Patent GB-1435920-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for attaching fastener elements to supporting articles
IPC: B29C65/08
Filed: 1972-06-01
Abstract: 1435920 Seaming non-metallic sheet material NEWEY GOODMAN Ltd 7 Aug 1973 [1 June 1972] 25579/72 Heading B5K Apparatus for attaching to articles fastener elements 1, e.g. elements of stud and socket press fasteners, at least the bases 3 of which are made of plastics material, comprises a rotary feed drum 6 having receptacles 11 to receive the elements 1 in a strip of connected elements 1, and being rotatable to take the elements 1 in turn to an attaching position, severing means 41 to separate the elements 1 from the strip after they have been received into the receptacles 11, and a high frequency, i.e. radio frequency or ultrasonic, welding tool 45 opposite the attaching position, the tool 45 being movable relative to the drum 6 and operable to press an article interposed between the tool 45 and the drum 6, when the apparatus is in use, against the base 3 of an element 1 held by the drum 6 at the attaching position. The drum 6 has a circular end wall 10 and is rotatably mounted on a fixed shaft 8. The receptacles 11 are spaced by gaps 15 and have sockets 16 to receive with a close fit the bodies 4 of the elements 1, the sockets 16 having surfaces 11<SP>1</SP> against which the obverse faces of the bases 3 of the elements 1 lie. An ejector pin 18 is slidably located in a bore 17 extending from each socket 16 and has a head 19 in the socket and is retained in the receptacle 11 by a cirolip 20. The drum 6 is mounted below a plate 21 which, in use, supports the article, welding being effected through an opening 23. A ratchet wheel 24 is attached to the wall 10 and is engaged by spring-loaded pawls 26, 28. The pawl 28 is mounted on an arm 29 of a bell-crank lever 30 pivoted on the shaft 8, the other arm 31 being connected to a piston 32 of an air or hydraulic cylinder 33. The travel of the piston 32 is limited by adjustable screw stops 34. A slide 37 is reciprocable in a guide 36 by a piston 38 of an air or hydraulic cylinder 39 and has a key 40 and a punch 41 integral therewith. The strip of elements 1 is directed to the drum 6 by a shoot 43 and an arcuate deflector 44 is provided to urge the elements 1 into the receptacles 11. In use, reciprocation of the piston 32 causes the drum 6 to be intermittently rotated clockwise of Fig. 1 by the pawl 28 to cause successive receptacles 11 to be presented at the opening 23. Between turning operations, both pawls 26, 28 hold the drum 6 against rotation. Between the forward and reverse movement in each reciprocation of the piston 32, the piston 38 moves the slide 37 forward into a gap 15 between adjacent receptacles 11 so that the punch 41 co-operates with a die 42 to separate the leading element 1 from the strip The engagement of the key 40 and the punch 41 with the gap 15 also prevents the drum 6 being rotated during severing. The piston 32 is retractedandthe lever 30 is turned anti-clockwise of Fig. 1, permitted by the pawls 26, 28, to a position in readiness for the next turning of the drum 6. Whilst the drum 6 is held against rotation, the article is laid on the plate 21 and the tool 45 is lowered on to the article to press it against the base 3 of the element 1 held in the upper receptacle 11 and to effect welding. After the tool 45 has been raised, the piston 38, and thus the slide 37, is retracted. As the slide 37 retracts, the rear of the punch 41 abuts against the inner end of the pin 18 of the receptacle 11 diametrically opposite the die 42 and moves the head 19 outwardly to eject any element 1 retained therein for any reason after the welding operation.  In modifications, the apparatus has more than one drum and movable tool or the drum receives the elements of more than one strip at a time.