

TOP STOP ATTACHING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 18, 1945 L I L P 1950 A. cs. NATZKE ETAL 2,523,388

TOP STOP ATTACHING MACHINE Filed June 18, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 q m ATTNEY.

Sept. 26, 1950 A. G. NATZKE ETAL 2,523,388

TOP STOP ATIIACHING MACHINE Filed June 18, 1945 4 Sheets-Shet 4 5k r 1 z p/111 1111 Patented Sept. 26, 1950 To? s'ror faszasss v p v momma-MACHINE esf mic-E1 j} sin-ea G.'-Natzke, John Willetts, and JohnFry k New York, N. Y.,- assignors to Lamar Slide Fastener Cor-11;, New York; --N. Y., a corporation of New-York Application June 18,345, Serial No. 600,068

This invention generally relates to the inanufacture of slide fasteners and more specifically tomechanisms for attaching top stops to the tape of fastenerv stringers, at the end of the rows of fastening elements.

The general object-of theinvention isto provide a novela'nd improved machine of the character aforesaid, whereby strong top stops may be securely clamped to the tapes of slide fastener stringers without damage thereto, themachine being particularly adapted for use with preformed top stops of'the type comprising spaced parallel gripping jaws. v I

Another object of the invention is tov provide a machine of the character described which is of comparatively simpleconstruction, dependable in use, capable of continued rapid operation, so arranged as to permit ready substitution of parts whenever required because "of wear or other causes, and suitable either formanual or power operation; .15. r; 1 'A further objectpiis to. provide a top-stop. attaching machine embodying novel-meansfor controlling and insuring-the supply of preformed top stops'and the feeding thereof to a fixedpositlon for successive displacement therefrom to a position for clamping tothe tape of fastener stringers, and novelmeans for effecting the transfer of the top stops to the clamping position. v

.Itisa'lso an object of the invention to provide a' machine, embodying a vertically reclprocable member from whichboth the supply and feeding controlling. mechanism and the means for dis-- Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional vie on line 3-3 of Fig. 5. c I Z Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view similarto Fig. 3 illustrating the position Of-a, top stop and elements of themechanism acting thereon at the time of clamping of the top stop.

Fig. 5 isafront. elevation-of-the mechanism.

. Fig. 6 15a similar frontelevation showing the position of elements ofthe mechanism at the time of, clamping of the. top stop.

. Fig. 7 'is an enlarged cross-sectional:view on line. l'| of Fig. 5 illustrating the structure of I the chute.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view,"

partly in section,- on line 8-18 of Fig. 5.

. Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view on line ofFig.5.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view on line Ill-l0 of Fig. 5 illustrating details of the mecha-,

nism.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and "in the first place to Figs. 1 and 2, it willbe seen that a machine according to the invention comprises a press adapted to be mounted onabench', or. v

the are, which embodies a supporting foot l0 and a standard extendingupwardly from the foot and terminating in a head l2 which carries a vertically Qreciprocable member 13. IIhereciprocation of the member l3 iseffected by'means;

of any suitable; mechanism .outside of the scope of =the1pre s'ent invention and not shown in the drawings, which. maybe actuated vthrough 'a'ffootf ed or h ke. o iii p ier d. 1 ,suitab 'yi em nected for ower .lo'peration.

A member .or bloc l 4 is siiitably its e l p rtion late the',,1ower end oi theg.

member l3 for mom ocatioritherewith, and

formed with. an outwardly projecting portion 1 which is provided with-a vertical pore-11; receiving the stem {of a down'wa'rdly" projecting,

clamping die 18 removably secured within -said bore. In the embodiment. illustrated, the die I8 is suitably shaped for clamping to the'tapeof fastener stringers top, stops 0f the type comprisi'ng' parallel "spaced jaws interconnected by a short yoke portion, saidtop stops being ,conveyed to a predetermined position for action by the clamping die by means of :the mechanism hereafter described. y y

The portion ,20 of the block l4 opposite to. the die-carrying portion l6, carries a member 2|,

which projects downwardly in parallel spaced, jreg lation to the clamping die [8 andembodiesatit's lower end an inclined surface 22 acting asa can 1" for .thepurpose that will become later a1 i 3rent see particularly Figs." 2 and 3) For thes'ake of. 1! I will be, hereafter referred clarity, the member to as a (cam. member.

A base memb ,1: 24jis ret eat-gene i am mounted on the foot ..l.0 of the machine, 'asby, means of bolts 25;"be1 ow the" reciprocab 2 I4, and is providedwitha recess '26..(seeFi 3 and'4) adapted 'toljreceivefthe free end of cam member 2i a'forernentioned.' v h e is. Per r a ir edi el i e aaaases smooth upper surface to which there is fastened, as by means of screws 23, a plate 38. Said plate is formed, in correspondence with the recess 28 of the base 24, with a rectangular aperture 3| which is somewhat wider than the recess so as to provide shoulders 32 underneath the aperture 3i inwardly of the longitudinal walls of this latter. The plate 30 is provided with a horizontal groove or guideway 34 having a width only slightly greater than that of a top stop and extending outwardly from the aperture 3| in vertical aline-' ment with the clamping die II, the portion of the plate 30 extending below and beyond the clamping die being of reduced height as shown at 35 to. define a shallow groove portion 36 the depth whereof substantially corresponds to the, thickness of one of the gripping jaws of a top stop (see Fi s. 2 to 4).

A plate 38 is screwed to the plate 30 inwardly of the die i8, and is formed with an integral ex tension 39 projecting into the groove 34 to define with the bottom and side walls of this latter a passage so dimensioned as to insure that the top stops propelled therethrough in the manner hereafter described will maintain the position shown in Fig. 3. The inner edge of the plate 38 is laterally spaced relative to the underlying edge of the plate 30 defined by the aperture 3| thereof, to leave exposed the end portion 40 of the groove 34 and provide an entrance for the top stops supplied thereto in succession, in the manner later described, for subsequent displacement to the clamping position directly underneath the die IS. The plate 38 also carries a projecting pin 42 adapted to engage the upper jawof the top stops at the clamping position, to prevent objectionable displacement thereof in'the shallow portion 33 of the groove 34.

The displacement of the top stops from the position of Fig. 3 to the clamping position is eflecied by means of a horizontally reciprocable member 44 which may be designated as the top stop propelling member. Said member comprises a vertical element which projects into the recess 25 of the base 24 and is formed with an enlarged head 45 extending between the longitudinal walls of the aperture 3| in the plate 30 and slidably supported by the shoulders 32 defined as aforementioned. The head embodies a cam surface 46 engageable by the cam surface 22 of the cam member 3! and has a horizontal extension 48 in alinement with the groove 34. Said extension is normally withdrawn from the groove to terminate adjacent the inner end thereof, and is adapted to engage and displace the top stops from the position of Fig. 3 to that of Fig. 4 in the forward movement of the member 44 caused by the action of the cam surface 22 on the cam surface 46 during the descent of the cam member 2|. The member 44 is maintained in contact with the cam member 2| and is returned to its initial position by a spring 50 associated with a stud 52 and received within a bore in the base 24.

As will be apparent from the foregoing description, during the downward stroke of the block l4 carrying both the clamping die l8 and the cam member 2|, this latter will actuate the top stop propelling member 44 and cause the same to move the top stop to the clamping position directly underneath the die in which it will straddle the tape of a fastener stringer placed upon the portion 35 of the plate 30 as shown in Fig. 1, whereupon the top stop will be engaged by the die and its jaws clamped to the opposite faces of the tape. The die it is formed with a groove 54 which re- 4 ceives the pin 42 in the lowermost position of the die, and the plate 30 may be provided with an abutment 55 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, adapted to engage the end scoop of a stringer to insure proper spacing of the top stop relative to said scoop. The fastener stringers may be fed manually or suitable automatic feeding means may be provided if desired.

The mechanism for insuring constant supply of top stops through the entrance portion 40 of the groove 34 to the position of Fig. 3, for engagement by the propelling member 44, will now be described. Reference is made particularly to Figs. 5 to 10.

A vertical stationary disc 60 is secured to the base 24, as by means of screws 8|, at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the recess 26. The

disc 68 is cut to define a portion 62 extending in juxtaposition to the plate 38 over the entrance end 40 of the groove 34. The front of the disc is provided with a circular groove 64 adapted to accommodate the top stops in a predetermined position, for sliding movement therealong, the end of said groove 34 in the disc portion 62' being in vertical alinement with the entrance end 40 of the groove 34 so that the top stops after traveling from a point of entrance through a portion of the groove 64 forming a passageway in the disc (upper left quadrant) will be free to drop into the groove 34, to be successively engaged and displaced 'to the clamping position of Fig. 4 in the manner hereinbefore described, during the operation of themachlne.

The top stops are admitted to the groove 64 through a radial opening of the disc which has associated therewith the lower end of a top stop conveying chute.

The chute. generally indicated at 68, comprises a blade 61 which is operatively connected at its upper end and to a suitable hoppering device (not shown) adapted to deposit preformed top stops 68 of the type aforementioned onto the blade with their jaws adjacent the opposite faces of the blade and their yoke portion resting on the upper edge thereof. The blade 61 is suitably inclined to cause the top stops to slide therealong by gravity and has fastened thereto a plurality of members 69 supporting a strip l0 disposed at a right angle to the blade and sufliciently spaced therefrom to permit free downward movement of the top stops along the blade while retaining the same thereon (see Fig. 7). The vertical lower end portion of the blade is secured, as at II. to a fixed member 12 carried by the disc and partially extends into the radial opening of the disc. The blade I is so curved as to direct the top stops 68 into the opening 65 with their jaws in a vertical position and extending toward the front of the disc 60 (see Fig. 8) so that the top stops after travelling in the passageway formed by the groove 64 of the disc through an arc of approximately will enter the end 40 of the groove 34 with their jaws in a horizontal position and their yoke portion adjacent the extension 48 of the propelling member 44, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The top stops are maintained within the passageway by a cover plate 14 removably secured to the disc 60, as by means of screws 15, and preferably made of a transparent plastic material, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 9.

Means are provided for controlling the rate of supply of the top stops 68 from the chute 56 to the passageway and for facilitating the'feeding of the top stops therethrough to the entrance end 40 of the groove 34.

amaaea For this purpose, a shaft 18, freely mounted in the disc 88, carries for rotation therewith a sector 18 fastened to the enlarged end portion I8 of the shaft and juxtaposed to the front of the disc. The shaft 18 projects rearwardly from the disc 88 to carry a lever 88 fastened thereto. The lever has pivotally mounted at its free end, as shown at 8i, 9. vertical rod 82 passing through an opening 88 in a bracket 84 which is fastened at 85 to the portion 28 of the block. i4 and is therefore vertically reciprocable simultaneously with the clamping die i 8 and the cam member M. The rod 82 has fixed thereon collars 88, 81 respectively located below and above the bracket 84, a coil spring 88 surrounding the rod 82 between the bracket 84 and the collar 81.

The rear face of the sector 18 is formed with a projecting arcuate rib 98 slidable within a portion of the groove 84 or the disc 68 (see Fig. 10) and terminating in a tongue 9i projecting from the sector, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6. In the inoperative condition of the machine to which there corresponds an uppermost position of the block I 4 and bracket 84 shown for instance in Fig. 5. the spring 88 urges the collar 81 and the rod 82 upwardly thereby maintaining the sector I8 in an angular position wherein the tongue 8i extends beyond the radial opening 85 of the disc groove 64 underneath the chute end (see Fig. 5) thereby preventing entrance of top stops into the passageway portion of the groove.

In the descent of the block i4 and associated elements, the bracket 84 will engage the collar 86 of the rod 82 to depress the same and therefore cause rotation of the sector 18 by an amount sufficient to withdraw the tongue ill from the opening 65 (see Fig. 6), thereby permitting supply of a top stop from the chute to the passageway, while a top stop already in the groove 34 is displaced to the clamping position and then clamped to the fastener stringer through the action of the cam member 2!, propelling member 44 and die it actuated simultaneously with the bracket 84.

The sector is is returned to its initial position of Fi 5 by the spring 88 and the supply of top stops again interrupted during the upward stroke of the block it and associated elements, the tongue 9i of the sector then engaging the last top stop received from the chute and urging the same away from the point of entrance. If, as is normal in the operation of the machine, the passageway portion of the groove 64 is substantially filled with top stops, all said top stops will be urged toward the entrance end 48 of the groove 84 by the action of the tongue 8i, and movement of the lowermost top stop to the position of Fig. 3 will be insured as soon as the extension 48 of the member 44 is withdrawn from the groove 84 upon return of the member to its initial position. It is therefore apparent that the supply of top stops is eflected at a rate corresponding to the rate of consumption thereof and that gradual feeding of the top stops to the groove 34 is insured through the operations of the sector 18.

The invention has been described and illustrated substantially with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof and to the use of top stops of a specific character. However, it is understood the invention may find application in con nection with the clamping of elements other than the top stops illustrated, and that numerous changes and modifications may be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claims.

We claim:

1. In a machine for attaching top stops to slide fastener stringers, a vertically movable clamping die, a fixed element, a substantially horizontal guideway in said element, a. movable member actuable to engage a top stop positioned at one end of said guides-ray and to propel the same through the guldeway to a position underneath said clamping die for clamping by this latter to a slide fastener stringer, means for actuating said horizontally movable member in synchronism with the clamping die, a chute carrying top stops. an inclined passageway connecting said chute and guideway for conveying top stops from said chute to said end of the guideway. and means operatively connected for movement in synchronism with said clamping die and periodically interposed between said chute and passageway for controlling the delivery of top stops to said passageway.

2. In a machine for attaching top stops to slide fastener stringers, a clamping die and a cam member mounted for simultaneous vertical reciprocation, a fixed element, a substantially horizontal guideway in said fixed element, a reciprocable member actuable by said cam member to engage a top stop positioned at one end of said guideway and to propel the same through the guideway to a position for clamping by the clamping die to a slide fastener stringer, means for feeding top stops to said end of the guideway and means operativeiy connected for movement in synchronism with said clamping die and periodically interposed between the feeding means and the said end of the guideway for controlling the supply of top stops to said end of the guideway at a rate corresponding to the rate of consumption by the clamping die of the top stops.

3. In a machine for attaching top stops to slide fastener stringers, a clamping die and a cam member mounted for simultaneous vertical reoiprocation, a fixed element, a substantially horizontal guideway in said fixed element, a reciprocable member actuable by said cam member to engage a top stop positioned at one end of said guideway and propel the same through the guideway to a position underneath said clamping die for clamping by this latter to a slide fastener stringer, means for feeding top stops to said end, of the guideway, fixed means engaging the top stop at said position underneath the clamping die to prevent displacement of the top stop during clamping, and means operatively connected for movement in synchronism with said clamping die and periodically interposed between the feeding means and the said end of th guideway for controlling the supply of top stops into said end of the guideway. 1

4. In a machine for attaching top stops to slide fastener stringers, a clamping die and a cam member mounted for simultaneous vertical reciprocation, a fixed element, a substantially horizontal guideway in said fixed element, a reciprocable member actuable by said cam member to engage a top stop positioned at one end of said 7 of delivery of the tofistops from the source of supply to said passageway. H

5. In a machine for attaching topstops to slide fastener stringers, a clamping die and a cam member mounted for simultaneous vertical reciprocation, a fixed element, a guideway in said fixed element, a horizontally reciprocable member, actuable by said cam member to engage a top stop positioned at one end of said guideway and to propel the same through the guideway to a position for clamping by the clamping die to a slide fastener stringer, an inclined passageway registering with said end of the guideway, a chute carrying top stops for conveying top stops to said passageway, and means operatively connected with said horizontally reciprocable member and actuated in synchronism with the horizontally reciprocable member for permitting delivery of top stops from said chute to said passageway at each reciprocation of said member.

6. In a machine for attaching top stops to slide fastener stringers, a vertically reciprocable member carrying a clamping die, a fixed plate, a substantially horizontal guideway in said fixed plate,

a movable member embodying a portion in a1ine-.

ment with andextending to a point adjacent one end of the guideway in the normal position of the member, a cam member carried by said vertically reciprocable member effective in the downward stroke of this latter to actuate said horizontally movable member to cause said portion thereof to engage a top stop positioned at said end of the guideway and propel the same through the guideway to a position underneath the clamping die for clamping by this latter to a fastener stringer, resilient means for returning the horizontally movable member to its normal position during the upward stroke ofthe vertically reciprocable member, means for feeding top stops to said end of the guideway and means operatively connected with said vertically reciprocable member and said top stop feeding means and interposed between said feeding means and said end of the guideway for periodically supplying top stops to said end of the guideway.

7. In a machine for attaching top stops to slide bar carrying a clamping die, a fixed plate, a guideway in said fixed plate, a horizontally movable member embodying a portion in alinement with and extending to a point adjacent one end of the guideway in the normal position of themember, a cam member carried by said vertically reciprocable member effective in the downward stroke of this latter to actuate said horizontally movable member to cause said portion thereof to engage a top stop positioned at said end of the guideway and propel the same through the guideway to a position underneath the clamping die for clamping by this latter to'a fastener stringer, resilient means for returning the horizontally movable member to its normal position during the upward stroke of the vertically reciprocable member, and

means for supplying top stops to said end of the.

guideway, said means comprising an inclined passageway registering with the end of the guideway, a chute for top stops leading to said passageway and'a mechanism interposed between said chute and said passageway, operatively connected with and periodically actuated in synchronism with the vertically reciprocable member aforesaid for controlling ,the rate of delivery of the top stops from said chute to said passageway.

9. A machine for attaching top stops to slide fastener stringers comprising a vertically reciprocable clamping die, a fixed element, a guideway in said fixed element, a horizontally reciprocable member for engaging a top stop positioned at one end 'of said guideway and propelling the same through the guideway to a position underneath the clamping die for clamping by this latter to a fastener stringer, means for actuating said horizontally reciprocable member in synchronism with v the clamping die, a chute for top stops, an infastener stringers, a vertically reciprocable memposition underneath the clamping die for clamp- 4 ing by this latter to a fastener stringer, resilient means for returning the horizontally movable member to its normal position during the upward stroke of the vertically reciprocable member, a chute for top stops, an inclined passageway between said chute and said end of the guideway, and means operatively connected with said vertically reciprocable member and interposed between said chute and passageway for periodically delivering top stops from the chute to said passageway in synchronism with said vertically reciprocable member at a rate corresponding to the rate of consumption of the top stops by the clamping die.

8. In a machine for attaching top stops to slide fastener stringers, a vertically reciprocable memclined passageway between the chute and guideway for conveying the top stops from said chute to said end of the guideway, an oscillatingly movable member normally isolating said chute from said passageway, and means operatively connected with said horizontally reciprocable member for periodically displacing said movable member from the normal position thereof in synchronism with the actuation of the horizontally reciprocable member to permit periodical delivery of top stops to the passageway.

1-0. A machine for attaching top stops to slide fastener stringers comprising a vertically reciprocable clamping die, a fixed element, a guideway in said fixed element, a horizontally reciprocable member for engaging a top' stop positioned at one end of said guideway and propelling the same through the guideway to a position underneath the clamping die for clamping by this latter to a fastener stringer, means for actuating said horizontally reciprocable member in synchronism with the clamping die, an inclined passageway registering with said end of the guideway, a chute for delivering. top stops to the upper end of said passageway, a movable member having a portion normally extending into the upper end of the pas-t sageway to isolate the chute therefrom, and means operatively connected with said horizontally-reciprocable member for oscillatingly displacing said movable member to withdraw said portion thereof from the upper end of the passageway at each reciprocation of the horizontally reciprocable member aforesaid.

" 11. A machine for attaching top stops to slide fastener stringers comprising a vertically reciprocable member, a clamping die carried by said vertically reciprocable member, a fixed plate, a guideway in said plate, a horizontally reciprocable member actuable to engage a top stop positioned at one end of said guideway and propelling the same through the guideway to a position underneath the clamping die for clamping by this latter to a slide fastener stringer, means for actuating said horizontally reciprocable memberin synchronism with the clamping die, a chute, an arcuate passageway for conveying top stops from said chute to said end of the guideway, a pivoted member having a portion normally extending into said passageway to isolate the chute therefrom, and means actuated from the vertically reciprocable member aforesaid for rotating said pivoted member to withdraw said portion thereof from the passageway and permit delivery of top stops thereto.

12. In a machine for attaching top stops to slide fastener stringers, comprising a vertically reciprocable clamping die and means actuated in synchronism with said clamping die for engaging a top stop at a fixed position and propelling the same to a position for clamping by the clamping die to a slide fastener stringer, a stationary element, a chute for top stops, an arcuate passageway in said stationary element associated with said chute for conveying top stops therefrom to said fixed position, a member pivoted on the sta- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,888,254 Amiet Nov. 22, 1932 1,947,956 Sundback Feb. 20, 1934 2,048,930 Hansen July 28, 1936 2,067,225 Miller Jan. 12, 1937 2,080,984 Miserez May 18, 1937 2,096,685 Osgood Oct. 19,. 1937 2,125,707 Anderson Aug. 2, 1938 2,294,253 Taberlet Aug. 25, 1942 2,310,033

Muther Feb. 2, 1943

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