Patent GB-191224890-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Buttoning Machines.
Inventor: BOULT ALFRED JULIUS
IPC: A43D11/06
Filed: 1912-10-30
Granted: 1913-12-30
Abstract: 24,890. Boult, A. J., [United Shoe Machinery Co.]. Oct. 30. Buttoning.-A buttoning-machine, particularly designed for securing together the button-piece and button-hole fly of the upper of a shoe prior to the assembling and lasting operations, is provided with a number of sets of buttoning-means adapted to operate simultaneously, and is arranged so that the machine may be adjusted to perform a less number (for example one) of buttoning operations. The machine described is provided with seven sets of buttoning-means, the various mechanisms of which are actuated from a cam shaft 18, Fig. 3, which is driven by gear wheels and a one-revolution clutch from a main shaft on the depression of a treadle. Each buttoning-set comprises a button-holder, a button-hole fly-holder, and means to effect the buttoning-operation proper, in which the buttonhole is forced over the button while the latter is securely clamped against an anvil ; when the buttoning-operation is completed, the work is discharged from the machine by an ejector. The button-holder is mounted at the forward end of a slide 72, and comprises a lower blunt-ended fork 68, Fig. 15, on which the flat bottom of the button rests, an upper fork 62 which engages the periphery of the button, and a pair of spring-pressed fingers 70 which embrace the eye of the button. The slide bars 72 are supported in guides 74, Fig. 5, which are prevented from lengthways movement of the machine by engagement with a slotted tieplate 82 bolted to the machine frame. The buttonhole fly-holder is carried at the front end of a slide bar 90, and comprises a supporting-fork 88, and a pair of button-bole spreaders 142, which pass through the button-hole. These spreaders are carried by arms 136, Fig. 15, pivoted in a V-shaped shell 138, which is itself pivoted at 140 to the bar 90. The bars 90 pass through the guides 74, each bar resting upon the corresponding slide bar 72 of the button-holder. At their rear ends, these bars 72, 90 are adjustably secured to sliding-frames 106, 102, which are actuated from the cam shaft 18. The forks 88 and spreaders 142 preferably are located at elevations which progressively increase from the end members to the centre, and, to prevent catching the work, the outer forks preferably have only one prong. In use, the buttonhole fly is positioned on the forks 88 with the spreaders passing through the button-holes, and the buttons are placed in their holders. When the starting-treadle is depressed, the fly-holders are moved backwards relatively to the button-holders to bring the button-holes into alinement with the buttoning-means ; during this movement each pair of arms 136 engages and is opened by a projection on the shank of the fork 62, causing the spreaders 142 to open the button-hole. The button-hole is then engaged by the buttoning-means, to be described, after which the shell 138 is tipped about its pivot 140, with the result that the spreaders are withdrawn from the button-hole and moved into an inoperative position. Each set of buttoning- means comprises an adjustable spring-pressed plunger 158, Figs. 3 and 21, located in a sleeve 168, and formed at its lower end with a slotted portion 164 terminating in a thin blade 166. In the slot 164 is housed a spring-pressed block 180, from which depend on opposite sides of the blade 166 two opposed springs 186. The sleeves 168 are removably supported in holders 192, which are mountsd for movement with a reciprocating-head 200 ; this head is provided with rear extensions 202 which have a sliding connexion with rolls 212 on the front arms of a bell-crank 206, which is coupled to the cam shaft 18. The springs 186 and blade 166 of each set are adapted to co-operate with an anvil 160 adjustably carried by a bar 220, which is removably supported at its rear end by a rod 222. Between their ends, the bars 220 rest on a cross-bar 228 adjustably secured to the front arms 230 of a bell-crank 232 actuated from the shaft 18. Each bar 220 is also furnished with a bent spring 242, which serves to guide the buttonpiece when introduced into the machine, and to support it when the buttons are passed into their holders. After the button-holes have been moved into alinement with the buttoning-means, the plungers 158 are lowered by downward movement of the head 200 to cause the springs 186 to pass through the button-holes, and, after the fly-holders have been tipped and withdrawn, the button-holders are moved backwards to bring the buttons beneath the springs 186. Further downward movement of the head 200 causes the springs 186 to engage the button head, and at the same time the anvils 160 are moved upwards to support the eyes of the buttons, after which the button-holders are withdrawn, leaving the work supported in the manner indicated in Fig. 15. Further downward movement of the head 200 causes a pair of fingers 244 at the front and back of the sleeve 168 to engage the button-hole fly to push the stock into engagement with the button heads ; at the same time the blade 166 enters between, and spreads open the springs 186, which in turn yieldingly wedge open a pair of tuckers 246. These tuckers engage the opposite sides of the button-hole at its edge just after the fingers 244 have engaged the button-hole fly, and, on the continued downward movement of the head 200, they strip the stock off the springs 186 and carry it over the head of the button. Afterwards, the head 200 is again raised, and the anvils 160 swung downwards to release the work, which is automatically discharged from the machine by an ejector 252 operated from the anvil lever 232. Various mechanisms are provided for adjusting the machine for operating upon uppers of different lengths, widths, and patterns.