Patent GB-1068826-A (GB)
IPC: B31B50/00
Abstract: 1,068,826. Eyeletting machines. S. JANUS. July 31, 1964 [Aug. 9, 1963], No. 31545/63. Heading B3U. A machine for feeding and setting fasteners comprises fastener storage means, means for propelling and orienting fasteners from said storage means to track means, said track means conveying fasteners in pre-determined orientation from the orienting means to mechanical means for intermittent delivery of single fasteners to fastener holding and positioning means. Eyelet feeding means.-The eyelets pass from a bowl-type vibratory hopper 7 to a vibratory track 8 which comprises two spaced-apart rails 10 and 11. The eyelets travel along the track with the ferrule 1 riding on the rail 10 and the tail 3 in the slot between the rails. The track 8 discharges to a stationary section 17 of similar construction, and the eyelets are released one by one to a delivery shoot 38 by an escapement mechanism. Escapement mechanism.-This mechanism comprises a hold-back pin 24, a transfer pin 25, an escapement gate 18, an escapement stripper 26, and a knock-down plate 27. Associated with these parts are a shoot gate 29 and a shoot stripper 28. The hold-back pin 24 is mounted on an arm 19 which is pivoted to the frame at 36 and is actuated by a cam 39 mounted on a bracket 41 and reciprocated by an air-cylinder 42. The transfer pin 25 is mounted on an arm 33 which is pivoted to the arm 19 and 37 and is actuated by a cam 40 also mounted on the bracket 41. An extension 19b of the arm 19 carries the escapement gate 18. A projection 32 on the extension 19b engages an arm 30 which is pivoted to the frame which carries the shoot gate 29. Operation of escapement mechanism.-When the cylinder 42 is operated in the direction of the arrow the pins 25 and 24 move in a direction at right-angles to the track 8 and engage the two leading eyelets 20 and 21 respectively, and the escapement gate 18 retracts. At the same time the shoot gate 29 retracts and allows an eyelet (31), Fig. 14 (not shown), transferred in the previous cycle, to drop into the delivery shoot 38. The shoot stripper acts, if necessary, to dislodge the eyelet from the shoot gate. As the roller 34 engages the cam 40 the transfer pin 25 swings sideways and carries the eyelet 20 under the plate 27. The escapement gate 18 and shoot gate 29 then return to their initial positions before the transfer pin 25 leaves the eyelet which is then supported by the shoot gate 29, in position above the delivery shoot 38. The transfer pin then returns to its starting position, passing through a slot in the escapement gate 18. Eyelet positioning means.-Each eyelet passes down the shoot 38 to a tang cradle 45. The cradle comprises symmetrical halves (51 and 52), Figs. 15 and 17 (not shown), which each include a bottom portion (55) a side portion (56) and a cover (57). The halves are attached by extensions 76 to levers 53 and 54 which are pivoted to a bracket secured to the frame and are actuated by cam surfaces 67 and 68 on a lever 66 pivoted to the frame. The parts (58 and 59) of the side walls are convergent and an eyelet entering the cradle wedges between the side walls so that the ferrule is positioned in line with the setting tool 48. Immediately beneath the tail of the tang is a stationary guide 62. Eyelet setting means.-The eyelet is set by a punch 47 which has a retractable pilot-pin 48, and an anvil 49 which has a fixed pilot-pin 50. The punch is reciprocated by a crank mechanism mounted on a shaft 74, which also carries a cam 64. The cam 64 oscillates a lever 65 which bears on the lever 66 and actuates the levers 53 and 54 to swing the halves of the cradle 45 open, as the punch descends. The eyelet is prevented from turning on the pilot pins by the tail guide 62. Control and safety means.-The workpiece 75 is placed over the pilot 50 and depressed to bear on a feeler (73), Fig. 22 (not shown), which operates a limit switch, thus engaging a one-revolution clutch which operates the press. Simultaneously, the shaft 74 operates a second limit switch which actuates the escapement mechanism through one cycle. The escapement cannot operate unless three eyelets are in correct position at the discharge end of the track 8, since the electrical circuit is electrically insulated from the arm 19 and connected to a control box by a lead 23. The stationary track section 17 is of insulating material and must be bridged by eyelets to connect the escapement gate 18 to the track 8. The track 8 also contains a device to sense when the track is full and stop the operation of the bowl hopper. The device comprises a stainless steel insert 16 insulated from the track 8 and only shorted to the track by the presence of two eyelets touching each other. This condition can only arise when the track is full.