IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR NAILING BOXES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, of the Firm of Harris
and Mills, of 23, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent
Agent, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR NAILING
BOXES." A communication from abroad by Joseph Henry Swift, of
Brooklyn, King's County, in the State of New York, in the United States of
America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard
Mills at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th April
1881.
BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and Mills, of 23,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR NAILING BOXES." A communication from abroad
by Joseph Henry Swift, of Brooklyn, King's County, in the State of New York,
in the United States of America.
The Invention has for its object improvements in machinery for nailing boxes,
and relates firstly to an improved arrangement. of the driving gear and method of
giving motion to the plunger cross head. For this purpose the main shaft and
driving gear are mounted in bearings at or near the lower part of the machine
instead of at the upper part thereof, thereby securing greater stability in the
machine; motion is communicated to the plunger cross head by means of a rotary
crank on a shaft at the lower part of the machine, connected by a pitman or
connecting rod to one of a pair of toothed segments geared together and mounted
on suitable rock shafts at the upper part of the machine, a lever on each of said
rock shafts being connected by a pitman or connecting rod to the plunger cross
head. By these means the rotary crank is caused to give a reciprocating motion
to the geared toothed segments, and consequently to the plunger cross head.
The shaft carrying the rotating crank has secured to it a hub, in which is a
sliding key having a head on either end. Under the head of one end, and within
the hub is a spiral spring, whose tendency is to force the key towards a wheel
running loosely on the crank shaft; this wheel has a number of studs with which

page_text: the key engages when thrust out by its spring, and while so engaged the aforesaid
wheel which is driven by a pinion on the main driving shaft turns the crank shaft
and operates the machine.
The main driving shaft has a driving pulley to which power is communicated by
a belt from a motor.
To stop the machine at intervals in the process of nailing a box, there is a pivotted
cam lever, the upper extremity of which is curved to lie over the crank shaft, and
laterally is wedge-shaped, so that when brought close to the hub with its point in
the path of one head of the key, such key in revolving with the hub will be drawn
backward and disconnected from the wheel, and the studs in that wheel are so
located, that when so disconnected they will always leave the crank standing up,
and the cross head at the top of its stroke with each of the nail drivers in position
for permitting the entrance of a nail under its point. The said cam lever is
connected to a foot lever and pedal by a lateral arm; and, by pressure on the pedal,
the cam will be disengaged from the key, allowing it to spring out and engage with
the loose wheel and so start the machine.
When the pressure is taken off the pedal and lever, a spring throws it up, and
with it the arm of the cam lever; throwing the latter into engagement with the key
withdrawing it from the studs, and the machine comes to a stop.
The Invention relates secondly to a method of adjusting the table or platform of
the machine for supporting the boxes whilst being nailed. For this purpose a
vertical screw shaft is mounted at the back of the table or platform and works in
a nut carried by or fixed to the latter, and such screw shaft is operated by bevel
gearing and a crank handle.
The Invention relates thirdly to providing means for adjusting the plungers
and nail guides to different thicknesses of work. For this purpose a T shaped
groove is formed longitudinally in the plunger cross head, and the head of each
plunger, which is preferably formed circular, fits such groove, but the plunger is
mounted eccentrically in its head. The brackets carrying the supporting bar for
the nail boxes or guides, are provided with slots to enable the latter to be adjusted
to different thicknesses of work. By these means, by simply turning the plunger
heads more or less round in their supporting groove in the plunger cross head, and
then fixing them in position by set screws, a considerable adjustment can be
obtained, whilst by moving the brackets carrying the supporting bar for the nail
boxes or guides to or fro and securely fixing them in the desired position on the
framing, the said nail guides or boxes are readily adjusted.
The Invention relates fourthly to an improved construction of nail guide and
die holder. For this purpose the nail guide is formed with a cavity immediately
below the junction of the nail-passage with the nail driver guide way to receive the
two halves of the die which are suspended in said cavity on trunnion studs, one on
each side, and at the upper part of each half die, which studs enter openings or slots
in the two parts of the nail guides.
The said half dies are acted upon at their lower ends by springs mounted in
cavities in each half of the nail guide.
This plan of sustaining the dies permits very free laterial action, and avoids the
use of a floor to support them, thus permitting them to be brought right down in
almost immediate contact withthe box being nailed, whereby the nail is held under
control until the last moment of the driving operation, not leaving the die until it
is fully in the box.
When the dies on the withdrawal of the nail driver therefrom are brought
together by the springs, each half of the die is prevented from crossing over the
centre line of the nail driver by a stop. As a modification of the above, the dies
may be placed beneath the die holders, and opened by positive mechanism instead
of by the nail.
.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 19th October 1881.
BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and Mills, of 23,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR NAILING BOXES." A communication from abroad by
Joseph Henry Swift, of Brooklyn, King's County, in the State of New York, in the
United States of America.
The Invention has for its object improvements in machinery for nailing boxes,
and relates, firstly, to an improved arrangement of the driving gear and method of
giving motion to the plunger cross head. For this purpose the main shaft and
driving gear are mounted in bearings at or near the lower part of the machine,
instead of at the upper part thereof, thereby securing greater stability in the
machine; motion is communicated to the plunger cross head by means of a rotary
crank on a shaft at the lower part of the machine, connected by a pitman or
connecting rod to one of a pair of toothed segments geared together and mounted
on suitable rock shafts at the upper part of the machine, a lever on each of said
rock shafts being connected by a pitman or connecting rod to the plunger cross
head. By these means the rotary crank is caused to give a reciprocating motion to
the geared toothed segments, and consequently to the plunger cross head. The
shaft carrying the rotating crank has secured to it a hub in which is a sliding key
having a head on either end. Under the head of one end, and within the hub is.
a spiral spring, whose tendency is to force the key towards a wheel running loosely
on the crank shaft; this wheel has a number of studs with which the key engages
when thrust out by its spring; and while so engaged, the aforesaid wheel which
is driven by a pinion on the main driving shaft turns the crank shaft and operates
the machine.
The main driving shaft has a driving pulley to which power is communicated by
a belt from a motor.
To stop the machine at intervals in the process of nailing a box, there is a
pivotted cam lever, the upper extremity of which is curved to lie over the crank
shaft, and laterally is wedge shaped, so that when brought close to the hub with
its point in the path of one head of the key, such key in revolving with the hub
will be drawn backward and disconnected from the wheel, and the studs in that
wheel are so located, that when so disconnected, they will always leave the crank
standing up, and the cross head at the top of its stroke with each of the nail drivers
in position for permitting the entrance of a nail under its point. The said cam
lever is connected to a foot lever and pedal by a lateral arm, and by pressure on
the pedal, the cam will be disengaged from the key, allowing it to spring out and
engage with the loose wheel, and so start the machine.
When the pressure is taken off the pedal and lever a spring throws it up, and
with it the arm of the cam lever, throwing the latter into engagement with the
key, withdrawing it from the studs, and the machine comes to a stop.
The Invention relates, secondly, to a method of adjusting the table or platform
of the machine for supporting the boxes whilst being nailed. For this purpose a
vertical screw shaft is mounted at the back of the table or platform, and works in
a nut carried by or fixed to the latter, and such screw shaft is operated by bevel
gearing and a crank handle.
The Invention relates, thirdly, to providing means for adjusting the plungers
and nail guides to different thicknesses of work. For this purpose a T shaped
groove is formed longitudinally in the plunger cross head and the head of each

page_text: plunger, which is preferably formed circular, fits such groove, but the plunger is
mounted excentrically in its head.
The brackets carrying the supporting bar for the nail boxes or guides are
provided with slots to enable the latter to be adjusted to different thicknesses of
work. By these means by simply turning the plunger heads more or less round in
their supporting groove in the plunger cross head a considerable adjustment can be
obtained, whilst by moving the brackets carrying the supporting bar for the nail
boxes or guides to or fro and securely fixing them in the desired position on the
framing the said nail guides or boxes are readily adjusted.
'
The Invention relates, fourthly, to an improved construction of nail guide and
die holder. For this purpose the nail guide is formed with a cavity immediately
below the junction of the nail passage with the nail driver guide way to receive the
two halves of the die which are suspended in said cavity on trunnion studs, one on
each side, and at the upper part of each half die, which studs enter opening or slots
in the two parts of the nail guides.
The said half dies are acted upon at their lower ends by springs mounted in
cavities in each half of the nail guide.
This plan of sustaining the dies permits very free lateral action and avoids the
use of a floor to support them, thus permitting them to be brought right down in
almost immediate contact with the box being nailed, whereby the nail is held
under control until the last moment of the driving operation, not leaving the die
until it is fully in the box.
When the dies on the withdrawal of the nail driver therefrom are brought
together by the springs, each half of the die is prevented from crossing over the
centre line of the nail driver by a stop.
And in order that the said Invention may be more clearly understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed, aided by the accompanying Drawings, more fully
to describe the same
;
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine; Figure 2 is a side elevation
Figure 3 is a rear elevation; Figure 4 is an end view of the plunger cross head;
Figures 5 and 6 are separate views of the nail feeding plates enlarged; Figures 7,
8, 9, 10, and 11 are descriptive views of the nail drivers, the nail guides and details
of each all enlarged.
A, A, are the main side frames of the machine; B is a moveable platform for
sustaining the box in process of being made, this platform is adjustable in height
to suit different sized boxes by means of a vertical screw shaft C operated by a
crank wheel D on a shaft 1 geared to the screw shaft C by bevel wheels.
The shaft C is threaded and enters an interiorly threaded aperture in a block 2
(Figure 2), which is fitted to the rear of the platform B, and the lower end of said
screw shaft rests in a step bearing in the main frame.
The platform B is guided and moves up and down on a back plate E, against
which the work is placed by the operator when the work is being nailed up.
F, F, are the nail guides which are arranged upon a cross bar G that passes
through them, and to which they are secured by set screws.
Immediately above the nail guides F there is a reciprocating cross head H
consisting of a strong bar grooved at the ends so as to embrace the edges of the
pair of ways b on which the cross head slides. To this cross head are connected
the plungers or nail drivers a, by which the nails when deposited in the nail guides
are driven into the box.
The cross head is reciprocated vertically by a pitman or connecting rod J, and a
crank K on a shaft 3 mounted in bearings at or near the lower part of the machine,
the pitman or connecting rod J being attached to one of a pair of toothed
segments M, each secured to one end of a rock. Shaft N mounted in bearings in

page_text: the side frames near the top. At the other end of such rock shafts N are crank
arms O, to which are connected links C also pivoted to said cross head.
The cross head is grooved lengthwise in the underside of the lower edge. This
grooved part h is shorter than the upper part H, so that the groove is open at both
ends. The groove has recesses in the sides, being T shaped in cross section, as
shown in Figure 4.
The nail drivers have each a head block I secured thereto, which has tenons on
the sides corresponding in form to the recesses of the T shaped groove in the cross
head H, the head blocks I are preferably of a circular form and have the nail
driver placed eccentrically thereto, as seen in Figure 11.
The heads I with the nail drivers are inserted in the said groove m from the end
of part h, and there assume such places or locations as desired between the ends of
the cross head as shall be determined by the number and position of plungers or
nail drivers and nail guides employed. The Drawing shows five, but machines
may be constructed with a greater or less number according to the work to be
done.
The form construction and mode of securing the head blocks and nail drivers,
admits of their ready removal in case of breakage and for repairs, and also
facilitates the adaptation of the machine for nailing boxes made of board of any
desired thickness.
I will now describe the devices F or nail guides which receive and guide the
nails driven by the nail drivers or plungers a into the box in process of being made.
The device is a combined nail guide and die holder, that is it not only receives
the nails but is also a case for holding enclosed dies R in pairs, which manipulate
and control the nail while in process of being driven.
The said device F, constructed and employed in the machine according to the
Invention, is formed in two halves or sections united by screws, and is made fast
in place on a cross bar G by a set screw e.
Figures 9 and 10 shew the two halves separated exhibiting the interior; fis the
vertical guide way of the nail driver; j is the passage by which the nails come in
through tubes 4 (Figures 1 and 2) reaching to the top of the machine.
The nail passage j is disposed diagonally with respect to the nail driver guide.
way f and forms a junction therewith, so that nails coming in through said passage
from the nail tubes 4 will take their place by their own gravity in the nail dies R
under the lower end of the nail driver.
The nail dies R in pairs are placed in a cavity immediately below the junction of
the nail passage with the nail driver guide way.
A view enlarged of the inner face of one of the dies R is given in Figure 8,
showing the form of the groove therein, which die with its mate when placed
together in the die box of the nail guide form a pocket large enough to receive a
nail of any size from a ten penny down to a brad. Near the lower ends the groove
is very shallow, and is so narrow that the pair of dies will retain the smallest nail
without permitting it to drop through, and hence, as will be yet seen, the dies are
capable of controlling any nail and directing it with precision during the time it is
being driven into the box, the nail slipping out between the two dies.
The dies retain a hold upon the nail until the last moment of its escape by
exerting a constant yielding pressure thereon, which pressure is produced by one or
more springs S placed in recesses made therefore in F, and, by preference, two pairs
of these springs are employed one pair for each half or mate of the dies R.
The dies are suspended in cavities in the nail guides on trunnion studs i, one on
each side of such die, which studs enter openings or slots d in the two sections of the
nail guides.
This plan of sustaining the dies permits very free lateral action and avoids the
use of a floor to support them, permitting them to be brought right down in almost
immediate contact with the box being nailed, whereby the nail is held under
control until the last moment of the driving operation not leaving the die until it is
fully in the box,

page_text: When the dies R on the withdrawal of the nail driver therefrom are brought
together by the springs S, each mate of the die is prevented from crossing over the
centre line of the nail driver by a stop v, termed a centering pin, whereby the pair of
dies are compelled to assume and maintain a constant position centrally of the
plunger a. The stop is bevelled on the sides, and a corresponding recess is made 5
in the dies.
The nails may be fed in at the top of the nail tubes 4 by an attendant; the
Drawing however shows a nail feeder for supplying nails with certainty and with
much better facility than an attendant possesses without such aid.
The feeding mechanism consists essentially of two circular plates T, U, disposed 1
horizontally above the machine, the under one of which receives the upper
extremities of the nail tubes 4, which tubes are arranged in a line radiating from
the centre of the plate and at right angles to the cross bar G. This under plate (a
top view of which is given in Figure 6) is permanently affixed to the top of the
machine; and in a large opening in the middle of the plate there is a hub t, 1
sustained by two arms u sunk below the surface of the plate, which hub forms the
bearing for the journal of the upper plate T, adapted to be rotated intermittently.
Such upper plate (a top view of which is given in Figure 5) has a number of rows
of perforations disposed radially, and corresponding to the position of the upper
extremities of the nail tubes in the under plate U. These rows of perforations an
attendant keeps filled with nails, the points thereof resting on and being supported
by the surface of the under plate.
On the underside of the upper plate T there is a circle of ratchet teeth (see
Figure 3), which circle fits down into the central opening in the lower plate U.
At every complete stroke (up and down) of the nail drivers and their cross 2
head H, the upper plate is moved the distance of one row of perforations, thereby
bringing a row of nails over and depositing them in the nail tubes 4 (see
Figure 2).
Should any one of the row of nails fail to drop into the tube, there is another
row of perforations y through the lower plate, and such nail will on the next
movement of the upper plate fall through one of those holes, and so leave the upper
plate clear and free.
The plate T is moved and rotated, as above described, by a pawl p
which engages
the aforesaid ratchet teeth and is pivotted to one extremity of the bell-crank-
lever 5, to the other extremity of which a rod is adjustably attached, and which
also connects with the cross head H.
The cross bar G is adjustably secured to the side frames A. by a bracket at each
end secured by a screw passing through a slot (as indicated at g', Figure 2), so that
it and the nail guides F may be moved and adjusted toward and away from the
face or outer surface of the back plate E in order to ensure the driving of the nails
in the centre of the thickness of wood or board used in making the boxes, according
as such thickness may be greater or less.
In the act of so adjusting or changing the nail-guides, the nail-drivers a therein
will follow, the nail guides being permitted to do so by the head-blocks turning in
their groove in the cross head; the nail drivers by reason of their eccentricity to
their circular head-blocks, as before explained, causing such head blocks (with the
plungers a) to turn or partially rotate in the groove in the crosshead as they follow
the changed position of the nail guides.
The shaft 3 carrying the rotating crank K has secured to it a hub P, in which is
a sliding key L having a head on either end. Under the head 7 of one end and
within the hub is a spiral spring Q, whose tendency is to force the key towards &
wheel W running loosely on the said shaft 3; this wheel has a number of studs m
with which the key L engages when thrust out by its spring Q, and while so
engaged the aforesaid wheel W, which is driven by a pinion Y on the main driving
shaft X turns the crank shaft 3 and operates the machine.
The main driving shaft X bas a driving pulley Z, to which power is commu-
nicated by belt from a motor.

page_text: To stop the machine at intervals in the process of nailing a box there is a
pivotted cam lever n, the upper extremity of which is curved to lie over the crank
shaft 3, and laterally is wedge shaped, so that when brought close to the hub P
with its point in the path of the head 8 of the key L, such key in revolving with
the hub P will be drawn backward and disconnected from the wheel W, as shown
in Figure 2, and the studs m in that wheel are so located that when so disconnected
they will always leave the crank K standing up, and the cross head at the top of
its stroke with each of the nail drivers a in position for permitting the entrance
of a nail under its point (see Figure 10).
The said cam lever is connected to a foot lever and pedal by a lateral arm k,
and by pressure on the pedal the cam will be disengaged from the key L, allowing
it to spring out and engage with the loose wheel W, and so start the machine.
When the pressure is taken off the pedal and lever 9 a spring 10 throws it up,
and with it the arm k of the cam lever, throwing the latter into engagement with
the key L, withdrawing it from the studs m, and the machine comes to a stop.
The number of the studs m depends on the size of the pinion Y; as to the wheel W,
if the speed is as one to four, four studs are used; if one to three, then three studs,
and so on; this, with the position of the key L relatively to the crank K, will
always ensure the machine being stopped with the crosshead lifted up, and the
plungers or nail-drivers withdrawn from their dies, as before fully described.
I would here remark that since filing my Provisional Specification I have
discovered that the opening of the dies by positive mechanism described therein
was not new at the date thereof, and for this reason I desire to disclaim, and I do
hereby disclaim such mechanism.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the mode in which
the same is carried into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim is,―
First. The improved arrangement of the driving gear and the method of
giving motion to the plunger crosshead, substantially as herein shown and described,
and for the purpose stated.
Second. The plungers or nail drivers a having tenoned head blocks I, circular in
form and arranged eccentrically thereto, substantially as herein shown and
described, and for the purpose specified.
Third. The crosshead H having a recessed groove, as set forth, in combination
with the tenoned head blocks I, circular and eccentric to the nail driver, substan-
tially as herein shewn and described, and for the purpose set forth.
Fourth. The combination with the back plate E of the nail guides F, arranged
upon a cross bar G, made adjustable in respect of the back plate, substantially as
herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.
Fifth. In a combined nail guide and die holder, the nail dies R, each having
trunnion-studs playing in guiding slots, as and for the purpose specified.
Sixth. The springs S in combination with nail die R, substantially as herein
shewn and described.
Seventh. The centering pin in combination with a pair of nail dies, and suitable
springs controlling the same, all enclosed within the nail guides F, substantially as
herein shown and described, and for the purpose stated.
Eighth. The improved mechanism for adjusting the table or platform of the
machine, substantially as herein shewn and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
B. J. B. MILLS. (L.S.)