Patent GB-190022890-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Button Making Machines.
Inventor: THOMPSON WILLIAM PHILLIPS
Filed: 1900-12-14
Granted: 1901-12-14
Abstract: 22,890. Thompson, W. P., [Pendry, W. A.]. Dec. 14. Sharpening ; surfacing and polishing.-Relates to a machine for making pearl buttons. The blanks are fed by means of a device s, Fig. 1, into the jaws of a series of mandrels 3 carried by a turret 2 which rotates on a hollow axle 7. Fig. 2 carries the blanks in succession to a grinding or backing mechanism t, a blank-reversing device u, grinding or facing wheels v, a steel facing-tool w, a series of drills x, a buffing-appliance y, and a counting-appliance z. The turret 2, Fig. 2, is rotated by a wheel 8 on the axle 7 being engaged by a peg on a disc 11 driven from a shaft k by special mechanism so that each rotation of the disc 11 rotates the turret and carries each mandrel to the next drill &c., the turret being then held in position by a cam-actuated bolt engaging in notches in the turret. Each mandrel 3, Fig. 8, is rotated in bearings 70, 71 in the turret by means of friction pulleys 72, engaging when in operative positions with pulleys 73 adjustably mounted in the frame and driven by suitable gearing from the main shaft. Each mandrel is fitted with an internal sleeve 81, prevented from reciprocating by a flange 485 and carrying a chuck 85, the jaws of which are flared outwardly against the mandrel so that, when the mandrel is reciprocated, the jaws will open and close so as to receive and grip the blanks. Within each sleeve 81 is a push-rod 88, formed at one end with an enlargement 89 to support the blank, and pushed forward at the other end by a cam 92 on the central shaft 69. The mandrels are reciprocated so as to close and open the chucks by means of drawplates 98, Figs. 1 and 2, actuated by a cam 103 on the shaft 69. Springs 107 press the mandrels forwards. The mandrels are prevented from rotating, when opposite the drills, by means of pawls 111 pivoted to the turret and adapted to engage notched or numbering plates 100 secured to the mandrels. The other ends of the pawls are actuated so as to release the mandrels, when required, by trips formed on the frame. The mandrels are given a partial rotation between each drill by wipers secured to the frame, engaging the mandrels. One of the grinding and buffing devices is shown separately in Fig. 27, in which a shaft 123 supported in bearings 124 and 125 is driven by belt gearing 22, 21 as shown in Fig. 2. One end of the shaft is recessed to receive a screw-threaded spindle 129, having a conical portion 132 to engage the shaft and ensure alignment. The grinding or buffing wheel 128 is secured between conically-recessed washers 134, 139 on a rod 135 secured to the spindle 129 by a nut 140. The bearings are adjustably secured on a slide which is reciprocated so as to carry the wheel 128 to the button blank by means of a bell-crank lever 149, Fig. 2, connected to the slide and actuated by a cam driven by the main shaft. One of the drills, which are all similar, is shown separately in Fig. 10. Within a cylinder 162, mounted to reciprocate on a bed 161 pivoted at 168 to the frame, is mounted a cylinder 163, which is toothed at 164 and connected by a toothed wheel (not shown) with a wheel 166 mounted in a bearing 167 and formed with a lug 175, which engages between lugs 176 secured on an axle driven by bevel gearing from the axle 7, Fig. 2. The bearing 167 is secured to the bolt 168, and is kept in alignment with the cylinder 162 by a bolt 169 working in a slot in the frame, Mounted in the cylinder 163 are two hollow drill mandrels 181, 182, each having an internal mandrel 183, 184 carrying a drill rod 185. The outer mandrels are provided with fast and loose pulleys 186, 187, by means of which one of them is driven when in operative position. The inner mandrels are connected by a key and slot with the outer ones, and are formed with split chucks which are closed when pressed against tapered seats on the outer mandrels by means of flanged nuts 194 on the outer mandrels engaging flanges 193 on the inner ones. The drill rods are advanced, when required, by a yoke 195 having an adjusting-screw 197 and carrying bushings 212 mounted on the mandrels 183 and 184 and provided with latches 414 which engage the drill rods and which cannot be released without removing the mandrels from the bushings. The cylinder 163 is kept in place in the cylinder 162 by a pin 219 on the latter engaging in a groove in the former. The cylinder 162 is adjusted on the bed 162 by a tangent-screw 220. The cylinder 163 is locked with one drill in its operative position by a bolt actuated by a spring cam engaging in recesses in the cylinder. The mandrels are sharpened and drill the blanks, alternately, each mandrel, when in position for grinding, being prevented from rotating by a pivoted dog engaging in notched plates 238 secured on the mandrels. The drills are ground by an emery wheel mounted on a shaft 244 driven by a belt 246 as shown in Fig. 2. The bearing carrying the shaft 244 is reciprocated vertically by cam mechanism connected with the slide 161, so that the emery wheel does not engage the drill until the latter is in position. The cylinders carrying the drills are reciprocated simultaneously to carry them towards and away from the blanks by means of bellcrank levers attached to them, one of which is actuated by a cam and is connected to the others by links. The blank-reversing mechanism is shown separately in Fig. 12. A reciprocatory bed or housing 295, mounted in guides in the frame d, carries a vertical shaft 297, which is provided at its upper end with adjustable spring jaws 300 to receive the button blanks, and with a horizontal shaft 296 which is reciprocated periodically by special cam mechanism to eject the blanks. The housing 295 is first moved up to the mandrel, and receives in the jaws 300 the button blank which is ejected by the rod 88, the shaft 296 being moved forward to support the blank. The shaft 296 and the housing are then drawn back, the shaft 297 is given a half rotation, and the parts again advanced to the mandrel, which again receives the blank as the shaft 296 ejects it. The housing is finally retracted to permit the revolution of the turret. The steel facing or turning tool mechanism comprises two annular tools which cut and are ground alternately and are mounted within a cylinder which is given a half revolution with each movement of the turret, and is then advanced toward the blank and the grinding-wheel. Special mechanism is provided to actuate these parts. The mandrels 3 are given a higher speed when opposite the facing-tools. The blank-feeding device consists of a rotating feed-wheel having orifices supported by spring plungers in its periphery to receive the blanks which are fed therein by an attendant. As the blanks are carried opposite the open jaws of the mandrels, the plungers force them outwards into the jaws. Any suitable counting-appliance may be provided to receive the buttons.