Improvements in Automatic Button Fastening Machines.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 14th Mar., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by REUBEN HENRY BROWN, of Admiral Street,
New Haven, County of New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America.]
Improvements in Automatic Button Fastening Machines.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 :-
Reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming part of the
Specification, and which represent in
Figure 1, a view in front elevation of a machine embodying my invention with
the cap-plate of the button-container. removed.
Figure 2, a view of the machine in side elevation.
Figure 3, a detached broken view in elevation showing the lower edge of the
button-container, the upper end of the track-way and the button-feeding mechanism
which is exposed by the removal of the die-holder, and the plate co-operating
therewith to form the race-way.
Figure 4, a similar view showing the said parts in the positions which they occupy
when a button has been fed over the clinching mechanism in position to receive a
fastener.
Figure 5, a detached broken view in section showing how the end of the fastener
is turned by the dic.
Figure 6, a detached view in rear elevation showing the feeding mechanism.
Figure 7, a similar view with the parts thereof in the positions which they occupy
when the button-carrier has been retracted for releasing the button.
Figure 8, view of the same parts taken from their lower edges and shown in the
positions which they occupy in Fig. 6.
Figure 9, a similar view of the same parts shown in the positions which they
occupy in Fig. 7.
Figure 10, an enlarged broken view in side elevation showing the feeding
mechanism, the gauge, a column of buttons in the race-way and portions of the
clinching mechanism and the magazine for the fasteners.
Figure 11, a view in vertical section showing the presentation of a button by the
button-carriers to the clinching mechanism which is elevated to turn the point of
the fastener over in the die of the machine.
Figure 12, a view in inside elevation showing particularly the action of the cut-off
or detainer which holds the column of buttons while the button in the button-carrier
is being carried forward to the clinching mechanism.
Figure 13, a view of the same parts in side elevation.
Figure 14, a view in vertical transverse section through the magazine and the
frame of the machine and showing the provision made for holding the magazine in
place and for relieving it to permit it to be rotated for reloading.
This invention relates to an improvement in automatic machines for attaching
buttons to shoes, and more particularly to the button-feeding and fastener-feeding
mechanism thereof, the object being to make the button-feeding mechanism more
positive in operation, and simpler, stronger, more durable and easier of attention
and repair, and to provide for reloading the fastener-feeding magazine without
moving the same longitudinally and so giving an opportunity of escape to the
fasteners contained in it.
With these objects in view, the invention consists in certain details of construction

page_text: and combinations of parts as will be hereinafter described and pointed out in the
claims.
As herein shown, the machine is provided with a hopper A, a button-container B
into which the loose buttons are discharged from the hopper, a cap-plate B₁ for the
said button-container, a revolving brush C located within the said container, a die-
holder D carrying a die D' secured to the frame E of the machine, and a plate F
secured to the lower edge of the button-container B, the inner edges of the said
die-holder and plate being beveled, and sufficiently separated from each other to
form a race-way G to receive the eyes of the buttons flatwise. An opening H
formed in the lower edge of the circular button-container B, has a curved bottom I,
which co-operates with a curved guide J attached to the inner face of the die-
holder D in forming a track-way for the heads of the buttons as they are fed. A
vertical gauge K, slightly curved longitudinally, and located directly back of the
race-way G before mentioned, stands against the outer faces or crowns of the heads
of the buttons, and prevents them from being inwardly displaced, this gauge being
provided at its upper end with a horizontal finger L having an elongated slot M
receiving a screw N entering the frame E of the machine, and employed for
adjusting the gauge, within the limits of the length of the slot, according to the
size of the buttons being fed. Provision is made in the devices above described for
presenting the buttons each in the same position to the individual button-feeding
mechanism of the machine, and to that mechanism the first part of the invention
particularly relates.
This
The said individual button-feeding mechanism is provided with a horizontal
button-carrier O, having its inner end provided with a cup-like recess P' the lower
end whereof is closed to adapt it to retain a button, its upper end being open to
adapt it to receive a button from the column of buttons supported above it.
button-carrier is supported in part by a horizontal carrying-pin P, projecting rear-
wardly from its inner face, and passing through an opening Q formed to receive it
in the lower end of the pivotal carrying-head R, the said head being provided upon
its rear face with a sleeve S arranged in alignment with the opening Q, and forming
a bearing for the outer end of the pin. The said sleeve $ is provided with an
elongated horizontal slot T, receiving a beveled operating-pin U mounted in the
outer end of the pin P, and extending transversely thereto, and having the outer
face of its outer end beveled to co-operate with a bevel V of opposite inclination
formed at the lower end of a retracting-lever W pivoted to the rear face of the
carrying-head R on a screw-stud X. The said button-carrier is prevented from
turning on the pin P by means of a guide-pin Y, projecting from its inner face, and
entering a bore Z formed for it in the lower end of the carrying-head R. A small
spiral-spring a encircling the said guide-pin and interposed between the inner face
of the button-carrier and the outer face of the carrying-head, exerts a constant
tendency to throw the button carrier forward into its feeding position. The said
carrying-head R is pivotally hung from its upper end on a screw-stud b entering the
machine-frame E, and is provided at its lower end and near one of its edges with an
irregular cam-opening c, receiving an actuating-cam d of elongated and slightly
tapering shape, and located in front of a retracting-cam e, situated between the
inner face of the carrying-head R and the machine-frame E, and engaging with the
upper end of the retracting-lever W, and operating the same in retracting
the button-carrier, as will be described later on. These two cams d and e have the
same centre, and both are rigidly connected with the forward end of a horizontal
feed-shaft Ir mounted in the machine-frame, and connected at its opposite end by
means which need not be described, with the same power connections which operate
the revolving-brush C, the individual-button feeding mechanism of the machine and
the clinching mechanism thereof. The said opening c formed in the carrying
head R, conforms in shape at its lower end to the shape of the outer end of the
actuating-cam d, but is enlarged at its upper end so as to clear the said cam as
the same is gradually shifted from a vertical to a horizontal position, whereby the

page_text: carrying-head R is swung by the cam d to bring the button-carrier over the clinching-
mechanism h, and then allowed to stop while the feed-shaft continues its revolution
and effects, through the revolving-cam e the retraction of the button-carrier to
release the button therein. The outer end of the button-carrier is very slightly cut
away as at i, to receive the cut-off or detaining-plate j, secured to the outer face of
the carrying-head R, and operating to hold the column of buttons in place, and
prevent them from coming down when the button-carrier is transversely moved
under them for the purpose of carrying the button contained in it to the clinching-
mechanism. A tripping-screw is mounted in the machine frame in position for
engagement with the upper end of the retracting lever to withdraw the lower end
thereof from engagement with the beveled operating-pin mounted in the carrying-
pin of the button-carrier. It is of course apparent that this tripping-screw may be
replaced by any other suitable means for accomplishing the same result. The
horizontal throw of the button-carrier is adjusted to conform to the thickness of the
buttons employed, by means of an adjustable stop composed of a screw 1, mounted
in the lower end of the plate F, in position to be engaged by the outer end of the
carrier, so that when the same is thrown forward by the spring a, it will be
arrested in the right position by the inner end of the said screw which it
engages.
In carrying out the second part of the invention the fastener-magazine m is provided,
at a point where it has its bearing in the machine-frame, with a circumferential
slot n adapted in length to permit the magazine to be rotated from its feeding to its
loading position, and vice versa and no further. This slot receives the shouldered
outer end o of a cylindrical check-block, also provided at its inner end with a
shoulder y, and located at the inner end of a retaining-screw r extending through an
interiorly threaded binding-screws, and operative independently thereof, the said
screw being provided at its outer end with a knurled head t, and the binding-
screws being provided with a similar but larger head u. The said binding-screw
is mounted in the machine-frame and engages with the magazine at points thereon
on opposite sides of the slot n before mentioned. When it is desired to rotate the
magazine for reloading it, the binding-screw is turned just enough to relieve the
magazine, and no more, and the retaining-screw turned to partially withdraw the
shouldered outer end o of the check-block p from the slot n, its entire withdrawal
therefrom being prevented by the engagement of the shoulder y of the block with
the inner end of the binding-screw. The magazine is now free to be rotated within
the limits allowed by the slot, but is held against longitudinal movement in the
machine-frame by the bearing still preserved between the slot and the shouldered
outer end o of the check-block. By thus providing for the rotation of the magazine
without moving it longitudinally, the escape of fasteners from it during the
operation of loading is avoided. If it is desired to remove the magazine from the
machine-frame, the binding-screw is turned so as to not only clear it from the
magazine, but also to entirely clear the check-block therefrom. When the machine
is in use the two screws co-operate to rigidly hold the magazine in its operating
position.
Having now described in detail the construction of the improved feeding mechan-
ism, the operation thereof will now be set forth.
A button having been fed into the button-carrier by the descent of the whole
column of buttons above the same, the said carrier is, in the timing of the machine,
moved over the clinching mechanism, as shown by Fig. 5 of the drawings. When
the button is first introduced into the carrier, its eye stands slightly inclined from
the vertical, as shown by Fig. 3 of the drawings, having been a little deflected by
the curve at the lower end of the race-way. Now as the carrier moves over the
clinching mechanism, the upper edge of the eye engages with the inner edge of the die-
holder, whereby the button is turned so as to bring its eye to a horizontal position,
as shown by Fig. 4 of the drawings. The clinching mechanism is now elevated, and
passes the shank of the fastener, which it carries, through the eye of the button, as

page_text: shown by Fig. 4 of the drawings, the clinching mechanism co-operating with the
die in its further ascent to turn the shank of the fastener over upon itself, as shown
by Fig. 5 of the drawings. The column of buttons all this time is supported by the
cut-off which is moved under them as the button-carrier is swung over the clinching
inechanism.
The button having now been attached to the shoe, the retracting-came
co-operates with the upper end of the retracting lever W in forcing the lower end
of the said lever toward the beveled operating-pin U mounted in the rear end of
the carrying-pin P of the button-carrier, the said carrying-pin and button-carrier
being thus retracted to release the button and permit it to be withdrawn from the
machine with the shoe. The button having been fed to the clinching-mechanism
and attached to the shoe and removed from the machine, the parts of the button-
feeding mechanism are now brought back into position for receiving another button,
by the action of the actuating-cam d. Then just before the button-carrier is brought
under the column of buttons, the upper end of the retracting lever engages with the
tripping-screwk, whereby the lower end of the said lever is retracted from engage-
ment with the beveled pin U, permitting the spring a to throw the button-carrier
forward in position to receive another button, when the operations above described
are repeated and so on.
It will be observed that in this machine there are no springs employed for sup-
porting the button, or for operating the parts of the button-feeding mechanism,
with the exception of the one spring which throws the button-carrier forward after
it has been retracted for releasing the button. This improved device is therefore
very positive and reliable in its operation. It also compensates readily for varia-
tions in the thickness of the buttons, which are roughly manufactured and do not
closely conform in size, and is so durable and strong that it may be safely and
successfully operated by persons unskilled in the use of machines of this
description.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
First. In an automatic button-fastening machine, the combination with a carrying-
head pivotally suspended from its upper end, of a horizontal button-carrier mounted
in the lower end of the said head so as to be reciprocated therein at a right angle
to the plane in which the same is swung, a spring for moving the said carrier in one
direction, a retracting lever for retracting the carrier to permit the button to be
released from it, and cams for actuating the said carrying-head and retracting-lever,
substantially as described.
Second. In an automatic button-fastening machine, the combination with a
carrying-head pivotally suspended from its upper end, and provided with a cam-
opening having a clearance space at its upper end, a button-carrier mounted in the
said carrying-head, a retracting lever pivoted to the said carrying-head and con-
nected with the button-carrier so as to retract the same for releasing the button
therefrom; and cams for actuating the said carrying-head and retracting-lever, the
cam-opening in the carrying-head being shaped so as to permit the carrying-head to
remain at rest while the cam actuating the retracting-lever does its work, substan-
tially as described.
Third. In an automatic button-fastening machine, the combination with a carrying-
head pivotally suspended from its upper end, of means for swinging the said carrier
on its pivot, a button-carrier mounted in the said head and arranged to be recipro-
cated at a right angle to the plane in which the same is swung, and an adjustable
stop to gauge the play thereof to buttons of different thickness, substantially as
described.
Fourth. In an automatic button-fastening machine, the combination with a
carrying-head pivotally suspended from its upper end, of means for swinging the

page_text: said head on its pivot, a button-carrier mounted in the said head, and arranged to be
reciprocated at a right angle to the plane in which it is swung, and a detainer or
cut-off secured to the said head and holding the column of buttons in place while the
button is being fed to the clinching mechanism, substantially as described.
Fifth. In an automatic button-fastening machine, the combination with a carrying-
head, of a button-carrier provided with a pocket to receive a button and supported
by a carrying-pin which extends rearwardly through an opening in the carrying-head,
and through a slotted sleeve attached thereto, a beveled operating pin mounted in
the said carrying-pin, a retracting-lever pivoted to the said carrying-head and having
its lower end beveled to co-operate with the beveled pin in retracting the button-
carrier, cams for actuating said carrying-head and retracting-lever, means for
tripping the retracting-lever to disengage its lower end from the said beveled pin,
and a spring for throwing the button-carrier forward under the column of buttons
when the retracting-lever is thus tripped, substantially as described.
Sixth. In an automatic button-fastening machine, the combination with a magazine
for feeding the fasteners, provided with a circumferential slot, of an interiorly
threaded binding-screw adapted to be engaged with the face of the said magazine on
opposite sides of the slot therein, and a retaining-screw mounted in the said binding-
screw and entering the slot in the magazine, whereby by loosening the binding-
screw and the retaining-screw the magazine may be turned for reloading and at the
same time held against longitudinal displacement, substantially as described.
Dated this 9th day of January 1891
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.