A MACHINE FOR MAKING BUTTONS FROM PLASTIC MATERIALS, GRINDING, POLISHING, AND CARDING THE SAME, PARTS OF WHICH CAN BE USED IN GRINDING, POLISHING, AND CARDING OTHER KINDS OF BUTTONS."
Year: 1866

page_text: of New York, in the United States of America, Civil Engineer, for the
Invention of "A MACHINE FOR MAKING BUTTONS FROM PLASTIC MATERIALS,
GRINDING, POLISHING, AND CARDING THE SAME, PARTS OF WHICH CAN BE USED
IN GRINDING, POLISHING, AND CARDING OTHER KINDS OF BUTTONS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Lodner Darrevontis Phillips
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
24th January 1866.
I, LODNER DARREVONTIS PHILLIPS, of the City and State of New York, in
the United States of America, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "A MACHINE FOR MAKING BUTTONS FROM FLASTIC
MATERIALS, GRINDING, POLISHING, AND CARDING THE SAME, PARTS OF WHICH CAN
BE USED IN GRINDING, POLISHING, AND CARDING OTHER KINDS OF BUTTONS," to be
as follows:-
My Invention consists of a machine by which an eye is formed and inserted
in the button at the same time that the button is moulded, the face of the
button after it is formed is ground and polished, and the buttons are then fixed
upon cards in an effective manner, but without sewing or the use of cords,
tapes, or other attachments.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of that part of the machine by which the
eye is made and inserted in the button at the time the button is made, and
Price 8d.1

page_text: which is placed upon a table A, and may be operated by the foot acting upon
a stirrup B fixed to an upright lever C, or it may be operated otherwise. The
parts D, D, D, of the frame are solid or firmly bolted together to furnish
supports and bearings for the working parts of the machine.
The lever C
has its fulcrum at a, and to it above and below such fulcrum are connected
two cross bars E and F, which have bearings or turning points at b and c.
These bars have, motion in a different direction from that in which the lever C
moves. The connection between such parts is effected through the slots
d and e. To the outer end of the cross bar E is fixed the mechanism that
forms the eye of the button, and to the outer end of the cross bar F that
which moulds the button. The eye is formed as follows:-A rod or piston G
(shewn detached in Figure 4) is connected with the outer edge of the cross
bar E through a slot f to allow of the motions of these two parts in different
directions. In the lower part of such piston G are placed (supported from a
pin g) two jaws 1 and 2, which form the eye and insert it in the button as the
piston G is forced down, and which are cut out at their lower-ends on their
inside faces, as seen at h, Figure 4, to allow such jaws when brought together
to shut over or around the eye and the "former" over which it is shaped.
Such "former" H is attached to any convenient part of the machine as shewn
in Figure 3, and its lower end which is rounded to the required size of the
eye of the button rests on the plate ] directly under the jaws 1, 2, and over
such former passes the wire 3, from which the eye is formed. A thin slotted
plate passes down over the wire to steady it and keep it in its proper position
upon the former. As the piston G is forced down the jaw 1 cuts off the wire,
and the two jaws bend the wire over the former 11, and as the piston further
descends the jaws are brought close together by means of projections 4 and 5
on such jaws coming in contact with other projections 6 and 7 on the fixed
parts of the machine and the wire bent into the form shown in Figure 5.
While the eye is thus being formed the outer end of the cross bar F is being
elevated, carrying up the standard J on which is the mould K, in which is
the plastic material, such as glass, horn, rubber, or the like' from which the
button is to be formed. The motion of the parts G and J towards each other
is such that as the wire is being bent into the form or position shown in
Figure 5 the mould has also been raised to the under side of the plate I, so
that the eye is forced into the button at the same time that it is so bent. As
the plastic material cools or hardens the eye is firmly held therein. The lower
ends of the jaws 1, 2, pass through the plate I, but in other respects it is
solid. The under side of such plate is, however, shaped as seen in Figure 6 to
correspond with the required form of the under side of the button, and the

page_text: edges of the mould K shut over that part of the plate I forming the mould
for the under side of the button so as to cut or shear off any excess of material
that may be pressed out around the mould. As the parts G and J recede
from each other the button is held suspended by its eye from the former as
indicated by dotted lines, Figure 3. The wire is fed to the machine by
two rollers L, L', Figure 2, to which motion is given by a curved geared
arm M acting upon a wheel N fixed to a plate N¹, both are loose on their
shaft so as to turn freely in one direction as the curved arm M is raised by
the bar O without revolving the rollers L, L', but when the arm M is forced
down a pawl on the outside of the plate N takes into a ratchet on the shaft
and revolves such rollers, and causes the wire to be fed sufficiently for another
eye. As the wheel is so carried forward to feed the wire a projecting pin
upon the plate N₁ draws back the arm B attached to the plate I. and rotates
As the
such plate far enough to carry the button from off the former H.
arm M begins to rise an opposite movement is given to the plate N. and the
plate I is carried back again to bring it directly under the former in the
position shown in Figure 3. The wire is thus fed forwards, and the button
is charged while the parts G and J are receding from each other, and
before a new button is to be formed. As the buttons are stripped from the
former H they are conveyed to the grinding and polishing machine shown in
side view Figure 7, and top view Figure 8. This is composed of two hori-
zontal wheels A', B', supported in a frame E' on standards C¹, D', and made
One of such wheels is
of stone or covered with emery cloth or the like.
revolved by a band passing over the pulley F', which drives the other by
friction. Across the surface of the wheels is a serpentine trough or con-
ductor broad enough to take the buttons to be ground and polished, and
Over these
not quite as high as the thickness of the button with its eye.
wheels are covers K' which press upon the eye of the buttons and hold
them to the surface of the wheels. As these wheels revolve they give rotary
motion to and carry along the buttons, which are fed into the conductor at J
and delivered at L' ground and polished, when they are ready to be carded.
The cardboard, Figure 11, upon which the buttons are to be fixed is first sub-
mitted to a proper die, by which a perforation a' suitable to receive the eye of
the button is punched out and a tongue cut as shown at b'. Such card is
then placed upon a rack c' supported on a frame R, to which is also attached
a hinged frame or flap s. To this are fixed triangular projections d, d, so
placed that when the part S is turned down such projections will force the
tongues b, b, in the position shown in Fig. 9 at 1, 1. The part S is then
raised or turned back, the eyes of the buttons are placed in the perforations a',

page_text: and the opposite part T is brought down upon the tops of the buttons to hold
them in position. A sliding plate V, to which are fixed bent fingers or
punches 2, 2, is then pushed forward by the lever W, and the tongues 1, 1,
are forced through the eyes of the buttons in the manner shewn in Figure 11.
Figure 10 shows the reverse side of Figure 11. The buttons are thus fastened
to the card without requiring to be sewed or without the use of cord, tape, or
the like, and each button is fastened independently of the others so that one
can be removed without detaching or loosening any others. The parts of the
machine by which the buttons are ground and polished and fixed upon the
cards may be used for grinding and polishing and fixing upon cards other
buttons than those made from plastic materials.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Lodner Darrevontis Phillips in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 24th July 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, LODNER
DARREVONTIS PHILLIPS, of the City and State of New York, in the United
States of America, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fourth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the twenty-ninth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Lodner Darrevontis Phillips, Her special licence that I, the said
Lodner Darrevontis Phillips, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Lodner Darrevontis Phillips, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Inven-
tion for "A MACHINE FOR MAKING BUTTONS FROM PLASTIC MATERIALS, GRINDING,
POLISHING, AND CARDING THE SAME, PARTS OF WHICH CAN BE USED IN GRINDING,
POLISHING, AND CARDING OTHER KINDS OF BUTTONS," upon the condition, (amongst
others), that I, the said Lodner Darrevontis Phillips, my executors or admi-
nistrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause

page_text: e to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office. within six. calendar
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters, Patent.
KNOW YE, that I, the said Lodner Darrevontis Phillips, do hereby
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
ed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
ht:-
9.
ature of my Invention consists in the production of a simple and
machine for making buttons from plastic materials by, which, the eye
utton is formed and inserted in the plastic material at the same time
button is being formed and moulded, and by which also, the face of
on after it has been formed is ground and polished, and the buttons
ds fixed upon cards firmly and securely without sewing. or.. fastening
ds, tapes, &c.
1
1 is a general perspective view of the machine that; forms the button.
and its eye, and connects the two together.
2 is a detached and enlarged view of the mechanism for, feeding the
wire to form the eye, and discharging the buttons as formed.
3 is a front view of the wire guide and of the former of the eye.
4 is a side view of the mechanism for forming the eye..
t
5 shows the several parts in position when the button is completed,
the button and its mould being in section.
6 shows the formation of the different parts of the mould..
7 is a perspective view of the mechanism for grinding, and polishing
the buttons.
:
8 is a top view of the same with the covers or lids removed.
9 is a general or perspective view of the machine for, fixing the
buttons on the cards.
10 is a front and back view of the card to which the buttons are.
fixed.
11 is a vertical sectional view of Figure 9.
achine by which the eye is made and inserted in the button as the
being moulded, and a general perspective representation of which is
Figure 1, may be placed upon any suitable table or support A, and
berated by power or by the foot acting upon the stirrup B, which is
he upright lever C, and which passes through a slot or recess A' in
made for that purpose. The main parts D, D, D, of the frame are
rmly bolted together to furnish support and bearings for the working
he machine. The lever C has its fulcrum at a, and to the upper end
ver above such fulcrum there is connected the cross bar E, which

page_text: has its, bearing, or turning point at b, and which connects with the leyer C
through the angular: slot. d, d. To this same lever below such fulcrum
connects another cross bar F, having its bearing at c, and connecting with the
lever C by the inclined slot c. To the outer end of the cross head or bar E is
connected the mechanism that forms the eye and inserts it in the button,
and to the outer end of the cross bar F is connected the standard that
supports the mould that forms the button.
The eye of the button is formed and inserted in the button in the following
manner: A rod or piston G (a detached view of which is shown in Figure 4).
moves perpendicularly in the part K of the frame, and connects with the
outer end of the cross bar E by means of a horizontal slot f, so as to permit
the necessary lateral motion of the end of such cross bar as it moves in an arc
In the lower part of
of a circle while the rod or piston G moves vertically.
such piston G,, supported from a pin or pivot g, are two vertical jaws 1, 2,
which form the eye and insert it in the button, and which are cut out at their
lower ends.,on, their inside faces, as shown at h, Fig. 4, sufficiently to allow
such jaws when brought together to pass over and around the former Hand
bend over .it the wire that forms the eye of the button.
Such former
is attached to any convenient part of the machine, as shown in Figure 3.
and its. lower end which is rounded to the required size of the eye of the
button rests on the plate I directly under the jaws 1, 2, and over such former
passes the wire 3 from which the eye is formed as such wire is fed by the
machine as hereafter described. A thin slotted plate fixed to the front of the
machine passes down over the wire, as shown in Figure 3, to steady it and
keep it in position over the former. As the bottom of the lever C is moved
in the direction; of the arrow 1 its upper end is carried in an opposite direction.
raising the inner end of the cross bar E, and consequently forcing down the
outer end and the piston G with it. As such piston is forced down the jaws
1, 2, press upon the wire and bend it over the former H, and at the same
As such
time the jaw 1 cuts off the wire the proper length for the eye.
piston G still further descends a projection 4 fixed on the jaw 2, and having a
curved face comes in contact with an inclined piece 6 supported from the
plate I, and at the same time a similar projection 5 on the other jaw comes
in contact with a projection 7 on the machine, and the two jaws are thereby
forced close together, and as they complete their descent they bend and form
the eye, as shown in Figure 5. The lower ends of such jaws in completing
their descent pass through a recess in the plate I just large enough to receive
them and help. form the under surface of the button. An edge view of such
recess is seen in Figure 6, and the position of the fect of such jaws against

page_text: At the same time that
the under surface of the button is seen in Figure 5.
the piston G is being thus forced down, and the eye formed as above described.
the inner end of the cross bar F is forced downward by the movement of its
connecting pin in the slot e, and consequently its outer end is forced upward,
carrying with it the standard J on which rests the mould K', in which is put
the plastic material, as glass, horn, rubber, &c., from which the button is
to be made. The motion of the piston G and of the standard J with its
mould, the former of which is directly over the latter, towards each other is
such, that as the eye of the button is being formed as before described, the
mould with its contents is also being raised to the under side of the plate I.
so that while the eye is being completed it is also forced into the plastic
material 0, Figure 6, and as the plastic material cools or hardens the eye is
firmly held therein. The plate is solid except where the lower ends of the
jaws pass through it. A portion of the under side of such plate forms a part
of the mould, and is shaped as seen at h. Figure 6, to conform to the desired
form of the under side of the button: that part of the mould on top of the
standard J is, however, a little larger than that part on the under side of the
p'ate 1, so that as the mould K' is forced up against the plate 1. as shown in
Figure 5, the edges of the mould K' will shut over that part of the mould in
the plate I, and cut or shear off any excess of material that may be pressed
out at the sides. When the lever C is moved in a direction the opposite to that
before described, the parts G and J recede from each other, leaving the button
suspended by its eye on the former H. as shown by dotted lines in Figure 3.
The wire 3 to form the eye is fed to the machine by means of the rollers
L. L', Figure 2, to which motion is given by the curved arm M acting upon
the geared wheel N, such arm M being operated from the cross bar E through
the bar M'. The geared wheel N is fixed to the plate N', and both are loose
As the lever C is
upon the axle so as to turn freely in both directions.
moved in the direction to force the piston G downwards, at which time the
inner end of the cross bar E is elevated, the arm M will be raised, rotating the
wheel N in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, but when the
inner end of the cross bar E is depressed, which happens when the piston G is
being elevated, the arm M. is forced downward, and the wheel N is rotated in
When the wheel N and
the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 1.
plate N' are rotated in this direction a pawl o on the plate N' falls into a
ratchet n on the shaft k, and thereby gives motion to the rollers L. L', which
carry the wire 3 over the former H ready to be formed into an eye when the
rod G next again descends. The distance from tooth to tooth on the ratchet n
is such as to deliver at every forward revolution of the rollers L. L', sufficient

page_text: wire to form a button eye. Such wire is also delivered as the parts of the
mechanism which form the button are receding from each other, and is fully
delivered before such parts begin again to approach each other. To the
plate N is also fixed a pin 1 which, as such plate is so revolved by the descent
of the arm M, drops into a socket or recess in the end of the arm r which
connects with the plate I, and draws back such arm, rotating the plate
sufficiently far to slip the button from off the former H to which it was left
suspended as before described. As soon, however, as the outer end of the
cross bar E begins to descend the curved arm M is lifted and turns backward
the plate N', moving the arm r in a direction opposite that before mentioned,
and carrying back the plate I to its proper position for the formation of
another button. As, however, the rotation or revolution of the plate I
necessary to discharge the button from the former is much less than that
given to the plate N¹, the arm r is cut away from the recess or socket in
which the pin l'acts towards the plate I on a curve, the radius of which is
the distance of the pin from the centre of the axle k, so that when the
plate I has been carried back to its proper position, and the plate N' is further
revolved by the continued lifting of the arm M, the pin l' will pass up such
curve without further moving the arm r or the plate I. When the plate N
passes down the
is again revolved in an opposite direction the pin first
curve described and does not begin to act upon the arm 7 or move the plate I
until such pin has reached the end of such curve.
so
Figure 1 represents a machine adapted to mould but a single button and
form the eye therefor, but the machine can be arranged as to make a
number of buttons at one and the same time. The plastic material from
which the buttons are to be made may be used as it comes directly from the
furnace in which it is melted or prepared, or it may be softened in any con-
venient and ordinary manner. Moulds of different patterns can also
readily be substituted for each other, and buttons of different colors or with
medallion designs can also be easily made when desired. As the buttons after
having been formed are stripped from the former they are or may be con-
veyed by mechanism or otherwise to the grinding and polishing machine, a
perspective view of which is seen in Figure 7, and a top view of which is
seen in Figure 8. This machine consists of two revolving horizontal wheels
A¹, B', which are supported in any convenient and sufficient frame E¹, on
suitable standards 'C', D'. Motion is given to one of such wheels by a band
passing around the pulley F', or in any other convenient manner, and this
wheel gives motion to the other by contact or by gearing.
covered with emery or other suitable material, or one of
These wheels are
them may be of

page_text: stone and the other so covered and prepared.
The Drawings represent but
two such wheels, but the number may be increased, and one or more of the
last of the series may be simply covered by leather or any material suitable
for polishing the button after having been ground. Over and passing across
the upper surface of such revolving wheels is a serpentine trough or con-
ductor H for receiving and holding the buttons while being ground and
polished.
This conductor is somewhat wider than the diameter of the buttons.
so that the buttons can be easily carried along through it, and in height is a
little less than the depth of the button including its eye. The buttons are fed
into one end of such conductor, the eye of the button being upward and the
face resting upon the surface of the revolving wheel, and are discharged at the
other end y after they have been ground and polished. Over such revolving
wheels and supported in position by a prolongation of the standards C', D', or
in any other suitable manner are covers or moveable tops K, K', which rest
upon the eyes of the buttons, and by their weight keep the buttons
constantly in close contact with the revolving wheels so that the latter
As
can act uniformly and effectively upon the surface of the buttons.
the wheels are revolved they constantly act against the surfaces of the
buttons, and at the same time carry them along through the conductor H.
giving them also a rotary motion. so that when they are discharged
from the opposite end of the machine they are ground and polished ready
to be carded. The conductor H₁ may be straight, but by being ser-
pentine the buttons are longer kept in contact with the polishing surfaces.
The covers K.. K', will generally be quite light. as they need be only heavy
If it is desired to
enough to keep the buttons against the revolving wheels.
grind and polish buttons which have no projecting eye the conductor II'
may be made shallower. or suitable pieces may be fixed to the covers to set
down into the conductor and hold the buttons against the revolving wheels.
If it is desired to grind or polish the edges of the buttons this may be
effected by means of a hollow chuck made tapering so as to be adapted for
buttons of different sizes, and having moveable or hinged sides to more con-
veniently take the button, and the inner surfaces of which may be covered
with emery or similar material. After the buttons have been so ground and
polished they are ready to be fixed upon cards. Figures 9 and 11 are per-
spective and sectional views of the mechanism used for this purpose, and
Figure 10 shows the opposite sides of a card upon which the buttons are
fixed. The machine consists of a frame R, from which rise standards which
support the hinged and folding frames or covers S and T and the perforated
plate c, and also the moveable plate V to which are fixed- the fingers or

page_text: punches 2, 2, which fasten the buttons to the card in the manner herein-after
mentioned. The cards or paper boards, Figure 10, upon which the buttons
are to be fastened, is first submitted to the action of proper dies by which a
series of perforations a, a, are made each suitable to receive the eye of a
button, and near to and on a line with such perforations a tongue b is partially
cut out, being left attached to the card only by its end nearest the perfo-
ration a. The card having been so punched or prepared is then placed on the
perforated plate c'; the openings f, f, which are long enough to extend over
or include both the perforation a and tongue b, and broad enough to receive
the eye of the button, the tongues b and perforations a are placed directly
over the openings f. f. and the card is then ready to be acted upon by the
hinged plate S. To the under side of such plate or cover are fixed a number
of triangular projections d, d, which are so arranged with respect to each
other that as such part or plate S is turned down such projection 'd, d, will
force the tongues b, b, down through the openings f, f, and bend them in the
position shown at 1, 1, Figure 11; the frame S is then lifted and turned back
to the position shown in Fig. 9. The buttons are then placed upon the
card, as shown in Figure 11, their eyes being inserted in the perforations a, a,
and the frame or cover T brought down upon the buttons to hold them in
place. This cover T connects to the frame R by a slotted connection, so that
it can adapt itself to buttons of different heights. Underneath the perforated
plate c is a sliding or moveable plate V carrying the fingers or punches 2. 2.
to which motion is given by the lever W. The several punches or fingers
2. 2. are so arranged that they are in line with the series of the perfora-
tions, f, and as such plate V is moved forward in the direction of the arrow
these several fingers act against the bent tongues b, b, and force them through
the eyes of the buttons in the manner shown in Figure 10. Every tongue of the
card is thus made to act as a key or fastening to secure and fix a button thereto.
and each button is secured independently of the others, and without any
sewing or the use of any cord to hold them to the card, and any one button
can be removed without in any degree loosening or rendering less secure any
others on the card. The machines for grinding and polishing the buttons.
and also for fixing them to the cards may be used in connection with other
buttons than those made by the machine and separate from such machine.
and they may also be used separately and independently of one another when
desired.
What I claim as my Invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,
is,-
1. The general construction and arrangement of the entire machine for

page_text: forming buttons from plastic materials, the several parts constructed and
operating severally and in combination, substantially as described.
2. The combination and arrangement of the operating lever C with the two
cross heads or levers E and F, substantially as described, by which the outer
ends of such cross heads are made to approach or recede from each other
simultaneously, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3. The construction and arrangement of the moveable jaws in combi-
nation with the former or its equivalent for making and shaping the eye
of the button, the several parts constructed and operated substantially as
described.
4. The construction and arrangement, substantially as described, of the
mould to form the button, the same being in two parts, one fixed and the
other moveable, and the latter shutting over upon the former, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
5. The construction and arrangement of the oscillating plate between the
mechanism that forms the eye and the moveable part of the mould, such plate
supporting the former while the eye is being formed, and constituting also a
portion of the mould for shaping the button, and by its oscillating motion
discharging the buttons as they are formed.
6. The combination of the several parts forming the eye of the button with
the parts which mould or shape the button and their relative motions toward
each other, and operating substantially as described, whereby the eye of the
button is formed and inserted in the button at the same time the latter is
being moulded and shaped.
7. The arrangement of the mechanism for feeding the wire to form the eye.
arranged and operating substantially as described.
8. The construction of the arm B in combination with the pin S or their
equivalent for oscillating the plate I, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
9. The use and application of two or more revolving wheels for grinding
and polishing buttons, arranged and operating substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
10. In combination with such revolving wheels a guide or conductor and
a device for retaining the buttons in position and holding them while being
ground and polished. operating substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
11. The card or board to which the buttons are to be fixed when such card
is perforated or struck up and prepared, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.

page_text: 12. The combination and arrangement of the perforated plate c¹ for sup-
porting the perforated- or struck-up card board and the folding plate & and its
projections d; d) or their equivalents, arranged and operating substantially as
and for the purposes set forth.
13. The combination with the plate or card support c' of the moveable
plate V with its punches or fingers for inserting the fastening in the eye of
the button, operating substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Lodner Darrevontis Phillips, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Second day of July, A.D. One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-six.
LODNER D. PHILLIPS. (L.S.)