An IMPROVED 'SELF-FEEDER' FOR MACHINES USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CUT NAILS OR TACKS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Runnett and William Walter Finch, both of Staley-
bridge, in the County of Lancaster, for the Invention of "An IMPROVED
'SELF-FEEDER' FOR MACHINES USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CUT NAILS
OR TACKS."
Sealed the 8th August 1876, and dated the 20th March 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Runnett and William
Walter Finch at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th March
1876.
JAMES RUNNETT and WILLIAM WALTER FINCH, both of Staley bridge, in the
County of Lancaster. "AN IMPROVED SELF-FEEDER' FOR MACHINES USED IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF CUT NAILS OR TACKS."
This Invention consists of an apparatus to be applied to any of the "cut nail"
or tack making machines now in use for the purpose of feeding the strip of sheet
iron as the nails are cut off.
The apparatus consists chiefly of a tube mounted in bearings in such a way that
it can revolve, and also rise and fall slightly. The feeding end of this tube is pro-
vided with a nozzle, having a slit or opening of the form of the section of the strip
of metal to be fed. In the outer end of this tube fits a plunger, provided with
jaws for gripping the end of the strip of metal, and which is constantly forced for-
wards a cord and weight or similar means.
On the tube is keyed a half spur wheel, which is in gear with a toothed rack, and
this rack is actuated by a rod worked by a tappet or cam from any moving part of the
machine in such a way that it turns the tube suddenly over one-half of a revolution
after each cut as each nail is made by taking a slightly taper cut off the end of the
strip. On the tube also is a cam which raises the tube up as it turns over, so as to
raise the strip off the edge of the bottom cutter whilst it is being turned over, and a
second cam which draws the tube slightly back, and prevents the end of the strip
from touching the side of the upper cutter as it turns over.
There is also a clip
closed by springs which grips the plunger, and which is opened by means of a cam
after each cut, so as to allow the weight and cord to draw the plunger forward just
in time to present the end of the strip to the cutters after it has been turned over.
The plate which carries the apparatus is made adjustable sideways at each end

page_text: by a screw or otherwise, so as to regulate the angle at which the "feeder "lies, and
consequently the amount of taper and thickness of the point of the piece taken off
the end at each cut.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Runnett and William Walter Finch in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 9th August 1876.
JAMES RUNNETT and WILLIAM WALTER FINCI, both of Staleybridge, in the
"AN IMPROVED
County of Lancaster.
SELF-FEEDER FOR MACHINES USED IN
'
THE MANUFACTURE OF CUT NAILS OR TACKS."
,
This Invention has for its object the construction of an improved self-feeding
apparatus suitable for application to any of the cut nail or tack making machines
now in use, and by the use of which apparatus the strip of sheet iron or other
metal can be automatically fed forward as the nails are cut off.
We will now proceed, with the aid of the accompanying Drawings, to more
particularly describe the manner in which we carry out our Invention, previously
observing that similar letters of reference in the various Figures indicate corre-
sponding parts of the machinery.
Figure 1 shews an elevation of a nail-cutting machine with our improved
automatic feeding apparatus applied thereto.
Figure 2 shews a plan view of such machine and improved automatic feeding
apparatus.
Figure 3 shews a side elevation of our improved automatic feeding apparatus
alone.
Figure 4 shews a plan view of such improved automatic feeding apparatus.
The remaining Figures shew independent views of various parts of our
improved automatic feeding apparatus, and will be hereafter referred to in
detail.
The apparatus consists of a tube a mounted in suitable bearings bin such a
manner as not only to permit of its revolving, but also of its having a slight rising
and falling motion. The feeding end c of this tube a is provided with a nozzle d,
such nozzle having a slit or opening e formed therein, which is made of a corre-
sponding form to that of the section of the strip of metal to be fed in.
In the outer or extreme end of the tube a we insert a rod or plunger f, Figure 2,
such rod or plunger being made of suitable dimensions to allow of its working easily
up and down within such tube a. This rod or plunger f is provided with jaws
(shewn at g, Figures 5, 5a), such jaws being for the purpose of tightly gripping
the end of the strip of metal to be fed in, such rod or plunger is constantly forced
forwards by means of a cord and weight h, h', or any other suitable means.
'
On the tube a is keyed a half spur or sector wheel i, of which Figure 6 is an
independent view, which sector wheel gears into a second sector wheel, of which
an independent view is shewn in the Drawings at Figure 6a, such second sector
wheel being actuated by a rod worked by a universal joint . If preferred
however such rod may be worked by means of a tappet or cam fixed in any
suitable position upon any moving portion of the machine, or by any other suitable
device, but we prefer to employ a universal joint.
By means of the motion so imparted to the rod the tube a is caused to turn
over suddenly one-half of a revolution after each cut, as cach nail is made by taking
a slightly taper cut off the end of the strip of metal fed in.
We also place on the tube a a suitable cam 1, which cam causing the tube a
to rise up as it turns over thus lifts the strip of metal off the edge of the bottom
cutter whilst it is being turned over, and a second cam draws the tube slightly
back, and prevents the end of the strip of metal from touching the face or front of
the upper cutter as it turns over.

page_text: Figures 7 and 70'show independent views of this second cam . There is also a
clip shewn at o, Figure 5a; this clip is closed by means of springs, shewn at P, P,
Figures 5 and 5, and serves to grip the rod or plunger f. After each cut such clip
is caused to open by means of two cams or wedges, of which cams or wedges,
Figures 9, shew an independent view, so as to allow the cord and weight h, h, to
draw forward the rod or plunger f just in time to present the end of the strip to
the cutters after it has been turned over. The plate v, which carries the apparatus,
is made adjustable sideways at each end by means of screws q, q, Figure 1, or by
any other suitable means, in order to enable the operator to easily regulate the
angle at which the feeder lies, and to thus consequently determine the degree of
taper and thickness of the point of the piece taken off the end of the strip of metal
at each cut.
Figure 8 is an independent view of the mounted bearing that works in conjunction
with the second cam 1.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion, and the manner of carrying the same into effect, we would have it understood
that what we claim and desire to secure by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent is, the construction, use, and application of our improved automatic feeding
apparatus, in the manner and for the purposes herein-before set forth and
described.
In witness whereof we, the said James Runnett and William Walter Finch,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Third day of August, in the
year of our Lord One thousand cight hundred and seventy-six.
(L.B.)
WILLIAM WALTER FINCH. (L.S.)