Improvements in Hoop Driving Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hoop Driving Machines.
I, ALBERT LIEBER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis,
County of Marion, State of Indiana, U.S.A., Inventor, 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:-
The object of my invention is to produce a machine for driving the hoops of
kegs for lager beer, or the like, and which, on account of the convenient construc-
tion and arrangement of the parts, and particularly the employment of the
mechanically actuated drivers, accomplishes better results than hoop driving
machines beretofore in use.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a side elevation of my machine, showing the position of the parts
before the machine begins to operate;
Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the parts as in operation;
Fig. 3 is a top plau view of my machine, with some of the parts, for the sake of
perspicuity, removed;
Figures 4 and 5 are detail view of the cross-head, detached;
Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of my machine;
Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the travelling frame, detached ;
Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the same;
Fig. 9 is a side elevation of one of the driver carriers, detached;
Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the same;
Fig. 11 is an end elevation of the same;
Fig. 12 is a view of one of the hammer rods detached;
Fig. 13 is a front view of one of the stirrups ;
Fig. 14 is a side view of the same.
In the figures of the drawings I have illustrated a machine which is designed to
drive the hoops upon one end of the keg; and which might be employed for the
purpose of completing a keg by turning it end for end to the machine so illustrated
from time to time as the hoops were driven in place. In practice, however, it is not
desirable to use this method; but I prefer to employ two machines of the kind
illustrated set opposite to each other, and each working upon a keg from its
opposite ends at the same time.
Referring to the figures on the drawings:
1 indicates a base or foundation piece, which may be of suitable size and
dimensions, and is preferably made of a heavy iron casting. It is provided upon
one side with a pedestal 2, preferably cast integral with the base, and provided with
horizontal ways 3, within which is carried a support 4, which is designed to slide
through the ways in the pedestal, and to be secured therein at fixed points of
adjustment by any suitable means, as for example abutment screws 5.
6 indicates a movable frame piece, which preferably consists of a heavy metal
casting provided upon its bottom with bearing ribs 7 that slide in corresponding
V-shaped bearings 8 in the base. 9 indicates a pinion meshing with racks 10
and 11 in the bottom of the movable frame and in the base, respectively, and
provided with a carriage 12 from which project guide rods 13 that move in
downwardly projecting guide-studs 15, thereby preventing twisting of the pinion.
Motion is imparted to the pinion by a shaft 16 which projects from the pinion
through a slot 17 in the side of the base.
18 indicates hand-levers for imparting motion to the shaft. The travelling frame

page_text: carries all the operative mechanism of my machine, namely, the keg centering
mechanism, the driver-adjusting mechanism, and the driver driving mechanism.
The keg-centering mechanism consists of a shaft 19, carried in a central bearing 20
in the movable frame, and by a bushing 21 to which it is secured in a suitable
bearing in the support 4. Keyed to the bushing, or otherwise secured in front of
the support is a collar 22.
23 indicates a head upon the forward end of the shaft, and 24 toggle-levers
pivoted thereto, and also to clamping levers 25, which are pivotally carried between
pairs of lugs 26 upon the collar. 27 indicates clamping-heads upon the clamping-
levers, and are designed to be entered inside the end of the keg, when, by the
forward movement of the shaft 19, they are pressed firmly within the head by the
toggle-lever mechanism just described. The clamping levers being three in
number, the keg is by this operation readily centered and held upon the shaft. For
imparting the forward movement to the shaft a bell-crank lever 28, pivoted in its
angle near the bottom of the base, as indicated at 29, and at its upper end to a
box 30 surrounding and revolubly carrying a bushing 31 secured to the shaft.
This lever so arranged serves also to support the rear end of the shaft 19.
It will be observed from the foregoing description that the shaft, while susceptible
of a certain longitudinal movement for the purpose of centering and clamping a
keg upon its forward end, is revolubly carried in the bearing 21, the support 4, and
the boxing 30 upon the lever 28. The design of this construction is to afford means
for the free rotation of keg while held upon it. For this purpose I provide upon
its rear end a pulley 32, which may be driven by any suitable power.
The driver-adjusting mechanism consists of driver carriers, 33, preferably oblong
castings, shown in detail in Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings, and are preferably
four in number, as illustrated. Each is provided with a bearing lug 34 located
near its middle. It is pierced, as indicated at 35, for the admission of a pin 36 by
which it may be pivotally secured to bearings 37 in the movable frame. 38 indicates
a spring-block adapted to be secured to the frame as by screw 39 and which carries
a spring 40 that is designed to urge the forward end of the driver carrier towards
the center of the machine. The movement of the driver ends of the driver
carriers towards the keg is limited by an adjustment screw 14 carried in &
projection on the frame 6 and in the path of the rear end of the carrier.
42 indicates a hammer rod designed to impinge against a pivoted driver 43.
Each of the driver carriers is provided with a hammer-rod and driver, for the
operation of which the driver adjusting mechanism is designed. 44 indicates a
driver-guide lug secured to the forward end of each of the driver carriers, and of
such a length as to ride upon the sides of the keg when it is in place upon the
centering mechanism, and when the movable frame is thrown forward into position.
Thereupon they hold the driver carriers in such position as to render the hammers
operative. They are operative equally well whether the driver carriers are at the
limit of their forward throw for driving a hoop nearest the middle of the keg, or
whether they are carried back for driving the end hoop.
The driver consists preferably of a somewhat peculiarly shaped piece of steel,
pivoted as indicated at 45 within a slot 46 in the head of the driver carrier. The
shape of the driver may be described as somewhat resembling a bent wedge being
broad near its face where it is provided with a notched striking head 47, and being
curved at its upper end, as indicated at 48, for the purpose of affording a bearing
for a spring 49 secured to the top of the driver carrier, and adapted to hold it
yieldingly in a position nearly perpendicular to the driver carrier.
50 indicates hammer rod bearings, preferably cast integrally with each of the
driver carriers, and within which the hammer-rod is designed to reciprocate freely.
Each of the hammer-rods is preferably provided with a movable collar 51, provided
with a spring seat 52 at each end, and designed to seat springs 53 and 54, which
are, respectively, seated at their opposite ends against spring seats 55 and 56 that
are secured in place by nuts 57 to accommodate which the hammer rod is provided
with screw-threads 58, as illustrated. By this construction the motion of the

page_text: hammer-rod collar upon the rod is perfectly cushioned for a purpose that will
hereinafter more fully appear.
59 indicates trunnions upon opposite sides of the hammer-rod collar.
The relation between the driver-adjusting mechanism and the driver driving
mechanism is very intimate; so that while the hammer-rod and its parts just
described properly form a part of the driver driving mechanism, yet being carried
upon the driver carriers, I have thought best to describe them in detail before
proceeding to a description of those parts which, in my opinion, should be regarded
as belonging more properly to the driver driving mechanism. Adverting to
which:
60 indicates a reciprocatory cross-head carried upon the shaft 19, and adapted to
be driven by suitable mechanism as for example a pitman 61 pivoted to a stud 62
projecting from the side of the cross-head, and to a wrist pin 63 carried upon an
eccentric 64 adapted to be rotated by a shaft 65 from a pulley 66. The shaft is
carried in a suitable bearing 67 in the side of the movable frame and in a bracket
bearing 69 projecting rearwardly from the transverse vertical wall of the movable
frame (see Figures 3 and 6 of the drawing). The cross head is designed to com-
municate reciprocatory motion to each of the hammer rods, constituting
therewith haminer actuating mechanism, and is, therefore, provided with a number
of screw threaded apertures 70, equal to the number of hammer rods, and each
carrying a stirrup 71 provided with slits or openings 72 and 73, respectively, located
at right angles to each other, the one adapted to straddle the collar of the hammer-
rod; and the other the trunnions thereof, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the
drawings.
The operation of my machine is as follows:
Having set a keg in position upon the centering device and secured it in place
by the movement of the shaft 19 in the manner above explained, the hoops being
preferably first set loosely in position upon the keg, and the movable frame having
been thrown forward so as to properly set the driver-adjusting mechanism, power
is applied to the pulleys 32 and 66 to impart rotary motion to the keg and
reciprocatory motion to the hammer-rods. Whereupon, the hoops are driven firmly
into position by direct blows applied in constant and regular succession on different
parts of the hoop, precisely as in the ancient method of forcing them in place
by hand,
It will be observed that if the pulley 66 revolves slowly, which will be the case
when the operator is waiting to drive the second or third hoop, the hammer-rod
will have the same throw, or will travel the same distance as the wrist-pin upon the
eccentric 64; and that, therefore, the operation of the machine need not be
altogether interrupted at any time in practice. In driving a hoop, however, the
machine moves rapidly. The cross-head will have the same throw as before; but
by reason of the elasticity of the springs in front and behind the hammer-rod
collar, the hammer rods will move further than double the throw in one direction,
thus ensuring the striking of the driver each time they move forward. The
increased movement of the hammer-rod over that of the cross-head is due to the
inertia of the bar, as well as the elasticity of the spring.
In describing the construction and arrangement of my machine as I now prefer
it, I do not wish to appear as limiting myself to those exact details of construction;
but wish to reserve the right to modify and vary them at will within the scope of
my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In a hoop driving machine, the combination of impact hoop-drivers
independently movable to and fro in the direction of their driving action, mechanism
for operating them to drive hoops, and mechanism for holding the packages,
substantially as described.

page_text: 2. In a hoop driving machine, the combination of mechanically operated impact
hoop-drivers, with mechanism for holding the package, and means for giving one
of said elements a rotary motion, whereby the drivers act at different places each
time, substantially as described.
3. In barrel supporting mechanism of a hoop driving machine, the combination
with an expansible holder, and means for operating the holder to cause it to engage
a barrel, or the like, substantially as set forth.
4. In a hoop driving machine, the combination with a plurality of pivoted strike
transmitting drivers, of driver actuating mechanism adapted to intermittently swing
the drivers to drive the hoop, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
5. In a hoop driving machine, the combination with a plurality of independently
pivoted strike transmitting drivers, of ramified reciprocatory driving mechanism
adapted to cause the drivers to swing upon their pivots to drive the hoop, substan-
tially as and for the purpose specified.
6. In a boop driving machine, the combination with mechanism for imparting
rotary motion to the keg, of pivoted strike transmitting drivers and driver actuating
mechanism adapted to intermittently swing the drivers to drive the hoop upon the
keg, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
7. In a hoop driving machine, the combination with keg centering mechanism
and pivoted drivers laterally adjustable with respect to the keg, of reciprocatory
driver actuating mechanism adapted to cause the drivers to swing upon their
pivots to drive a hoop or the like, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
8. In a hoop driving machine, the combination with rotary expansible keg
centering mechanism, of pivoted strike transmitting drivers and driver actuating
mechanism adapted to swing the drivers and cause them to drive the hoop upon
the keg, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
9. In a hoop driving machine, the combination with a frame, pivoted strike
transmitting drivers and driver actuating mechanism adapted to swing the drivers
to cause them to drive the hoop, of a revoluble and longitudinally movable shaft,
toggle lever mechanism at the end thereof designed to be expanded against the
inside of the keg to center, support and rotate the same while the hoop is being
driven to place, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
10. In a hoop driving machine, the combination with a frame and keg
support, of a movable driver and a reciprocatory driving rod adapted to strike
the movable driver to drive the hoop to place, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
11. In a hoop driving machine, the combination with keg centering mechanism,
of a plurality of pivoted driver carriers yieldingly urged toward the centering
mechanism, of pivoted drivers carried thereon, guide lugs upon the driver carriers,
adapted to ride upon the keg to guide the pivoted drivers, and driver actuating
mechanism in operative relation with but not connected to said drivers, substantially
as and for the purpose specified.
12. In a hoop driving machine, the combination with a base and movable frame
carried thereon, and hoop driving mechanism carried upon the movable frame, of
keg centering and supporting mechanism carried by the movable frame and base,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
13. In a hoop driving machine, the combination with a frame, of a driver-
carrier, driver, driver rod, yielding rod collar, and. mechanism for imparting
reciprocatory motion to said collar, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
14. In a hoop driving machine, the combination with a frame, of driver
carriers pivoted thereon, means for tilting the carriers, drivers on the carriers
and independent driver actuating mechanism to cause the driver to drive a hoop,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
15. In a hoop driving machine, the combination with a frame, of driver
carriers pivoted thereon, means for tilting the carriers, pivoted drivers on the

page_text: carriers and independently reciprocatory driver actuating mechanism, substantially
as and for the purpose specified.
16. In a hoop driving machine, the combination with a frame, of driver
carriers pivoted thereon, pivoted drivers on the driver carriers, and reciprocatory
driver rods adapted to actuate the drivers, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
17. In a hoop driving machine, the combination with a base and movable frame
thereon, of drivers, mechanism for guiding the drivers laterally with respect to the
keg, and reciprocatory driver actuating mechanism carried upon the movable frame,
and keg centering and supporting mechanism supported by the movable frame and
base, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
18. In a hoop driving machine, the combination with a frame, drivers and
ramified driver actuating mechanism adapted to strike the drivers and cause them
to drive the hoop, of a revoluble longitudinally movable shaft and toggle lever
mechanism on the end thereof designed to be expanded against the inside of the
keg to center and support the same by the longitudinal movement of the shaft,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
19. In a hoop driving machine, the combination with a frame, drivers and driver
actuating mechanism adapted to strike the drivers and cause them to drive the
hoop, of a revoluble longitudinally movable shaft, mechanism on the end thereof
designed to center and support the keg in order that the same may be rotated by
the rotation of the shaft and a bell-crank lever operatively connected to said shaft
to reciprocate the same to actuate the centering and supporting mechanism,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
20. In a hoop driving machine, the combination with a plurality of pivoted
drivers and independently reciprocatory hammer rods, of a reciprocatory cross-
head, operatively connected with the driver rods and co-operating therewith to
cause the drivers to swing upon their pivots to drive a hoop, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
21. In a hoop driving machine, the combination with a base, and movable frame,
of a revoluble longitudinally movable shaft and keg centering and supporting
mechanism on the end thereof, driver carriers pivoted upon the frame, pivoted
drivers, reciprocating driver rods upon the hammer carriers, and a reciprocatory
cross-head upon the shaft, operatively connected with the driver rods, substantially
as and for the purpose specified.
22. In a hoop driving machine, the combination with a frame and driver carriers
pivoted thereon, pivoted drivers and reciprocatory driver rods upon the driver
carriers, of a reciprocatory cross-head and mechanism operatively connecting the
same with the driver rods adapted to allow the tilting of the driver carriers to and
from the cross-head, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
23. In a hoop driving machine, the combination with a frame, of a plurality of
driver rods and yielding rod collars of a reciprocatory cross-head operatively
connected with and adapted to impart reciprocatory motion to said rod collars,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
24. In a hoop driving machine, the combination with a frame, of pivoted driver
carriers thereon, drivers and independent driver actuating mechanism also carried
thereon, of an adjustment screw for adjustably limiting the tilting of the driver
carriers in one direction, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 18th day of April 1896
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.