Improvements in Folding Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 11th July, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 11th May, 1900-Accepted, 30th June, 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Folding Machines.
I, NATHAN HAYWARD, of Brockton, County of Plymouth, in the State of
Massachusetts, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to machines employed for folding pieces of flexible
material, such as parts of shoe-uppers. It has for its object to improve the
operation and simplify the construction of machines of this class. The invention
consists in the improvements which I shall now proceed to describe.
The general features and manner of operation of the machine may be briefly
described as follows: I provide a double or compound machine, which permits
one piece of work to be under pressure while another piece is being inserted or
removed. The two folding mechanisms employed are mounted on a rotary
frame, and are similar in construction, embodying each a vertically and horizon-
tally movable former, a vertically movable folder-carrier supporting a horizontally
sliding folder, and means for operating these parts to fold the work and retain
the same under pressure for a period of time, and then release the work for its
removal.
A base or standard is formed with an internal steam-conduit, the ends of
which may be connected with steam-supply pipes. The upper part of the
base is constructed with a stud or shaft, in which the steam-conduit is formed,
and on which is mounted a rotary frame. On this frame are mounted two
fixed work-supporting tables, and the two folding mechanisms. A description
of one of these mechanisms will suffice, as the two are alike.
A former-carrier is secured to the tops of two rods or posts extending through
sockets formed in the frame. Springs surround these rods, inside the sockets,
and exert an upward pressure thereon. The lower ends of the rods are con-
nected by a yoke, at the middle point of which is formed a downwardly pro-
jecting hooked plate. The inwardly projecting lip or hook on the latter is
arranged to be engaged by a hooked treadle-rod normally projecting upwardly
by a spring and operated by a treadle. When the treadle is depressed, the
former-carrier is moved downwardly, toward the table, and when released the
carrier returns to its normal raised. position.
A former blade is secured to a bar which is supported by its ends on short
parallel rods held in brackets which are formed on the carrier. Springs inter-
posed between the ends of the brackets and the said bar operate to normally
project the former inwardly. A mechanism for retracting the former is pro-
vided, consisting of a lever or handle secured to the end of a rod to which are
attached arms engaging the ends of the bar. When the handle is depressed,
the former-blade will be retracted; and when released, the said blade will be
returned to its normal position by the springs.
A folder-carrier occupies a depression or recess in the frame and is sup-
ported at the ends of two posts which extend through sockets formed in the
frame. The upper ends of said sockets are reduced to make a bearing for the

page_text: posts, and to form shoulders against which springs abut. The lower ends of
these springs are confined by cylindrical nuts of a slightly smaller size than the
bore of the sockets and adapted to enter the latter. The springs exert tension
which normally draws the carrier downwardly. To the lower ends of the posts
is attached a bar by means of nuts. The bar is held between the nuts, and its
position with respect to the posts may be changed by adjusting said nuts. When
the rotary frame is turned to bring this side of the apparatus in front of the
operator, the bar comes over the top of the rod, which is operated by a treadle.
When said treadle is depressed, the rod is projected upwardly against the bar,
and thereby raises the carrier. On the upper side of the latter there is mounted
a sliding folder-plate, which is guided by headed screws mounted in the carrier
and occupying slots in the sliding plate, though other suitable mounting may be
provided for the plate. Two springs occupying sockets in the folder and abutting
against ears or lips attached to the carrier normally project the folder in the
direction of the work-supporting table.
A cam hook is attached to the top of the stud or shaft on the base and adapted
to engage a roller stud on the plate when the frame is rotated, in order to
retract said plate when required. The cam-hook is formed on a sleeve which
surrounds the reduced upper end of the shaft and operates to retain the rotary
frame in place on the shaft. The sleeve or collar is held between a shoulder
on the shaft and a cap-plate which is secured to the shaft by means of a bolt.
Release pins are mounted in sockets on the frame and normally projected
upwardly by means of springs in said sockets. The pins project through aper-
tures in the carrier-plate, and are arranged to extend into apertures in the
folder. The upward movement of the pins is limited, and their vertical adjust-
ment provided for by means of lock-nuts engaging the screw-threaded lower
ends of the pins. When the plates are in their normal depressed positions, the
apertures in the plates register and the pins serve to hold the plates from relative
horizontal movement. When, however, the plates are iraised by means of
the action of the treadle-rod on the bar, these pins are gradually withdrawn
from the apertures in the upper plate or folder; and when the plates have risen
a sufficient distance, the folder-plate slides over the tops of the pins, as I shall
hereinafter explain.
A gage is provided which may be made in a separate piece and adjustably
secured to the upper side of the folder-plate, by means of screws occupying
slots in the gage; or said gage may be formed by cutting out the edge of the
folder-plate, so as to form a fixed shoulder.
In operating the folding machine, a piece of work is placed on one of the
tables, with its edge against the gage, and projecting over the inner edge of the
table, the rotary frame being in such a position that the bar on the corresponding
side of the machine is located directly over the treadle-rod, and the hooked plate
is in position to be engaged by the other treadle-rod. The first operation is
then to depress the treadle and bring the folder down against the work. The
treadle is then depressed to raise the plates. This causes the folder-plate to
rise above the tops of the release-pins, and allows the springs to project said
folder toward the clamping-member. The point at which the folder is released
depends upon the vertical adjustment of the release-pins, and thus is determined
by adjusting the nuts on the lower ends of said pins. While the folder is
rising, it causes the edge of the work to be bent up at right angles to the main
portion thereof, and then as the folder slips over the edge of the former, it pro-
duces the fold. The former is then withdrawn, by manipulating the handle.
The tension of the springs in the sockets causes the folder to be pressed down
against the work, and prevents the latter from being displaced by the with-
drawal of the former-blade. The springs permit the release pins to yield down-
wardly when the folder is thus projected and exerting a downward compressing
action on the material. The parts are left in position so as to set the fold,
while the operator rotates the frame and brings the other side of the apparatus

page_text: in front of him. The bar and hooked plate in this movement are removed from
operative relation with the treadle-rods. This same movement of rotating the
table to bring the other side of the apparatus before the operator causes the
release of the piece of work which has been under pressure in the folding
mechanism on said other side. The release is accomplished by means of a cam
with which the under side of each of the bars is provided, coming in contact with
a roller-stud mounted on the base. This raises the cam slightly, so as to relieve
the pressure of the folder upon the fold in the work, while the cam at the
same instant engages the roll and draws the folder back into its normal position.
The folded piece may then be removed and a fresh one put in place, and the
operation of folding and pressing the new piece proceeded with as previously
described.
My invention includes an improved treadle-mechanism, by which with the
operation of a single treadle, both the former and the folder are simultaneously
operated. A lever is fulcrumed to a fixed support and slotted at its end to.
engage a pin on the former-operating rod. A second lever also fulcrumed to a
fixed support and connected at its ends with the folder operating rod. The
lever is connected by a link attached to the lever between its fulcrum and its
point of connection with the former-operating rod, with a treadle; and said
lever is provided with a stud projecting laterally over the heel of the lever and
adapted to abut the head of the screw which is capable of vertical adjustment in
the heel of said lever and is adapted to be locked in place by means of a lock-
nut. The depression of the treadle causes the two levers to be oscillated in
opposite directions, one lever being swung downwardly and depressing the
former-operating rod and the other lever being swung upwardly by reason of
the engagement of the stud with its heel, thereby elevating the folder operating
rod. Such depression of the treadle therefore effects the operation of both the
former and the folder, when the frame is properly positioned to bring the hooked
plate and cam-boss into operative relation with the two treadle-rods. The pin-
and-slot connection of the lever with the rod compensates for the extra move-
ment which said lever undergoes, and a spring interposed between the lever
and a nut on the lower end of the former-operating rod restores the levers and
rods to their normal relation after action. A spring normally elevates the
former-operating rod.
In order to mark the under surface of a shoe-quarter during the folding
operation above described, I embed in the work-supporting table a number of
pins or marking devices arranged in a row and following the proposed line of
stitching in the shoe-quarter. The upper ends of these pins are allowed to
project slightly above the upper surface of the table, and are located beneath
the position normally occupied by the former-blade, so that when the latter
descends upon the work it presses the work against the ends of the pins and
forms a row of marks or indentations upon the under side of the work. These
indentations occupy a place corresponding to the position of the line of stitching
subsequently placed on the shoe-quarter. The pins collectively constitute a
marker whose projection above the surface of the work-supporting table is
slight, being insufficient to interfere with the proper positioning of the former
when the work is interposed between said former and the table.
I do not wish to be confined to the exact details of construction above set
forth, as the same may be variously modified without departing from the spirit
of my invention.
n11' 100
1000
N. HAYWARD,
Per Samuel Hey,
Agent.

page_text: I, NATHAN HAYWARD, of Brockton, in the County of Plymouth and State of
Massachusetts, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The invention
This invention relates to machines employed for folding pieces of flexible
material, such as parts of shoe-uppers. It has for its object to improve the opera-
tion and simplify the construction of machines of this class.
consists in the improvements which I shall now proceed to describe and claim.
Of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification:-
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a folding machine constructed in
accordance with my invention.
Figure 2 represents a plan view thereof.
Figure 3 represents a transverse vertical section.
Figure 4 represents a longitudinal vertical section through one of the folding
mechanisms.
Figures 5 to 9 represent sectional views on an enlarged scale, showing different
positions of the folding parts.
Figure 10 represents a plan view of the work.
The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the figures.
The general features and manner of operation of the machine illustrated in
the drawings may be briefly described as follows: I provide a double or com-
pound machine, which permits one piece of work to be under pressure while
another piece is being inserted or removed. The two folding mechanisms em-
ployed are mounted on a rotary frame, and are similar in construction, embody-
ing each a vertically and horizontally movable former, a vertically movable
folder-carrier supporting a horizontally sliding folder, and means for operating
these parts to fold the work and retain the same under pressure for a period of
time, and then release the work for its removal.
Referring to the drawings,-
1 is a base or standard formed with an internal steam-conduit 2, the ends of
which may be connected with steam-supply pipes 3 3. The upper part of the
base 1 is constructed with a stud or shaft 4, in which the steam-conduit is formed,
and on which is mounted a rotary frame 5. On this frame are mounted two
fixed work-supporting tables 6 6, and the two folding mechanisms. Between
the tables 6 and the central stem 4, the frame 5 is recessed at 7 7 to receive two
folders 8 8, which are given a vertical and horizontal movement, and co-operate
with former-blades 99 in folding the edge of the work. The former-blades 9,
tables 6, and folders 8 have their edges curved to conform to the curvature of
the work.
The former-blade 9 of each folding mechanism is attached to the lower side
of a bar 10 forked at its ends and guided on rods 11 which are secured in vertical
posts 12 on both sides of the machine. Said posts are guided in sockets in the
frame 5, and are normally projected upwardly. by means of springs 13 (Figure 1).
At their lower ends, the posts are connected by a yoke 14, from the middle of
which a hooked plate 15 projects downwardly in position to be engaged by a
treadle-rod 16 mounted in a vertical bearing in the base 1. The depression of
the rod 16 when in engagement with the hooked plate 15 causes the former-
blade 9 to descend upon the work supported on the table 6 and to clamp said
work to the table.

page_text: Pivotally mounted on the posts 12 12, are arms 17 17, having slotted ends
which are engaged by pins 18 on the bar 10 to which the former-blade 9 is
attached. On the hubs of the arms 17, above the latter, are two longer arms 19 20,
interlocking at their ends by means of a slot in the arm 20 occupied by a pin 21
on the arm 19. The arm 20 carries a roler 22, adapted to engage a cam 25
which is formed as a lug on the upper side of a plate 24. Said plate is
clamped to the upper end of the stem, by a plate 25 bolted to said stem, the
hub of the plate 24 engaging a shoulder on the stem. By this arrangement,
the cam 23 operates against the roller 22 when the frame 5 carrying the fold-
ing mechanisms is rotated, causing the interlocked ends of the arms 19 20 to
move outwardly, whereby the former 9 is moved in an outward direction and
is withdrawn from the fold in the work. Springs 26 26 surrounding the rods 11
and interposed between the posts 12 and the ends of the bar 10 operate to return
the former 9 inwardly.
27 is a folder-carrier, occupying the depression or recess 7 in the frame 5 and
supported at the upper ends of two posts 28 28 which extend through sockets 29
29 formed in the frame 5. The upper ends of said sockets are reduced to make a
bearing for the posts, and to form shoulders against which springs 30 30 abut.
The lower ends of these springs are confined by cylindrical nuts 31 31 of a
slightly smaller size than the bore of the sockets 29, and adapted to enter the
latter. The springs exert tension which normally draws the carrier 27 down-
wardly. To the lower ends of the posts 28 is attached a bar 32, by means of
nuts 33 33. The bar is held between the nuts 31 and 33, and its position with
respect to the posts 28 may be changed by adjusting said nuts. When the
rotary frame 5 is turned to bring this side of the apparatus in front of the
operator, the bar 32 comes over the top of a rod 34, which is operated by a
treadle 35. When said treadle is depressed, the rod 34 is projected upwardly
against the bar 32, and thereby raises the carrier 27. On the upper side of
the latter, there is mounted the sliding folder-plate 8, which is shown as guided
by headed screws 36 36 mounted in the carrier 27 and occupying slots 37 37
in the sliding plate, though other suitable mounting may be provided for the
plate. Two springs 38 38 occupying sockets in the folder 8 and abutting against
ears or lips 39 39 attached to the carrier 27 normally project the folder in the
direction of the work-supporting table 6.
40 is a cam-hook formed on the under side of plate 24 and adapted to engage
a roller-stud 41 on the plate 8 when the frame 5 is rotated, in order to retract
said plate when required.
42 42 are release-pins, mounted in sockets 43 43 on the frame 5, and normally
projected upwardly by means of springs 44 44 in said sockets. The pins project
through apertures in the carrier-plate 27, and are arranged to extend into
apertures in the folder 8. The upward movement of the pins is limited, and
their vertical adjustment provided for, by means of lock-nuts 45 46 engaging
the screw-threaded lower ends of the pins. When the plates 27 and 8 are in
their normal depressed positions, shown in Figures 3, 5, and 6, the apertures
in the plates register, and the pins serve to hold the plates from relative
horizontal movement. When, however, the plates are raised by means of the
action of the treadle-rod 34 on the bar 32, these pins are gradually withdrawn
from the apertures in the upper plate or folder 8; and when the plates have
risen a sufficient distance, the folder-plate slides over the tops of the pins, as 1
shall hereinafter explain.
47 is a gage, which may be made in a separate piece and adjustably secured
to the upper side of the folder-plate 8, as shown in Figures 1 to 9, inclusive,
by means of screws 48 48 occupying slots in the gage.
In operating the folding-machine, a piece of work is placed on one of the
tables 6, with its edge against the gage 47, and projecting over the inner edge
of the table, the rotary frame 5 being in such a position that the bar 32 on the
corresponding side of the machine is located directly over the treadle-rod 34,

page_text: and the hooked plate 15 is in position to be engaged by the other treadle-rod 16.
The operator then depresses the treadle, and brings the folder down against
the work, as shown in Figure 6. This movement of the treadle, as hereinafter
more fully explained, also causes the elevation of the plates 27 and 8 from the
position shown in said figure to the position shown in Figure 7. This causes
the folder-plate 8 to rise above the tops of the release-pins 42, and allows the
springs 38 to project said folder toward the clamping member. The point at
which the folder is released depends upon the vertical adjustment of the release-
pins 42, and this is determined by adjusting the nuts 45 46 on the lower ends of
said pins. While the folder is rising, it causes the edge of the work to be bent
up at right angles to the main portion thereof, and then as the folder slips over
the edge of the former 9, it produces the fold, as shown in Figure 7. The former
is then withdrawn to the position shown in Figure 8, by rotating the frame 5.
The tension of the springs 30 causes the folder 8 to be pressed down against
the work, and prevents the latter from being displaced by the withdrawal of
the former-blade. The springs 44 44 permit the release-pins 42 42 to yield
downwardly when the folder 8 is thus projected and exerting a downward com-
pressing action on the material. The parts are left in the position shown in
Figure 8, so as to set the fold, while the operator brings the other side of the
apparatus in front of him. The bar 32 and hooked plate 15 in this movement are
removed from operative relation with the treadle-rods. This same movement
of rotating the table to bring the other side of the apparatus before the operator
causes the release of the piece of work which has been under pressure in the
folding mechanism on said other side. The release is accomplished by means
of a cam 49 with which the under side of each of the bars 32 is provided, coming
in contact with a roller-stud 50 mounted on the base 1. This raises the cam
slightly, so as to relieve the pressure of the folder S upon the fold in the work,
while the cam 40 at the same instant engages the roll 41, and draws the folder
back into its normal position. This operation is shown in Figure 9. The
folded piece may then be removed and a fresh one put in place, and the operation
of folding and pressing the new piece proceeded with as previously described.
The frame 5 is automatically stopped when it reaches its operative position, by
the engagement of the roller-stud 41 on the folder which is about to be called
into operation, with an abutment or tooth 51 projecting from the hub of the
plate 24.
The backward rotation of the frame is prevented by the co-action of
the rear side of the cam-boss 49 on the operative side of the machine, with the
roller-stud 50 on the base 1.
I provide an improved treadle mechanism, by which with the operation of a
single treadle both of the rods 16 and 34 are moved to actuate their respective
mechanisms. 52 represents a lever fulcrumed at 53 to a fixed support and
slotted at its end to engage a pin 54 on the rod 16, and 55 represents a second
lever, fulcrumed at 56 to a fixed support and connected at its end with the
rod 34. The lever 52 is connected by a link 57 attached to the lever between
its fulcrum and its point of connection with the rod 16, with the treadle 35;
and at 58, said lever is provided with a stud projecting laterally over the heel
of the lever 55, and adapted to abut the head of a screw 59 which is capable of
vertical adjustment in the heel of said lever 55 and is adapted to be locked in
place by means of a lock-nut 60. The depression of the treadle 35 causes the
two levers 52 55 to be oscillated in opposite directions, the lever 52 being swung
downwardly and depressing the rod 16, and the lever 55 being swung upwardly
by reason of the engagement of the stud 58 with its heel, thereby elevating the
rod 34. Such depression of the treadle therefore effects the operation of both
the former 9 and the folder 8 when the frame 5 is properly positioned to bring
the hooked plate 15 and cam-boss 49 into operative relation with the two
treadle-rods. The pin-and-slot connection of the lever 52 with the rod 16 com-
pensates for the extra movement which said lever 52 undergoes, and a spring 61
interposed between the lever and a nut 62 on the lower end of the rod 16 restores

page_text: the levers and rods to their normal relation after action. A spring 63 normally
elevates the rod 16.
In order to mark the under surface of a shoe-quarter during the folding opera-
tion above described, I embed in the work-supporting table 6 a number of pins
or marking devices 64 64 arranged in a row and following the proposed line of
stitching in the shoe-quarter. The upper ends of these pins are allowed to
project slightly above the upper surface of the table 6, and are located beneath
the position normally occupied by the former-blade 9, so that when the latter
descends upon the work it presses the work against the ends of the pins 64 64,
and forms a row of marks or indentations upon the under side of the work.
These indentations are shown at 66 in Figure 10, in which 65 represents the shoe-
quarter, and it will be seen that they occupy a place corresponding to the
position of the line of stitching subsequently placed on the shoe-quarter. The
pins 64 64 collectively constitute a marker whose projection above the surface of
the work-supporting table is slight, being insufficient to interfere with the
proper positioning of the former 9 when the work is interposed between said
former and the table.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A folding-machine comprising a base, a frame rotatable thereon, two fold-
ing mechanisms supported by said frame, and each comprising a table rigidly
secured at the outer portion of the frame, and a folder located between the table
and the axis of rotation of the frame, and means for alternately operating the
two folders, substantially as set forth.
2. A folding-machine comprising a base, a frame rotatable thereon, two
tables affixed to the frame at opposite sides of its axis, two folder-carriers
vertically movable between the tables, two folders mounted on said carriers
and movable vertically therewith, the folders being also movable horizontally
over the inner edges of the tables, and means for operating the said carriers
and their folders alternately.
3. A folding-machine comprising a base, a frame rotatable thereon, two
tables rigidly secured to the outer portion of the frame, two folders located
between the tables and the axis of the rotary frame, means for alternately actuat-
ing said folders to fold pieces of material, and means operated by the rotation
of the table, for alternately retracting said folders to release the folded pieces.
4. A folding-machine comprising a work-supporting table, a former, a verti-
cally movable spring-depressed folder-carrier, means for elevating said carrier,
a horizontally movable folder mounted on said carrier and having its upper edge
normally flush with the work-supporting table, the work initially overlapping
said upper edge, and means for operating said folder.
5. A folding-machine comprising a vertically movable folder-carrier and
means for actuating the same, a folder mounted on said carrier, a spring nor-
mally projecting said folder in the direction of the work, means adapted to
restrain the folder during a portion of an upward movement of the carrier and
to release the folder during a subsequent portion of said movement and allow
the same to be projected to fold the work, and means for positively retracting
the folder.
6. A folding-machine comprising a vertically movable folder-carrier and
means for operating the same, a spring-projected horizontally-movable folder
mounted on said carrier means adapted to restrain the folder during a portion
of an upward movement of the carrier and to release the folder during a subse-
quent portion of said movement, and provisions for adjusting said means to
vary the point of release.
7. A folding-machine comprising a frame, a folder-carrier vertically movable
thereon, means for operating said carrier, a spring-projected horizontally-mov-

page_text: able folder mounted on said carrier, release-pins yieldingly attached to the
frame and adapted to engage the folder to prevent its projection during a portion
of an upward movement of the carrier and to release the folder during a subse-
quent portion of said movement, and means for vertically adjusting said pins.
8. A folding-machine comprising a frame, two tables rigidly secured thereto,
two vertically movable spring-depressed folder-carriers, means for elevating the
two folders mounted on said carriers and movable horizontally toward and
away from each other, means for automatically projecting each folder away
from the other after a predetermined upward movement of its carrier, and means
for retracting the folders.
same,
9. In a machine of the character specified, a former-blade, a folder adapted to
co-operate therewith in folding the, work, two parts movable in opposite directions
to operate said former-blade and folder, respectively, two pivotal levers engaged
with the respective parts, one of said levers being pivoted intermediate its ends
and the other having provision intermediate its ends for engaging the heel of
the first said lever, and a treadle connected with the second said lever, said
treadle when depressed moving the part-engaging ends of the two levers in
opposite directions.
10. In a machine of the character specified, a work-supporting table, mech-
anism for folding the edge of a piece of work supported on said table, and a
device co-operating with said mechanism for marking one side of the work, so
supported.
11. In a machine of the character specified, a work-supporting table, mech-
anism for folding the edge of a piece of work supported on said table, said
mechanism including a member adapted to descend upon the work so supported,
and a marker located so as to be underneath the work and adapted to co-operate
with said member in marking the under side of the work.
12. In a machine of the character specified, a work-supporting table, a clamp-
ing member adapted to descend upon and clamp the work to the table, said mem-
ber having a former around which the edge of the work is folded, and a marker
projecting above the surface of the table and adapted to co-operate with said
clamping member in marking the under side of the work.
13. In a machine of the character specified, a work-supporting table, mech-
anism for folding the edge of a piece of work supported on said table, and a
device co-operating with said mechanism for marking one side of the work so
supported, said device consisting of a series of pins embedded in the table
with their ends projecting above the surface thereof.
Dated this 10th day of May 1900.
N. HAYWARD,
Per Samuel Hey,
Agent.