Patent GB-190218608-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Apparatus for Sewing Book-signatures.
Inventor: LAMONT RONALD MACDONALD
Filed: 1902-08-25
Granted: 1903-11-25
Abstract: 18,608. Macaulay, M. B., [representative of Lamont, R. M.]. Aug. 25. B o o k - stitching machines; perforating-devices ; worksupports; knottedstitch machines. - Relates to a machine in which the signatures are laid one by one across a support having a groove in which a thread is laid. This thread is pushed up through the signature by punches so as to form loops, thus avoiding the sawing of the signature. The two outer loops are tied to bar threads by a kettle stitch, w h i 1 e binding- cor d carriers are passed through the middle ones. The signature is the n automatically pushed back off the support along the binding-cord carriers and on to the binding-cords, thus making room for another signature on which the operations are repeated. Fig. 1 is a side, and Fig. 2 a front, elevation of the machine. All the movements are derived from cams on shafts 9, 13, the former of which is carried by the fixed framing of the machine, while the latter is carried on a vertically-reciprocating frame 15 and actuated by suitable gearing also operated by the shaft 9. The frame 15 is reciprocated vertically by levers 12, and is oscillated about the shaft 13 by an arm 20'. It carries a work-support 26, a set of punches operated by cams on the shaft 13, and four signature-thread laying-arms 31<1>, 31<2>, 31<3>, 31<4>, which rotate about a central pivot. They are turned intermittently as the frame 15 reciprocates vertically by a bell-crank lever 32 pivoted to the centre of rotation of the arms, and linked to a part of the fixed frame. The outer ends of the arms have spring thread clamps, which are opened and closed automatically, and thus lay a portion of the signature thread 29 along a groove in the support 26. This takes place while the frame 15 is depressed. A signature is then laid on the worksupport 26, the frame rises, and the punches 17 are pushed through the signature, taking with them loops of the thread, which has just previously been cut off by an automatic cutter. The punches are operated in succession from the centre outwards, and thus the loops are formed by drawing the thread inwards from the ends. The abutment for the punches consists of a plate 61 hinged to to the main framing and hanging down, as shown in Fig. 16. It also moves the signatures backwards when sewn. Its lower edge is shown in Fig. 20, and is furnished at one side with sliding plates 64, 64<1>. These plates are notched, the notches being formed so that, when the plates slide in one direction, corresponding notches come together and make closed holes through which binding-cord carriers 113 pass. The object in having a closed hole is to support the cord carrier. The holes open when the signature passes off the support to allow the loops to pass. The devices which tie the kettle stitches on the bar threads are carried on heads 71, 71<1>, which move slightly in an oblique upward direction so as to clear the punches. After the punching is finished, they return to their former position so as to tie the knot. The devices for doing this are shown in Figs. 11 and 12, which are front views, and Fig. 13, which is a side view. As the punch rises, it encounters a pin 90, which sets free an arm 81. This arm is acted on by a spring and held up until released from a catch by the pin. It is furnished with a curved arm (not shown), which takes the loop at one side and pushes it into a notch 92<1> in a block 92 in which the arm 81 is pivoted. A rotary looper 82 then seizes the thread, and turns it round through a circle over to the right of Figs. 11 and 12, so as to coil a loop of it round the bar thread 50<2>. A portion of thread issuing from the notch 92<1> and lying across this loop is then pressed through it by an arm 84 pivoted on the block 92 beside the arm 81. This portion is then seized by a reciprocating catch 83 which lays it round a pivoted hook 85, and, as it recedes, draws the knot tight. The motions for performing these operations are derived from a reciprocating cam-plate 86, to which the catch 83 is attached. It moves the arms 81, 84 by projections on its surface, and the looper 82 by a rack 96, which is engaged with it for a part of its travel, the connection being made by a latch 102. The binding-cord carriers 113 are preferably made of rounded steel, and are supported in clamps 116, 116' mounted in a carriage 75, which retracts the carriers so as to clear the punches when the latter are in operation. The clamps consist each of a pair of discs pressed together by a spring, and each carrier is supported by two such clamps, one being in operation when the other releases the carrier. When the stitching operations have been completed, the clamp 116 opens. and a toothed wheel or arm makes a semi-revolution, so as to catch the signature and push it along the carrier between the two clamps. The clamp 116 then closes, and the other one opens, so as to pass the signature back, as before, still further. Brushes are provided to gather up the free ends of signature thread after the other operations are completed, into position for subsequent cutting and adjustment.