Improvements relating to Wire-stapling Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 12th May, 1899-Accepted, 22nd July, 1899
"
[Communicated from abroad by LATHAM MACHINERY COMPANY, a Corporation
organized and existing under the Laws of the State of Illinois, and having
its place of business at No. 201, South Canal Street, Chicago, Cook County,
Illinois, United States of America, Manufacturers.]
Improvements relating to Wire-stapling 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:-
11
My invention relates to machines, in which paper is fastened together by
wire staples which are cut off and formed from wire fed into the machine, driven
into the paper, and fastened; and one of its objects is to provide a new and
improved brake and wire-tension device for such machines, whereby the reel
for holding the wire may be automatically braked and a suitable tension given
to the wire as it is fed to the machine. Another object of my invention is to
provide a new and improved actuating lever by which the wire-feeding devices
are driven, of such a character as to permit a varying stroke of said devices,
and consequently a varying feed of the wire into the staple cutting, forming
and driving mechanism. Another object of my invention is to provide new and
improved wire-feeding devices for such machines. Another object of my in-
vention is to provide new and improved check devices by which any backward
movement of the wire may be prevented during the return stroke of the wire-
feeding mechanism. Another object of my invention is to provide a new and
improved anvil and staple-supporter, which co-operate with the staple-former
and staple-driver in forming and driving staples. Another object of my inven-
tion is to provide a new and improved knife by which the wire fed into such
machines is severed into suitable lengths. Another object of my invention is
to provide new and improved knife-supporting devices by which the length of
the wire cut off by the knife may be regulated according to the length of the
feed but which will be automatically locked before the knife-carrying device
is sufficiently moved to free the knife from its carrying pin. Another object
of my invention is to improve the construction of such wire-stitching machines
in sundry details hereinafter described. I accomplish these objects as herein-
after specified and as illustrated in the drawings. That which I regard as new
will be set forth in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings,--
Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved mechanism, partly in longi-
tudinal cross-section;
Figure 2 is an enlarged detail, being a cross section on line 2-2 of Figure 1,
showing the staple-former and driver in their raised positions;
Figure 3 is an enlarged detail, being a section on line 2-2 of Figure 1,

page_text: showing the staple-former and driver in a lower position than that shown in
Figure 2;
Figure 4 is an enlarged detail, being a cross section on line 4-1 of Figure 1,
part of the back plate being cut away;
Figure 5 is an enlarged detail, being a view of the check device by which the
backward movement of the wire is prevented; .
Figure 6 is an enlarged detail, being a cross section on line 6-6 of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is an enlarged detail, being a front elevation of the cutting knife;
Figure 8 is an enlarged detail, being a section on line 8-8. of Figure 7;
Figure 9 is an enlarged detail in vertical section showing a modification of
an anvil and staple-supporter;
Figure 10 is an enlarged detail, being a front view, partly in section, and
showing the new and improved knife carrying block and means for locking
same;
Figure 11 is an enlarged detail, being a horizontal cross section on line 11-11
of Figure 10:
Figure 12 is an enlarged detail, being a horizontal cross section on line 12-12
of Figure 9;
Figure 13 is an enlarged detail, being a front view of the modification of the
staple-supporter and showing the means for mounting same.
Figure 14 is an enlarged detail, being a view of the modification of a portion
of the staple-former; and
Figure 15 is an enlarged detail, being a view of the modification of the staple-
driver.
9 indicates the back plate, which is provided with an arm 10. 11 indicates
a standard which is secured to the arm 10 and carries, pivoted upon its upper
end, a reel 12, upon which is wound the wire 13. 14 indicates a frame which
is pivoted to a cross bar 15 on the standard 11. 16 indicates a curved lever,
which is preferably formed of metal, and is, secured to the frame 14. The
lower end of the lever 16 is formed into a tube 17 which is adapted to allow
the wire 13 to pass freely through it, and is bent, as shown in Figure 1, to direct
the wire horizontally forward into the feeding devices hereinafter described.
The upper end of the lever 16 is provided with a brake 18 which is adapted to
bear upon and frictionally engage with the periphery of the reel 12. 19 indi-
cates a spring which is mounted upon the cross bar 15 and has its outer free
end bearing upon the lever 16, and operates normally to hold the brake 18 in
contact and engagement with the periphery of the reel 12, the spring 19 being
made of suitable strength for that purpose.
The operation of the above described device is as follows:
When the wire is fed forward by the feeding devices hereinafter described, by
its frictional engagement with the curved tube 17 on the lower end of the
lever 16, it causes the tube 17 of the lever 16 to be swung to the right in
Figure 1, against the action of the spring 19, thus lowering the brake 18 away
from contact with the periphery of the reel 12 and permitting the same to freely
rotate, so that the wire is unwound and fed into the machine, being drawn
through the tube 17 by the wire-feeding devices hereinafter described. When
the wire-feeding devices have finished their stroke and release their engagement
with the wire, as hereinafter described, the spring 19 immediately returns the
lever 16 to its former position, causing the brake 18 to frictionally engage with
the periphery of the reel 12 and at once stop its rotation, thus preventing back-
lash of the wire or an undue amount being fed into the tube by continued rota-
tion of the reel after the stroke of the feeding devices has ceased. It will be
observed also that the action of the spring 19 is such, by its bearing upon the
lever 16, as to afford the proper tension upon the wire as it is drawn through the
tube 17.
20 indicates a cam which is mounted upon a driving shaft 21, which is driven
in any suitable way. The cam 20 is provided with an exterior cam surface or

page_text: eriphery 22, and with a cam groove 23. 24 indicates a swinging arm which
journalled upon a pin 25 secured to the back plate 9. The pin 25 is pro-
ded with a cap 26 which is formed integral with or rigidly secured to its outer
ad as is best shown in Figure 4. The swinging arm 24 is provided with a,
ollow trunnion 27 through which the pin 25 passes. 28 indicates a spiral
oring which is mounted inside said hollow trunnion 27 around the pin 25, and.
as one end secured to the swinging arm 24 at the bottom of the hollow
runnion 27, and the other to the interior of the cap 26, as is best shown in
igure 4. The operation of the spring 28 is such as to tend to swing the swing-
ng arm 24 toward the left in Figure 1 and to return it to its original position
The lower end of the
fter having been moved to the right in Figure 1.
winging arm 24 is provided with a slot 29 which is adapted to receive and
ngage with a roller 30 upon the feed devices hereinafter described. 31 indi-
ates a lever which is journalled upon the hollow trunnion 27 of the swinging.
arm 24, as is best shown in Figure 4, and is provided at its upper end with a
oller 32 adapted to bear upon and engage with the cam surface 22. The lower
34 indicates a cam which is
arm of the lever 31 is provided with a recess 33.
located with the recess 33 in the lower arm of the lever 31, and is journalled
therein by means of a stud 35 upon which said cam 34 is keyed or otherwise
rigidly secured. The stud 35 projects through the lower arm of the lever 31,
37 indi-
and is provided upon its projecting end with a squared portion 36.
cates a stud which is secured to the swinging arm 24 and projects within the
recess 33 on the lower arm of the lever 31, and is adapted to engage with the
cam 34, as hereinafter described. 38 indicates a pointer which is mounted upon
the squared end 36 of the stud 35, and is secured in position by means of a
screw 39. 40 indicates a set screw which is screwed into one end of said
pointer 38, and is adapted to engage and screw into a series of holes 41 on the
lower arm of said lever 31 is provided with a graduated dial 42 underneath the
indicator end of said pointer 38, as is best shown in Figure 1.
The operation of the above described devices is as follows:-
As the cam 20 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure, 1,
the bearing surface 22 upon its periphery coming in contact with the roller 32
on the upper arm of the lever 31 moves the same over to the left in Figure 1,
moving the lower arm of the lever toward the right in Figure 1 until the
cam 34, coming in contact with the stud 37, causes the lower arm of the lever
to thus engage with the swinging arm 24, thus swinging said arm 24 to the
As soon as the cam
right in Figure 1 as long as the cam continues to bear.
ceases to bear upon the roller 32 the action of the spring 28 returns the swinging
arm 24 to its former position, moving the lever 31, of course, with it, the upper
arm of the lever 31 being free to move to the right in Figure 1 when not engaged
with the cam surface 22. It will be obvious that by rotating the pointer 38 to
the right, the set screw 40 being unscrewed to permit this being done, the
cam 34 is rotated with it, and the more the cam 34 is rotated to the right the
sooner it will engage with the stud 37 on the swinging arm 24 as the lever 31
is oscillated by the cam 20; and it will also be obvious that the sooner the
cam 34 engages the stud 37 the greater will be the swing given to the swinging
arm 24 by the oscillation of the lever 31, the cam 34 being rotated by means
of the pointer 38, so that the said pointer comes to any suitable place on the
scale 42. The pointer 38 is locked in position by means of the set screw 40
engaging with the holes 41. On the other hand, by moving the pointer 38 in
the opposite direction a lesser swing may be given to the swinging arm 24 as
the lever 31 is oscillated by the operation of the cam 20. Inasmuch as the
Swinging of the, lower end of the swinging arm 24 operates the wire-feeding
devices, it will be seen that by the adjustment of the cam above described,
5 causing a greater or lesser swing to be given to said swinging arm 24, the feed
of the machine may be varied.
43 indicates a plate which is slidingly mounted in the back plate 9,
as is best

page_text: а
shown in Figure 4, and is moved to the right or left by means of a screw 44
engaging therewith. The mounting of said plate 43 and the operation of said
screw 44 may be of any well-known kind and operation. 45 indicates parallel
rods which are secured on the plate 43 in front thereof. 46 indicates a block
which is carried on said rods 45 so as to slide freely to and fro thereon, and
carries on its rear surface the roller 30. The roller 30 engaging with the slot 29
on the lower end of the swinging arm 24, it will be obvious that the block 46
is reciprocated by the operation of the swinging arm 24 above described. 47 in-
dicates an arm which is pivotally carried on a pin 48 which is screwed into the
front surface of the block 46 near the top thereof. 49 indicates a spring which
is mounted upon the pin 48 and bears with its lower free end upon a pin 50
mounted upon the lower end of said arm 47. 51 indicates a ratchet wheel which
is provided with a number of non-central holes 52 by means of any one of which
the ratchet wheel 51 may be carried upon the arm 47 between its inner surface
and the outer surface of the block 46 by means of a screw 53 which is screwed
through a suitable opening in the arm 47, and, entering one of the openings 52
of the ratchet 51, permits the said ratchet 51 to be swingingly mounted thereon.
54 indicates a bearing block which is secured to the outer surface of the block 46
below the ratchet 51 by means of a screw 55. The upper surface of the bearing
block 54 is adapted to receive and support the wire 13, and the block 54 is so
placed with reference to the ratchet 51 as to engage the wire between the
ratchet 51 and the upper surface of the block 54, the spring 49 being adapted
by its bearing upon the pin 50 to swing the arm 47 to the left in Figure 1.
It will be noticed that, as shown in Figure 1, the arm 47 slants downward and
to the right, and the adjustments of the parts are such that the ratchet 51 will
engage the wire between it and the upper surface of the bearing block 54 before
the said arm 47 can drop to a vertical position as it is swung to the left by the
spring 49.
56 indicates a block which is secured to the outer end of the sliding plate 43.
57 indicates an arm which is rotatably mounted upon a pin 58 screwed into said
block 56. 59 indicates a wheel having two ratchet peripheries 60-61, the
ratchet periphery 61 being within and concentric with the ratchet surface 60.
The wheel 59 is journalled upon a pin 62 which is carried by the lower end of
the arm 57. 63 indicates a spring which is carried upon the pin 58 the lower
or free end of which engages with the pin 62 and operates to swing the arm 57
to the left in Figures 1 and 5. The teeth upon the ratchet periphery 60 of the
wheel 59 point in the direction of the feed, while the teeth on the ratchet
periphery 61 point in the opposite direction. 64 indicates a dog which is
mounted on the arm 57 and engages with the teeth on the ratchet periphery 61,
allowing the wheel 59 to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow in
Figure 5, but preventing its rotation in the other direction. 65 indicates a
bearing block which is mounted on the block 56 below the wheel 59 and has
an upper bearing surface adapted to receive and support the wire 13. It will
be noticed that the arm 57, as is shown in Figures 1 and depends downwardly
and to the right in said figures. The length of said arm and the adjustment of
the block 65 are such that the ratchet periphery 60 engages with the wire 13
between it and the upper surface of the block 65 as the spring 63 swings said
arm to the left before said arm reaches a vertical position.
The operation of the last described devices is as follows:
The wire being led into the machine between the ratchet 60 and the bearing
block 65, and the ratchet 51 and the bearing block 54, and into the wire cutting
and staple forming and driving devices, hereinafter mentioned, through a suit-
able opening in the plate 43, the machine, is set in operation. As the cam 20
1otates and bears upon the roller 32 upon the upper arm of the lever 31, the
lever 31 is oscillated until the cam 34, coming in contact with the stud 37,
causes the swinging arm 24 to be swung to the right. The slot 29 upon the
lower end of said swinging arm 24 engaging with the pin 30 on the block 46,

page_text: the block 46 is moved to the right in Figure 1. The position of the parts is
such that as soon as said motion begins the wire engages with the teeth of the
ratchet 51, and thus swinging the arm 47 slightly downward and to the left,
the wire is gripped firmly between said ratchet 51 and the upper surface of the
bearing block 54, and the wire is thus fed forward into the machine. At the
same time, the frictional contact of the wire with the ratchet 60 causes the same
to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 5, and allows the
wire to pass freely through between said ratchet 60 and the upper surface of the
bearing block 65. As soon as the stroke of the swinging lever is completed it
is returned to its first position, as above described, by the action of the spring 28,
carrying with it, of course, the block 46. As the block 46 thus moves backward,
or to the left in Figure 1, the adjustment of the arm 47, ratchet 51 and upper
surface of the bearing block 54 are such that by the frictional contact of the
wire with said ratchet 51, the said ratchet is somewhat lifted so as to permit it
to slide freely over the wire. At the same time, in case there should be any
friction whatever so as to tend to move the wire backward, the wire engages
with the teeth of the ratchet 60, which is prevented from rotating by the action
of the dog 64 on the ratchet 61, and the arm 57 being thus moved slightly down-
ward and to the left, the wire is clamped between the ratchet 60 and the upper
surface of the block 65, preventing any backward movement. It will be
observed that the ratchet 51, being provided with a series of openings by which
it is carried on the pin 53, as the teeth of said ratchet wear from the action of
the wire the ratchet may be taken off and adjusted upon said pin through another
one of said holes, thus affording new teeth for engagement with the wire.
The wire thus fed forward, as above described, is fed into the cutting, staple-
forming and staple-driving devices hereinafter described.
86 indicates a cutting knife which may be of any approved form, or may be
of the particular form hereinafter described, and illustrated in Figures 7 and 8
of the drawings. The knife 86 is slidingly mounted upon the inner end of the
sliding block 43, as is shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. The upper end of the
knife 86 is provided with a suitable opening adapted to receive a pin 87 which
is mounted in the side of the staple former 67 hereinafter described. The wire
passes through a suitable opening in the block 43, into the staple-forming and
staple-driving devices hereinafter described, below the knife 86, and as the
staple-former 67 is caused to descend in the manner hereinafter described, the
knife 86 is brought down upon the wire and severs it. The block 43, as has
been described above, is moved to and fro by the screw 44 engaging therewith,
and is provided on its outer surface with a gauge 88 which is marked with
figures, as is shown in Figure 1, to correspond with the figures upon the gauge
or dial 42. The object of this sliding of the block 43 and of the gauge 88 is to
enable the length of the wire cut off by the knife to correspond with the feed
of the machine. In other words, as the feed is adjusted, by means of the devices
above described, so as to feed a greater or lesser length of wire into the machine,
the block 43 is moved to the left or right by means of the screw 44, so that when
the exposed figure on the gauge 88 corresponds with the figure indicated by the
pointer 38 the amount of wire cut off to the left of the staple-forming and driv-
ing devices, hereinafter described, by the knife 86 will be proportionate to the
increased or lessened length of the feed, so that as the wire is fed a greater or
lesser distance to the right by the feeding devices it will be cut off a greater or
lesser distance to the left by the knife 86, thus making both legs of the staple
of the same length.
67 indicates a staple-former which is slidingly mounted in a block 68¹ se-
cured to the front of the back plate 9 of the machine. The staple-former 67 is
bifurcated at its lower end in the usual manner, as is shown in Figures 2 and 3.
The upper end of the staple-former. 67 carries a roller 68 which engages with the
cam groove 23. 69 indicates a staple-supporter which is swung upon a pivot 70
between the bifurcated end of the staple-former 67 and has a projecting arm 69ª

page_text: 71 indicates a spring which is coiled around said pivot 70 and has its two free,
ends bearing one against the surface of the staple-former. 67 and the other
against the staple-supporter 69, as is shown in Figures 2 and 3, in such a way
as to tend to swing the lower end of said staple-former to the right when left
free to operate. When the staple-supporter 69 raised in the position shown in
Figure 2, the arm 69" bears against a block 9" in the back plate 9 in such a way
as to hold the staple-supporter 69 against the action of the spring 71 in the
position shown in said Figure 2, to allow the parts hereinafter described freedom
to operate. The aim 69 and the block 9" are of such length and so related to
each other that the staple-supporter 69 is held in such position during the
descent of the staple-former, until the staple is formed as hereinafter described
and until the lower point of the staple-supporter is clear of the anvil hereinafter
described. 72 indicates a staple-driver which is slidingly mounted in a suitable
groove on the front surface of the staple-former 67 as is best shown in Figure 1.
73 indicates a link which is pivotally connected to the upper end of the driver 12
and with the outer surface of the cam 20 eccentrically therewith, so that by the
rotation of said cam the said driver 72 is reciprocated vertically. The lower end
of said driver 72 is provided with a notch 74 which engages with the wire, as
hereinafter described. 75 indicates a block which is secured in front of the
block 681 and is provided with an interior recess 76. 77 indicates an anvil which
is pivotally suspended vertically within the recess 76 upon a pin 78, and is pro-
vided with a projecting bevelled surface 79 and a groove 80 below said bevelled
surface 79. 81 indicates a spring which bears against the interior of the block 75
and against the front surface of the anvil 77, and tends to hold the same in the
position shown in Figure 2.
The operation of the above described devices is as follows:
The wire being fed into the machine as above described, passes into the slot 80
in the anvil 77, which is adapted to receive it, and is thereupon severed by any
suitable cutting mechanism, as above described, so as to leave a portion of said
wire projecting upon each side of said anvil 77. As soon as the wire is severed,
the staple former 67 being caused to descend by the operation of the_cam
groove 23 on the roller 68, the bifurcated ends of said staple-former come down
one upon each side of said anvil, which, when in the position shown in
Figure 1, is adapted to come between the said arms, and by the operation of said
staple-former the wire is bent at right angles upon each side of said anvil as
the wire rests in the groove 80, thus forming a staple. The staple-supporter 69,
held by the arm 69 bearing against the block 9ª against the action of the
spring 71, clears the anvil 77 in its descent with the staple-former, and, as soon
as the staple is formed, and the lower and forward edge of the staple-supporter
is carried below the anvil in the descent of the staple-former, the arm 69" is
cleared from the block 9" and the spring 71 swings the staple-supporter forward
below the anvil and between the legs of the formed staple in the position shown
in Figure 3. In the meanwhile, as the driver 72 descends by the operation of
the link 73 as described, its lower end comes in contact with the bevelled sur-
face 79 of the anvil 77, thus causing the anvil to be swung on its pivot 78 back
against the action of the spring 81, and the formed staple is freed from the
groove 80 and rests upon the staple-supporter 69, as is shown in Figure 3, the
groove 74 in the lower portion of the driver 72 coming in contact with the hori-
zöntal portion or head of the staple which is resting on the staple-supporter 69.
The staple-supporter and former, by the operation of the cam groove on the
roller 68, descends until the staple-supporter rests upon the surface of the paper
to be stitched. The staple-driver 72, however, continuing its downward move-
ment, the lower end of the staple-driver engages with the upper surface of the
staple-supporter, forces the staple-supporter back, swinging it upon its pivot
against the action of the spring 71, and drives the staple through the paper.
When thus driven the staple is clinched by any suitable clinching mechanism,
of any well-known kind and method of operation, but as the same forms no

page_text: part of my present invention it is not necessary to describe it here.
When
the staple is driven, the parts rise, and the action of the various parts is so
timed that the staple-driver and staple-former rise together, and the staple-
driver, still held in contact with the upper surface of the staple-supporter, holds
it swung back against the spring il, allowing the arm 69 to enter the recess
between the block 9" and the back of the staple-former.
Figures and S illustrate a new and improved form of knife. Referring to
said figures,--82 indicates a plate which is struck up or otherwise formed so as
to have a longitudinal central shoulder 83 on its front surface, and a longi-
tudinal depression or groove 84, corresponding with the shoulder 83, on its rear
surface. The shoulder 83 is cut off short of the bottom of the plate 82, and its
lower end is bevelled inward and upward, as is shown in Figure 8, leaving a
slot in said plate below said shoulder 83. 85 indicates a knife having a double
cutting edge, one on each side, which is secured to the plate 82 by means of
screws 831, its upper cutting edge resting against the lower bevelled edge of the
shoulder 83. It will be observed that a portion of the lower edge of the knife 85
comes opposite the slot at the bottom of the recess 84, forming, where it crosses
such recess, a cutting edge adapted to cut the wire. The plate 82 carrying the
knife 85 is slidingly mounted on the sliding block 43, and operates in the
manner above described. The advantage of this construction is that the knife
is given a double cutting edge, so that when one wears away the knife may be
readily removed from the plate 82 and turned around so that the other cutting
edge may be used. At the same time, in case of breakage of the knife it may
be readily renewed.
Referring to Figures 1 and 5, 89 indicates a pin which is screw-threaded into
a suitable opening in the block 56 and has a slot 90 in its outer end by means
of which it may be turned by a screw driver or suitable tool so as to adjust the
said pin. The pin 89 is provided at its other end with a head 91 of leather,
cork or other suitable material, which is adapted to enter a suitable opening 92
in the block 56. In its rearward movement, above described, the sliding
block 46 comes back against the head 91, which is adapted to receive the blow
without injuring the parts. It will be observed that thus the wire-feeding
devices are always brought close to the block 56 and the ratchet wheel 59 and
engage the wire close to the same, thus enabling wire of thin gauge to be used,
if desirable, without bending it. In case of any wearing of the parts, the pin 89
is adjusted by screwing it in or out of the block 56, thus moving the head 91
forward or backward a short distance as may be desired, and assisting in pro-
perly regulating the feed.
Referring to Figure 9, 67 indicates the staple-former which is mounted and
operated generally in the manner above described. It is provided, however,
with a shoulder 93 extending across its front face and projecting slightly out-
wardly, as is best shown in Figures 9 and 14. 72 indicates a driver which is
slidingly mounted as is hereinafter described on the staple-former 67 and is
operated as above described by a link 73. 94 indicates an anvil which has an
upper bevelled surface as is best shown in Figure 9, and is provided in its front
face with a slot 95 adapted to receive the wire. The anvil 94 is slidingly
mounted in the back-plate 9. 96 indicates a tube which is rigidly secured to
the back of the back-plate 9 and surrounds the outer end of the anvil 94. 97
indicates a coiled spring which surrounds the anvil 94 in the tube 96 and bears
upon a shoulder in the outer end of said tube, and upon a shoulder 98 on the
anvil 94 in such a way as to normally hold the anvil 94 in the position shown in
Figure 9.
The movements and operation of the staple-former, driver and anvil are of the
well-known character. The wire fed into the machine by any appropriate
mechanism, such, for instance, as that described above, is fed into the slot 95
in the anvil 94. As the staple-former moves downward the legs or forms coming
down upon each side of the anvils bends the wire, which have been previously

page_text: severed by a knife as above described, around the anvil so as to form the staple.
As the driver 72 descends as above described its lower surface comes in contact
with the bevelled surface of the anvil 94 and therefore forces the anvil 94 back-
ward against the action of the spring 97 and allows the staple to drop upon the
staple-supporter hereinafter described.
99 indicates a staple-supporter which is curved upon its lower surface, as is
best shown in Figure 9, is provided with a bevelled upper surface 100 and at
its upper end with a slot 101. 102 indicates a pin which passes through a
face plate 103 and the slot 101 of the supporter 99 so that said supporter may
move freely up and down upon said pin to the extent of the length of the slot 101
and may also swing upon said pin, the face plate 103 being suitably recessed
as is shown in Figure 9 to support the said staple-supporter and being cut away
in front so as to permit the swinging of said staple-supporter as is best shown in
Figure 9. 104 indicates a pin provided with a shoulder 105 and slidingly
mounted in a tube 106 which is secured to the face plate 103. 107 indicates a
spring bearing upon a suitable shoulder of the tube 106 and upon the shoulder
105 of the pin 104 and operating normally to force the staple-supporter 99 to
the right in Figure 9 when not forced to the left by the operation of the driver
upon its bevelled surface hereinafter described. The staple-supporter 99 is
provided with a shoulder 108 adapted to engage with the shoulder 93 of the
staple-former 67. The operation of these devices is as follows: The wire being
fed into the machine and cut into suitable lengths as above described, the severed
portion of the wire which is to form the staple rests in the slot 95 of the anvil 94.
The staple-former being driven downward at the proper time bends the wire
upon each side of the anvil downward forming the legs of the staple as above
described. The driver 72 coming into operation first meets the bevelled surface
of the anvil 94 forcing the same backward and allowing the staple formed by
the staple-former to rest upon the bevelled surface 100 of the supporter 99. In
the meanwhile by the descent of the staple-former 67 the shoulder 93 is lowered
so as to free it from contact with the shoulder 108 of the staple-supporter 99,
thus allowing the staple-supporter 99 to drop and rest upon the surface of the
pile of paper below it. The driver 72 continuing its descent comes in contact
with the head of the staple which rests upon the bevelled surface 100 and, bear-
ing upon its bevelled surface, forces the staple-supporter to the left against the
action of the spring 107 and drives the staple through the paper. It will be
thus observed during the operation of the driving, the supporter 99 being forced
backward to the left in Figure 9 until the staple is freed therefrom, the portion
forming the head of the staple resting upon the paper. As the driver 72. is
retracted, the staple-supporter 99 is swung inward by the operation of the
spring 107, and as the driver continues to rise the anvil 94 is forced inward
by the spring 97 resuming the position shown in Figure 9, and the staple-
former 67 rising, the shoulder 93 again comes in contact with the shoulder 108
and lifts the staple-supporter into the position shown in Figure 9.
The
It is one of the objects of my invention as above set forth to provide a means
by which the knife may be readily removed from the machine for the purpose
of sharpening or in doing the same in case of a break and it is desirable to do
this without taking the machine apart. I accomplish this by means of the
devices best shown in Figures 10 and 11. Referring to said Figures 109 indicates
a slot in the back-plate 9 in which is slidingly mounted a block 110.
slot 109 is made of sufficient length to permit the block 110 to be moved to the
left a sufficient distance to permit the knife 111 to be clear of the end of
the pin 112 which engages with an opening in said knife and is carried upon the
staple-former 67. If, however, this were left uncontrolled there would be
danger of the block. 110 being moved accidently so far to the left as to bring
the knife 111 clear of the pin 112 which operates it and so damage the machine.
I provide against this by the following devices. The screw 44 which is journalled
in the back plate passes through a suitable screw-threaded opening in the

page_text: BROCK 110 So that by the rotation of the said screw the block 110 may be moved
to the right or left in the slot 109, thus regulating the length of the wire cut by
the knife 111 to conform with the length of the wire fed under the said knife
by the operation of the feeding devices above described and regulated by a
5 corresponding gauge 113 in the well-known manner.
being accidently carried so far as to clear the knife 111 from the pin 112 I
To prevent the block 110
provide the block with a spring seated latch 114 which is best. shown in
Figure 11. 115 indicates a notch cut into the back of the back-plate 9 and
adapted to receive the latch 114 when the block 110 is moved to the left a suffi-
0 cient distance, and thus prevent the block 110 being carried further to the left
by the rotation of the screw 44. The position of the notch 115 on the back
plate 9 is such that the latch 114 will engage said notch 115 before the knife 111
is freed from the end of the pin 112, thus preventing the accidental movement
of the block 110 so far to the left as to disengage the knife from said pin. This
is the adjustment of the parts in the ordinary operation of the machine. If
it is desirable to remove the knife for any cause the latch 1.14 must be pulled
out by hand so as to free it from the notch 115, and held in that position against
the spring 116 while the screw 44 is rotated to move the block 110 still further
to the left in order to free the knife 111 from the pin 112.
It is one of the objects of my invention also to provide a means for mounting
the staple-former in its supporting block. Heretofore in machines of this
character in order to afford space in which the knife-carrying block may act and
to afford room for the operation of the pin for moving the cutting knife, a
portion of the supporting block in which the staple-former is slidingly mounted
has been cut away opposite the lower end of the staple-former upon the side
facing the knife-carrying block, leaving that arm of the staple-former laterally
unsupported. As a result of this, it frequently happens in the operation of the
machine that the arm of the staple-former thus left laterally unsupported is
bent outwardly by the strain. In order to prevent this I provide the arm of the
staple-former, which is upon the open side of the block 117 with grooves 118,
119, upon its front and rear faces, which extend upward from the lower end to
a suitable distance as is best shown in Figures 10 and 11. I also provide a suit-
able tongue 120 upon the portion of the block 117 back of the said arm of the
taple-former to co-operate with the groove 118, and also provide the face plate 103,
which is screwed upon the block 117 to protect the staple-former and driving
levices, with another tongue 121 which co-acts with the groove 119 upon the
ront face of the staple-former as is best shown in Figure 11. These tongues
vork in said groove and form a lateral support for the arm of the staple-
ormer 67 and prevents its being bent outward by the strain upon the pin. I
ave shown the grooves 118, 119 as being formed in the staple-former 67 and
he tongues 120, 121 in the block 117 and the face plate 103 respectively, but
do not limit myself to this construction as it is obvious as the grooves might be
ormed in the block 117 and face plate 103 and the tongues upon the staple-
ormer.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
ention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
e by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. The combination with wire-feeding mechanism, of a reel, and a brake
ormally held against said reel and adapted to support the wire and to be auto-
atically released from said reel by the action of the wire against said brake
ile said wire is being fed, substantially as described.
2. The combination with wire-feeding mechanism, of a reel, a lever provided
th an opening adapted to permit the passage of wire through it, a brake carried
said lever, and a spring adapted to normally hold said brake against said reel,
bstantially as described.
3. The combination with wire-feeding mechanism, of a reel, a lever prasidad

page_text: at one end with a tubular portion adapted to permit the passage of wire through
it, a brake carried by said lever, and a spring adapted to normally hold said
brake against said reel, substantially as described.
4. The combination with wire-feeding mechanism, of a support, a reel jour-
nalled on said support, a curved lever pivotally mounted on said support and
having its lower end formed into a tubular portion curved toward said wire-
feeding mechanism and adapted to permit the passage of wire through it, a brake
carried on the other end of said lever, and a spring adapted to normally hold said
brake against said reel, substantially as described.
5. In a wire-stapling machine, the combination with a swinging arm, and
wire gripping devices adapted to be engaged and operated by said arm, of a
lever, a cam mounted on said lever and adapted to bear against said swinging
arm as said lever is oscillated and mechanism adapted to oscillate said lever,
substantially as described.
6. In a wire-stapling machine, the combination with a swinging arm, and
wire gripping devices adapted to be engaged and operated by said arm, of a lever,
a cam mounted on said lever and adapted to bear against said swinging arm as
said lever is oscillated, means for rotating said cam, and mechanism adapted to
oscillate said lever, substantially as described.
7. In a wire-stapling machine, the combination with a swinging arm, and
wire-gripping devices adapted to be engaged by said arm and operated thereby,
of a lever, a cam mounted on said lever and adapted to bear against said swing-
ing arm and by its rotation to vary the point of operative engagement between
said lever and said swinging arm, and mechanism adapted to oscillate said lever,
substantially as described.
8. In a wire-stapling machine, the combination with a swinging arm, and
wire-gripping devices adapted to be engaged by said arm, of a lever pivoted on
said swinging arm, a cani mounted on said lever and adapted to bear against
said swinging arm and by its rotation to vary the point of operative engagement
between said lever and said swinging arm as said lever oscillates, a pointer se-
cured to said cam, a gauge below said pointer, and means for oscillating said
lever, substantially as described.
9. In a wire-stapling machine, the combination with a swinging arm, wire-
gripping devices adapted to be engaged by said arm, a support, a block slidingly
mounted on said support, means for varying the position of said block, a knife
slidingly mounted on said block, and means for operating said knife, of a lever
pivoted on said swinging arm, a cam mounted on said lever and adapted to bear
against said swinging arm and by its rotation to vary the point of operative
engagement between said lever and said swinging arm as said lever is oscillated,
means for oscillating said lever, a pointer secured to said cam and adapted to
rotate the same, and a gauge below said pointer, substantially as described.
10. In a wire-stapling machine, the combination with a support, a block
slidingly mounted on said support, means for reciprocating said block on said
support, and a bearing block carried by said support, of an arm pivoted on said
sliding block, and a ratchet wheel eccentrically pivoted on said arm and adapted
to engage a wire between it and said bearing block when said sliding block is
moved forward, substantially as described.
11. In a wire-stapling machine, the combination with a support a block slid-
ingly mounted on said support, means for reciprocating said block on said sup-
port, and a bearing block carried by said support, of an arm pivoted on said
sliding block, and a ratchet wheel provided with a number of eccentric openings
by which said ratchet wheel may be pivotally carried on said arm, said ratchet
wheel being adapted to engage a wire between it and said bearing block when
said sliding block is moved forward, substantially as described.
12. In a wire-stapling machine, the combination with a support, a block slid-
ingly mounted on said support, means for reciprocating said block on said sup-
port, and a bearing block carried by said support, of an arm pivoted on said

page_text: sliding block, a spring adapted to yieldingly force said arm backwards toward
said bearing block, and a ratchet wheel provided with a number of eccentric
openings by which said ratchet wheel may be pivotally carried on said arm, said
ratchet wheel being adapted to engage a wire between it and said bearing block
5 when said sliding block is moved forward, substantially as described.
13. The combination with wire-feeding mechanism, and means for operating
the same, of an arm pivotally mounted on a suitable support behind said feeding
mechanism, a bearing block below said arm, a double ratchet-wheel journalled
on said arm and having ratchet teeth facing in opposite directions, one set
0 pointing in the direction of the feed of said wire and adapted to grip the wire
between said teeth and said bearing block when the wire is forced backward, and
a dog pivotally mounted on said arm and adapted to engage the other set of
ratchet teeth, substantially as described.
14. The combination with wire-feeding mechanism, and means for operating
the same, of an arm pivotally mounted on a suitable support behind said feeding
mechanism, a bearing block below said arm, a spring adapted to longitudinally
force said arm backward toward said bearing block, a double ratchet wheel jour-
nalled on said arm and having ratchet teeth facing in opposite directions, one
set pointing in the direction of the feed of said wire and adapted to grip the wire
between said teeth and said bearing block when the wire is forced backward,
and a dog pivotally mounted on said arm and adapted to engage the other set of
ratchet teeth, substantially as described.
15. In a wire-stapling machine, the combination with a staple-former having
forks at its lower end, a staple-driver, means for operating said staple-former
and driver, and an anvil adapted to co-operate with said staple-former in forming
a staple, of a staple-supporter pivotally mounted at its upper end on said staple-
former between the forks thereof and having a projecting arm, a spring adapted
to normally force said staple-supporter forward between the forks of said
staple-former, and a block adapted to bear against said arm and hold the said
staple-supporter back against said spring until in its descent the said staple-
supporter has cleared said anvil, substantially as described.
16. In a wire-stapling machine, the combination with a staple-former having
forks at its lower end, a staple-driver, means for operating said staple-former
and driver, and an anvil adapted to co-operate with said staple-former in forming
a staple, of a wedge-shaped staple-supporter having a convex lower and concave
upper surface, pivotally mounted at its upper end on said staple-former between
the forks thereof and having a projecting arm, a spring adapted to normally
force said staple-supporter forward between the forks of said staple-former, and
a block adapted to bear against said arm and hold the said staple-supporter
back against said spring until in its descent the said staple-supporter has cleared
said anvil, substantially as described.
17. In a wire-stapling machine, the combination with a staple-former having
forks at its lower end, a staple-driver, means for operating said staple-former
and driver, and a vertically-swinging anvil provided with a bevelled bearing-
surface adapted to engage said driver and with a groove adapted to receive a
vire, of a wedge-shaped staple-supporter having a
apper surface pivotally mounted at its upper end on said staple-former between
convex lower and concave
be forks thereof and having a projecting arm, a spring adapted to normally
orce said staple-supporter forward between the forks of said staple-former,
nd a block adapted to bear against said arm and hold the said staple-supporter
ack against said spring until in its descent the said staple-supporter has cleared
aid anvil substantially as described.
18. In a wire-stapling machine, the combination with wire-feeding mechanism,
ire-cutting mechanism, and means for operating the same, of a staple-former
aving forks at its lower end, a staple-driver, means for operating said staple-
rmer and staple-driver, a vertically swinging anvil pivotally mounted at its
oper end on a suitable support and having a bevelled surface adapted to engage

page_text: with said driver and a groove adapted to receive the wire, and a staple-supporter
pivotally mounted on said staple-former between the forks thereof and having a
curved upper surface adapted to be engaged by said driver and to permit said
staple-supporter to swing outward below said anvil and in close proximity
thereto as said anvil is forced outward by said driver, substantially as described.
19. In a wire-stitching machine, the combination with wire-feeding mechanism,
wire-cutting mechanism, and means for operating the same, of a staple-former hav-
ing forks at its lower end, a staple-driver, means for operating said staple-former
and staple-driver, a vertically-swinging anvil pivotally mounted at its upper end
on a suitable support and having a head at its lower end adapted to swing in-
wardly between the legs of said staple-former and having an upper bevelled
surface adapted to engage with said driver and a groove adapted to receive the
wire, and a staple-supporter pivotally mounted on said staple-former between
the forks thereof and having a curved upper surface adapted to be engaged by
said driver and to permit said staple-supporter to swing outward below said anvil
and in close proximity thereto as said anvil is forced outward by said driver,
substantially as described.
20. In a wire-stapling machine, the combination with wire-feeding mechanism,
wire-cutting mechanism, and means for operating the same, of a staple-former
having forks at its lower end, a staple-driver, means for operating said staple-
former and staple-driver, a vertically-swinging anvil pivotally mounted at its
upper end on a suitable support and having a head at its lower end adapted to
swing inwardly between the legs of said staple-former, and having an upper
bevelled surface adapted to engage with said driver and a groove adapted to re-
ceive the wire, a spring adapted to normally force said swinging anvil backward
so that its head rests below and between the forks of said staple-former, a staple-
supporter pivotally mounted on said staple-former between the forks thereof
and having a curved upper surface adapted to be engaged by said driver and to
permit said staple-supporter to swing outward below said anvil and in close
proximity thereto as said anvil is forced outward by said driver, and a spring
adapted when free to act to swing said staple-supporter outward below said
driver as the said staple-supporter is carried downward, substantially as described.
21. The combination with a plate formed with a central longitudinal shoulder
upon one surface and a corresponding groove below, of a double-edged knife
removably secured to said plate below said shoulder, substantially as described.
22. The combination with a plate having a central longitudinal shoulder
extending a portion of its length, and a slot below said shoulder, of a double-
edged knife removably mounted upon said plate and below said shoulder, sub-
stantially as described.
23. In a wire-stapling machine, the combination with an anvil, a staple-former,
staple-driver, and means for operating the same, of a rocking and vertically
movable staple-supporter mounted independently of said staple-former and said
staple-driver, and means for operating the same, substantially as described.
24. In a wire-stapling machine, the combination with an anvil, a staple-
former, staple-driver, and means for operating the same, of a stationary pin, a
rocking, vertically-movable staple-supporter mounted on said stationary pin,
and means for rocking and vertically moving said staple supporter, substantially
as described.
25. In a wire-stapling machine, the combination with an anvil, a staple
former, a staple-driver, and means for operating the same, of a stationary pin,
a rocking, vertically-movable staple-supporter mounted on said pin and adapted
to engage said staple-former and be lifted vertically thereby, substantially as
described.
26. In a wire-stapling machine, the combination with an anvil, a staple-
former having a shoulder on its face, a staple-driver, and means for operating
said anvil, staple-former and staple-driver, of a stationary pin, a rocking, ver-
tically-movable staple-supporter mounted on said pin, and adapted to be engaged

page_text: by the shoulder on said staple-former, and having a bevelled surface adapted to
be engaged by said staple-driver, substantially as described.
27. In a wire-stapling machine, the combination with staple-forming and
driving mechanism, of a knife-carrying block slidingly mounted on a suitable
support, mechanism adapted to move said knife-carrying block forward and
backward on said support, and latching mechanism adapted to automatically
lock said block to said support, substantially as described.
28. In a wire-stapling machine, the combination with wire-feeding and staple-
forming and driving mechanism, of a knife-carrying block slidingly mounted
on a suitable support, said support being provided with a notch, mechanism
adapted to move said knife-carrying block forward and backward on said sup-
port, and a spring seated latch carried by said knife-carrying block and adapted
to engage with the notch in said support, substantially as described.
29. In a wire-stapling machine, the combination with supports of a staple-
former slidingly carried thereby, said supports and said staple-former being pro-
vided with co-acting tongues and grooves, substantially as described.
Dated this 12th day of Nov 1800
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.