IMPROVEMENTS IN NAILING MACHINES FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WOODEN PACKING CASES OR BOXES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Myers, of the City and State of New York,
United States of America, now of 8, Southampton Buildings, London, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN NAILING MACHINES FOR USE IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF WOODEN PACKING CASES OR BOXES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Myers at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th January 1882.
FREDERICK MYERS of the City and State of New York United States of
America now of 8 Southampton Buildings London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN NAILING
MACHINES FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WOODEN PACKING CASES OR
BOXES."
This Invention relates to improvements in the class of nailing machines for use
in the manufacture of wooden packing cases or boxes described in the Specification
of former Letters Patent dated September 1st, A.D. 1880 No. 3555 and February
24th, A.D. 1881 No. 795.
With such machines as heretofore constructed, great difficulty is experienced in
effecting the proper nailing of the sides to the ends of a box when such sides are
of considerable length by reason of the fact that the workman or operator is unable
to reach the farthermost end of the side piece and is therefore unable to properly
adjust the said end with respect to the end-piece placed and resting against the
back-plate of the machine. It therefore frequently happens that the said side piece
is placed in the wrong position with respect to the said end-piece and that the said
pieces are therefore irregularly nailed together. According to one part of my
Invention, however, I obviate these difficulties as follows that is to say :-I attach
to the front of the table of the machine a bracket or lug upon or in which is
arranged to slide vertically an adjustable T-piece or arm which I term a sup-
porting gauge. This gauge is provided with a vertical slot through which passes
a set screw that screws into the said bracket, and by the tightening of which the

page_text: said gauge may after being adjusted be secured in the desired position. This gauge,
prior to the commencement of the nailing operations, is so adjusted and set that its
upper edge is on a level or nearly on a level, with the upper edge of the piece to
form the end of the box or case, when the said pieco is placed against the back-
plate of the machine. It follows, therefore, that in order to place the piece or pieces
of wood to form the side of the box or case in proper position with respect to the
said end-piece, all that is necessary is to place the said piece or pieces on the upper
surface of the end piece of the box or case and upon the upper edge of the said
gauge and to force them forward into contact with the back-plate when they will
occupy the proper position for the nails to be driven. In order however to ensure
the outer edge of the wood to form the side of the box, being in line, with the
vertical edge or side of the pieco to form the end of the box or case and resting
against the back-plate I preferably form horizontal slots in the upper part of the
aforesaid gauge. In each of these slots I arrange a sliding piece or stop which is
hold in any desired position therein by a set screw. Each of these stops is so
adjusted as to be in line with a stop upon the back-plate or upon the bar which
supports the nail-boxes and against which the vertical edge of the end-piece
is forced. It follows therefore that if the end-piece is properly forced against its
stop and the piece or pieces to form the side of the box or case are forced forward
against the back-plate and side wise into contact with the said stops that the side
of the box must be brought into the proper position relatively to the end-pieco for
the nails to be driven by the descent of the nail-drivers.
According to this Invention, also, I dispenso with the driving shaft heretofore
employed for imparting motion to a loose gear-wheel fixed upon the main shaft
carrying the excentrics for operating tho cross-head whercon tho punches, plungers
or nail-drives are fixed, and arrange upon the said main shaft in place of the said
--loose-gear-wheel a loose pulley which is driven directly by a belt from the sourco
of motive power. This loose pulley is arranged in. combination with a gib or
clutch similar to that described in the former Specification first herein referred-to;-
which clutch is adapted to be thrown into and out of gear with the said pulley by
the depression of a treadle in a similar manner to that therein described.
In order to counteract the sudden downward movement of the excentrics upon
the said main shaft and the cross-head connected with the said excentrics and thus
prevent the downward movement of the said cross-head after a series of nails have
been driven and the loose pulley disengaged from the mainshaft, I fix upon the
latter a counterweight which is diametrically opposite to that portion of the said
excentrics which controls or governs the extremne movements of the cross-head.
By this means I ensure, when the treadle is released and the pulley on the main
shaft is thrown out of gear with the said shaft, the stoppage of the said cross-head
and the nail drivers or punches connected therewith, in their highest position.
Another part of this Invention relates to improved devices for facilitating the
nailing of strips or cleats of wood upon the picces which are to form the parts of
a box or case so as to connect the said pieces. The object of this part of the said
Invention is to provide means whereby two rows of nails may be driven in each
of the cleats in such a manner that the nails in one row will be out of line with,
and between, those in the other row. For this purpose I attach to the table of the
machine whereon the pieces of wood to form a part of a box are placed, a series of
guide plates or pieces. Each of these guide-plates is provided with a slot through
which passes a set screw whereby the said plates may be secured or clamped
to the table; by loosening the sot screws the guide-plates may be adjusted towards
or from each other to suit the different sizes of the pieces of wood whereon the
cleats are to be nailed. In order to provide for a greater capability of adjustment.
of the guide plates than that allowed by the said slots, I provide a series of tapped
or screw-threaded holes in the table in connection with each set screw so that by
removing the said screw from one of the said holes to another, provision is made
for the adjustment of the said guide-plates irrespective of that allowed by the slots
therein. I prefer to use three of the said guide-plates one of which is arranged

page_text: at each side of that part of the table wheroon the pieces of wood to form a part of
a box are placed, and one at the front of the said table. Before commencing the
nailing operations the side guide-plates hereinafter termed the right and left hand
guide plates are so adjusted that their distance apart is somewhat greater than the
width of the pieces of wood to form the part of the box and the front guide is so
adjusted that the distance between the same and the back-plate of tho machine is
somewhat greater than the length of the said pieces of wood. The method of
operating with these dovices is as follows, that is to say:-The piecos of wood to
form the part of the box are placed upon the table of the machino between the
aforesaid guide-plates and are first pressed bodily into contact with the right hand
guide plate and the back-plate of the machine. A strip or cleat is then placod
upon the said pieces of wood and the nail punches or drivers are caused to descend
and drive a row of nails through the said cleat and pieces of wood. The said
picces with the cleat thereon, are then moved bodily away from the back-plate
sidewise and into contact with the left hand and front guide-plates when the nail-
drivers aro again caused to descend and drive a second row of nails, and by reason
of the previous adjustment of the cleat and pieces of wood attached thereto away
from the back plate and side wise, this second row of nails will be out of line with
the first row and each nail of the said second row will be between, or equi-distant
from, cach two nails of the first row. I am thus enabled to nail cleats upon tho
pieces of wood to form the parts of a box in a very secure and regular manner and
very rapidly.
Another part of this Invention relates to an improved device to be attached to
the back plate of a nailing machine when the same is to be used for nailing the
sides of a box to what are termed made-up ends, that is to say, ends which consist
of a frame formed of narrow strips or cleats of wood upon which thin boards aro
nailed to fill up the space in the said frame. This device is intended to be used in
place of the bar supported by screws in slotted standards bolted to the table of the
machine as described in the Specification of the aforesaid former Letters Patent
No. 795 and consists of a bar or rest which is secured directly to the back plate
of the machine by bolts and nuts passing through vertical slots in extensions of
the said bar or rest. This bar, when secured in position, projects from the said back
plate so that the cleat or projecting strip on the box end may be readily placed
and supported thereon during the nailing operation and the crushing of the box
end by the descent of the nail drivers and cross-head thus prevented. The afore-
said slots in the extensions of the supporting bar enable the same to bo raised or
lowered to suit different sized ends when the machino is employed for making
boxes or cases of various dimensions. When solid ends are to be nailed to the
sides the said bar or rest is removed. In some cases the said bar or rest may be
attached to the side frames of the machine instead of to the back plate and in
either case may be made to yield by any suitable means to allow for variations in
the thickness of the parts to be nailed together.
When it is desired to nail the two sides to the ends of a box upon a single
machine, great difficulty has heretofore been experienced from the fact that after
one side has been nailed to the ends the adjustment of some part of the machine
must be made so as to vary the distance between the upper surface of the table
and the nail boxes to ensure the proper driving of the nails and prevent the
crushing of the box when the second side is to be nailed on. This adjustinent is
necessitated by reason of the difference in the height of the upper surface of the
said piece when placed against the back plate for the first side to be nailed thereto
and when placed in position for the second side to be nailed thereto this difference
amounting to the thickness of the first side nailed on. It will be seen therefore.
that under ordinary circumstances the machine must be adjusted each time a side
is nailed on if such sides are to be nailed on consecutively. To obviate this
difficulty however I pivot to one end of the table of the machine and adjacent to
the back plate thereof, a bar or strip, preferably of wood, which bar is of the same
thickness or depth as that of each side of the box to be nailed upon the end pieces.

page_text: and may be readily pulled forward away from the said back plate and swung back
on its pivot. In operating with this device I so adjust the machine as to adapt
the same under ordinary circumstances to nail on the second side of the box and
when the first side of a box is to be nailed upon the ends I bring the aforesaid bar
or strip into contact with the back plate of the machine and place the lower edge
of the end piece thereon and nail on the first side. When however the second side
is to be nailed on, I throw the aforesaid strip or bar back and allow the first side of
the box to rest directly upon the table of the machine. It will thus be seen that
the strip practically compensates for the difference in the height of the end
piece from the table caused by the nailing on of the first side and therefore
that no adjustment of the machine is necessary during the nailing on of both of
the sides.
Instead of arranging the said strip or piece to be moved by hand, the same may
be actuated by a treadle, or automatically, during the working of the machine.
Another part of this Invention relates to the provision of means whereby I am
enabled to nail boxes whose sides, bottom, and top project slightly over the end or
ends of the said boxes so as to protect show cards, labels, or other printed matter
upon tho said end or ends. For this purpose I cut away the upper portion of the
back plate of the machine and form in the same a groove or recess in which is freo
to slide a plate or bar. The front surface of this bar, when in its normal position, is
flush with the corresponding surface of the said back plate to enable boxes of
ordinary construction to be nailed upon the machine, but if it is desired to nail
boxes so that they have the projecting sides, bottom, and top, as above stated the
suid plate or bar is withdrawn from the back plate so that the projecting edge of
the side, bottom, or top of the box or case will extend beyond the end and
over the aforesaid groove or recess in the upper portion of the back plate, or in
other words into contact with the vertical wall or side of the cut away portion of
the said back-plate..
Another part of this Invention relates to the provision of means whereby the
position of the nail-boxes and the nail-punches or drivers may be adjusted to
ensure the driving of the nails in the desired position in any thickness of boards.
For this purpose I support the bar which carries tho nail-boxes, in brackets or
arms which are adjustable upon the side frames of the machine, the said brackets
or arms being provided with slots through which pass bolts whereby the said arms
may be readily secured in the desired position. To enable the nail punches or
drivers to follow the movements of the nail-boxes during their adjustment, I
provide the said punches with a circular head whose axis is eccentric to that of the
punches and is free to turn in a suitable recess in the cross-head of the machine, so
that as the said nail-boxes are moved in or out; the punches will move with the
same by reason of their excentricity with regard to their circular head which
simply turns in the said cross-licad.
Another part of this Invention relates to the combination with a nailing machine
of the class above specified, of devices whereby the pieces of wood to form a box
or case may be supported in such a position that the nails when driven therein,
will be on an incline or at any desired angle with respect to the exterior of the
box or case so as to increase the holding power of the said nails. This part of the
said Invention also comprises apparatus whereby the nail-boxes and the nail
plungers or drivers may be adjusted into the proper position with respect to the
parts of the box or case to be nailed so that although the nails are in all cases
driven vertically by the nail drivers they will, by reason of the inclination
of the material or parts to be nailed together, be forced into the same on
any incline or angularly. By supporting such material however on a horizontal
plane, the machine may be arranged to drive the nails vertically therein in the
ordinary manner.
In carrying this part of the said Invention into practice I employ, in combination
with the main cross-head of the machine, an auxiliary cross-head which is suitably
pivoted to the suid main crosshead and may be turned or canted thereon in either

page_text: direction as desired. The said auxiliary cross-head is held in the desired position
relatively to the main cross-head by bolts and nuts, or by screws passing through
the latter and through segmental slots formed in the said auxiliary cross-head.
To the latter the nail drivers plungers or punches are attached as hereinafter
described.
The nail-boxes are attached, preferably by set screws, to a bar which may be
moved up and down and tilted or canted to the desired inclination within slots
formed in the end-frames of the machine so as to bring the nail boxes parallel to
the surface of the material or parts of the box or case to be nailed. The slotted
portions of the said frames are provided with a series of holes or apertures through
which, and a slot in each end of the said bar, a set screw or bolt may be passed to
hold the same at the desired angle or inclination, that is to say, at the samo
inclination as that occupied by the aforesaid auxiliary cross-head to which tho
nail-drivers are connectod.
To support the end pieco or pieces and the sido or sides of the box or case at the
desired angle with respect to the table of the machine during the nailing operations,
I attach to the said table suitable brackets or standards to which are pivotted
supporting plates against which the end piece or the end piece and side or sides
rest. These standards or brackets may be adjusted laterally upon the said table to
adapt them to the manufacture of boxes or cases of various sizes, and the supporting
plates may be inclined according to the angle at which it is desired that the nails
should be driven. The said plates aro preferably secured in position by means of
set screws passing through slotted ears or lugs on the said plates and entering
screw-threaded or tapped holes in the brackets or standards. The back plate of
this machine is formed in two parts, the upper part being pivotted to the lower
part in such a manner that its upper surface may be brought parallel with the
under surface of the nail boxes to ensure the proper adjustment of the parts of the
box to be nailed together. In order to connect the heads of the nail punches,
plungers, or drivers to the auxiliary cross-head I proceed as follows, that is to say-
I form the lower portion of the said cross-head somewhat arch-shaped and insert
therein a round rod or bar which is cut away upon one side so as to provide a flat
face thereon. This rod is provided lengthwise with a series of indentations or
teeth, which, when the said rod is turned for the purpose hereinafter described, fit
over the upper end of the nail-drivers which project slightly above the upper
surface of the heads of the said drivers.
It
The operation of these devices is as follows, that is to say. When it is desired to
adjust the auxiliary cross-head to any desired angle the aforesaid rod is turned so
that its indentations pass out of line with the rounded upper ends of the nail
drivers and so that the flattened portion of the said rod is opposite the same.
follows therefore that the heads of the drivers are froe to move end wise upon
projections on the lower arch-shaped portion of the cross-head and to adapt
themselves to any movements given to the nail boxes. When, however, the said
nail boxes and the bar carrying the same are adjusted to the desired position and
the punches properly placed with respect to the same, the aforesaid flattened rod is
turned and one of its notches engages with the rounded end of each nail driver and
thus prevents any distortion or misplacement of the same which might occur by
reason of the inclination of the auxiliary cross-head whereon the heads of the nail-
drivers are arranged to slide providing the said heads were left loose thereon.
If it is desired that the nails should be driven vertically within the box or case
with this arrangement of devices, the aforesaid auxiliary cross-head and the nail-
box carrying bar are adjusted into a horizontal position and the supporting plates
are removed from the table so that the material or parts will rest upon the
horizontal surface of the same when placed in position to be nailed. The machine
will then operate to drive the nails vertically within the wood in the ordinary
manner. As it is not necessary that the nail drivers should then be fixed upon the
auxiliary cross head but should preferably be free to slide thereon I turn the
aforesaid flattened bar so that its flat surface is above the rounded end of the nail

page_text: drivers, thus enabling the heads of the same to be freely slid lengthwise upon the
said cross-head. In this case the said heads aro preferably made of reduced depth
so that the upper or pressure receiving surface of the same will be directly in
contact with the under surface of the arch-shaped portion of the auxiliary cross-
head.
E
In some cases, instead of so arranging the hardened steel nail guides within the
nail boxes that they move outward to the front and the rear when the nail is being
driven and instead of providing a spring at the front and rear of the nail box to
retain the said guides in position as described in the Specification of the former
Letters Patent first hereinbefore referred to, I arrange the said guides to move 1
laterally within the said nail boxes and attach the springs to the sides of the said
boxes so as to retain the guides in place.
I prefer, however, to retain the said nail guides in place within the nail boxes by
means of an india-rubber or elastic band which passes entirely around each of the
said nail boxes and around the outer ends of the nail guides and tends to constantly 1
force the same inward whilst, at the same time, it permits their free outward
movement on the descent of the plunger to drive the nail.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Frederick Myers in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th July
1882.
FREDERICK MYERS, of the City and State of Now York, United States of
5 Amorica, now of 8 Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN NAILING
MACHINES FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WOODEN PACKING CASES OR
BOXES."
My Invention relates to improvements in that class of nailing machines, for use
in the manufacture of wooden packing cases or boxes, described in the Specification
of former Lottors Patent dated September 1st A.D. 1880 No. 3555 and February 24th
A.D. 1881 No. 795.
My said Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings in which :-
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a nailing machine of the class above referred to,
with the nail-feeding devices, the tubes into which the nails are fed, the nail-
drivers and the nail-boxes, removed, and representing the adaptation to the said
machine of means for ensuring the proper presentation of the wood to form the
sides of a box to the wood to form the ends of the same, when such sides are of
considerable length, as hereinafter described.
Figure 2 is a side elevation, partly in soction, of tho said machine,
Figures 3 and 4 are plans of the table of a nailing machine provided with
improved devices for facilitating the nailing of strips or cloats of wood upon the
picces which are to form parts of a box as hereinafter described, the back plate in
these views being shown in section.
Figure 5 is a front elevation, and,
Figure 6 a side elevation of portions of a nailing machine showing the back plate
of the same provided with means for facilitating the nailing of box sidos upon what
are termed mado-up ends.
Figure 7 is a plan of the table of the machine provided with means whereby the
two sides of a box may bo rapidly nailed upon the ends in a single machine.
Figure 8 is a front elevation, and,
Figures 9 and 10 are side elevations of portions of a nailing machine whose
back plate is provided with a sliding plate or box for the purpose hereinafter
described.
Figure 11 is an elevation of a portion of one of the side frames of the machine
provided with means whereby the position of the bar which carries the nail-boxes
may bo readily adjusted to ensure the driving of the nails in the desired position
in any thickness of boards.
Figuro 12 is a sido clevation of the lower portion of the cross head with a nail
driver or punch so supported therein that it will movo automatically to adapt itself
to any movement of the nail-box, into which its lower end projects.
Figure 13 is an underside view of the said nail-driver.
Figure 14 is a front elevation of a nailing machine provided with means whereby
the pieces of wood to form a box or case are supported in such a position that the
nails, when driven therein, will be on an incline or at any desired angle with respect
to the exterior of the box or case, and whereby the nail-boxes and the nail-drivers
may be adjusted into the proper position with respect to the parts of the box or
case to be nailed, as hereinafter described.
Figures 15 and 16 are transverse sections of a portion of the auxiliary cross-
head of the said machine and the devices for supporting, or both supporting and
retaining, the nail-drivers thereon.
Figure 17 is a section of the upper end of the nail-driver on a plane at right
angles to that of Figures 15 and 16.
Figure 18 is a plan or top view of the flattened and serrated rod hereinafter
described

page_text: Figure 19 is an underside view of one of the nail-boxes provided with means for
retaining the nail-guides in the proper position.
Some of the above named Figures are drawn to a larger scale than others.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawings.
With machines of the class above referred to, as heretofore constructed, great
difficulty is experienced in effecting the proper nailing of the sides to the ends of a
box, when such sides are of considerable length, because the workman or operator
is unable to reach the farthermost end of the side piece, and is, therefore, unable to
properly adjust the said end with respect to the end-piece placed, and resting, against
the back-plate of the machine.-It therefore frequently happens that the side piece is
placed in the wrong position with respect to the end-piece, and that the side and
end pieces are consequently irregularly nailed together. According to one part of
my Invention however I obviate these difficulties by the devices illustrated in
Figures 1 and 2, in which a a represent the side frames or standards of the
machine, and 6 the main shaft supported in suitable bearings on the said standards.
c is the cross-head which carries the nail-drivers, or plungers d, and e is the bar
whereon the nail-boxes, into which the lower ends of the said plungers fit, are
secured. is the table whereon the pieces of wood to be nailed together are placed
and is the screw for adjusting the same vertically to suit boxes of different
dimensions. g is the back-plate against which the ends of the box are placed in
the nailing operations.
I attach to the front of the table f of the machine a bracket or lug f* upon or
within which is arranged to slide vertically an adjustable T-piece or arm / which I
term a supporting gauge. This gauge is provided with a vertical slot h' and
through the said slot passes a set-screw which screws into tho said bracket and
by the tightening of which the said gauge, after being adjusted, may be secured in
the desired position. This gauge, prior to the commencement of the nailing
--operations, is so adjusted and set that its upper edge is on, or nearly on, a level with
the upper edge of the picce to-form-the-end of the box or case, when the said piece
is placed against the back-plate g of the machine. It follows, therefore, that in
order to place the piece or pieces of wood to form the side of the box or case in
proper position with respect to the end-piece, all that is necessary is to place the
side piece or pieces on the upper surface of the end piece of the box or case and
upon the upper edge of the said gauge, and to force them into contact with the
back-plate g when they will occupy the proper position for the nails to be driven.
In order, however, to ensure the outer edge of the wood to form the side of the
box being in line with the vertical edge or side of the piece to form the end of the
box or case, and resting against the back-plate, I preferably form horizontal slots h³
in the upper part of the aforesaid gauge h. In each of these slots I arrange a
sliding piece or stop which is held in any desired position therein by a set-screw h³.
Each of these stops is so adjusted as to be in line with a stop upon the back-
plate g or upon the bar e which supports the nail-boxes, and against which the
vertical edge of the end-piece is forced. It follows therefore that, if the end-piece
is properly forced against its stop, and the piece or pieces to form the side of the
box or case are forced against the back-plate and sidewise into contact with one
stop h, the side of the box must be in the proper position relatively to the end-
piece for the nails to be driven by the descent of the nail-drivers-I prefer to
employ two of the stops h' so that, when one side has been nailed to one end of
the box by the adjustment of one edge of the side into contact with one stop h
the said edge may be brought against the other stop in nailing the side to the other
end, so that the edge of the side will in both cases be flush with the adjacent edges
of the two end pieces of the box.
According to this part of my said Invention also, I dispense with the driving
shaft heretofore employed for imparting motion to a loose gear-wheel fixed upon
the main shaft carrying the excentrics for operating the cross-head whereon the
punches, plungers, or nail-drivers are fixed, and I arrange upon the main shaft b, in
place of the said loose gear-wheel a loose pulley i which is driven directly by a

page_text: belt from the source of motive power. This loose pulley is provided with studs or
pins ' arranged in combination with a sliding gib or clutch j similar to that
described in the former Specification first herein referred to, which clutch is
adapted to be thrown into and out of gear with the said pulley by the depression
of a treadle in a similar manner to that therein described.
In order to counteract the sudden downward movement of the excentrics b¹ upon
the said main shaft and the cross head c connected with the said excentrics, and
thus provent the downward movement of the said cross-head after a series of nails
have been driven and the loose pulley i disengaged from the main shaft b, I fix
upon the latter a counter-weight k which is diametrically opposite to that portion
of the said excentrics which controls or governs the extreme movements of the
cross head. By this means I ensure, when the treadlo is released and the pulley i
on the main shaft is thrown out of gear with the said shaft, the stoppage of the
said cross-head and the nail drivers or punches & connected therewith in their
highest position.
Another part of this Invention, which is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 of the
Drawings, relates to improved devices for facilitating the nailing of strips or cleats
of wood upon tho pieces which are to form the parts of a box or case, so as to
connect the said pieces. The object of this part of the said Invention is to provide
means whereby two rows of nails may be driven in each of the cleats in such a
manner that the nails in one row will be out of line with, and between those in
the other row. For this purpose I attach to the table of the machine, whereon
the pieces of wood to form a part of a box are placed, a series of guide-plates or
pieces as shewn at 12. Each of these guide-plates is provided with a slot
through which passes a set-screw *, whereby the said plates may be secured or
clamped to the table; by loosening the set screws the said guide-plates may be
adjusted towards or from each other to suit the different sizes of the pieces of wood
whereon the cleats are to be nailed. In order to provide for a greater capability
of adjustment of the guide-plates than that allowed by the said slots, I
provide a series of tapped or screw-threaded holes in the table in connection
with each set-screw so that, by removing the set-screw from one of the said
holes to another, provision is made for the adjustment of the said guide-plates
irrespective of that allowed by the slots therein. I prefer to use three of the said
guide-plates one of which is arranged at each side of that part of the tablo whereon
the pieces of wood are placed and one at the front of the said tablo as shown..
Before commencing the nailing operations, the guide-plates are so adjusted that
their distance apart is somewhat greater than the width of the pieces of wood to form
the part of the box, and the front guide-plate is so adjusted that the distance between
the same and the back plate g of the machine is somewhat greater than the length
of the said pieces of wood. The method of operating with these devices is as follows,
that is to say-The pieces of wood to form the part of the box are placed upon
the table of the machino between the aforesaid guide-plates and are first pressed
bodily into contact with plate and the back-plate g of the machine, as shown in
Figure 3. A strip or cleat is then placed upon the said pieces of wood and the
nail-punches or drivers are caused to descend and drive a row of nails through the
said cleat and pieces of wood, as shown at 1 in Figure 3. The said pieces, with
the cleat thereon, are then moved bodily away from the back-plate g sidewise, and
into contact with the guide-plates, as shewn in Figure 4, when the nail-drivers
are again caused to descend and drive a second row of nails, as shewn at 2, and by
reason of the previous adjustment of the cleat and pieces of wood attached thereto.
away from the back-plate and sidewise, this second row of nails will be out of line
with the first row, and each nail of the said second row will be between, or equi-
distant from, each two nails of the first row, as shown in Figure 4. I am thus
enabled to nail cleats upon the pieces of wood to form the parts of a box in a very
secure and regular manner and very rapidly.
Another part of this Invention, which is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, relates
to an improved device to be attached to the back-plate of a nailing machine when .

page_text: the same is to be used for nailing the sides of a box to what are termed "made-up
ends," that is to say, ends which consist of a frame formed of narrow strips or
cleats of wood upon which thin boards are nailed to fill up the space in the said
frame. This device is intended to be used in place of the bar supported by screws
in slotted standards bolted to the table of the machine as described in the Specifi-
cation of the aforesaid former Letters Patent No. 795 and consists of a bar or
rest m which is secured directly to the back-plate g of the machine by bolts and
nuts m passing through vertical slots m² in extensions m² of the said bar or rest.
This bar, when secured in position, projects from the said back-plate so that the
cleat or projecting strip on the box end may be readily placed and supported
thereon, as shown in Figure 6, during the nailing operation, and the crushing of the
box end by the descent of the nail drivers and cross-head is thus prevented. The
aforesaid slots m² in the extensions of the supporting bar enable the same to be
raised or lowered to suit different sized ends, when the machine is employed for
making boxes or cases of various dimensions. When solid ends are to be nailed to
the sides, the said bar or rest is removed. In some cases the said bar or rest may
be attached to the side frames of the machine instead of to the back-plate, and in
either case may be made to yield by any suitable means to allow for variations in
the thickness of the parts to be nailed together. When it is desired to nail the
two sides to the ends of a box upon a single machine, great difficulty has heretofore
been experienced from the fact that, after one side has been nailed to the ends, the
adjustment of some part of the machine must be made so as to vary the distance
between the upper surface of the table and the nail-boxes to ensure the proper
driving of-the-nails and prevent the crushing of the box when the second side is to
be nailed on.
This adjustment is necessitated by reason of the difference in the
height of the upper surface of the end piece when placed against the back-plate for
the first side to be nailed thereto, and when placed in position for the second side to
be nailed thereto, this difference amounting to the thickness of the first side nailed
on. It will be seen therefore that under ordinary circumstances the machine must
be adjusted each time a side is nailed on, if such sides are to be nailed on consecu-
tively. To obviate this difficulty, however, I pivot to one end of the table ƒ of.
the machine, and adjacent to the back-plate thereof, a bar or strip n (see Figure 7)
preferably of wood, which bar is of the same thickness or depth as that of each side
of the box to be nailed upon the end pieces, and may be readily pulled forward
away from the said back-plate and swung back on its pivot.
In operating with this device, I so adjust the machine as to adapt the same
under ordinary circumstances, to nail on the second side of the box, and when the
first side of a box is to be nailed upon the ends I bring the aforesaid bar or strip n
into contact with the back-plate of the machine and place the lower edge of the
end piece thereon, and nail on the first side.-When, however, the second side is
to be nailed on I throw the aforesaid strip or bar n back and allow the first sido
of the box to rest directly upon the table of the machine. It will thus be seen
that the strip n practically compensates for the difference in the height of the end
piece from the table caused by the nailing on of the first side, and that, therefore,
no adjustment of the machine is necessary during the nailing on of both of the
sides.
Instead of arranging the said strip or piece to be moved by hand, the same may
be actuated by a treadle, or automatically; during the working of the machine.
Another part of this Invention which is illustrated in Figures 8, 9, and 10 of the
Drawings relates to the provision of means whereby I am enabled to nail boxes
whose sides, bottom, and top project slightly over the end or ends of the said boxes
so as to protect show-cards labels or other printed matter upon the said end or
ends. For this purpose I cut away the upper portion of the back-plate g of the
machine and form in the same a groove or recess gl in which is free to slide a
plate or bar o. The front surface of this bar when in its normal position, is flush
with the corresponding surface of the said back-plate, as shewn in Figure 9, to
enable boxes of ordinary construction to be nailed upon the machine, but, if it is

page_text: desired to nail boxes so that they have the projecting sides, bottom and top as
above stated, the said plate or bar is withdrawn from the back-plate so that the
projecting edge of the side, bottom or top of the box or case will extend beyond
the end and over the aforesaid groove or recess g' in the upper portion of the
back-plate g, as shown in Figure 10, or, in other words, into contact with the
vertical wall or side of the grooved portion of the said back-plate.
Another part of this Invention, which is illustrated in Figures 11, 12, and 13,
relates to the provision of means whereby the position of the nail-boxes and the
nail-punches or drivers may be adjusted to ensure the driving of the nails in the
desired position in any thickness of boards. For this purpose I support the bar e
which carries the nail-boxes, in brackets, or arms p which are adjustable upon the
side frames a of the machine, the said brackets or arms being provided with slots
through which pass bolts p' whereby the said arms may be readily secured in the
desired position. To enable the nail-punches or drivers d to follow the movements
of the nail-boxes during their adjustment upon the bar e, I provide the said punches
with a circular head d whose axis is excentric to that of the punches, and which
is free to turn in a suitable recess in the cross-head c of the inachine, so that, as
the said nail-boxes are moved in or out, the punches will move with the same by
reason of their excentricity with regard to their circular head d* which simply
turns in the said cross-head.
Another part of this Invention, which is illustrated in Figures 14 to 18 of the
Drawings, relates to the combination, with a nailing machine of the class above
specified, of devices whereby the pieces of wood to form a box or case may bo
supported in such a position that the nails when driven therein will be on an
incline, or at any desired angle with respect to the exterior of the box or case, so as
to increase the holding power of the said nails. This part of the said Invention
also comprises apparatus whereby the nail-boxes and the nail-plungers or drivers
may be adjusted into the proper position with respect to the parts of the box or
case to be nailed, so that, although tho nails are in all cases driven vertically by
the nail-drivers, they will, by reason of the inclination of the material or parts to
be nailed together, be forced into the same on an incline or angularly. By sup-
porting such material, however, on a horizontal plane the machine may be arranged
to drive the nails vertically therein in the ordinary manner.
In carrying this part of the said Invention into practice, I employ in combina-
tion with the main cross-head c of the machine, an auxiliary cross-head which
is suitably pivoted to the said main cross-head at q* and may be turned or
canted thereon in either direction as desired. The said auxiliary cross-head q is
held in the desired position relatively to the main cross-head c, by bolts and nuts q',
or by screws passing through the main cross-head and through segmental slots
formed in the said auxiliary cross-head. To the latter the nail-drivers, plungers,
or punches, & are attached as hereinafter described.
The nail-boxes r are attached, preferably by set screws r, to the bar e', which
may be moved up and down and tilted or canted to the desired inclination within
slots formed in the end-frames a of the machine, so as to bring the said nail-boxes
parallel to the surface of the material or parts of the box or case to be nailed. The
slotted portions of the said frames are provided with a series of holes or apertures
through which, and through a slot in each end of the said bar a set-screw or bolt a*
may be passed to hold the same at the desired angle or inclination, that is to say,
at the same inclination as that occupied by the aforesaid auxiliary cross-head q to
which the nail-drivers are connected.
To support the end piece or pieces and the side or sides of the box or case at
the desired angle with respect to the table of the machine during the nailing
operations, I attach to the said table the brackets or standards 8 8¹ to which are
pivoted supporting plates 883 against which the end piece, or the end piece and
side or sides rest. These standards or brackets may be adjusted laterally upon the
said table to adapt them to the manufacture of boxes or cases of various sizes, and
the supporting plates ³ ³ may be inclined according to the angle at which it is

page_text: ---
desired the nails should be driven. The said plates 8² 83 are preferably secured in
position by means of set-screws 8 passing through slotted ears or lugs 8³ on the
said plates and entering screw-threaded or tapped holes in the brackets or standards
88 The back-plate of this machine is formed in two parts g¹ g², the upper part g
being pivoted to the lower part at g³ in such a manner that its upper surface may
be brought parallel with the under surface of the nail-boxes to ensure the proper
adjustment of the parts of the box to be nailed together.
In order to connect the heads of the nail-punches, plungers, or drivers to the
auxiliary cross-head q, I proceed as follows, that is to say:-I form the lower
portion of the said cross-head somewhat arch-shaped and insert therein a round
rod or bar t which is cut away upon one side so as to provide a flat face thereon as
shewn at.t. This rod is provided lengthwise with a series of indentations or
grooves &³, which, when the said rod is turned for the purpose hereinafter described,
fit over the upper end of the nail-drivers & which project slightly above the upper
surface of the heads d' of the said drivers, as shewn in Figuro 15.
The operation of theso devices is as follows, that is to say:-When it is desired
to adjust the auxiliary cross-head q to any desired angle, the rod t is turned so that
its indentations & pass out of line with the rounded upper ends of the nail-drivers d
and so that the flattened portion t' of the said rod is opposite the same. It follows,
therefore, that the heads of the drivers are free to move endwise upon projections q²
on the lower arch-shaped portion of the cross head 9 and to adapt themselves to
- any movements given to the nail boxes r. When, however, the said nail-boxes
and the bar e carrying the same are adjusted to the desired position, and the
punches properly placed with respect to the same, the aforesaid Hattened rod t is
turned and one of its grooves or indentations engages with the-rounded end of
cach nail-driver d and thus prevents any distortion or misplacement of the same,
which might occur by reason of the inclination of the auxiliary cross head,
whercon the heads d' of the nail drivers are arranged to slide, providing the said
heads were left loose thereon.
If it is desired that the nails should be driven vertically within the box or case
with this arrangement of devices, the auxiliary cross head q and the bar e carrying
the nail-box are adjusted into a horizontal position and the supporting plates aro
removed from the table, so that the material or parts will rost upon the horizontal
surface of the same when placed in position to be nailed. The machine will then
operate to drive the nails vertically within the wood in the ordinary manner. As
it is not necessary that the nail-drivers & should then be fixed upon the auxiliary
cross-head, but should preferably be free to slide theroon, I turn the aforesaid
flattened bar t so that its flat surface is above the rounded end of the nail-drivers,
as shewn in Figure 16, thus enabling the heads d' of the same to be freely slid
lengthwise upon the said cross-head. In this case the said heads are preferably
made of reduced depth so that the upper or pressure-receiving surface of the same
will be directly in contact with tho under surface of the arch-shaped portion of the
auxiliary cross-head.
In some cases instead of arranging the hardened steel nail-guides within the
nail-boxes so that they move outward to the front and the rear when the nail is
being driven, and providing a spring at the front and rear of the nail-box to retain
the said guides in position, as described in the Specification of the former Letters
Patent first hereinbefore referred to, I arrange the said guides to move laterally
within the said nail-boxes and attach the springs to the sides of the said boxes so
as to retain the guides in place.
In order to retain the nail-guides in place within the nail-boxes, I sometimes
employ the arrangement illustrated in Figure 19 of the Drawings, that is to say,
I pass entirely around each of the said nail-boxes and around the outer ends of the
nail-guides u an india-rubber or elastic band v which tends to constantly force the
said nail-guides inward whilst at the same time it permits their free outward
movement on the descent of the plunger to drive the nail.

page_text: Having thus fully described my said Invention and the manner of performing the
same, I wish it understood that I claim.
First-The combination, with the table of a machine for nailing wooden packing
cases or boxes, of the movable T-piece or arm h carrying one or more adjustable
stops, substantially as above set forth, and for the purpose specified.
Second-The combination, with the main shaft of a nailing machine, of the
loose pulley i which is driven directly from the source of motive power and is
alternately thrown into, and out of, connection with the said shaft, by a sliding gib
or clutch i adapted to engage with pins or studs i¹ on the said pulley, all substan-
tially as above set forth, and for the purpose specified.
Third: The combination, with the main shaft carrying the eccentrics b¹
and cross-head c, of the counterweight k, substantially as above set forth, and for
the purposes specified.
Fourth-The combination, with the table of a nailing machine, of the adjustable
guide-plates or pieces, substantially as above set forth and for the purpose
specified.
Fifth-The combination with the back plate g of a nailing machine, of the
adjustable bar or rest m, substantially as above set forth and for the purpose
specified.
Sixth-The combination, with the table of a nailing machine, of the pivoted
strip or barn substantially as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Seventh-The combination, with the back plate of a nailing machine grooved
as described with reference to Figures 8, 9 and 10 of the Drawings, of the plate or
bar o substantially as above set forth, and for the purposes specified.
Eighth-The adjustable arms or brackets ? for supporting the bar e which
carries the nail-boxes substantially as described with reference to Figure 11, and
for the purpose specified.
Ninth A nail punch or driver provided with an eccentric circular head which
is adapted to turn in a recess in the cross-head of the machine, substantially as
above set forth, and for the purpose specified.
Touth-The combination, with a nailing machine, of devices for supporting the
wood in such a manner that the nails which are driven vertically by the nail-
drivers will enter the wood at an angle.
Eleventh-The combination, with the table of a nailing machine, of the
adjustable supporting plates 8² 3 substantially as above set forth and for the
purpose specified.
Twelfth-The combination, with the said supporting plates, and with or without
the back-plate consisting of the parts g' g², of the adjustable auxiliary cross-head
pivoted to the main cross head and adapted to support the nail drivers, and the
adjustable bar e for supporting the nail boxes, substantially as above set forth and
for the purposes specified.
Thirteenth-The combination, with the auxiliary cross-head and the nail
drivers of the rod or bar t having the recesses or grooves, and provided with a flat
face, substantially as above set forth, and for the purposes specified.
Fourteenth-The combination, with the nail-boxes and the nail-guides supported
therein, of the india-rubber or clastic band, substantially as above set forth, and
for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof I the said Frederick Myers have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Twenty-sixth day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand
night hundaad and niche L