Patent GB-606715-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to the manufacture of sliding clasp fasteners
IPC: A44B19/42
Filed: 1945-12-28
Abstract: 606,715. Casting composite articles; machines; moulds. WINTERHALTER, M. Dec. 28, 1945, No. 35076. Convention date, Jan. 19. [Class 83 (i)] [Also in Group V] In casting metal or plastic material on to a stringer tape to form fastener elements of a sliding-clasp fastener, a number of elements and an end stop are cast in one operation. The machine shown produces a pair of stringers, one with an end stop 24, Fig. 17, and the other with an end stop 25 which may, as shown, be adapted to be clamped to a fastener element 15 to unite the stringers permanently as in Specification 575,628, [Group XXV]. The machine has upper and lower dies 2, 3, Fig. 9, with a series of recesses 13, 14 to cast elements 15, similar to those in Specification 480,962 and a gate 12, common to both series, which can be adjusted in length, to vary the number of elements cast, by a rod 41, Figs. 1, 2, slide 42, and scale 43. Cross die-slides 30, 31, movable in the dies 2, 3 by means of levers 32, 35, have recesses 24<SP>1</SP>, 25<SP>1</SP>, Figs. 8, 10, to cast the end members 24, 25 and a gate 12<SP>1</SP> which in the position shown is aligned with the gate 12. The tape 22 drawn from a roll, not shown, is inserted between the open-dies and between a bar 50, Fig. 3, carried by the die 2, and a slide 47 which is moved down by a lever 51. The tape 21 is inserted similarly, the slide 46 being moved down by moving the lever 51 in the opposite direction. Both slides are normally pressed up by springs 49 to clamp the tapes. The free ends of the tapes pass under a plate 60 pivoted to the die 2 and when the dies are closed the plate 60 tensions both tapes before they are gripped by the dies. The dies may have electric resistance heaters 6 to prevent a too rapid solidification of the zinc or other casting material which is forced in at 11. When the dies open the casting is removed from the lower die by ejectors 65 and it is then moved forward by hand thus, drawing a fresh length of the tapes between the dies. If a sufficient number of the elements 15 has been cast the tapes are cut off and the operation is repeated but, if not, the slides 30, 31 are moved in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 8, to bring a groove 12<SP>11</SP> in line with the gate 12 so that this and plane grooves 67, 68 receive the casting which is drawn out until the last elements 15 occupy the first recesses 13, 14. The dies are then closed and another casting made, after the rod 41 has been adjusted, if desired. To prevent the plate 60 from damaging the casting already made, the lateral movement of the slide 30 causes a pin 61, Figs. 1, 2, carried thereby to move along a spiral slot 62 in an extension 63 of the hinge pin of the plate 60 and thus rotate this out of the way. The tapes 21, 22 with their cast elements 15, 24, 25 after removal from the mould are separated from the central cast bar and any burrs are removed by a grinding wheel. The elements 15 of the tapes 21, 22 are then engaged with a slider 26, Fig. 17, and the member 25 is then engaged with the end element 15 on the tape 21 and the parts 28, 29 are pressed together to form a permanent joint. In a modification the recesses 241, 25<SP>1</SP> are formed in rotary or tiltable parts. In another, the mould may be arranged to cast both members 24, 25 on one tape. In another modification a mould for casting one row of elements is provided at one end with a slide having recesses 241, 251, and a gap 68 so that any one of these can be aligned with the tape at will. Specification 606,287 also is referred to.