Certain Improvements in Seaming Machines for Sheet Metal.
Year: 1886

page_text: Certain Improvements in Seaming Machines for Sheet Metal.
I, CHARLES PUDDEFOOT, residing on San Pablo Avenue, in the city of Oakland,
county of Alameda, and state of California, one of the United States of America,
Tinner 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:-
My Invention relates to that class of machines which are used for joining the edges
of sheet metal together, and which are usually known as "scaming machines."
The particular seam which my machine is adapted to make is the ordinary one
made by bending the edges of the two plates or sheets in opposite directions, and then
pressing them together over and down to a flat plane in which the two edges are
interlocked.
My invention consists in an upper and a lower die-stock carrying the various bars
and anvils hereinafter described, and to which movements and adjustments are given
by which the overlapping edges of the two sheets, or the opposing edges of the same
sheet, are first bent in opposite directions, then brought and held together, and finally
pressed over and down flat to form the seam.
My invention consists, particularly, in the construction, arrangement, and operation
of the various parts which I shall hereinafter describe.
Referring to the accompanying drawings,
Figure I is a perspective view, showing the dies in a press.
Figure 2 is a transverse section of the upper die-stock A.
Figure 3 is a transverse section of the lower die-stock O.
Figure 4 is a transverse section of bar E.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section on line y-y, Figure 3.
Figures 6 and 7 are elevations from different sides of the upper die-stock A.
Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views of different ends of the lower die-stock O.
Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 are sections showing the consecutive operations of the
bars on the opposing metal sheets.
Figure 15 is a view showing the seam complete.
A is the stock of the upper die. It has a deep groove or slot a, made in its under
side, in which the operating parts are contained. B is a bar which forms the body of

page_text: the grip acting against the anvil below. It is mounted in the slot of the stock on
pins b, fixed in said stock, and seated in sockets in the bar, whereby said bar may have
a vertical movement, being held down by means of springs around the pins.
To the lower face of the bar B, is fitted a bar C, which has a lateral movement on
its seat, being guided in this movement in any suitable manner, as by its ends having
inwardly-turned tongues c, fitting in grooves in the ends of the bar B. Fig. 6.
Both the bars B, and C, have, therefore, an up and down movement together, while
the bar C, has an independent movement laterally, in a horizontal plane or at right
angles to the joint movement of the two bars.
Dis a bar seated in the slot of the stock A, parallel with and immediately along
side of the bars B, C. This bar is also mounted on fixed pins d in the stock, so
that it may have a vertical movement, and it is held down by springs d' around
the pins.
The lower face of the bar D is shouldered or rabbeted out, in order to fit thereto
the bar E, which is set on edge, its lower edge being flush with the lower edge
of bar D.
The bar E is mounted on guide-pins e, extending from the side of bar D, so that
it may have a lateral movement to and from bar D, and it is held by springs e¹.
These springs hold it against the edge of the laterally-moving bar C, with sufficient
force to keep said bar in place, but not to prevent it from having its independent
vertical movement.
It will be seen, therefore, that the bars D, and E, have a vertical movement in
common, and the bar E has a second movement of its own to and from the bar D.
The movements of the bars D, and E, are independent of those of the bars B, and C,
though the bars C, and E, both having a side inovement, execute it together, under
the force of the cams to be explained, and are both returned by the springs of
the bar E.
The vertical movement of the bars B, and C, is subjected to no restriction or lock,
but all the other movements are restricted as follows:-
Pivoted in brackets on the ends of the stock A, are the latches F, the upper ends
of which are influenced by the springs ¹, to hold their lower ends in position.
Figs. 6, 7.
Their lower ends have lugs f, which are normally in position between the bars D,
and E.
They, therefore, lock the bar E, and thus prevent the lateral movement of the
bars C, and E. Fig. 7. The bodies of the latches F, below the pivot-points, arc
provided with lugs, which are inserted and remain, normally, in the slot of the
stock A, just above the bar D, whereby the vertical movement of the bars D, and E,
is prevented. The lower edge of the bar E, adjacent to the bar C, is upwardly and
backwardly beveled, forming a toe, and in this bar is mounted the gauge-bar G,
Fig. 4, which projects below the bar back of its toe.
This gauge-bar has a vertical adjustment in order to let it move up out of the way
when its function is done, and to he projected again when required.
For this purpose it is mounted in a socket in the bar E, in which it may move out
and in, its downward movement being limited by the screws y, which are inserted
in its upper portion, and its projection being effected by the springs y around
said screws.
The lower end of the gauge-bar is made in two parts or sections, the one being
fixed, and the other ga being movable to and from the fixed part, by means of
screws g².
This adjustment of the movable part of the bar provides for a greater or less width
of flange, to be made on the sheet metal, as I shall hereinafter more fully refer to.
O is the stock of the lower die. Its upper face is grooved or slotted for the
reception of the operating parts. P is a bar forming the body of the anvil opposing
the bars B, and C, of the upper die. This anvil-bar is mounted on fixed pins p, in the
slot of the stock, so that it may have a vertical movement, and it is held up by the
spring p around said pins.

page_text: The upper face of the bar P, has fitted to it the bar Q, the back edge of which is
rounded and extends downwardly, so that when resting on the bar P, its body is raised
above the upper face of said bar, leaving a space between the two bars opening
inwardly, Fig. 3.
They are rigidly secured together by the screws 7, which pass down through
intervening small blocks
seated in the space between the two bars: Fig. 5.
In this space is fitted a gauge-bar R, extending its whole length and having,
preferably, a rounded front face, as shown, which fills up the opening of the space,
forming a groove for the reception of the edge of the material being worked upon.
In order to vary the depth of this gauge-groove, I make the bar R have a lateral
movement in its seat, and I make it, therefore, of a width less than that of the space in
which it is seated, so that it may move out and in.
This movement is effected by the screws r passing into the bar R, from the back of
the bar Q, and springs hold the bar R well in place. Fig. 5.
The object of the intervening blocks g', is to prevent any binding on the movable
gauge-bar R, so that it may have a free movement, which would not be the case if the
bars P, and Q, were clamped directly together.
The blocks do not interfere with the movement of the bar R, as said bar is notched
out at ³, and in these notches the blocks are loosely seated. This entire construction
is simply to provide an adjustable gauge-groove.
A simple groove in the bar P, would answer for one size of flange on the work, but
would not be adapted to make different sizes.
S is an anvil-bar, seated in the groove of the stock O, parallel with and immediately
adjacent to the anvil-bar P. It is mounted on fixed pins s, so that it may have a
vertical movement, and it is held up by springs s around the pins.
The upper edge of the bar S, is shouldered or rabbeted out adjacent to the bar P, so
that a shallow groove s² is formed between the bars S, and P.
The movement of the anvil-bar S, is not restricted by any lock, but that of the
anvil-bars P, and Q, is prevented by the following lock :-
Pivoted in brackets t on the stock O, 'are the latches T, the ends of which are
influenced by springs, to hold their other ends to position.
The latches T have studs 2, which enter the slot of the stock O, just below the
bar P, and thus prevent its downward movement.
The two latches T, might be arranged exactly alike at each end of the stock, but
they are here shown as occupying the one a vertical position, and the other a horizontal
position, which latter position is rendered necessary because of the shank o of the
stock, by which it is secured in the press, Figs. 8. 9.
The means by which the locks are relieved, in order to free the parts, and by which
the parts are actuated, are as follows:-
On one side and at each end of the stock O, of the lower die, are fixed cam-
standards U, with which small pins H, on the lower ends of the latches F, of the
upper dic-stock A, come in contact, thereby forcing the studs of said. latches from
their engagements, and relieving the bars D, and E, whereby they may have their
vertical movement together, and the bars E, and C, may move laterally.
On the ends of the upper die-stock A, are fixed. cam-arms I, which come in contact
with the ends of the latches T on the lower die-stock, and force their studs out of
engagement with the anvil-bar P, whereby said bar may have its vertical movement.
On the ends of the lower die-stock are fixed cam-standards V, with which the
beveled ends c¹ of the bar C, of the upper die come in contact, whereby said bar is
forced over sideways, the bar E, against which it bears being previously relieved
of its lock.
The two dies are mounted in a suitable press, the lower one being fixed in position,
and the upper one having a vertically reciprocating motion.
The operation of my seaming machine is as follows:-
When the upper die has been moved down nearly to the lower
sheet metal is placed under it, so that it lies upon the anvil P, just
and its edge extends over against the gauge-bar G in the bar E.
one, one piece of
under the bar C,
This bar defines

page_text: the width of the flange to be made on the edge of the sheet, and it will be seen that
this width may be varied by adjusting the movable part of the bar to or from the
fixed part.
Another sheet of metal, or the other edge of the same piece, is now placed from the
opposite side, so that it lies upon the anvil-bar S of the lower die, and projects into
the groove formed by the gauge-plate or bar R, in the bar P, and it will be seen that
the amount of projection can be varied by adjusting said bar R back or out, and the
flange to be made on the sheet can thus be varied in width as desired.
The upper die is now moved down, the gauge-bar G withdrawing, so that the bar C
comes in contact with the first or upper sheet and grips it between itself and the
anvil-bar Qof the lower die, and thus holds it in place.
Continued movement of the upper die brings its stock and the bars D, and E, down,
while the bars B, and C, remain stationary.
The bar E, now coming in contact with the projecting edge of the upper sheet,
bends said edge down over the inner edge of the anvil-bar Q, Figure 10, and imme-
diately after, coming in contact with the edge of the lower sheet, bends said edge up,
Figure 11..
The upper die still moving down, causes the anvil-bar P, Q, to be relieved of its
latch, whereby it moves down, and the bars B, C, of the upper die follow it, thus.
causing the flanges of the two plates to come together and overlap, the toe of bar E,
holding them, Figure 12.
The bar C, is now forced over sideways, still moving down until it reaches into the
base of the toe a Figure 13, when the bars D, and E, are relieved and begin to
withdraw.
The object of the toe a is to hold the two flanges together when the bar C, begins
to bend them over.
Thus the overlapped edges of the sheets are bent over together, and flattened down
by the bar C, in the shallow groove of the anvil S, whereby the seam is formed,
Figure 14.
By making the anvil S with a plane surface and grooving the bar C of the upper
one, I can reverse the seam made in joining the edges of the metal sheets, which will
make the machine applicable to other work.
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. In a seaming machine for sheet metal, parallel anvil-bars, one of which has a
gauge-groove for the reception of the edge of the sheet resting on the other, said
grooved bar supporting the other sheet on its top, above the lower sheet, the edges of
the sheets overlapping, in combination with the moving bar, whereby the edges of the
sheet are bent in opposite directions, substantially as described.
2. In a seaming machine for sheet metal, parallel anvil-bars, one of which has a
gauge-groove for the reception of the edge of the sheet resting on the other, said
grooved bar supporting the other sheet on its top above the lower sheet, the edges of
the sheets overlapping, in combination with a vertically moving bar for gripping the
upper sheet upon one of the anvil-bars, and another vertically-moving bar, whereby
the edges of the sheets are bent in opposite directions, substantially as described.
3. In a seaming machine for sheet metal, parallel anvil-bars, one of which has a
gauge-groove for the reception of the edge of the sheet resting on the other, said
grooved bar supporting the other sheet on its top above the lower sheet, the edges of
the sheets overlapping, in combination with the vertically and laterally-moving bar E,
having a toer, whereby the edges of the sheet are bent in opposite directions and held,
and the vertically and laterally-moving bar C, whereby the bent edges are forced over
together and flattened down, substantially as described.
4. In a seaming machine for sheet metal, parallel anvil-bars, one of which has a
gauge-groove fixed or adjustable in depth, as desired, said groove being for the
reception of the edge of the sheet resting on the adjacent anvil-bar, said grooved
anvil-bar supporting the other sheet on its top, above the lower sheet, the edges of

page_text: the sheets overlapping, in combination with the vertically-moving bar E, having a
fixed or adjustable gauge-bar, as desired, for defining the position of the upper sheet,
whereby the edges of the sheets are bent in opposite directions, substantially as
described.
5. In a seaming machine for sheet metal, parallel anvil-bars for supporting the
sheets, one above the other and overlapping, one of said bars having a gauge-groove
for defining the position of the lower sheet, in combination with a vertically-moving
bar for gripping the upper sheet, the vertically and laterally-moving bar E, having a
gauge-bar for defining the position of the upper sheet, and a toe, whereby the edges
of the sheets are bent in opposite directions and held, and the vertically and laterally-
moving bar C, whereby the bent edges are forced over together and flattened down,
substantially as described.
6. In a scaming machine for sheet metal, the anvil-bar comprising the independent
separated bars P, and Q, forming a groove, and the laterally-movable gauge-bar R, in
said groove, substantially as described.
7. In a scaming machine for sheet metal, the vertically-adjustable bar E, by which
the edges of the sheets are bent, and the adjustable gauge-bar G, as described, for
defining the position of the upper sheet, substantially as described.
8. In a seaming machine for sheet metal, the grooved or slotted upper stock, the
spring-actuated vertically-movable bars B, C, the latter having also a lateral move-
ment, and the vertically-movable spring-actuated bars D, E, the latter of which has
also a lateral movement, and a toe x, all of said bars being carried by the upper stock,
in combination with the grooved lower stock, the vertically-movable spring-actuated
anvil-bar P, having a groove in its side, and the vertically-movable spring-actuated
anvil S, having a shouldered or rabboted edge, said bars P, and S, being carried by the
lower stock, substantially as described.
9. In a scaming machine for sheet metal, the upper and lower stocks, having the
several bars, anvils, and gauges constructed, arranged, and adapted to operate as.
described, and the latches T, and cam-standards U, V, for effecting the operation of
the several parts in the manner I have hereinbefore specified.