Improvements in Box Stapling Machines.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 24th Nov, 1891-Accepted 23rd Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Box Stapling Machines.
1 WILLIAM WILSON HORN of the firm of Horn and Son of 151 Strand
in the County of Middlesex Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this
invention (a communication to me from Charles Beck of Philadelphia State of
Pennsylvania United States of America Inventor) to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in box stapling machines and it consists
in certain novel features of construction and combinations of the several parts
arranged substantially as follows.
The body of the machine is formed hollow and is supported upon suitable
standards. The said hollow body is provided with arms upon the upper of which
is attached the staple forming and driving mechanism and upon the lower arm is a
staple fastening mechanism.
A vertical plate is pivoted so as to swing in a vertical plane at rear end of the
frame. A link connects said vertical plate to a treadle.
The staple forming and driving mechanism is operated by a rocking lever one
end being attached to and adapted to slide in the curved slot in the vertical plate
beforementioned.
The other end is connected with the plunger of the staple driving mechanism.
Suitable feed-rollers are provided to feed the wire to the operating parts of the
machine said wire being fed intermittently. A locking device is provided to stop
the feeding mechanism when required.
The box is placed upon a suitable holder carried by the lower arm and provided
with suitable stops to limit its movement.
The staple forming and clinching mechanism is of an improved construction and
is adapted to cut form drive and clinch the staple into the box when the machine
is in operation.
The machine is operated by means of a swinging treadle fulcrummed upon
the framing.
Dated this 24th day of January 1891.
HORN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Box Stapling Machines.
I WILLIAM WILSON HORN of the firm of Horn and Son of 151 Strand in the
County of Middlesex Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention
a communication to me from Charles Beck of Philadelphia in the State of
Pennsylvania United States of America Inventor and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
My invention relates to an improvement in box-stapling machines; and it
consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts more
fully described hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claims.
Referring to the accompanying drawings,
Figure is a side elevation of the complete device, dotted lines showing the
position of the parts when the treadle is thrust back, the wire-supply reel being
Pamoved

page_text: Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same from the opposite side.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same, showing the wire-supply reel attached.
Figs. 4 and 5 are detail elevations of the staple forming and driving mechanism
in different positions, and also of the staple-clinching mechanism in corresponding
positions, the front plates of the parts being removed.
Fig. 6 is a detail elevation of the plate covering the front face of the staple
cutting, forming, and driving mechanism, the spring which holds the staple-forming
block or anvil vieldingly in position being swung to one side to show the recess in
the plate in which the anvil is located.
Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively a detail perspective and an elevation of the inner
face of the movable anvil or block which removably holds the wire while being
cut, the length of wire while the ends are being bent down to form the legs of
the staple being shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8.
Fig. 9 is a front detached elevation of the movable spring clinching-jaws of the
staple-fastening mechanism.
Fig. 10 is an edge view of the same, the operating-lever being shown broken
away.
Fig. 11 is a detail elevation of the dic or plunger which drives the formed
staple through the paper or box-corner.
Fig. 12 is a central vertical section taken in plane of line, Fig. 3, through the
staple forming and driving and staple-clinching mechanism.
Figs. 13 and 14 are respectively an edge view and a top view of a spring cover or
guard which partially embraces the peripheries of the flanges of the wire-supply
reel.
Figs. 15, 16, 17, and 18 are detail views of portions of the wire-feed mechanism.
Fig. 19 is a side elevation of a portion of the machine, the outer wall of the
frame being broken away to show the interior arrangements of the levers.
Fig. 20 is a section of the operating-lever of the staple forming and driving
mechanism and its pivotal point, taken in the plane of line
y, Fig. 19.
Fig. 21 is a detail view showing the front plate of the staple forming and
driving mechanism in section, and a modified construction of movable anvil or
block to assist in forming the legs of the staple and means for automatically
operating the same.
Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a paper box stapled by this machine.
Fig. 23 is a top plan of the mechanism carried by the upper arm of the frame,
operating-lever for the staple driving and forming mechanism not being shown and
the position of the rod carrying the wire-supply reel being shown by dotted lines.
Fig. 24 is a cross section through the staple showing and during mechanism,
taken in the plane of line, Fig. 12.
Fig. 25 is a detail perspective looking at the rear of the upper portions of the
staple forming and driving heads, particularly showing the means whereby said
heads are locked together and separately released from each other.
Fig. 26 is a detail perspective of the lower arm of the frame, showing
particularly the box guide and holder or gage.
Fig. 27 is a detail section of the stop for the weighted swinging plate which
returns the parts to their normal position after a stroke, and
Fig. 28-9 30-1 are details of a modification hereinafter more particularly
referred to.
In the drawings, the reference letter a indicates the standards and .a' the hollow
upper frame or body of the machine supported by the standards. The hollow
frame or body is provided with a pair of forwardly-projecting arms a a.
Upon the
outer end of the upper arm a the staple forming and driving mechanism is located
and immediately below the same the staple-fastening mechanism is located upon
the lower arm a². A treadle is pivoted at its upper end to the front portion of
the main frame, so that its lower or pedal portion can swing between the
standards of the machine.
indicates a vertical plate pivoted to swing in a vertical plane at the rear open

page_text: end of the frame by means of am arm 2, extending at substantially a right angle
from the upper end of the plate into the interior of the frame and pivoted
therein. A link is pivoted at its lower end to the treadle, between the pedal
and upper pivotal point thereof, and at its opposite upper end is pivoted to the
vertical plate.
The staple forming and driving mechanism is operated by a rocking lever c,
pivotally mounted to a rock in a vertical plane upon an arm 5, extending up from
the frame. From its pivotal point the lever extends forwardly to the plunger of
the staple-driving mechanism and rearwardly and downwardly to the plate, and
at its lower free end is provided with a lug or arm confined and adapted to slide
in a transverse curved slot 64 in the plate U
The staple-fastening mechanism is operated by a rocking lever d, extending from
the staple-clinching mechanism through the lower arm a² into the main frame and
curving down at its free end and ending a short distance above the arm 2 of the
plate The lever is pivoted in the arm a² and its lower free end is provided
with an anti-friction roller, and is yieldingly held to the limit of its upward
movement by a retractive spring in the frame. The lower free end of the
plate is weighted at 5, as shown. It will thus be seen that when the treadle
is thrust back the link will swing the plate upwardly upon the pivotal point
of the arm, thereby causing the lug of the lever to slide from one end of the
curved slot in the plate to the other end and raising the free end and depressing
the plunger end of the lever and operating the staple forming and driving
mechanism, the parts assuming the positions shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1.
The upper edge of the arm 2 is provided with a projecting lug or teat, which,
as the plate and arm are swung upwardly, engages the anti-friction roller
upon the free end of the lever and depresses the same, thereby throwing up the
opposite end of the lever and operating the clinching mechanism simultaneously
with the finishing of the stroke of the lever c.
When the foot of the operator is released from the treadle, the weighted end of
the plate will fall to its normal position, drawing down with it the free end
of the lever c, confined in the slot, while the lever d will be returned to its
normal position by the spring bº.
Injury and jar to the parts when the weighted end of the plate falls is
prevented by a stop e, consisting of a screw bolt 1, vertically adjustable in the
frame of the machine, and having a lock-nut 2 to hold it at the desired height, and
provided at its upper end with a cup or socket 3, holding a piece of rubber or
other elastic material 4, upon which the plate falls and normally rests.
The downward throw of the plunger end of the lever c is regulated for different
purposes, Fig. 20, by the pivot-pin c', upon which the lever is mounted, said pin
passing through the lever and arm 5, upon which the same is mounted, the
portion of the pin upon which the lever works being eccentric to the portion 6,
passing through the lug, so that by rotating said pin the pivotal point of the
lever can be raised or lowered. The pin is provided with a head 7, having
openings into which an instrument can be inserted for turning the same, and its
opposite end is screw-threaded to receive a nut. (See Fig. 20.)
A vertical stationary flat face-plate d is rigidly secured on the front end of the
upper arm. The main hollow head 2 of the mechanism is confined to vertically
reciprocate on the outer face of this plate by means of vertical ways on the rear
longitudinal edges of the head embracing the vertical projecting edges of said
plate d', as clearly shown in Fig. 24. The vertical movement of this head is
limited by a lug 12 on face-plate d', projecting into a vertical slot 13 in the rear
wall of the main head. (See Fig. 12.) The rear wall or back plate of this
main head is wider than the vertical open chamber of the head, said chamber being
formed by the side walls 14 14, preferably formed with the back wall and the
front plate d³, closing the front side of said chamber and rigidly secured to the
side walls.
A wire-cutting and staple forming head e¹ extends through, snugly fits, and is

page_text: confined to vertically reciprocate in the chamber of the main hollow head d², and
is provided with a cross-bar or one or more lugs e, extending laterally from the
same onto one or more short vertical grooves in the wall of the main hollow
head to retain the head e' in the main head and limit its vertical movement.
The lower portion of the front face of the head e¹ (from its lower end upward)
is rabbeted out or reduced in thickness as clearly shown in Figs. 12 and 24, to
leave a narrow space or chamber between the front face of said head e¹ and the
inner face of the front plate d³ of the main head. The width of this chamber
thus formed is just equal to or slightly wider than the thickness of the wire to be
used in forming the staple. A pair of thin wire cutting and bending knives f
are vertically secured on the sides of the rabbeted face of the head e, and these
knives are of a thickness to fill the space between the head e¹ and front plate d³.
The lower ends of these knives are beveled from their inner edges downwardly and
outwardly to form the cutting-edges on the outer edges of the knives and bearing
against the opposite sides of the chamber in the main head. These knives are
removably secured to the head e', so that they can be removed or interchanged
when one becomes dull, as the right-hand knife only, Fig. 4, does the cutting. The
head e is longitudinally hollow, and at its lower end is provided with a central
longitudinal and radial slot or opening 15 through the front side of the head.
A plunger a.snugly fits and reciprocates in and extends through the wire-cutting
and staple-forming head el, and at its upper end has a hollow head 8 open at two
sides, in which a curved head on the front end of the main operating-lever c
loosely fits and is confined. The lower end of this plunger is provided with a
forwardly projecting lug 16, extending through and reciprocating in the slot 15 and
limiting the upward movement of the plunger independent of head e and causing
the head to move up with the plunger. A flat staple-driving head or die gis
secured on the outer end of the lug 16, and is of the same thickness as knives f
and fits on the outer face of the rabbeted portion of the head e' snugly and adapted
to slide between said knives f. This head extends in plane below the end of the
plunger, and its lower edge is cut V-shaped, as shown, to fit the box-corner, and
at the vertex of the V-head is provided with a slot, as shown.
The plunger is provided with a spring-holder or center-piece to assist the
formed staple in its downward movement and to prevent its body bending before
being driven home. This holder is located and longitudinally movable in the
interior of the plunger and centrally and normally projects below the face of the
die, so that its lower edge will be in or slightly above the same plane with
the lower edges of the face of said die, and said holder is yieldingly held in this
position by a spring in the plunger constantly tending to force the holder to the
limit of its downward movement. The holder is confined in the plunger and
limited in its movement by a screw or pin 9, extending through the plunger into a
slot in the same. The lower end of the holder projects beyond the front face
of the staple-driving die gl through said slot at the vertex of the angular face of
said die. It should be observed that the normal position of the holder is that
shown in Fig. 4, but that when the die is driving the staple through the box the
holder is forced up into the plunger out of the way, as seen in Fig. 5.
indicate two movable sliding guide blocks or fingers extending through
the slides of the main head into the lower end of the interior of the chamber in
the same, and these guides are curved inwardly at their inner or guiding ends to
throw the legs of the staple inwardly at such angles as to readily and straightly
pass through the sides of the box at the corner, as more fully set forth hereinafter.
These guides extend through slots in the side of the head, and are confined therein
to allow in and out play by suitable stops 10 and by plate-springs go, which
yieldingly hold the guides extended into the chamber, as shown in Fig. 4, but
allow them to be forced outwardly out of the way when the die is driving the
staple, as shown in Fig. 5.
The wire from which the staples are formed is fed horizontally into the lower
portion of the chamber of the main hollow head through an opening in one side of

page_text: the same and between stational guides g'g', one of which is secured to the cage
of the face-plate d³ (see Fig. 6) and the other to the side wall of the head through
which the wire passes. The guide-plate y', secured to the side wall of the main
head is let into the same so that its outer face is about flush with the outer edge
of said wall, and this plate is provided with a horizontal groove, through which
the wire passes.
A stationary knife blade is secured in said side wall of the
head with its cutting-edge located at the lower edge of the inner end of said
groove, so that the cutting-edge of said knife will mesh with the cutting edge of
the knife on that side of the head. The wire passes in above the cutting-edge
of a blade until it engages the opposite side of the chamber, as shown, the width
of the chamber being exactly equal to the length of wire required to form a
staple. The cutting-edge of the stationary knife engages the cutting-edge of one
of the knives when the wire cutting and bending head descends to cut the length
of wire off. As the wire extends into the chamber of the main head it passes
through a transverse groove in a movable staple forming or bending block or
anvil 2, the length of said groove or the width of said anvil being equal to the
length of the straight or body portion of the staple produced by the machine.
This staple-forming anvil is located in an opening in the front plate ³ of the
main head and normally extends into the chamber of the same, so that its wire-
holding groove will coincide with the opening through which the wire is fed
into the chamber, and the anvil is yieldingly held in the openings 1ª, bearing
against the outer face of the head e' by a plate-spring, secured to the outer side
of plate d³, and removably extending over-the opening, and constantly tending
to spring inwardly against said opening. The groove extends across the inner
side of the block. The upper edge of the block is preferably V-shaped to
correspond with the angular face of the driving-die, and the inner portion of said
edge is beveled downwardly, as shown, and is provided with a central vertical
groove. (See Fig. 7.) The block centrally extends into the chamber, and
is of a width slightly less than the space between the two knives, and the
edges 17 17 of the block below the plane of the groove are preferably vertical
or in planes at right angles to the plane of said groove.
i indicates a latch pivoted at its upper end to the plunger or upper head of the
same to allow its lower free end a lateral swing, and said lower end beveled and
provided with a shoulder to engage the upper end of the wire cutting and bending
head. Thus it will be seen that as the plunger is forced down the head e' will go
down with it, by reason of the latch i engaging the upper end of the same; but
when the plunger and head have passed downwardly a certain distance the latch
is disengaged from the head e' by an inclined surface or beveled arm, extending
upwardly from the main head and bearing against the surface of the head e', so
that the lower beveled end of the latch will engage the same, and thus be thrown
outwardly from the head and allow the plunger to independently descend. The
main head is carried down a certain distance with the head and is then released
therefrom, and the head e¹ descends the remainder of the stroke, independent of
the main head, until the latch i is released from said head. The face-plate d' at
one side of its upper edge is provided with an upwardly extending arm 18, having
its inner edge straight a portion of the distance from the top down said edge,
terminating in a recess or offset 19 in the lower portion of said arm.
The rear
wall of the main head is provided with an upwardly-extending arm 20, beside
and parallel with arm 18, and provided with a flat upper end. The upper end of
the head is provided with a rearwardly-extending horizontal spindle 21, upon
which is loosely mounted a rocking right-angle lever, consisting of a loose sleeve
on said spindle, having two arms formed integral with the sleeve and extending
radially from opposite ends thereof and in planes at right angles to each other.
These arms of the lever are so arranged that when the parts are in their normal
positions the innermost horizontal arm will rest on the top of arm 20 of the main
head, while the other and vertical arm of the lever bears against the straight edge
of the stationary arm 18. It will thus be seen that when the head e' is forced down

page_text: the main head will be carried down with it, the vertical arm of the lever sliding
down the straight edge of the stationary arm 18 until it reaches the recess 19, into
which the vertical arm swings, thereby swinging the upper horizontal arm of the
lever from the upper end of arm 20 of head into a vertical position, thus
releasing the main head from head e and allowing head e' to descend independently.
When head e is drawn up, the inner edge of the arm 18 throws the lever i back
into its normal position.
A stationary plate j is secured to the front end of the lower arm a immediately
below the lower end of the chamber of the main head d², and upon the outer face of
said plate the guide-plates are secured, having their inner edges curved
upwardly and inwardly toward each other, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5, and the upper
ends of the guides are located a distance apart to admit the legs of the staple when
forced through the box. A face-plate is secured over and covers the guides and
plates j, and in the space between the said guides and two plates a vertical plate j³,
secured to the end of the lever d, is confined and vertically reciprocates. Upon the
face of this plate the clinching-jaws are pivoted at their lower ends to allow
their upper ends a movement to and away from each other, and the upper outer
edges of said upper ends are curved to correspond to the upper curved portion of
the guides, and a spring is secured upon a suitable pin between the jaws k
and engages the same and constantly tends to force the upper free ends of the jaws
apart, as shown in Fig. 9. It will thus be seen that as the free end of the lever d
moves upwardly the plate is carried up between the plates and and the free
ends of the jaws k are drawn in toward each other beneath the upper ends of
guides j'. This construction constitutes the staple clinching or fastening
mechanism.
The wire from which the staples are formed is wound upon and automatically fed
from a reel or spool k, mounted upon a horizontal arm, extending laterally from
one side of the front end of the upper arm a² of tlie machine. The wire used is very
springy and elastic. Therefore in order to keep the same tightly wound upon the
spool when being fed a cover or guard, Figs. 13 and 14, is used. This cover is
mounted at one end to a lateral arm from the arm 3, and from thence extends
partially around the periphery of the spool, embracing the side flanges thereof.
The free end of the cover is preferably lined with leather k or other suitable
material to bear upon the flanges and act as a brake to prevent the spool turning,
except as the wire is drawn from it. This arm is removably screwed into the
arm 2, and is locked therein by the locking-nut 22, and the outer end of said rod
or arm is bent at right angles to form a journal or support for the wire-supply
reel.
A
7 indicates a vertically-rocking lever extending across and pivoted upon the top
of the upper arm a² of the machine, and one arm of this lever is slotted, (see Fig. 3,)
and a pin secured to an arm P, extending up from the main head d, is loosely
confined in said slot. A vertical link is pivoted to the opposite side of said lever
on the opposite side of the arm a², and to the lower end of link one end of a short
link is pivoted, the opposite end of the short link being loosely mounted on the
outer end of a short shaft m, journaled in a bearing arm or frame 23, secured to or
formed with and extending laterally from the side of the main head d³, said frame
having two arms or blocks forming bearings for the opposite ends of said shaft.
counter-shaft m¹ is journaled at one end in the same arm of the frame and below
the shaft m, and at their front ends the shafts m and me are provided with the
friction wire-feed wheels n n, located opposite the wire-feed opening into the main
head 2. The wire extending from the bottom of the spool into said feed-opening
passes between said wheels, which tightly bear upon the same and feed it at the
desired time and in the desired quantity into the staple-forming mechanism. The
wire is held between the friction feed-rollers by the pin 24, secured to said bearing-
frame and having a perforated head, through which the wire passes. The short
link is provided with a spring-actuated pawl, which engages a ratchet-wheel m²,
so that when the link is drawn up the pawl will run loosely over the teeth of the

page_text: ratchet-wheel; but when the link is forced down the pawl will rotate the wheel.
Said ratchet-wheel is rigidly secured to the face of a gear-wheel a¹, rigidly secured
to the face of a gear-wheel n', rigidly secured upon the shaft m and meshing
with a gear-wheel n², rigidly mounted upon the counter-shaft m'. (See Figs. 1
and 15.)
Upon its inner face the gear-wheel is provided with a circular series of
equally-spaced counter-sunk holes or openings ³, (see Figs. 16 and 17,) in which a
spring-pin o is adapted to fit. This pin works in a recess in the arm in which the
shafts m m' are journaled, and is provided with a spring, as shown, which presses it
against te gear-wheel. It is obvious that the pin will slip out of the openings n³
when the wheel is turned, but will fit in the same with sufficicut pressure to prevent
the same being turned by the jar of the machine and also prevent retrograde move-
ment of the feed-wheels.
The tension of the wire-feeding wheels upon the wire can be increased or
diminished to stop the feed or admit the use of wire of different sizes as the shaft m,
carrying the upper friction-wheel, is adjustable to or away from the counter-shaft.
Near the front ends said parallel shafts are journaled in a block or piece », the
lower shaft having a stationary bearing therein, but the upper shaft being journaled
in a box or bushing p, located and having a slight vertical movement in a recess in
the piece nº. A spring is also located in said piece and bears up against the
under surface of the bushing and constantly tends to force the same to the limit of
its upward movement in the recess. The position of the box or bushing is adjusted
by a thumb or adjusting screw p², working through the top of the piece and
bearing upon the top of the box p, and provided with a milled head, by which it can
be readily turned.
The lower arm a² is provided with a sliding gage or box-holder, upon which the
box is placed, and by which it is held in position when being stapled. This
adjustable gage consists of an end or cross head 7', located in front of the end of the
lower arm, and over which the box is placed when being stapled, and the parallel
horizontal arms or rods ², secured together at their front ends by said cross-head
and extending rearwardly and located upon opposite sides of the lower arm a³.
These rods are longitudinally slotted and confined upon the arm of the frame by
pins secured to the arm and loosely extending through said slots, so that the cross-
head and arm can slide to or away from the stapling mechanism. Upon one side of
the arm a the gage is provided with a stop to limit the outward movement of
the arm, said stop consisting of a slotted rod at one end provided with a projection
extending into the slot of the arm 2 on that side and a clamping-screw extending
through the slot of the stop-rod, and by which the same can be adjusted to change
the limit of outward movement of the gage, as it is obvious, the gage being limited
in its outward movement by the projection of the guide engaging the end of the
slot in rod g The gage is provided with a retractive spring, secured at one end
to the arm a² and at its opposite end to the inner end of one of the rods q² and
tending to force the gage to its limit of outward movement, as shown in Fig. 1.
Upon the opposite side of the lower arm a² the box-gage is provided with an
adjustable stop to limit its inward movement, said stop consisting of a longitudinally-
slotted rod ys, adjustably clamped to the arm or the frame by a set-screw, the gage
being limited in its inward movement by the end of the rod on that side engaging
the end of the rod y³. The cross-head is preferably of about the same size and
shape as the front plate, inclosing the staple-clinching mechanism, with its upper
edges V-shaped to fit in the corner of the box. In operation it is evident that the
box is slipped over the outer end of the gage with the cross-head resting against
its bottom and with its upper corner resting upon the upper angled edges of the
plates and, beneath the lower open end of the main head of the staple forming
and driving mechanism. The upper end of the box is then fastened by a staple and
the gage is pressed in against the tension of its spring until that portion of the same
corner which it is desired to fasten is in position to receive another staple. After
each corner has been sufficiently stapled the box is removed from the holder and
'

page_text: another corner placed in position to be stapled, the stops being so adjusted that the
staples will be in the same relative position on each corner.
Of course the lower ends of the main head, the cutting and the bending head,
and the driving-die are formed angular or V-shaped to fit the corner of the box to
be stapled.
When
Suppose the parts to be in position shown by full lines in Figs. 1 and 4.
the treadle is thrust back, the operating end of the lever c will force down the
plunger and with it the main head and the wire-cutting and staple-forming head, by
reason of the latch and the double-armed lever 2. The main head moves down
upon the corner of the box until the vertical arm of the double-armed lever
swings into the recess 19, thereby releasing the cutting and bending head from the
main head. This head and the plunger then move down independently of the main
head, the cross bar e² moving in the slot es, and as the head e¹ moves down its
knife fupon the same side with the knife will sever the wire at the feed-opening,
leaving the severed length of wire held in the groove of the bending block or
anvil, and the knives will pass down upon each side of the anvil, bending the
ends of the wire projecting beyond the sides of the same down upon the straight
edges of the anvil at right angles to the portion of the wire in the groove, thus
forming the staple. When the staple is formed, the anvil is pushed out of the
chamber of the main head to admit the downward passage of the parts by the
staple-driving die engaging the beveled edge of the anvil, thereby throwing
the same outward against the pressure of spring h. The projection g of the spring-
holder of the plunger passes through the groove h of the anvil and rests in the
same when in the position shown in Fig. 4. When the anvil is pushed out, it leaves
the formed staple transversely located in the chamber with the lower ends of the
dic bearing on the same, the centre holder of the die bearing upon the centre of
the body portion of the staple, and thereby preventing it from bending upward as
the die carries the staple down. When the wire cutting and staple-forming head
has moved down and formed the staple, the beveled arm throws the latch i from
engagement with the wire-cutting and staple-forming head, and the plunger is
forced down through head e and drives the staple through the box, bending its
body into a shape conforming to the angle of the box-corner, the spring holder
being forced into the plunger out of the way when the die is pressed down upon
the box. As the die forces the staple down upon the box the curved ends of the
guide-blocks gy throw the legs of the staple into the box, curving them inwardly
to enter the box at a proper angle, and as the die passes downward to securely
drive and flatten the staple it engages the upper edges of said guides. 95 and forces
them outwardly out of the way, Fig. 5, against the tension of their springs. As
soon as the legs of the staple pass through the box the fastening mechanism is
operated, as before described, throwing the plate upwardly, the curved lower
edges of the guides throwing the clinching-jaws in together, which bend in the
legs of the staple tightly upon the card-board and form an anvil to receive the blow
of the driving-die. When the main head is forced down, its arm and the slotted
end of lever will draw the opposite end of said lever up, thereby drawing up
the pawl and placing the parts in readiness to feed the wire, and when the head
is drawn up the lever will be thrown down, thereby operating the pawl to
turn the ratchet and friction wheels and feeding the wire into the chamber of
the head.
When the operator's foot is removed from the treadle, the weighted end of
the plate will throw the parts to their normal position, the die of the plunger
drawing up head e and the cross-bar 2 drawing up the main head when the same
reaches the upper ends of slots e. When the various heads &c., are drawn up to
their normal positions the double lever will be thrown into its normal position
with one arm resting on arm 20 by the inner edge of arm 18, and the latch i by
reason of its spring automatically engage the upper edge of head e¹ in readiness to
force the same down.
The knives ff are preferably secured to the head e¹, so that they can be

page_text: changed when the knife that cuts the wire becomes worn and dull. It is only
necessary that one of these knives should have a cutting edge, as the other knife
merely bends the wire to form the leg of a staple, although they are constructed as
above set forth.
In Fig. 21 a modified form of bending-anvil is shown, and consists of an arm
pivoted at its upper end upon the outer face of the plate 2, and having its lower
end bent inwardly and provided with the wire-receiving groove h', and adapted to
extend into the interior of the main head through and opening in the plate d², being
held normally in this position by a plate-spring, as shown, and being thrown out of
the same at the desired moment by a pin secured to head e¹ and projecting through
a slot in the plate d², and adapted to engage a projection or incline on the inner
surface of the arm, as is clearly evident.
In the modification illustrated in Figs. 28 29 30 and 31, Figure 28 is an
elevation of the staple forming and driving mechanism of my box stapling
machine with the front plate of the main head removed, the parts being shown
at their limit of upward movement with the wire fed in so that it can be cut and
formed into the staple.
Figure 29 is a similar view showing the clinchers, the parts being shown in the
position they assume immediately after the staple has been driven and clinched.
Figure 30 is an edge view of the maise sliding heads.
Figure 31 is a detail elevation of the clinchers.
S
indicates the main hollow head of the staple forming and driving mechanism
of the machine such as described in my before mentioned Patent. This head
is provided with a front wall or plate through which the wire bending and
staple forming anvil t, loosely extends into the chamber of the head, and this
anvil is held yieldingly in position by the spring u. In operation the wire shown
in Figures 28, and 29, at r, is fed transversely through an opening in the side of
the head across the interior thereof through a groove in the anvil.
The wire cutting and staple forming head we located within the main head and at
its lower end provided with the wire cutting and staple forming knives ea, then
descends, and the said knives, cut off the wire and pass down on each side of
the anvil and thereby bend the wire into the staple, and as the said head wc, con-
tinues to descend the anvil is pushed out and the staple is carried down. The
head w has a limited independent movement in the head, by means of the lateral
projection yy, extending into vertical grooves in the interior of the main head.
The staple driving plunger, extends loosely down through the wire cutting and
staple forming head, and at its lower end between the knives a a, said plunger is
provided with a staple driving die s preferably, having its lower edge V-shaped
and provided with the spring holder 2 to prevent the body of the staple bending
as it is carried down by the die. The plunger is provided with suitable head 25
on its upper end to which the rocking actuating lever (not here shown) is attached
to reciprocate the parts, suitable connecting mechanism (not here shown) being
provided to cause the plunger and two heads to move together a portion of their
strokes, and then to move separately and independently the remainder of their
strokes. In cutting off the wire one of the knives c, coacts with a knife on edge u',
rigid with the main head. The lower end of the main head is preferably V-shaped
to fit the box corner. The staple when formed is carried down by the cutting and
bending knives and the driving die so that the ends of the staple engage the inner
curved ends of the bending or guiding blocks u³, and are bent thereby so as to
enter the box sides at right angles. These blocks extend at an angle loosely
through apertures in the sides of the main frame, and at their outer ends are
provided with lateral lugs w', the lugs y y, are so arranged that the knives, stop
at a point just above the bending and guiding blocks n, as shown in Figure 29.
The plunger and driving die descend independently of head w', and drive the
staple into the box. Just previous to the descent of the driving die and after the
ends of the staple have been bent to enter the box at the proper angle the guiding
blocks, are drawn outwardly from the path of the driving die by suitable
B

page_text: mechanism and positive connections, such as the swinging lever, fulcrumed
between their ends at y¹, to the sides of the main head so that their lower ends
will throw the bending blocks in & out of the main. Said lower ends of the
levers straddle the outer ends of the bending blocks and are provided with slots in
which the lateral lugs e', of the bending blocks fit. The bending blocks can thus
be quickly and easily removed from the levers when desired, as the slots extend
upwardly from the lever ends thereof. The upper ends of the levers are
provided with bearing surfaces or ends which engage the cam bearing surfaces or
cam arms z¹. These arms ', are rigidly secured to the plunger or part thereof,
preferably, head 25, and extend downwardly and outwardly therefrom at their
lower ends, the lower ends being made straight and extending outwardly so
that the upper ends of the levers, will be forced outwardly to hold the
blocks u, extending into the interior of the main head to act on the staple ;
but after the head has reached its limit of downward movement and the die
has started down, and the ends of the staple have been bent to the proper angle,
the upper ends of the levers slide in and inclines to the upper portions
of the arms which are located nearer together or have reduced surfaces so that
the lower ends of the levers swing outwardly and draw out the blocks under the
action of the springs acting on the levers. The arms are provided with
elongated or vertical slots through which the securing screws pass by which
the armis, can be adjusted vertically to change the point or time in the operation
at which the blocks will be thrown in or out. By means of this construction and
by operating the bending blocks by positive mechanical connections the machine
is made to work smoothly, and friction and wear on the bending blocks are obviated,
and there is no wear on the cutting knives or the driving die by contact with the
bending blocks.
When the staple has been driven through the box corners the two clinchers,
move up and their upper ends are drawn together by engaging the stationary cam
surfaces, so that they clinch the staple, and when the staple has been clinched
and the clinchers dropped their lower ends engage the curved stationary cam
surfaces, which press in together the lower ends of the clinchers and throw the
upper ends outwardly to their normal position as shown in Figure 31. The lower
head which extends into the box when being operated on has a space between
its outer plate in which the clinchers are located, the edges of this space being
stationary and formed into the cam grooves u² 3. The clinchers are carried by
reciprocating plate w² to which the clinchers are pivoted between their ends, and
the opposite ends of the clinchers are curved or rounded substantially as shown to
engage and co-act with the cam surfaces to accomplish the results just mentioned.
By this means springs to operate the clinchers are dispensed with and the operation
of the clinchers made thorough and positive.
In the Figs. 28-31 it has not been deemed necessary to illustrate the complete
working parts of the box stapling machine, but only such parts have been shown as
were needed to illustrate the modifications.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what
I claim is
1. The combination of the hollow frame having two arms the swinging treadle
pivoted to said frame, the swinging plate having a rigid arm extending at an angle
therefrom and pivoted in the frame, a pivoted link from said treadle to said plate
to swing the same, the upper rocking lever pivoted and extending above the upper
arm and at its lower end confined in a curved slot in said plate, and a rocking
lever pivoted in the frame and extending into the lower arm, and having its
free end held by a spring and arranged to be engaged and depressed by the
arm of said plate.
2. The combination, with the staple forming and driving mechanism, of the
vertically-rocking operating-lever connected at one end to the staple forming and

page_text: driving mechanism, said lever having a vertically-adjustable pivotal point to vary
the throw of said forming and driving mechanism, substantially as described.
3. In a box-stapling machine, in combination, an arm of the frame, a main
sliding head, staple forming and driving mechanism, substantially as set forth,
carried thereby, a bearing-frame rigid with and extending laterally from and
moving with said head, a pair of parallel shafts therein, carrying feed-rollers to
impinge upon the wire and feed it into said head, gearing connecting said shafts, an
operating-lever for said head and staple forming and driving mechanism operated by
the movement of said lever and operating said shafts, substantially as described.
4. In combination, an arm of the frame, the main sliding head containing the
staple forming and driving mechanism an operating-lever therefor, a wire-supply
reel carried by said arm, the wire-feed mechanism, substantially as described
carried by & moving with said head & located between the same & said reel, & the
rocking lever fulerummed on said arm & connecting said head & said wire-feed
mechanism to intermittingly operate the same as the head reciprocates, substantially
as described.
5. In combination, the staple forming & driving mechanism substantially as
described, the wire-feed mechanism, substantially as described, consisting of the
support, the two parallel shafts journaled therein, friction feed-wheels on said
shafts to feed the wire, one of said shafts having a movable bearing and adjusting-
screw to vary the distance between said wheels, meshing gear-wheels rigid with
said shafts, one of said gears having a series of depressions in its face, a spring-
pin in the support bearing against said wheel to spring into said depressions &
lock the shafts against accidental rotation, & a pawl-and-ratchet mechanism,
substantially as described, to operate said shafts.
6. In a box-stapling machine, the combination of the frame having the two
parallel upper & lower arms, the staple forming & driving mechanism, substan-
tially as described, carried by the end of the upper arm, the staple-clinching
mechanism substantially as described carried by the lower arm & a spring-adjustable
sliding-box holder or gage carried by the lower arm & provided with adjustable
stops to vary its limits of in-and-out movement.
7. In combination, the main head, the movable bending-block extending there-
into and having the transverse groove into which the wire is fed, the forming-head
in said main head having the knives to cut the wire and form the staple ou said
block, the plunger within said forming-head, having the angular staple-driving die
on its front face to carry down and drive the staple after leaving said block and
provided with the vertical slot in its front side, and the guide longitudinally
movable in said plunger, having its lower end extending forwardly through said
slot and centrally into the angular space beneath said die to rest on the body
of the formed staple during its downward passage, and a spring to press down
said guide.
8. In combination, the arm of the frame, the rocking lever having a vertical
plate on its end, the two clinching jaws at their lower ends, pivoted to the front of
said plate, a spring between said jaws to yieldingly separate their upper curved
ends, the two stationary guides to draw said jaws together to clinch the staple, and
the stationary face-plate.
9. In a box-stapling machine, the combination of the arm of the frame, the main
sliding head, the wire-cutting and staple-forming head located therein, a double-
armed lever pivoted to said forming-head to engage and force down the main head
with said forming-head during a portion of its stroke, means substantially as
described, to operate said lever, the plunger and staple-driving die, a latch carried
by the plunger to force said forming-head down with the plunger during a portion
of the stroke, and the operating-lever attached to said plunger.
10. The arm of the frame, a plate secured to the same, in combination with the
main sliding head confined on said plate to reciprocate vertically, the sliding wire-
cutting and staple-forming head extending through said main head and provided

page_text: with one or more lateral lugs extending into vertical elongated slots in the main
head the plunger extending loosely through said forming-head and provided with
a portion projecting through a longitudinal slot in said forming-head and carrying
the driving die, substantially as described.
11. In combination, the plate secured on the arm of the frame, provided with a
straight bearing-surface having a recess, the main sliding head confined to said
plate to reciprocate vertically, the sliding staple-forming head in said main head,
the double-armed swinging lever pivoted to said forming-head, so that one end will
bear on and force down the main head and the other arm will slide on said surface
until the recess is reached and then release the main head, and the plunger
extending through the forming-head and provided with the driving-die and with
means, substantially as described, to force down said forming head.
12. The staple-driving plunger having the center holder and the staple-bending
knives, in combination with the movable staple-bending block provided with the
grooves to receive the wire, the front beveled edges, and the central vertical
groove, for the purpose set forth.
a
13. In combination, the main head, the wire-cutting and staple-forming head
extending therethrough and reduced on the lower portion of its front face, the two
vertical bending-knives secured on said reduced portion, said head having
longitudinal slot between said knives, the plunger extending through said forming-
head and having a portion projecting through said slot, and the staple-driving die
secured on said portion and sliding between the knives.
14. In a stapling-machine, the combination of a vertically swinging pivoted
plate to operate the mechanism of the machine, means, substantially as set forth, to
swing the plate and a stop or buffer to break the fall of the plate, comprising an
adjustable screw-bolt provided with a lock-nut and having a socket in its upper
end, to receive a piece of rubber or other clastic material, substantially as
described.
15. In combination, the frame, a staple-driving mechanism, a staple-fastening
mechanism, substantially as described, a pivoted treadle, a vertical plate provided
with an inwardly extending arm pivoted in the frame to allow the plate a vertical
swing, said plate being counterweighted at its lower free end and provided with a
curved slot, a link connecting the treadle and the plate, a lever to operate the
staple-driving mechanism and having its lower free end confined in the slot in said
plate, a rocking lever fulcrumed in said frame to operate the staple-fastening
mechanism, provided with a spring to hold it in its normal condition and a teat on
the inwardly-extending arm of said plate arranged to engage and depress the
inner end of the staple-fastening lever, substantially as described.
16. In a stapling-machine, the combination of a main hollow sliding head into
which the wire to form the staples is fed, a wire-cutting and staple-forming head
confined and adapted to reciprocate in and to reciprocate said head, a bending
block or anvil in the main head upon which the wire is bent by the forming-head,
a staple-driving plunger, and operating-mechanism, substantially as described.
a
17. In a stapling machine, the combination of a main sliding head, a wire-cutting
and staple-forming head to reciprocate the main head and confined in and having
limited sliding movement independent of the same, a staple-driving plunger
extending through and reciprocating the forming-head and having a movement
through and independent of the same, and an operating-lever secured to the upper
end of the plunger to reciprocate the same and the sliding heads, substantially as
described.
18. In a stapling-machine, a rocking lever, a reciprocating plunger operated by
the same and provided with a staple-driving die, a sliding wire-cutting and staple-
forming head through which the plunger extends, a latch carried by the plunger
to engage the head and force the same down with the plunger, means, substantially
as described, to disengage the latch from the head when the staple is formed and
allow the die to descend independent of the head and drive the staple, main

page_text: sliding head in which the forming-head operates, and means to connect said
forming-head with the main head during a portion of the stroke, substantially as
described.
19. In a stapling-machine, a hollow sliding head into which the wire is auto-
matically fed, wire-feeding wheels or rollers connected with and operated by the
movement of said head, a wire-cutting and staple-forming head located in and
adapted to reciprocate the sliding head, one or more lugs or a cross-bar projecting
from the forming-head into vertical slots in the sliding-head whereby the forming
head can reciprocate independent of the sliding head the length of said slots, & a
staple-driving head carried by a plunger extending through & adapted to
reciprocate the forming-head & secured at its upper end to an operating-lever,
substantially as described.
20. In combination, a main hollow sliding head into which the wire to form the
staples is fed, an automatic wire-feeding mechanism, substantially as described,
operated by said head, a wire-cutting & staple-forming head to reciprocate said
sliding head, a staple-driving plunger to reciprocate the forming-head, & a lever to
reciprocate the plunger, substantially as described.
21. In a stapling-machine, the combination of a hollow head, a wire-cutting and
staple-forming head adapted to reciprocate in the same, a plunger extending
through the forming-head and provided with a V-shaped driving-head at its lower
end, a movable bending-block removably extending into the path of the driving-
head, the wire being fed into the hollow head and through the block, a spring-
holder in said plunger having its lower portion extending into the V-recess of
said driving-head to engage the body of the staple after being formed on the die
and prevent said body bending up during the downward passage of the staple,
said block having a vertical groove to admit the passage of said holder, and
movable spring actuated guiding-blocks to guide the legs of the staple into the
box-corner, substantially as described.
22. In combination, an arm of the frame, a sliding head of the staple forming
and driving mechanism, the wire-feed mechanism, substantially as described,
carried by and moving with said head and comprising shafts carrying friction
feed-rolls, a pawl-and-ratchet mechanism substantially as described to rotate said
shafts, and the rocking lever fulcrumed on said arm, at one end loosely connected
to an arm of said head to be rocked thereby, at its other end connected by a link
to operate said ratchet mechanism.
23. In a stapling-machine, a main hollow head, and a staple-driving die
reciprocating in the same, in combination with a pair of guide-blocks located in
the lower portion of and loosely extending through transverse openings into the
opposite sides of the head, and having curved ends to guide the legs of the staple
inwardly into the box-corner, and springs to yieldingly hold them, extending into
the head, said blocks having stops at their outer ends, against which said springs
bear and which limit the inward movement of the. blocks, substantially as
described.
24. In a stapling-machine, the combination, with the staple-forming and driving
mechanism, of a rocking lever adapted to operate said mechanism and connected
with the same at one free end, a support therefor, and a rotatively-adjustable pivot-
pin having a bearing portion mounted in said support, and a portion eccentric to
said bearing portion and upon which the lever is mounted, whereby the limit of
downward stroke of its operating end can be varied, substantially as described.
25. In a box-stapling machine, the stapling mechanism in combination with a
holder or gage for the box while being stapled, comprising an end piece adjustable
to or away from the stapling mechanism and over which the box is slipped, and
longitudinally-slotted arms carrying the end piece and adjustably secured to the
frame by pins or screws extending through the slot, substantially as described.
26. The combination, in a stapling machine, of a main hollow sliding head, a
sliding head within and having a movement independent of but adapted to
reciprocate the main head, and a lever carried by the inner head to carry down the

page_text: main head with the inner head during a portion of its stroke, a staple-driving
plunger extending loosely through said inner head and secured to the lever,
and a latch to connect the plunger and inner head during a portion of the stroke,
substantially as described.
27. A main frame having a threaded opening, in combination with a bolt
adjustable therein and having a socket on its upper end containing elastic
material, and a lock-nut on the bolt, as and for the purpose substantially as set
forth.
28. In a box stapling machine, the two clinchers carried by a reciprocating plate
and pivoted thereto between their ends, and the stationary cam surfaces to engage
the opposite ends of said clinchers and throw the upper ends thereof together as
the plate ascends, and throw the lower ends thereof together as the plate descends,
combined to operate as set forth.
29. In a box stapling machine, the movable guide blocks to bend the ends of the
staple to the proper angle to enter the box corner, in combination with mechanical
controlling means positively and automatically operating said blocks to draw them
in and out at the proper periods in the operation, substantially as set forth.
30. In a box stapling machine, a staple driving guide, the movable guide blocks
to bend the ends of the staple at the proper angle to enter the box corner, and
mechanical operating and controlling means connected to said blocks and
controlled by the movements of said die to throw said blocks in and out of the
path of the die at the proper periods, combined to operate as set forth.
31. In a box stapling machine, the combination of the staple driving die and its
plunger provided with cam surfaces moving therewith, the lower movable guiding
blocks for bending the ends of the staple, and the rocking levers at the lower ends
joined to said blocks to move them, and at their upper ends bearing on and
controlled by said surfaces.
32. In a box stapling machine, the staple driving die and its plunger and head,
the cam surfaces rigid with said head, the hollow head of the machine, the lower
bending blocks movable in and out of the path of the die in said head, the levers
pivoted between their ends to the head; and at their upper end bearing on and
controlled by said cam surfaces, and at their lower ends joined to and operating
said blocks, and springs acting on the levers.
33. The main head, the plunger therein having the staple driving die, the cam
arms adjustably secured to the upper end of the plunger, the lower guiding blocks
extending through the sides of the head and movable in and out of the path of
the driving die, and the rocking levers between their ends fulcrumed on said head,
and at their upper ends held bearing on said cam arms by springs and having their
lower ends removably embracing the outer ends of said blocks, as and for the
purposes set forth.
Dated this 24th dow of Novonshan 1901
HORN & SON,
Applicant's Agents.