Improvements in Box Cutting and Nailing Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Nov., 1897--Accepted, 23rd July, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Box Cutting and Nailing Machines.
We, THOMAS BENTON ABERNATHY, of 5023, Forestville Avenue, and JOHN KELLY
ROBINSON, of 504, Pullman Buildings, corner of Adams Street and Michigan
Avenue, both of Chicago, County of Cook and State of Illinois, U.S.A., Manu-
facturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
--
Referring to the drawings,
Figure 1 is a side elevation;
Figure 2 is a top or plan view;
Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section on line 3-3 of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is an elevation of one end;
Figure 5 is an elevation of the end opposite to that shown in Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a horizontal section on line 6-6 of Figure 1;
Figure 7 is a vertical cross section on line 7-7 of Figure 1;
Figure 8 is an enlarged detail, showing the mechanism for feeding the nails;
Figure 9 is a top view of the parts shown in Figure 8;
Figure 10 is an enlarged detail, being a sectional view of the nail feeding and
driving apparatus;
Figure 11 is an enlarged detail, being a top or plan view of the table which
carrics the board to be cut and nailed;
Figure 12 is a detail, being a view of a portion of one end of the machine, show-
ing the mechanism for throwing into operation the mechanism for agitating the
nail feeding devices;
Figure 13 is a detail, being a view of the mechanism for operating the board
clamps;
Figure 14 is an enlarged detail, being a view of the mallets which agitate the
lower ends of the nail guides;
Figure 15 is an enlarged detail, being a sectional view of the clutch by means
of which the nailing mechanism is thrown into operation;
Figure 16 is a sectional view on line 16-16 of Figure 15, looking to the left;
Figure 17 is a similar view, looking to the right:
Figure 18 is a detail, being a top or plan view of the block which throws the
clutch dog out of operation;
Figure 19 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the nail feeding mechanism;
Figure 20 is an edge view of a board carrying the metallic strips, and ready
for mitering;
Figure 21 is a similar view showing the board mitred; and
Figure 22 is a perspective view of a box made from a board nailed and cut on
my improved machine.
My invention relates to machines for making boxes, and has for its object to
produce a machine which will be particularly adapted to be used for making boxes
formed by cutting transverse miter grooves at suitable points in a continuous
board, and nailing strengthening strips upon the board over such grooves, in such
011

page_text: manner that the board may afterwards be bent into box shape, and its ends then
united to form the sides of a box, as shown in Figures 21 and 22. I accomplish
this object as hereinafter specified and as illustrated in the drawings. That which
I regard as new will be pointed out in the claims.
In my improved machine, a board of sufficient length to form the sides of a box,
the width of which is equal to the height of the box, is introduced into the machine,
and rests upon a table adapted to receive it, and support it during the cutting and
nailing operations. At a proper distance from the end of the board first intro-
duced into the machine a miter groove is cut in its under side, which extends
transversely of the board, the board being held rigidly by clamps provided for
that purpose. Before the mitering, a metallic strip is placed transversely upon
the upper side of the board over the line of the proposed groove, and is afterwards
secured in place by nails which are driven by the machine through the metallic
strip into the board. The board is then moved along, and the remaining grooves
are cut and strengthening strips nailed to the board substantially in the manner
described for the first; after which the board is removed, and is bent into box
shape, and its ends secured together, thereby forming the sides of a box, as shown
in Figures 20, 21 and 22. As the depth of the groove at its deepest point is equal
to the thickness of the board, the board is held together by the metallic strips.
It will be understood that the nature of the groove, as well as the number of
grooves, will depend upon the shape of the box, a miter groove being used if the
box is to be rectangular, in which case four grooves would be cut in each board;
the shape of the box, however, may be varied as desired.
I will now describe specifically the construction of my improved machine by
referring to the accompanying drawings, in which,-
19 indicates the supporting frame, composed of end pieces 20, 21, connected by
horizontal plates 22, 23, as best shown in Figure 7. The plates 22, 23 serve as a
table to receive the board to be operated upon, which board I have indicated by
24 in the drawings. The adjacent edges of the plates 22, 23 are slightly separated
from each other, forming a narrow slot through which the cutting devices which
cut the groove in the board may extend, which arrangement is best shown in
Figure 7.
25 indicates a series of clamps, connected to each other by rods 26, 27, as best
shown in Figure 7, the ends of which rods are connected to blocks 28, 29. In
order to permit of adjusting the position of the clamps 25, the ends of the rods 26,
27 pass through slots 39, 40 arranged vertically in the blocks 28, 29, and are
secured to the blocks 28, 29 by nuts 41, 42 adapted to be screwed upon the ends of
said rods 26, 27, to hold them firmly in place. By adjusting the position of the
rods 26, 27 in the slots 39, 40 the height of the clamps 25 may be adjusted. The
blocks 28, 29 are vertically movable in guides 30, 31 carried by the end pieces 20,
21, as best shown in Figures 7 and 13. Upon the outer sides of the blocks 28, 29
are provided upper flanges 32 and lower flanges 33, as best shown in Figure 13.
34 indicates a shaft mounted in suitable bearings in the end pieces 20, 21, as
best shown in Figure 3, which shaft passes through slots 35, 36 in the blocks 28,
29, as shown in Figure 3. 37, 38 indicate cams, which are mounted upon the
shaft 34 opposite the blocks 28, 29, and between the upper and lower flanges 32, 33
of said blocks. The shape of the cams 37, 38, as best shown in Figure 13, is such
that by rotating the shaft 34 the cams may be made to bear against the upper or
lower flanges 32, 33 to move the blocks 28, 29 up or down, thereby moving the
clamps 25 in a similar direction.
43 indicates a hand lever, which is mounted upon and keyed to one end of the
shaft 34, as best shown in Figures 3 and 5. By rocking the shaft 34, by means of
the lever 43, the clamps 25 may be moved into or out of engagement with the
board 24 at will. (For convenience, that end of the machine at which is mounted
the lever 43 will be referred to hereinafter as the front end.)
44 indicates a guide roller, which is mounted upon a shaft 45 secured in a
slot 46 extending longitudinally of one of the plates 22 or 23, as best shown in

page_text: Figure 11. The roller 44 is provided with a suitable clamp adapted to secure it
adjustably in the slot 46, by which arrangement it may be adjusted as may be
necessary in operating upon boards of different widths. The roller 44 is designed
to hold the board 24 in close contact with the adjacent end of the machine, as
shown in Figure 11.
47 indicates a rotary cutter head, which, as shown, is provided with four
cutters 48, arranged successively at right angles to each other. The form of
cutters shown in the drawings is designed for cutting a miter groove, but, as above
stated, the shape may be varied for cutting grooves of different shapes. The
cutters 48 are removably secured to the cutter head by bolts 49, as shown in
Figure 3. The cutter head 47 is mounted upon a shaft 50 which is journaled in
a frame 51, as best shown in Figures 3 and 11. The frame 51 is supported hori-
zontally on the frame 19 of the machine, its sides being fitted in guides 52, 53,
as best shown in Figure 7, which guides extend longitudinally of the machine, as
best shown in Figures 3 and 5. The guides 52, 53 are supported in place by screw-
threaded rods 54, the lower ends of which rods are supported by the end pieces 20,
21, as shown in Figures 3 and 7. The arrangement is such that by screwing the
rods 54 into or out of their sockets in the guides 52, 53, the guides may be raised
or lowered. To further hold the guides 52, 53 in position, they are provided at
the back with bolts 55 which project through slots in the end frames, and are
secured in place by nuts 56. By adjusting the guides 52, 53 vertically, the
frame 51 may also be adjusted vertically, raising or lowering the cutter head 47
and providing for a deeper or shallower groove in the board. The cutter head
frame 51 is moved forward by a belt 57, which is connected to its forward end, and
passes out of the front end of the machine over an idler 58 mounted in a bracket 59,
thence over an idler 60 to a drum 61 to which it is securely attached, as best shown
in Figure 3. The drum 61 is mounted upon a suitable shaft 62 journaled in the
lower portion of the machine, as best shown in Figures 3 and 6.
63 indicates a friction pulley mounted upon the shaft 62, as shown in Figure 6.
64 indicates a second friction wheel, mounted upon a shaft 65, which is located
near the shaft 62 and is parallel therewith. The shaft 65 is mounted eccentri-
cally in disks 66, 67, which are journaled in suitable bearings, as shown in
Figure 6. 68 indicates a gear wheel, which is mounted upon the shaft 65 and
intermeshes with a gear wheel 69 mounted upon a shaft 70. 71 indicates a band
pulley mounted upon the shaft 70. indicates a belt, by means of which the
pulley 71 is driven from a pulley mounted upon a shaft 74, which pulley 73
is driven from any suitable sece of power.
The size and position of e pulleys 63, 64 is such that by rotating the disks 66,
67, which form the bugs of the shaft 65, the pulley 64 may be thrown into or
out of contact with ne pulley 63, and the teeth of the gears 68, 69 are so arranged
as to permit of such motion of the shaft 65 without throwing said gear wheels
out of mesh. Connected to each of the disks, as 66, 67, is an arm 75, which arm
is connected by a connecting rod 76 to an operating lever 77, pivoted upon a
shaft 78. The arrangement is such that by moving the lever 77 backward the
arms 75 will be swung forwards, thereby throwing the shaft 65 toward the shaft 62
and bringing the pulley 64 into engagement with the pulley 63; the shaft 62 will
thereby be caused to rotate, motion being imparted to it through the shaft 70,
gears 68, 69, and friction pulleys 63, 64; the belt 57 will thereby be wound upon
the drum GI and the frame 51 caused to move forwards.
79 indicates a rack, adapted to be engaged by a dog 80 carried by the lever 77,
by means of which the lever 77 may be held back, that is, near the end 20 of the
machine, thereby holding the friction pulleys 63, 64 in contact and causing the
cutter head frame 51 to move forward.
81 indicates a bar which is mounted immediately over the rack 79, which bar is
adapted to move laterally slightly. The rear edge of the bar 81 is beveled, as
shown in Figures 2 and 11, and is in such position that as the cutter head
frame 51 moves forward, when it reaches the front of the machine its forward

page_text: portion will strike the inclined rear edge of the bar 81, thereby moving it laterally
in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 2; the dog 80 will thereby be
forced out of engagement with the teeth of the rack, and will fall forwards under
the action of gravity and because of the backward movement of the shaft 65, caused
by the contact of the pulleys 63, 64.
As will be seen from Figure 3 the lever 77 which carries the dog 80 is pivoted
at its lower end upon a shaft 78 near the bottom of the machine, which shaft
carries a short arm connected by a connecting rod 76 to the arm 75, projecting
from the eccentric disc 67. Two discs 66-67 carry the shaft 65 and by the partial
rotation of the eccentric discs the shaft 65 may be moved laterally to a slight
extent, the object of such lateral movement being to move the friction wheel 64
into and out of contact with the friction pulley 63. Now, when the lever 77 is
thrown back to move the dog 80 into engagement with the rack 79 it remains
still in a somewhat inclined position, and is under considerable tension owing to
the fact that, when in its locked position, said lever holds the friction wheel 64
in contact with the pulley 63. When the lever 77 is unlocked, it will at once fly
forward, or away from the machine, such action being caused, primarily by the
tendency of the wheels 63-64 to separate and consequently move the shaft 65
backward, or away from the pulley 63, and partly by gravity, owing to the inclined
position of the lever 77. It will be understood that it is of course necessary to
hold the friction wheel 64 tightly in contact with the pulley 63 in order to drive
the latter, consequently there is quite a tendency on the part of the wheel 64 and
pulley 63 to separate, and as soon as the lever 77 is released it at once returns to
the position illustrated in Figure 3.
To positively move such lever forward when released, as above described, I pro-
vide a spring 82 between said lever and the end piece 20, the tension of which
spring tends to throw the lever 77 forward. 83 indicates a frame, which supports
the upper end of the lever. By this construction, as soon as the cutter head
frame 51 reaches the front of the machine the mechanism which draws it forward
is automatically thrown out of operation, and it is permitted to return to the rear
of the machine under the action of the returning mechanism, which will be herein-
after described. The cutter head 47 is rotated by a belt 84, which passes over a
pulley 85 mounted upon the shaft 74, and thence passes around idlers 86, 87, 88,
89 to a pulley 90 mounted upon the shaft 50, as best shown in Figures 3 and 11.
The idlers 88, 89 are mounted in the frame of the machine, as shown in Figure 3.
By the idlers 86, 87 are carried counterpoise blocks 91, 92, which are movable
vertically in guides 93, 94, raised at the rear end of the machine, as best shown
in Figures 3 and 4. The blocks 91, 92 are rigidly connected by shafts 95, 96,
which support the idlers 86, 87 respectively, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. When
the cutter head is at the rear of the machine the blocks 91, 92 are in their lower-
most position, as shown in Figure 3; as the cutter head moves forward the counter-
poise blocks rise until they reach their uppermost point, when the cutter head is
at the front of the machine. As soon as the lever 77 is thrown forwards by the
action of the carriage or frame 51, as above described, the counterpoise blocks 91,
92 serve to return the frame 51 and cutter head to the rear of the machine.
Before the board has been grooved as above described, a metal strip, the length
of which is equal to the width of the board, is placed upon the board over the
line of the proposed groove, and is afterwards secured thereto by nailing its edges
to the board, as herein before stated. To provide for so nailing the strips upon
the board, each clamp 25 is provided with two vertical passages 97, 98 arranged
equally distant from the center, as shown in Figure 10, and with two inclined
passages 99, 100, which open into the passages 97, 98 near their lower ends, as
shown in Figure 10. Extending into each passage 99, 100 is a nail tube 101,
each of which tubes is adapted to conduct nails singly from nail supplying devices
to the passage 98 or 97 to which it is connected. The construction and operation
of the nail supplying devices will be more fully hereinafter set forth.
102, 103 indicate plungers adapted to reciprocate in the passages 98, 97 res-

page_text: pectively, which plungers serve to drive home the nails conducted to such
passages by the tubes 101. The plungers 102, 103 are arranged in rows, their
upper ends being supported by bars 104, 105, which bars are connected by cross
pieces 106, 107, and by end pieces 108, 109. The end pieces 108, 109 are adapted
to move in guides 110, 111 arranged vertically in the ends 20, 21 of the main
frame of the machine, as best shown in Figure 3. The bars 104, 105 are con-
nected to the cross pieces 106, 107 by bolts 112, as best shown in Figures 3 and 10.
For securing the plungers 102, 103 in their respective bars 104, 105, I provide set
screws 113, as best shown in Figure 10; and to permit of the vertical adjustment
of such plungers, their upper ends are fitted in slots 114 in the bars 104, 105, as
shown in Figure 10.
The bars 104, 105 are suspended from pitmans 115, 116, the upper ends of which
are connected to crank arms 117, 118 respectively, carried by a crank shaft 119,
which extends centrally lengthwise of the machine and is journaled in suitable
bearings therein, as best shown in Figure 3. The lower ends of the pitmans 115,
116 are pivotally connected to the cross bars 106, 107, as shown in Figure 3. The
crank shaft 119 is adapted to be intermittently rotated through a clutch 120, con-
sisting of clutch sections 121, 122; the clutch sections 122 being preferably
formed integral with a pulley 123, which is driven from the shaft 70 through
gears 124, 125, pulley 126 and belt 127. The gear 125 and pulley 126 are mounted
upon a shaft 128, which is arranged at right angles to the shaft 70, and which
extends lengthwise, as shown in Figure 6. 128 indicates an idler for the belt 127,
as shown in Figure 4.
The construction of the clutch which I propose to use is as follows, Opposite
the clutch section 122, in the clutch section 121, is provided a recess 129, which
is adapted to receive a dog 130 carried by the clutch section 122, by means of
which dog the two sections are adapted to be locked together. The dog 130 is
fitted into a recess 131 in the clutch section 122, in which recess is provided a
spring 132, which tends to force the dog 130 out of its socket, as shown in
Figure 15. The dog 130 is provided on its under side with a lug 133, as shown
in Figure 15. 134 indicates a dog which serves to hold the dog 130 in its
socket 131. The dog 134 is supported by the clutch section 122, and is adapted to
move vertically thereupon. It is held in its upper position by a spring 135, sup-
ported by a bar or other suitable support 136, as shown in Figures 15 and 17. The
dog 134 is provided with a shoulder 137, which is adapted to engage the dog 130
in front of its lug 133, and thereby hold it in position in its socket.
The arrange
ment is such that by moving the dog 134 downward sufficiently the lug 133 will
be released, thereby permitting the spring 132 to force the dog 130 out of its
socket and into the recess 129 in the section 121, if such recess is in position to
receive the dog 130. The dog 134 is provided on its outer face with a lug 138,
which lug is adapted to be engaged by a plate 139 carried by a rod 140. The
rod 140 is supported in a bracket 141 carried by the frame of the machine, in
which it is movable vertically. It is normally held in its uppermost position by
a spring 142, which bears against a nut 143, as best shown in Figure 3. The
lower end of the rod 140 is connected to a lever 144 pivotally mounted in the
frame of the machine, as best shown in Figure 4, and connected by a rod 145 to a
crank arm 146 carried by a rock shaft 147, as shown in Figures 1, 4 and 6. The
rock shaft 147 is suitably journaled in the frame of the machine, and extends
the length of the machine, its forward end projecting a short distance beyond the
front of the machine, as shown in Figure 1. The forward end of the shaft 147 is
provided with a crank arm 148, connected by a rod 149 to a foot lever 150, by
means of which the shaft 147 may be rocked to move the rod 140 downward. The
foot lever and its connections to the rock shaft 147, are best shown in Figures 1,
5 and 6. The arrangement of the plate 139 is such that when the rod 140 is moved
downward, by operating the foot lever 150, the plate 139 will engage the lug 138,
thereby moving the dog 134 downward, and releasing the dog 130, thereby per-
mitting it to enter the recess 129 in the clutch section 121. The clutch section 121

page_text: and shaft 119 will thereby be rotated through the clutch section 122 and pulley 123.
To provide for throwing the clutch sections 121, 122 out of engagement after each
rotation, the upper face of the plate 139 is made concave in the arc of a circle, and it
is provided with a wedge shaped depression 151, as shown in Figures 15 and 18
The arrangement is such that as the clutch sections rotate in the direction indi-
cated by the arrow in Figure 16, the lower edge of the dog 130 will enter the
depression 151, and by contact with its inclined inner edge the dog 130 will be
gradually moved back into its recess 131 in the clutch section 122. As soon as
the lug 133 of the dog 130 passes beyond the shoulder 137 of the dog 134, the
latter will be permitted to move upward, thereby locking the dog 130 in its socket.
By this means the nailing mechanism is automatically thrown out of gear after
each operation.
Nails are supplied to the nail tubes 101, at each side of the machine, from nail
boxes 152, 152 carried at opposite sides of the machine, as best shown in Figures 4,
5 and 7. The outer portions of the boxes 152, 152 are supported by bars 154, 155,
which are pivoted in the frame of the machine, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The
outer ends of the bars 154, 155 are provided with slots 156 which receive pins 157
carried by the nail boxes. The forward portions of the boxes 152, 153 are sup-
ported by strips 158, which form the bottom of the boxes and serve as guides to
conduct the nails from the boxes to the nail tubes, as will be more fully hereinafter
described. The strips 158 are located at sufficient distances apart to permit of
the passage of the shank of a nail between them, and they are designed to support
the nails by the heads as they pass along from the nail boxes to the nail tubes.
The strips 158 are inclined after they leave the nail boxes, as best shown in
Figures 7 and 10, and their lower ends rest over the upper ends of the nail
tubes 101, as best shown in Figure 10. The strips 158 are further supported by
supporting bars 159, 160, 161, as best shown in Figures 1, 7 and 10. The sup-
porting bars 159, 160, 161 are each provided at intervals with tongues 162, 163,
164, as shown in Figure 10, which tongues project upward and bear against the
under surface of the strip 158 which lies over them, as shown in Figures 1, 7
and 10. The space between the successive tongues is of sufficient width to permit
of the passage of the shank of a nail. 165 indicates strips, one of which is pro-
vided upon each strip 158, near its lower end, as best shown in Figures 2, 8 and 9.
The strips 165 serve to strengthen the guide strips 158. The upper ends of the
nail tubes 101 are provided with slots 166, through which the shanks of the nails
may pass into such tubes.
To insure the feeding of the nails, the nail boxes 152, 153 are agitated, which
is accomplished by oscillating the bars 154, 155. To secure such oscillation the
bars 154, 155 are connected respectively by connecting rods 167, 168 to the crank
pins of disks 169, 170, as best shown in Figures 5 and 6. The disk 169 is mounted
upon a shaft 171, which shaft also carries a friction pulley 172 and a band
pulley 173, as best shown in Figures 6 and 7. The friction pulley 172 is adapted
to frictionally engage a friction pulley 174 mounted upon the shaft 128, as best
shown in Figures 3, 7 and 12, by which means the pulley 172 is rotated from the
shaft 128 through the shaft 70 and pulley 71. The shaft 171 is journaled in a
box 198, which box is vertically movable upon the frame of the machine, as best
shown in Figure 12. Springs 199 support the box 198 from beneath, and hold it
normally in its uppermost position. 200 indicates a lever pivotally mounted upon
the frame of the machine, and provided with an arm 201, adapted to engage the
box 198 in such manner that by moving down the outer end of the lever 200,
the box 198, through the arm 201, will be moved downward, thereby throwing
the friction pulley 172 into contact with the pulley 174. 202 indicates a connect-
ing rod which connects the lever 200 with a foot lever 203, as best shown in
Figure 12. The foot lever 203 is located at the front of the machine, as shown
in Figure 5. The disk 170 is mounted upon a shaft 175 which carries a pulley 176,
operated by a belt 177 from the pulley 173, as best shown in Figure 7. By this

page_text: arrangement the pulley 176 will also be operated from the pulley 173, and as
the belt 177 is crossed as shown, the disks 169, 170 will be rotated in opposite
directions, thereby giving the bars 154, 155 a similar oscillatory motion at the
same time. By the construction shown, by rotating the disks 169, 170 the bars 154,
155 will be oscillated, and by reason of such oscillation the outer ends of the nail
boxes 152, 153 will be lifted and depressed, giving them a rocking motion. The
elasticity of the strips 158 permits of such rocking of the nail boxes, and the upper
surface of the tongues 164 carried by the bars 161 is curved to permit of such
rocking. To cause the nails to leave the boxes 152, 153 properly, plates 176 are
provided, one in each box, which plates are pivoted at their upper ends, as best shown
in Figure 2, and are adapted to rock upon such pivots. The plates 176 are pro-
vided on their lower edges with notches, which are so placed as to lie over the
spaces between the successive strips 158, and are of such size as to permit of the
passage of the heads of the nails through them when the plates 176 are resting
upon the bottom of the boxes, as shown in Figure 10. Connected to the pivots of
the plates 176, at the outside of the nail boxes, are depending arms 215 which are
adapted to engage the inclined surfaces of bars 216 secured to the frame of the
machine, as best shown in Figure 5. The bars 216 are stationary, and the arrange-
ment is such that as the boxes 152, 153 are rocked, as above described, the
arms 215 will move upon the inclined surfaces of the bars 216, thereby causing
the plates 176 to be rocked upon their pivots, and by such rocking to push the
mass of nails in the boxes back, and thereby permit the nails in the passages
between successive strips 158 to move more freely from the boxes on their way
to the nail tubes. 177 indicates a strip, one of which is provided on each plate 176,
which strip serves to limit the motion of such plates, as shown in Figure 10.
To provide for the delivery of nails singly to the nail tubes 101 two feed
plates 178, 179 are provided, which extend longitudinally of the machine at the
lower ends of the strips 158, as best shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10. The plates 178,
179 are secured together, and are supported by pins 180 which pass through
slots 181 in the plates 178, 179, into the bars 159. The plates 178,
179 are movable longitudinally of the machine by means of a hand lever 182, 183
pivoted at the front end of the machine, as shown in Figures
and 5. To pro-
vide for the passage of the nails through the plates 178, 179, said plates are pro-
vided with circular openings 184, 185 respectively, which openings are connected
by an inclined passage 186 formed by knife edges 187, 188 formed on the plates 178,
179 respectively, as best shown in Figure 9. The plates 178, 179 being in the
position shown in Figures 8 and 9, the arrangement is such that by moving the
plates in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 9, the knife edge 188 of
the plate 179 will separate the lowermost nail from the others, and as the plates
move as indicated such nail will be guided through the passage 186 and
opening 184 and the slot 166 in the nail tube. The guides between the strips 158
terminate substantially centrally over the nail tubes 101. 217 indicates plates
provided with slots 218 which are so located as to be adapted to register with the
spaces between the guide strips 158 at each side of the machine when the
plates 217 are in position. One of the plates 217 is secured preferably in an
inclined position at the lower end of each series of guide strips 158, and extends
slightly under the ends of such guide strips, its slots 218 registering with the
spaces between such guide strips, as best shown in Figures 9 and 10. The plates 217
are so mounted as to be movable towards and from the guide strips, the object of
which will be more fully hereinafter stated. By this construction when the nails
are moved downward by the action of the feed plates 178, 179 they will pass into
the slots 218 and will be supported by the plates 217, their shanks lying in the
upper ends of the nail tubes 101. To release the nails, and permit them to drop
into the nail tubes, the plates 217 are moved back from the guide strips 158 until
the edges of the plates 217 come substantially into line with the inner edges of
the nail tubes, when the nails will be moved out of the slots 218 and permitted to
drop through the nail tubes. To accomplish the moving of the plates 217 I pro-

page_text: vide each of them with a rack 219 on the under side, which rack meshes with the
gear 220 mounted upon the shaft 221, extending longitudinally of the machine.
The shafts 221 are operated from the front of the machine by hand levers 222, as
best shown in Figure 5. By rotating, or partially rotating the levers 222, the
gears 220 may be moved in the desired direction, thereby moving the plates 217
towards or away from the guide strips 158. By this means the feeding of the
nails singly is made certain.
As it may happen that the nails at the lower ends of the guide strips may not
move readily, mallets 189, 190 are provided, which are pivotally mounted in the
plate 191 under the bar 159, and are held in contact with such bar by springs 192,
193, as best shown in Figure 14. The mallets 189, 190 are connected respectively
to arms 194, 195 which are adapted to be engaged by a tappet 196, pivoted upon
the plate 191, as best shown in Figure 14. The arrangement is such that by
rocking the tappet 196 it will be moved into contact with one or the other of the
arms 194, 195, thereby throwing the mallets connected to said arms alternately
out of contact with the bars 159. As the tappet rocks in the opposite direction
the mallet so thrown out of contact with the bar 159 will be returned by the
action of a spring, and will jar such bar, thereby jarring the superposed strip 158
through the tongue 162. To effect the rocking of the tappet 196 its lower portion
is beveled, as shown in Figure 14, and is adapted to be engaged by a dog 197
which is connected to the plates 178, 179, and moves with them. The arrange-
ment is such that as said plates 178, 179 are reciprocated by the operator the
dog 197 will alternately engage the opposite sides of the tappet 196, and thereby
rock it.
Upon the bottom of each clamp 25 is secured a. plate 204, as best shown in
Figure 10, which plate is provided with two holes 205, one under each passage 97,
98. The holes 205 are normally closed by means of blocks 200, 207, which rest
in suitable recesses in the clamp 25 over the plate 204. The adjacent edges of
each pair of blocks 206, 207 are beveled or inclined, as shown in Figure 10,
forming a conical recess adapted to receive the point of a nail. The plates 206,
207 are normally held in contact with each other by means of a
central block 208, and by lateral blocks 209, 210. The lower faces of the
blocks 208, 209, 210 are beveled, as shown in Figure 10, and they bear against
the edges of the blocks 206, 207, which are also beveled, as shown. The blocks 208,
209, 210 are held in their lowermost positions respectively by springs 211, 212,
213 fitted in the clamp 25 above them, as shown in Figure 10. By this construc-
tion the blocks 206, 207 may be moved laterally away from each other to permit
of the passage of a nail, after which they will be returned into contact with each
other at the center of the openings 205 through the action of the blocks 208,
209, 210. The openings 205 in the plate 204 will thereby be kept closed except during
the operation of driving the nails.
The operation of the machine in brief is as follows:
The board being placed upon the table formed by the plates 22, 23, a metallic
strip is placed upon it, and it is clamped in position by operating the lever 43,
after which the lever 77 is thrown back and held in position by the rack 79. By
operating the lever 77 the frame 51 will be thrown forward, thereby moving the
cutter head forward and cutting a groove in the under side of the board. As soon
as the cutter head frame reaches the front of the machine the lever 77 will be
thrown out of engagement with the rack 79 and the cutter head will be permitted
to return to the back of the machine; the hand levers 182, 183 are then operated
to cause a nail to be fed into each tube 101, whence they pass downward into the
passages 97, 98; by then operating the foot lever 150 the clutch sections 121, 122
will be thrown into engagement with each other and the shaft 119 given one
revolution, by means of which the plungers 102, 103 will be moved downward,
and the nails in the passages 97, 98 will be driven through the metallic strip into
the board on opposite sides of the groove.
At convenient intervals, by operating

page_text: the foot lever 203 the nail boxes will be agitated, and the nails caused to move
downward between the guide plates in position to be fed into the nail tubes.
The object of the plates which hold the nails over the nail tubes is to cause the
nails to drop properly into the nail tubes, and prevent them from clogging the
tubes. It will be understood that when the nails are supported by their heads
in the inclined guides by which they are conducted from the nail boxes, and when
the lowermost nail reaches the end of the guides it will be held by one edge of its
head, thereby causing the shank of the nail to assume an inclined position, throw-
ing the point toward the side of the nail tube and sometimes out of the slot through
which the nail enters the tube. The plate 217 serves to support the nail when it
is delivered from the inclined guides and to carry it over to the opposite side of
the nail tube; so that the danger above pointed out is avoided.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. A combined scoring and nailing machine comprising means for supporting
a board, cutting mechanism adapted to form transverse grooves in the board, and
nailing mechanism for securing strengthening strips upon the board over such
grooves, substantially as described.
2. The combination with supporting devices adapted to support a board, of
cutting mechanism adapted to cut a groove in said board, and nailing mechanism
adapted to drive nails into said board at each side of said groove, substantially
as described.
3. The combination with supporting devices adapted to support a board, of
cutting mechanism adapted to cut a groove in the under side of said board, and
nailing mechanism adapted to drive nails into the upper side of said board at each
side of said groove, substantially as described.
4. The combination with supporting devices adapted to support a board, of
cutting mechanism adapted to cut a groove in said board, and nailing mechanism
for driving independent nails into said board at each side of said groove, sub-
stantially as described.
5. The combination with supporting devices adapted to support a board, of
cutting mechanism adapted to cut a groove in the under side of said board, and
nailing mechanism above said cutting mechanism, said nailing mechanism being
adapted to drive nails into the upper side of said board at each side of said groove,
whereby a strengthening strip may be secured upon the board over said groove
without moving said board, substantially as described.
6. The combination with supporting devices adapted to support a board, of
cutting mechanism adapted to cut a transverse groove in the under side of said
board, and nail-driving devices arranged above said board longitudinally of said
groove and at each side thereof, whereby strengthening strips may be nailed upon
said board over and longitudinally of said groove, substantially as described.
7. The combination with nail-driving mechanism, of a nail receptacle, a nail
tube leading to the driving mechanism, flexible guide strips adapted to conduct
nails from said receptacle to said nail tube, and means for agitating said recep-
tacle, substantially as described.
8. The combination with nail-driving mechanism, of a nail receptacle, flexible
guides adapted to conduct nails from said receptacle to said driving mechanism,
said guides consisting of flexible strips spaced a distance apart and connected to
and forming the bottom of said nail receptacle, and means for agitating said
receptacle, substantially as described.
9. The combination with nail-driving mechanism, and a series of nail tubes
adapted to conduct nails thereto, of a receptacle 152, strips 158 adapted to conduct
nails from said receptacle to said nail tubes, said strips forming the bottom of the
receptacle 152, a pivoted plate 176 in said receptacle, said plate having a series
of notches in its lower edge, said notches registering with the spaces between said

page_text: strips 100, and means for rocking said receptacie 152 and said plate, substantially
as described.
10. The combination with nail-driving mechanism, and nail tubes adapted to
conduct nails thereto, and flexible guides for the nails, of supporting devices
adapted to receive nails-singly from said flexible guides and support them at the
upper ends of said nail tubes, means for delivering nails singly to said support-
ing devices, and means for delivering the nails to the nail tubes from the support-
ing devices singly and without clogging, substantially as described.
11. The combination with nail driving mechanism, and tubes adapted to con-
duct nails thereto, of strips 158, plates 178, 179 adapted to supply nails singly
from said strips to said tubes, a dog 197 carried by said plates, cross bar 159 sup-
ported under the lower end of said strips 158, said bar having tongues 162 which
bear against the under side of said strips, mallets 189, 190 adapted to engage
the under side of said bar 159, springs 192, 193, a tappet 196 adapted to throw
said mallets out of contact with said bar 159 and to be engaged by said dog, and
means for reciprocating said plates 178 179, substantially as described.
12. The combination with a scoring device and nail-feeding devices, of recipro-
cating plungers 102, supporting devices for said plungers, a crank shaft arranged
over said supporting devices, pitmans connecting said supporting devices to said
crank shaft, whereby by the rotation of said crank shaft said supporting devices
will be reciprocated, means for rotating said. crank shaft, and devices for auto-
matically throwing said crank shaft out of operation after each complete rotation
thereof, substantially as described.
13. The combination with a clamp, as 25, said clamp having a vertically
arranged passage 98 and a nail passage 100, of a plate 204 carried by said clamp,
said plate having a perforation to permit of the passage of a nail, laterally mov-
able blocks supported upon said plate under said passage 98, the adjacent edges
of said blocks being beveled, and vertically movable blocks for normally holding
said laterally movable blocks in contact with each other centrally over said per-
foration, substantially as described.
14. The combination with a clamp, as 25, having a vertical passage 98 and a
nail passage 100 opening into said passage 98, of a plate 204 at the under side of
said clamp, said plate having a perforation 205, blocks 206, 207 resting upon said
plate, said blocks having inclined outer and inner edges, vertically movable
blocks 208, 209 adapted to engage the outer edges of said blocks 200, 207 res-
pectively, and springs exerting a downward pressure upon said blocks 208, 209,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
15. The combination with a supporting table, of a series of clamps 25 adapted
to clamp a board upon said table and each provided with a nail passage, rods con-
necting said clamps, means for vertically moving the clamps to release the board
from the table, perforated plates at the under sides of said clamps, laterally mov-
able blocks supported upon said plates, and vertically movable blocks for normally
holding the said laterally movable blocks in contact with each other centrally
over the perforations in said plates, substantially as described.
16. The combination with a supporting table having a longitudinal slot, of a
cutter, mechanism for moving said cutter longitudinally in one direction, means
for automatically throwing said mechanism out of operation when the end of the
cut is reached, and a counterpoise for moving said cutter in the opposite direction,
and nailing mechanism for driving nails at the opposite sides of the groove formed
by said cutter, substantially as described.
17. The combination with a supporting frame, and horizontal guides carried
thereby, said guides being vertically adjustable, of a supporting frame movable in
said guides, a cutter carried by said frame, mechanism for moving said frame in a
forward direction, nailing mechanism for driving nails at the opposite sides of the
groove formed by said cutter, and means for moving said cutter back to the rear
of the machine, substantially as described.

page_text: 18. The combination with guides, a frame movable therein, and a cutter carried
by said frame, of devices for moving said frame in said guides, a lever 77 for
throwing said moving devices into operation, a rack adapted to engage said lever
to hold said moving devices in operation, devices adapted to be engaged by the
cutter supporting frame when it reaches the front of the machine to throw said
lever out of engagement with said rack, and thereby permit the return of said
frame to the rear of the machine, and devices for returning said frame, substan-
tially as described.
19. The combination with guides, a frame 51, and a rotating cutter mounted
therein, of a strap 57 connected to said frame 51, a drum to which is connected
the other end of said strap, said drum being mounted upon a shaft 62, friction
pulleys 63, 64, said pulley 64 being mounted on a shaft 65 journaled eccentrically
in disks 66, 67, means for rotating said disks 66, 67 to throw said friction pulleys
into contact with each other, a rack adapted to be engaged by said lever to hold said
friction pulleys in contact with each other, devices operated by said frame 51 for
throwing said lever out of engagement with said rack, means for returning the
frame 51 to the rear of the machine, and means for rotating said cutter, sub-
stantially as described.
20. The combination with nail tubes, guides, and devices for separating the
lowermost nail carried by each of said guides from the others, of a plate over said
nail tubes, said plate being adapted to receive the nails and to support them over
the nail tubes, and means for operating said plate to cause the nails to drop into
the nail tubes, substantially as described.
21. The combination with nail tubes, guides 158, and devices for delivering
nails singly from said guides, of a plate 217 having slots 218 registering with the
guide spaces, and means for operating said plate to cause the nails carried by it
to drop into the nail tubes, substantially as described.
22. A combined scoring and nailing machine constructed and operating sub-
stantially as herein shown and described.
Dal in.: 1011
C
1007