Patent GB-1185547-A (GB)
Title: Method and Apparatus for Assembling Sliding Clasp Fasteners
IPC: A44B19/62
Filed: 1967-06-27
Abstract: 1,185,547. Attaching sliders and end stops of sliding clasp fasteners. YOSHIDA KOGYO K.K. 27 June, 1967 [27 June, 1966 (3); 11 July, 1966], No. 29605/67. Heading E2S. A method of assembling sliders S and end stops T on a chain 1 of stringer assemblies comprises the following successive steps:- advancing the chain 1, by means of a reciprocating gripper 5, until the leading element of a stringer contacts a feeler 4; operating cutters 6 to sever the chain ahead of the feeler; moving the head of a parts holder 12, loaded with a slider and two end stops, into the path of the chain ahead of the cutters; gripping the chain behind the cutters by means 7, which then slide along slots 10 to thread the two tapes of the stringer chain through the slider; further sliding the gripping means 7 along inclined portions 10' of the slots 10 to spread apart the two tapes and position the end stops thereon; operating a reciprocating block 37 so that punch heads 38 cooperate with the parts holder head in clamping the end stops on the tapes; moving the parts holder 12 back to a position adjacent a parts feeder 11 for reloading the holder; and returning the grippers 7 to their original position, shown in Fig. 1, and simultaneously drawing the completed fastener out of the machine by means of grippers 7 until the leading element of the next stringer contacts the feeler 4. The cycle then recommences. The parts feeder 11 includes a central chute 16 for sliders and two outer chutes 15 for end stops. A member 23 at the foot of each chute 15 limits downward movement of the end stops and defines an opening 24 large enough for the transfer of one end stop tb the parts holder 12. Upon depressing a rod 17, projections 18 ride along cam surfaces 19 to allow the bottom ends of chutes 13 to move towards each other under the influence of springs 22, and a finger 25, Fig. 3c (not shown) transfers the leading slider downwardly from chute 16. The parts holder receives the slider in a recess 26, flanked by spring-biased walls 28, and the end stops in recesses 29, defined between bars 31 and a longitudinally movable yoke 30. It is this yoke that is rammed by the punch heads 38 so that the end stops are compressed between the yoke and bars 31 and thus attached to the tapes. In a modification of the parts feeder and holder, Figs. 5-7 (not shown), the holder moves arcuately and then horizontally into engagement with the feeder whereupon cooperating components effect the transfer of the end stops, and a slider is transferred to the parts holder by means of a separate reciprocable block (51). The end stop retaining members of the parts holder are adapted for clamping the stops to the tape, the punch head 38 of Fig. 1 then not being needed. In another modification, Figs. 8-9 (not shown) a parts feeder differs from that of Fig. 1 in that the slider chute itself is reciprocable and carries the projections 18 which co-operate with the cam surfaces 19. The parts holder is vertically reciprocable and is again adapted both for holding the slider and end stops and for clamping the latter to the stringer tapes. In any one of the embodiments, one of the end stop chutes may be put out of operation so that the machine attaches one stop and a slider to each stringer. As an alternative to the gripper 5, Fig. 1, the completed fastener may be engaged between driven and undriven rollers, Figs. 10-11 (not shown) and thus withdrawn.