Patent ID: 8113402
Filing Date: 2012-02-14
Classification: B23P,B65H,H01R,H05K

Abstract:
1. A feed mechanism comprising: a feed slide movable between a retracted position and an advanced position, the feed slide having a plate and a feed track extending from the plate, the feed track having a groove extending in a first direction that receives a continuous product strip, the feed track includes inner stop walls extending parallel to the groove and the continuous product strip, the feed slide being configured to feed the product strip during a feed stroke as the feed slide is moved in the first direction from the retracted position to the advanced position and the feed slide is movable with respect to the product strip during a return stroke as the feed slide is moved from the advanced position to the retracted position; and feed fingers pivotally coupled to the feed slide on opposite sides of the feed track at corresponding attachment points, the feed fingers being movable between an engaged position and a released position, wherein the feed fingers are configured to contact the product strip in the engaged position and the feed fingers are configured to be positioned away from the product strip in the released position, wherein the feed fingers are moved to the released position prior to the feed slide moving along the return stroke, and wherein the feed fingers engage the inner stop walls to limit pivoting of the feed fingers towards the product strip.