Improvements in Nail Machines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 28th May, 1898
Improvements in Nail Machines.
I, CHARLES H. HANFORD, of Newburgh, in the County of Orange and State of New
York, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The objects of this invention are to simplify and improve the structure of wire
nail machines and to obviate the objectionable noise and the wear and tear incident
to the operation of such machines as they are now commonly constructed.
As now commonly constructed, wire nail machines are provided with dies or anvils
which are brought against the end of a rigidly held wire blank with a blow or shock
similar to the blow of a hammer for forming the nail head. This action is not only
very noisy and objectionable, but it is very wearing upon the machine and materially
lessens its life.
To overcome this great objection, it is proposed to form the head upon the end of
the wire blank by firmly pushing or forcing the heading punch or die against the
blank and simultaneously in parting a slight circumferential rotation, oscillation or
similar motion to the heading punch or die in a direction transverse to the line of
thrust, to cause the uniform spreading of the metal in the wire at its end to form the
head.
A second feature of importance in this improved wire nail machine is an automatic
throw-out for the wire feeding mechanism. This throw-out comprises essentially a
wedge or block supported between the journals of the wire feed rolls and normally
allowing the feed rolls to be in operative relation, and mechanism connecting said
block or wedge with the operating mechanism of the holding and cutting-off die,
whereby the block or wedge will be operated when a blank is cut off to arrest the
feed of the wire for the moment that the nail is being headed.
A third important feature of the improved machine consists in forming the cutting-
off and holding dies in one; that is, a stationary and a movable member having the
complementary parts of the holding and cutting-off dies formed on their working
faces, so that the blank will be cut off from the continuous supply of wire and grasped
firmly for the heading operation by a single movement of the combined cutting-off
and holding die. This feature of the invention differs from previous machines
known, in that separate dies with separate operating mechanisms have been heretofore
employed for effecting the cutting-off and holding of the blank.
Another important feature of the improved machine consists in utilizing the
heading punch or die as a stop or gage for the wire blank, the operating mechanism
of the header being so arranged that the header will automatically recede sufficiently
to allow a slight movement of the blank toward the header while the cutting-off
knives are operated. This is a very important feature in connection with the gaging
of the blank by the header die as the nail blank would be bent or twisted between
the header and cutting-off knives if the header did not have a slight receding motion
while the cutting-off dies are operating.
In addition to the above main features in the machine, there are other features
of construction of minor importance which will hereinafter be described in connection
with the main features with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.

page_text: In said drawings,
Figure 1 is a plan view of this improved wire nail machine having parts broken
away and parts omitted for the purpose of clearly illustrating the important features.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the machine taken on the
line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a detail longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.
Mounted upon a suitable stout supporting frame work 1, are the head forming die
or punch, the laterally operating holding and cutting-off die or clamp, the operating
wedge for the movable member of said holding and cutting-off die, the main power
shaft with its cam, and the wire feeding mechanism; all arranged in practically the
same horizontal plane and operated from the single power shaft, which has the
operating cams arranged side by side.
5 is the stationary member of the holding and cutting-off die or clamp having a
longitudinal wire receiving groove 5 in which the blank is held or clamped, the
cutting-off die 5b which severs the blank from the continuous supply of wire and
the head molding or forming half socket 5°. The stationary member 5 is securely
fastened in the transverse channel or groove formed by cross bars 6 which are
securely bolted to the table of the supporting frame.
7 is the movable or sliding
member of the laterally operating cutting-off and holding clamp or die which is
formed with a working face corresponding to that of the stationary die just described.
The movable member is slidingly mounted in the channel formed by the bars 6, and
is formed with a cam or inclined face 7ª at its outer end which projects into an
inclined or angular opening 8 of the machine frame in which operates the wedge 9
formed on the end of the bar 10. The wedge 9 impinges upon the inclined or cam
surface 7 of the movable member 7 to cause said inovable member to move inwardly
against the blank and cut it off and clamp it against the stationary member when
the bar 10 is thrust longitudinally. 11 is a lug or pin projecting from the upper
face of the movable member 7 of the clamp die and 12 is a cam hook secured to
the wedge 9 and engaging the lug or pin 11 to cause the movable member 7 of the
clamp or die to be pulled back away from the stationary member 5 when the
wedge 9 is retracted in a manner hereinafter to be explained.
25 is an
28
.
15 is a blank gaging and head forming punch or die which fits securely in a socket
formed in the end of the cylindrical bar 16 which constitutes the combined oscillating
and longitudinally movable member of the header. The bar 16 is formed with a
semi-cylindrical head 17 at its rear end which fits snugly in a similarly shaped
socket formed in a thrust block or bearing 18 mounted in a sliding head 19.
20 is a
ring or washer engaging the head 17 and secured in position by bolts 21.
anti-friction roll journaled upon a pin or shaft 26 of the sliding head 19, and 27 is
the main heading cam keyed to the main power shaft 2 of the machine. The cam 27
is of such shape that the header will be given a gradual longitudinal forward motion
during about one quarter of its revolution for forming the head upon the blank.
and 29 are cams arranged on either side of the main heading cam 27, and 30,
31 are friction rolls journaled in the bifurcated ends of arins 32, 33 which are
rigidly secured to the sliding head 19 of the longitudinally movable portion of
the header. The rolls 30, 31 travel normally upon the cams 28 and 29 and support
the header in partially retracted position with the anti-friction roll 25 out of contact
with the main header cam 27. The cams 28, 29 are formed with a depression
indicated by dotted lines at x in Figure 2 which allows the beader to recede to its
farthest rearward position, which action takes place at the moment that the blank is
cut off from the continuous supply of wire, the severed blank being given a slight
longitudinal motion toward the header by the act of cutting-off. This receding of
the header also brings the anti-friction roll 25 into peripheral contact with the main
heading cam 27 at the moment when the gradual rise in the cam begins to operate
for imparting the gradual pushing or forcing forward of the header.
It will be observed that the header as above described comprises a longitudinally
movable portion 19 supporting the parts described, and a combined longitudinally
and circumferentially oscillating portion 16. 35 is a spiral spring surrounding the

page_text: bar 16 for holding the header normally against the cams. 36 is an arm mounted
upon the bar 16 and projecting upwardly therefrom and carrying at its upper end a
pin or roll 37 which engages in the grooved cam 38. The cam 38 is keyed to a
trausverse shaft 39 journaled in bearings 40 and carrying at one end a gear wheel 41
which meshes with the main power gear 42 keyed to the end of the main power
shaft 2. By the operation of the cam 38 upon the arm 36, the bar 16 of the header
is given a continuous oscillatory motion, the cam groove being of sufficient depth to
allow the longitudinal movement of the header without throwing the pin 37 out
of engagement with the cam.
55 and 56
The bar 10 carrying the operating wedge 9 is adjustably secured to a longitudinally
sliding head or box 50 which carries an anti-friction roll 51 operating constantly in
peripheral contact with the cam 52 keyed to the power shaft 2 to one side of the
header operating cams 27, 28 and 29. Alongside of the cam 52 are the cams 53 and
54 indicated by dotted lines in Figure 3 and partly shown in Figure 1.
are arms rigidly secured to the sliding box or head 50 and extending over and curving
downward to the farthest side of the shaft 2. 57, 57 indicate friction rolls carried in
the ends of the arms 55 and 56 which work constantly upon the peripheries of cams
53 and 54. It will be observed that the cam 52 gives the operating wedge 9 its
forward thrust for cutting-off and clamping. a blank while the cams 53 and 54 retract
the wedge and withdraw the movable member of the cutting-off and holding clamp
or die.
Windicates the wire which may be led from any suitable reel (not shown) to the
straightening roll 60 from which the wire passes between the two peripherally grooved
feed rolls 61 and 62. The lower grooved feed roll 62 is mounted upon a shaft 63
journaled in suitable stationary bearings in the supporting frame and having at one
end a belt pulley 64 over which passes a band or belt 65 leading from a similar belt
pulley 66 keyed to the end of a transverse shaft 67 journaled beneath the machine
frame in bearings 68. The shaft 67 is geared to the main gear:42 by a small gear
which is not shown and its opposite end carries a main driving belt pulley 69 by which
power is applied to the machine. The upper grooved feed roll 61 is keyed to a shaft
70 which is mounted in vertically movable bearings 71 supported in suitable vertical
guide frames 72 and held downwardly with a yielding pressure by springs 73, the
pressure of which is regulated by adjusting hand screw 74 and clamp nut 75. To the
left of the machine the shafts 63 and 70 project beyond the bearings and loosely
mounted upon the lower shaft. 63 is the throw-out wedge or block 80 which has a
concave bearing socket fitting over the shaft 63, a curved or wedge projection 80*
adapted to engage the upper shaft 70 and a socket or cut out portion 80° into which
the upper shaft 70 may fall. 85 is a bar rigidly attached to the wedge 9 and support-.
ing parallel links 86 which are pivoted to the bar 85 and are formed with slots 86ª in
their outer ends which engage lugs or projections 80° of the wedge or block 80.
shown in Figure 3 the wedge or block 80 is in position to hold the feed rolls 61 and 62
apart to arrest the feed of wire to the machine. When a blank has been cut from the
wire, the wedge 9 will be in the position shown in Figure 3, but as soon as the wedge 9
recedes to withdraw the movable member of the cutting-off and holding die, the
operation of the shafts 63 and 70 of the feed rolls will roll the block 80 forwardly to
cause the shaft 70 to drop into the recess or socket 80b, thereby allowing the feed.
rolls to come into operative position, when the feed of wire will be continued.. The
shaft 70 is driven by gear 76 which meshes with a small gear on the shaft 63.
As
From the feed rolls 61 and 62, the wire passes through the eye of a wire guide 90
which is a simple rod having a flared opening through it and a threaded upper end.
91 is a thumb nut mounted upon the threaded upper end of the wire guide 90
between the supports 92 in which said wire guide is mounted. By the rotation of
the nut 91, the guide 90 can be adjusted vertically. The wire passes through the
eye of guide 90 into the complementary grooves on the stationary and movable
members of the cutting-off and holding clamp and should the end of the wire
project too high it would come into contact with the bevelled face 96 formed upon
the lower end of the vertically movable guide rod 95. The guide rod 95 is mounted

page_text: loosely in a socket 97 of the frame and is formed with a head 95ª at its upper end in
which is seated an adjusting screw 95b adapted to engage the wall of the socket 97
to limit the downward movement of the guide rod. It will be observed that the
lower bevelled end 96 of the guide-rod will guide the wire into position in the
grooves of the clamp. The guide rod 95 is also formed with a bevelled face 96*
which is adapted to be engaged by the conical face or shoulder of the heading punch
or die when the header comes up into position to form the head, thereby raising the
guide rod 95 out of its way.
Directly beneath the cutting-off and holding clamps or dies is an opening 100 for
the nails to drop out. 101 is a knocking-off rod formed with a thin lower end
which is adapted to work vertically in the slot 102 formed between the movable
and stationary guides. The rod 101 works in a vertical opening 102 formed in the
machine frame and is hung at its upper end upon the end of a lever 105 which is
journaled upon a shaft 106 and has a bifurcated forward end forming two arms 107
which are braced by a tie rod 108 and carry at their lower ends friction rolls 109
working in cam grooves 110 indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2. The cam grooves
110 are formed in the faces of cams 112 arranged upon opposite sides of the cams 28
and 29. By the operation of the cams 112 the knocker-off rod 101 is given a
downward stroke just after the nail is headed.
The operation of this improved machine is as follows:
By the action of the feed rolls 61 and 62 a sufficient length of wire is fed forward
between the stationary and movable members of the cutting-off and holding clamp,
the end of the wire being guided into position as above explained and coming into
contact with the heading punch or die. As soon as a sufficient length of wire has
been fed forward, the wedge 9 moves forcing the movable member of the cutting-off
and holding die against the stationary member. This causes a blank to be cut from
the continuous wire, forcing the blank forward slightly, the header receding
sufficiently to allow for the free forward movement of the blank by reason of the
friction rolls 30, 31 entering the recesses of the cams 28 and 29. Immediately
after the blank is severed from the continuous wire, the movable member of the clamp
continues to move inwardly toward the stationary member until the blank is securely
clamped in position. Immediately after this has taken place the main header cam 27
comes into play and forces the header against the rigidly held blank to form the
head, the header being at the same time given a rapid oscillation to cause the even
spreading of the metal in the head. It will be observed that the header has a gradual
forward movement with sufficient pressure to form the head, the combined thrust and
oscillation producing a perfectly uniform head in all the nails. As soon as the head
has been formed, the knocker-off rod 101 descends, the clamps opening at the same
time to allow the formed nails to fall through the opening 100.
The operation of the machine is practically noiseless, no jarring occurs and the
machine has great economy in operation because much less force is required for the
action of the header in performing its gradual motion to shape the head than would
be required if a positive blow were given. The oscillation of the header gives its
forward motion the effect of a shearing blow for spreading the metal. The header
punch or die being removable, dies of different sizes may be employed to form nails
of different sizes and shapes.
While it is preferred to employ the oscillatory movement of the header to cause the
spreading of the metal into the die as it is being pressed against the blank because
this movement produces the most satisfactory results, still it should be understood
that the invention is considered to be sufficiently broad to cover a rotary movement
of the header in a plane transverse to the line of thrust while it is being forced or
pressed against the end of the nail blank. The cam which operates the wedge of the
cutting-off and holding clamp is so shaped that the clamp will be held closed while
the header is operating.
By forming the cutting-off and holding die in one, this part of the structure of 5
a nail machine is greatly simplified and improved, as machines heretofore employed

page_text: use two distinct clamps or dies for accomplishing the cutting-off and holding of the
blank.
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 nail machine, the combination of means for holding a nail blank, with
a nail heading punch or die, means for gradually pushing or forcing the punch or
die against the end of the blank to spread the metal into a head, as distinguished
from a sudden blow, and means for imparting a movement to the punch or die in
a direction transverse to the line of thrust during the gradual spreading thrust
of the die against the blank, said transverse movement assisting the spreading
of the metal, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a nail machine, the combination of means for holding a nail blank, with
a nail heading punch or die, means for gradually pushing or forcing the purrch or
die against the end of the blank to spread the metal into a head, as distinguished
from a sudden blow, and means for imparting an oscillatory motion to the punch
during the gradual head-spreading thrust of the die against the blank to assist in
the formation of the head, substantially as set forth.
3. In a nail machine, the combination of a suitable clamp for holding a blank,
a longitudinally and circumferentially movable header carrying a heading die, means
for gradually moving the header longitudinally for forcing the die against the blank
to spread the metal into a head, and means for simultaneously imparting a circum-
ferential movement to the header to assist the spreading action, substantially as set
forth.
4. In a nail machine, the combination of a suitable clamp for holding a blank,
a longitudinally movable and circumferentially oscillating header adapted to receive
a metal spreading heading punch or die, means for imparting a gradual longitudinal
spreading movement to the header, as distinguished from a sudden blow, means for
simultaneously oscillating the header to assist the spreading action, and means for
operating the clamp, substantially as set forth.
5. In a nail machine, the combination of a blank holding clamp, means for operat-
ing the clamp, a header comprising a longitudinally sliding portion and a circum-
ferentially movable portion, a heading die or punch secured to the header, and means
for imparting a longitudinal movement to the header and simultaneously therewith
oscillate the circumferentially movable portion, substantially as set forth.
6. In a nail machine, the combination of a suitable wire feeding device, the
laterally operating holding and cutting-off clamp, combined longitudinally movable
and oscillatory header, carrying a heading device or punch, a longitudinally moving
wedge engaging the movable member of the lateral clamp, a power shaft, and cams
mounted upon said power shaft for operating said header and wedge, substantially as
set forth.
7. In a nail machine, the combination of a blank holding clamp, means for operat-
ing the clamp, a heading punch or die, and an intermittently operating wire feeding
device automatically thrown out of operation by the action of the clamp operating
means, substantially as set forth.
8. In a nail machine, the combination of a blank holding clamp, means for operat-
ing the clamp, a header, a pair of blank feeding rolls, and means operated by the
clamping operating means for rendering the feed rolls inoperative, substantially as set
forth.
9. In a nail machine, the combination of a blank holding clamp, a header, feed
rolls, a block or wedge mounted between the shafts or journals of the feed rolls, and
means for automatically operating the block or wedge for moving the rolls into or out
of operative relation, as set forth.
10. In a nail machine, the combination of a blank holding clamp, a header,
co-operating feed rolls, a block or wedge mounted upon the journal or shaft of one of
the feed rolls and adapted to engage the shaft or journal of the other feed roll, mean

page_text: for forcing said block or wedge in one direction for separating the feed rolls and said
block or clamp being adapted to be moved in the opposite direction by the rotation of
the shafts or journals, as set forth.
11. In a nail machine, the combination of a blank holding clamp, a header,
co-operating feed rolls, a block or wedge formed with a socket fitting on the shaft or
journal of one feed roll and an elevated portion adapted to engage the shaft or
journal of the other feed roll, and means for operating said block or wedge, as set
forth.
12. In a nail machine, the combination of a blank holding clamp having a stationary
and movable member, a wedge for operating the movable member, a pair of feed rolls,
a block or wedge supported between the shafts or journals of the feed rolls, and an
arm projecting from the clamp operating wedge and suitably connected with the
block or wedge for operating it, as set forth.
13. In a nail machine, the combination of the blank feeding mechanism, the
cutting-off and holding die or clamp, and the header and operating mechanism,
the operating mechanism of the header being constructed and arranged to cause the
header to recede slightly as the blank is cut off just prior to the heading operation, as
and for the purpose set forth.
14. In a nail machine, the combination of the stationary and movable blank holding
members, the header, the operating wedge'engaging the movable member of the
blank holding clamp for forcing it in one direction, and a secondary wedge on the
main operating wedge engaging a projection or shoulder on the said movable member
for moving it in the opposite direction, as set forth.
15. In a nail machine, the combination of means for feeding a wire blank, a blank
holding clamp or die, a heading die or punch, means for operating the blank holding
clamp and heading die or punch, and a guide such as 95 arranged in the path of the
wire blank and adapted to centre the blank in the holding clamp or die, as set
forth.
16. In a nail machine, the combination of means for feeding a wire blank, a holding
clamp or die, a header, means for operating the clamp and header, and a blank guide
such as 95 adapted to guide the blank to the clamp and means for moving the guide
out of the way of the header when the header comes into operation.
17. In a nail machine, the combination of means for feeding a wire blank, a
holding clamp or die, a header, means for operating the clamp and header, and a
blank guide such as 95 formed with a beveled shoulder for guiding the blank into
position in the clamp, and means of engagement between the header and guide for
throwing the latter out of position when the former is brought into operation, as set
forth.
18. In a nail machine, the combination of means for feeding a wire blank, a holding
clamp or die, a header, means for operating the clamp and header, and a blank guide
supported in the path of the blank and movable laterally thereto; said guide having
a beveled shoulder against which the end of the blank impinges to centre it in the
holding clamp, and a second beveled shoulder against which the header impinges to
move it out of the way when the header operates, as set forth.
Doted this 1th d
A 11000
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.