Year: 1899

page_text: A communication from abroad by HAROLD BINNEY, of the City and State of
New York, United States of America, Attorney-at-Law.
I, JAMES GRIEVE LORRAIN, M.1.E.E., M.I. Mech. E., of Norfolk House, Norfolk
Street, Strand, in the County of London, Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention (as communicated to me from abroad)
to be as follows:-
Before considering the details of the invention in the particular forms shown
in the drawings, it is well to understand briefly and generally in what the
distinguishing features of the new invention consist.
Firstly, the new needle-making machine is characterized by automatic
mechanisms which form the eye-end by means of forming-dies and subsequently
rotate or spin the needle and grind or dress the eye-ends as well as the point-
ends, while they rotate.
Secondly and more in detail, the new needle-making machine automatically
draws in and cuts off the wire into needle-blanks, then forms the eye-ends by
forming-dies and eye-punches, then rotates the needle blank and grinds or
dresses both its point-end and its eye-end while it is rotating, and finally
straightens the needle and delivers it in a finished state ready for tempering.
Thirdly, the needle-making machine for carrying out these several operations
has special features and characteristics, which if not essential to the proper
operation, are certainly of especial importance in facilitating and perfecting the
accuracy and finish given to each needle by the machine.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a general plan of the improved needle-making machine; some minor
details being omitted.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the general frame, driving shafts, and table stripped of the
upper mechanismi.
Fig. 3 is a left-hand side-elevation. Some parts are omitted.
Fig. 4 is a partial right-hand side-elevation showing certain driving connections.
Fig 5 is a rear elevation; the carriers and much of the detail-mechanism
being omitted.
Fig. 6 is a partial front elevation showing the driving mechanism for the
point-forming and point-dressing devices.
Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the table and some mechanism on the under side
thereof.
Fig. 8 is a plan of certain details to illustrate the carriers and carrier-operating
mechanism, stripped of chucks, and partly broken away to show mechanism
underneath.

page_text: Fig. 9 is a partial section at the plane 9-9 in Fig. 1.
Fig. 10 is a plan of the wire-feeding and cutting-off mechanism.
Fig. 11 is an enlarged section at the line 11-11, Fig. 5.
Fig. 12 is a section at the line 12-12, Fig. 11.
Fig. 13 is a detail section at the line 13-13, Fig. 10.
Fig. 14 is an elevation of the needle straightening mechanism, as seen from
right side of Fig. 1.
Fig. 15 is a large section of same on the line 15-15, Fig. 1; the needle-
catching chute U omitted.
Fig. 16 is a section at the line 16-16, Fig. 15.
Fig. 17 is a section at, the line 17-17, Fig. 16.
Fig. 18 is an enlarged section of the straightening roll and co-operating shoe
or spring.
Fig. 19 is a detail plan of the part shown in Fig. 15, the feeding rolls and the
straightening roll being partly broken away.
Fig. 20 is an enlarged section at the line 20-20, Fig. 7.
Fig. 21 is an enlarged section at the line 21-21 on Fig. 7.
Fig. 22 is an axial section of one of the locking bolts with which each of the
carriers is provided.
Fig. 23 is a detail elevation partly in section of the device for thrusting-out
the chucks on the last carrier toward the delivery rolls; as viewed looking
towards the foot of Fig. 8.
Fig. 24 is a vertical section on line 24, Fig. 3, of the stamp for impressing or
stamping the eye and head of the needle.
Fig. 25 is a section at the line 25-25, Fig. 24:
Fig. 26 is an elevation of the stamp or press viewed from right-hand of Fig. 24.
Fig. 27 is a view of certain details viewed from the arrow 27 on Fig. 1 and
partly in section.
Fig. 28 is a bottom view of some of the operating mechanism of the parts
shown in Fig. 27.
Fig. 29 is a detail section at the line 29-29, Fig. 28.
Fig. 30 is a plan of grinding mechanism for the head end of the needle.
Fig. 31 is a detail in section at the line 31-31, Fig. 30.
Fig. 32 is a detail in section at the line 32-32, Fig. 30.
Fig. 33 is an elevation of the double gripping jaws for holding the needle
blanks during the grinding of the head;
Fig. 34 is a detail in section at the line 34-34, Fig. 30.
Fig. 35 is a greatly enlarged detail in section transversely through the needle-
blank gripped in the jaws.
Fig. 36 is a detail elevation of an actuating cam for the grinding mechanism.
Fig. 37 is a vertical section through the axis of the second and third carriers,
showing also the bearings and operating gears.
Fig. 38 is a detail vertical axial section of two chucks on the second and
third tables at the instant of transferring the blank devices.
Fig. 39 is an elevation of the transferring device viewed from the centre of
the third carrier.
Fig. 40 is an elevation from the opposite side of same.
Fig. 41 is a detail section at the line 41-41, of Fig. 39.
Fig. 42 is an enlarged section of line 42, Fig. 9, showing the stem or shank
and the bearing of one of the chucks of.either the second or the third carrier.
Fig. 43 is a detail in section at the line 43 43, Fig. 3.
Fig. 44 is an elevation viewed from the arrow 44, Fig. 43.
Fig. 45 is a plan of the setting device for accurately adjusting the blanks in
the chucks on the third carrier.
Fig. 46 is an elevation of the same, viewed from the arrow 46, Fig. 45.
The several parts are lettered alike throughout all the figures.
Fig. 47 shows in elevation partly broken away one of the dressing or finishing-

page_text: belt carriages for operating upon the protruded ends of the blanks, either point.
or head. A needle point is shown in position.
Fig. 48 is a section at the line 48 48, Fig. 47.
Figs. 49, 50 and 51 are greatly enlarged plan views of the head and of the
needle-blank in different stages of formation.
Fig. 52 is a section at the line 52-52, Fig. 50.
Fig. 53 shows the section after the eye is pierced through.
Fig. 54 is a plan showing in smaller scale the die on which the needles are
pierced through.
Fig. 55 is a section at the line 55-55, Fig. 54.
Fig. 56 is a magnified longitudinal section at the line 56-56, on Fig. 54,
showing by dotted lines a needle-blank in position.
Fig. 57 is a section at the line 57-57, Fig. 56.
A is a rigid base-block. A' and A2 are standards mounted upon if and carrying
a top frame or table A³. A is a segmental or arc-shaped extension for sup-
porting the various mechanisms which co-operate with the second rotating
carriers; A5 is another segmental or arc-shaped extension for supporting certain
other mechanisms which co-operate with the third rotating carriers. On the
table A³ there are mounted the three intermittently rotating carriers B, C and D).
The three carriers each have a plurality of chucks or gripping-devices for holding
the needle-blanks radially. The carriers C and I have mechanism for rotating
the chucks. Between the two carriers B and C, there is a device for transferring
the needle-blank from B to C when two chucks are in line; and there is another
such transferring device between carriers C and D).
The wire-feeding and cutting-off mechanism, mounted upon a bracket or
standard E on the table A3, successively cuts off and delivers blanks, radially to
the chucks of carrier R as the carrier intermittently rotates. Grouped around
this carrier in position to be reached successively by the blanks (which the chucks
carry protruding radially), are several mechanisms for forming the head or eye-
end of the needle; including a press F for flattening the end of the wire prepara-
tory to impressing the same in the form desired; a press G. for impressing or
stamping the blanks to form the head, eye and the thread groove; a press H for
piercing the eye; grinding or other mechanism mounted on frame I for dressing
off the exterior burrs which are left by the impressing dies in press G.
Next, in order of operation, is the blank-transferring device J, located between
the carriers B and C.
The blank when transferred to a chuck of carrier C is carried with its other
end projecting radially ready to be shaped to form the point. A gauge finger K
limits accurately the distance which the blank protrudes from the chuck. Next a
cutter L performs the first cutting operation upon the point, followed by cutting
or grinding rolls M and N which perform further steps in the same operation.
Then a grinding disc further dresses the point. Finally polishing belts P, P
complete the dressing of the point.
After the needle leaves the belts P, P, it reaches the transferring device or
ring Q and is transferred thereby to a chuck on the third carrier D leaving
its head protruding. A setting gauge R, and a polishing belt S, which finely
polishes the head, act on it successively. Finally a withdrawing and straighten-
ing-mechanism on the bracket T, straightens and delivers the needle to a recep-
tacle or chute U.
In order to conveniently communicate power to the mechanisms at both sides
of the table, two parallel shafts, a and b, at the front and rear, are journaled in
short standards 1, 2, 3 and 4, and connected by a belt 5 passing over pulleys 6
and . The pulley 8 on the shaft a may be driven by any suitable source of
power.
Pulleys 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 on shaft a are connected by belts to actuate
the grinding and polishing devices L, M, N, O, P, P.
On the shaft b are the pulleys 21, 22 and 25. These (by suitable connections,

page_text: The step-by-step rotary motion of the tables B, C, and D is derived from a
reciprocating cross-head 70, which moves on frame or table A. A cam g¹ on
shaft g, actuates the lever 71 fulcrumed on the bracket arm A30, and connected
by a link 72, to the crosshead 70. Two powerful springs 73, 73, connected to
the crosshead retract the crosshead in the direction opposite that in which it is
actuated by the cam. The rotating tables or carriers B, C and D have hollow
spindles B, C and D) (Figure 2) journaled in steel bushings A32, A3 and A
in the frame A³. The bushings extend above the top of the table A, and exter-
nally (Fig. 8) form fulcrums for the pawl-levers 77, 78 and 79, which carry
feed pawls 80, 81 and 82, engaging the ratchet teeth 132, C2 and 12 on the
carriers. Links 83, 84 and 85 connect the levers 77, 78 and 79, with the
reciprocating crosshead 70. In order to lock the carriers at the end of each
movement so as to prevent overfeed from the momentum and backward or
reverse action from any cause, I provide the locking bolts 86, 87 and 88 mounted
in sleeves 89 90 and 91 on the table A3; each provided with a spring 92, acting
to shoot the bolts upward into square notches 29, 29 and 29 in the carriers B, C
and D. The ends of the bolts (Fig. 22) are slightly tapered to enter the notches
freely, and tightly bind in them. These locking bolts are operated by a rock
shaft (Fig. 20) which has an arm j¹ actuated by a cam 2 on shaft g, and two
other arms, j³ slotted to receive the lower portions of bolts 86 and 88; between
adjustable check nuts 96, 97, 98, 99. The cam surface has two concentric arcs.
and the shoulders between them are sufficiently abrupt to give to the lever j
practically instantaneous movements. The cam g² and levers ¹, 2, 3 withdraw
the bolts against the springs 92, and unlock the carriers B and D at the instant
the carriers are about to rotate. The bolts are released and spring up just as the
carriers end their movements. A lever 100, Fig. 20, fulerumed on the frame,

page_text: and moving with the free end of the lever arm ja, similarly receives and actuates
the lower end of the lock-bolt 87 for carrier C.
MECHANISM FOR ROTATING THE CHUCKS.
The structure and all the movements of all the chucks on carriers C and D are
identical, and this description of one is true of all. The shafts or spindles f
and e as already described are axially journaled in the carriers C and D, and
serve to turn bevel gear wheels 11 and 12 lying in the respective rotating carriers.
Placed radially on each of the carriers and D are chuck-carrying chairs or
brackets X, each of which has two journal bearings. In the inner bearing X",
there is journaled the hollow shaft or sleeve X³ and beveled gear pinion X²,
which meshes with and is driven by the central bevel gear or crown gear. In
the outer bearing X20, the spindle of the chuck is journaled but free to slide
lengthwise. It has a bearing also within the sleeve X. A conical shoulder 10
on the spindle, and a corresponding surface in the sleeve hub, afford a frictional
driving engagement between the pinions X2 and the chucka, allowing slipping
in case of accidental stoppage of the chuck. In addition there is a short groove
or notch X in the inner surface of the sleeve hub X³ and the spindle carries a
spring feather X", which lies in a groove in the spindle and engages the
notch X30. If the rotation of the chuck is accidentally arrested, then the spring
feather will slip out of the notch X30 without breaking A slide X moving
radially in the carrier, has a forked stud X which engages with the annular
groove X of the chuck, and causes the chuck to move longitudinally with it.
The slide is forced towards the center of the carrier by a spring 123, the other
end of which is hooked to loose central disc 120. Therefore the spring 123
normally holds the chuck in engagement to be rotated by the beveled pinion X².
The rotary force of the gears 11 and 12 in driving all these chucks tends to turn
the carriers as a whole in a direction reverse to their intermittent movement.
This tendency is overcome by the locking bolts 86, 87, 88, but to save the
necessity of accurately timing these, stationary spring stops or pawls 94 and 93
are fixed at suitable points to engage the notches 29 of the carriers to lock them
positively against back motion.
THRUSTING-OUT THE CHUCKS.
In order to thrust out cach chuck at the proper time and place to cause it to
receive or deliver a needle blank, each shipping slide X has a finger X, which
projects down through a slot 26 in the carrier or rotating table. Fulcrumed on
the frame below the carrier C, is a lever 125 which terminates at a point imme-
diately behind the position at which these fingers X6 successively stand as the
chucks one by one come in line with the center of the tranfer device or ring J
(Figs. 9, 27 and 28). A link 126 with a roller or abutment 127, in the path of
rotation of and actuated by the suitably eccentric portion 940 of a cam g', operates
the lever at the desired intervals. A spring 128 attached to the link keeps the
abutment 127 always against the cam g. The lever 125 strikes the finger X
and thrusts out the slide X and its chuck t, causing the disengagement of the
chuck from its driving pinion X2, and so arresting the rotation of the chuck.
The link 126 may conveniently be slotted at 129 and so supported directly or
by a block as shown on the shaft g adjacent to the cam g¹.
When the carrier C is stationary and while one of its chucks is thrust-out to
receive a blank from the first carrier B, another chuck similarly is thrust out to
deliver to a chuck on the third carrier D. To produce this other movement
there is journaled on the frame a vertical rock shaft n, which is actuated by
its lever arm 133, and a link 134, pivoted to the link 126. The link 134 thus
communicates a rocking movement to the rock shaft n, at this upper end of
which is a lever arm n¹ immediately behind the position of a finger X6, when
its chuck a is in line to deliver a needle blank to the opposed chuck on the third
carrier, so as to thrust forward the chuck at the proper time. On the carrier ])

page_text: the thrusting out of each chuck when in line to receive a blank from the chucks of
carrier C, and also the thrusting out, at the same time, of the chuck which is in
line to deliver a needle to the delivering rolls and straightening mechanism 7,
is produced as follows: On the bracket arm 28 of the frame, there is fulcrumed a
cam lever 140, which depends in the path of an abutment 141, on the back of the
cam g, and is actuated thereby. (Figs. 7, 8, 21, 23). A link 139 connects the
lever 140 to an arm 138 of the vertical rock-shaft 137, which carries an arm 136
for successively engaging and thrusting out the fingers X6 and chuck a when in
line with a chuck on the carrier C. From the lower end of the rock-shaft 137
another arm 135 extends against and actuates the lower end of a lever 143,
fulcrumed on the frame. The upper end of lever 143 moves in line to actuate a
finger X6 when the latter is in position opposite the delivering rolls. A spring 142
retracts the lever 143 and lever arm 136 from the path of the fingers X6,
keeps abutment 144 of lever 140 in the path of the abutment 141 on the cam g.
As the cam rotates, therefore, the two chucks which are in line respectively with
the transfer ring or device Q and with the delivering and straightening rolls Z,
are simultaneously thrust out radially and stop rotating.
and
In Fig. 28 it will be seen that lever arm 133 is slotted; the bolt on link 134
may be adjusted in the slot toward and from the fulcrum. This permits inde-
pendent accurate adjustment of the simultaneous throws of two chucks on
carrier C.
WIRE FEEDING & CUTTING MECHANISM.
(See Figs. 1, 3, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13.)
The wire from which the blanks are cut is delivered from a reel in any suitable
way, to guide 58 leading to the feeding rolls 53, 55. The roll 53 turns with
gear 52 and bevel gear 51. Bevel gear 51 is driven by bevel gear 50, shaft h,
spur gears 49 and 48, and belt pulley 47, all mounted on standard E. Gear 52
drives gear 54 and roll 55 which is mounted on slide 56 on the bracket E and is
pressed, by spring 57, towards roll 53 to cause the rolls to grip the wire. The
moving member of the wire cutter is a sleeve-like rock shaft k and gear seg-
ment K journaled in the bracket E. A lever 59 on the forward end of a rock
shaft m operated by lever m¹ carrying cam roller m¹0 running in cam 62 on
shaft g. The lever 59 is provided with a gear segment 60 which engages and
turns the gear segment A. An angle-shaped adjustably-fixed cutter 61 and
guide 63 are placed in front of the sleeve k. The passage in the sleeve k
commences, at the rear, in the axial line but is inclined so as to emerge at the
front eccentrically. The rocking motion of the shaft k brings the forward end of
the duct alternately below and above the cutting edge 61. When above,
the rolls 53, 55 feed the wire through the passage, and when the sleeve rocks
it therefore causes the cutter 61 to cut off the protruding end of the wire. The
grip of the feed rolls on the wire is sufficient to feed the wire through the rolls
and through the duct but readily allows the rolls to slip when the advance of
the wire is obstructed by the cutter 61 being in front of the end of the duct. The
action of cam 62 is timed to permit the feeding at the instant a chuck on rotating
carrier B stands at rest in line with the wire. While the carrier B is still at
rest, the reverse rocking movement of the sleeve-shaft k cuts the wire leaving
the protruding portion as a detached blank in the chuck of carrier B. To'
prevent any flying up or bending of the blank as it is cut, a shoe 63, overhangs
the protruding wire between the cutter and the chuck so closely that although it
permits the latter to be fed under it, it prevents any appreciable springing or
bending of the blank by the cutting action. This shoe 63 is adjustably mounted
on a bar 64.
The same bar 64, serves to support another shoe 66 in position to
depress the tail of the spring gripping jaw w2 of the chuck w (which is pivoted
as shown) and hold the jaw open while the chuck is in line with the wire feed,
(Figs. 10 and 11). The several chucks are adjustably mounted radially on chairs
or boxes W on the first carrier B. In the shank of each chuck lies a plunger w*,

page_text: which serves as a wire stop and gauge touching at the rear end the periphery of
a stationary disc B+ carried on axial spindle B40. This disc B is circular except-
ing about 90 degrees of its circumference (as seen at B Figs. 1 and 30) where
the radius is very slightly shorter to permit a slight movement of plungers w*,
to compensate for any elongation of the blank under the stamping and pressing
mechanisms.
PRESSING, STAMPING AND PIERCING MECHANISM.
Immediately upon the cutting-off of the blank, the rotating carrier B is un-
locked, and its intermittent rotating movement takes place, carrying the chuck
away from the shoe 66, and allowing it therefore to close and grip the blank.
The blank is thus carried in the grasp of the chuck to a position between the
upper and lower dies of the press F. (Figs. 1, 3, 5, 7, 43, and 44). Press F
merely flattens the wire at the head end. The slightly flattened surfaces, how-
ever, produced by this press serve to lodge the blank squarely on the die of the
next press, upon whose accuracy the perfection of the head end of the needle
largely depends. The press F has a slightly inclined guide-shoe 115, which lies
in a slight recess in the under die F and rises a little above the surface of the
die. It terminates just short of the position which the needle blank should have
when on the die. The needle blank carried by the chuck (even if it be bent
slightly downward) is guided along the shoe, yielding slightly at the free end.
It clears the shoe and springs down on to the die as the carrier reaches the end of
the intermittent movement. The upper die F2, of the press is adjustably secured
in the powerful press lever 13. A bell-crank lever F5 fulcrumed on the table A³,
engages and actuates the long arm of the lever F3 and is itself actuated by an
adjustable abutment 27 on the wheel 44, which strikes it once in each revolution.
The retracting spring F is connected to the end of the lever F. In order to
adjust very precisely the degree of flattening produced by the press on wires of
various size or compressibility, a hardened contact piece F is secured on the
lever for the bell-crank to engage, and is made adjustable accurately by
means of a screw F31. The upper die F2 is so placed relating to the fulcrum of
lever that it descends upon the lower die in a line that is almost tangent to
the lower die, producing a drawing movement upon the blank which prevents any
tendency to burst or split the wire.
The blank is next carried by the intermittent travel to the press G, (Figs. 1, 3,
24, 25, 26). In order to insure the accurate placing of the needle on the die-
which is very essential--a spring guide bar G₁, is extended along the inner side
of the lower die G2, and supported by a delicate spring bracket Go. Just at the
position which the needle reaches when it is to be acted upon by the dies the guide
bar G has a slight V shaped notch G". When the needle blank, after riding
up on to the bar G¹ reaches the notch, the upward springing of the bar centres
the blank in the apex of the notch, accurately, notwithstanding any slight bend
which the blank may have.
The form of the dies G and G³ for press G, will be understood from Figs. 50
and 52, which show a blank after action by the press. The head is shaped
(excepting the burrs or fins) substantially as in the finished needle. The web or
break" within the eye greatly diminishes the liability of splitting the wire.
As the flattening of the blank by the action of the presses F and G tends to
slightly lengthen it, in order to prevent the blank from becoming bent, the
disk B (against the periphery of which rest the stops W of the chucks) is
slightly cut away as at B, Fig. 30. The plungers w also form means for adapt-
ing the chucks to making needles of different lengths. This is accomplished
by substituting shorter or longer plungers w in all the chucks.
The necessity for almost absolute accuracy makes a heavy press standard and
rigid parts desirable. The press is in fact a drop hammer. The head G by
its fall performs the work. The standard G is formed with a channel G7 which
is matched with a corresponding channel G8, their line of parting being in the

page_text: diagonal plane of the square space formed by them for the square shaft of the
drop hammer G. The upper end of the hammer has a crosshead G50 which
strikes rubber cushions G, G, cushioning the blow by their compression and
reaching to instantly lift the hammer from the blank. Accurate means for
adjusting the dies angularly and exactly in alignment-such, for instance, as
shown must be provided. The drop hammer G is operated by a lifting rod G³,
provided with a tappet shoulder G2 which engages the abutment or tappet G
and lifts the hammer. The lower end of said lifting rod is pivotally attached to
one arm of a bell crank lever G27, which is fulcrumed on the frame at G17, and
actuated by an eccentric cam 96 on the shaft g, timed to cause it to drop when
the needle blank is at rest on the lower die. The lifting rod or bar is tripped
from under the tappet or shoulder G5, to cause the latter to fall, by an incline
shoe or cam G18 secured adjustably on the standard in the path of motion of the
two ends G¹ of a stud set through the bar. Abutment studs G1, in the upward
movement of the bar, riding on the incline cam G18 disengage the two tappets
or abutments G51 and G26, thus permitting the hammer to fall. A spring Gon
the standard presses the lifting bar towards the hammer to engage it.
After the needle leaves the press G, the next process punches out the thin
remnant or web of metal in the eve. For this purpose the press H (Figs. 1, 3, 27,
54, 55, 56, 57) is mounted at a distance of two steps of the intermittent-carrier-
movement from the press G. The die-holder H in this press may be secured
and adjusted in the same manner as the die-holder in the press G. The punch H
for piercing the eye is carried in the stiff overhanging arm of the reciprocating
slide or head H³, which extends down and is actuated at its lower end by the
short arm 22 on the small rock-shaft 2, which is rocked by link 115, cam lever 116,
and cam go on shaft y. (Figs. 3, 7, 27, 28, 29, 36). The die H10 in the press H is
slightly crowned or sloping on all sides up to the aperture, so that the needle
blank is readily guided on to it. The die has a distinct notch H" whose slopinig
sides tend to centre the slightly springing needle blank accurately. The die Hi
fits the thread-grooves and eye closely in order that the metal of the needle blank
may be supported throughout the entire eye, while the latter is being pierced.
In order that the needle blank shall be held closely and firmly on to the die while
the punch descends and that the punch may be prevented from dragging the
blank up with it as it withdraws, I provide a presser and stripper foot H* over-
hanging the die and apertured for the punch, and having a spring-pressed stem
or shank H which slides in the overhanging arm of the head H³. An adjustable
collar H** limits the downward movement of the presser foot or stripper relatively
to the punch so that it overhangs the die at ample distance above the same to
admit the needle blank, when the punch is at its highest position. As the punch
descends, the presser foot reaches the die first and holds the blank firmly thereon
before the point of the punch reaches it. The yielding of the presser spring
permits the punch to descend and do its work, and only when the punch has
withdrawn so far that the overhanging arm H³ reaches again the collar on the
stripper shank, the presser foot rises.
BURR-GRINDING MECHANISM.
On leaving the press H in which the eye is pierced and cleaned out, the next
process is to dress off the outer burr or fin (Fig. 53). A bracket I forming a
double fixed lower jaw I¹ has hinged to it a movable upper jaw 12 (Figs. 1, and 27
to 36 inclusive). These jaws are armed at both ends with hard steel grip-
pers 13 13 which work in pairs to hold the needle blank as in Fig. 35.
Springs I, I, tend to hold the jaws apart. A bolt I5, which is connected below
to an operating lever 118, fulcrumed at 119 and moved by an arm pt on rock
shaft, closes the jaws. The grippers I³ project beyond the ends of the jaws
a distance about equal to the diameter-of a needle blank and hold the heads of
the needle blanks firmly between them as in Fig. 35 with only the fin exposed.
The distance and position of the grooves of the two pairs of grippers is such

page_text: that, while a blank held in one chuck is grasped in first pair of grippers, exposing
half of its burr or fin, the blank held in the preceding chuck is gripped in other
pair of grippers exposing the opposite half of the burr or fin. The lower fixed
jaw is provided with a spring lip or guide plate I, which is designed to guide
the needle blank with certainty into the gripper. This lip plate is upheld by
spring I (Figs. 33, 34) and checked by long taper pins 18 screwed through the
back of the fixed jaw, and extending through short slots 160 in the lip plate. The
taper of the pins adapts them to vary the limit of upward thrust of the lip. The
edge of the lip at points near the groove in the lower or fixed gripper, should be
a very little above the level of the face of that gripper, so that the blank sliding
along the inclined edge of the lip to that point shall be sprung up sufficiently to
ride clear of the edge of the gripper groove, and be in position to lodge in the
latter when the lip and upper jaw are depressed. Between the two grippers, the
upper jaw is provided with an abutment 12, which strikes and depresses the lip
plate I before the jaw is fully closed.
For dressing off the burrs, while the blanks are thus gripped, there are
provided rotating cutters 17 17 grooved to trim off the burr or fin accurately on
the side and end of the head. These rotating cutters II' are mounted in
sleeves I, which are adjustably screwed into boxes or heads 1. These boxes
or heads 17 are carried by and turn with the respective vertical rock-shafts 17.
Shafts I are actuated by the adjustable links 106, 107, extending from the
opposite arms 108, 109 of a lever fulcrumed at 110. To dress away the burrs,
as described, there is provided on the rock-shaft p a lever arm p', which acts on
arm 108 and turns the lever 108, 109 against the tension of the spring 112 to
swing the cutters 17 inward against the burrs of the blanks held in the grippers.
Belts and pulleys I on the rear ends of the shafts 170 serve to drive the cutters I'
as shown in Fig. G
For accurately regulating the action of the jaws.I2, the lower end of bolt I³ is
provided with an adjustable stop 10 cone-shaped on the upper surface. This
engages the eye in the lever 118 (Fig. 32) to accomodate the movement required,
and may be adjusted and secured on the belt by the adjusting nut I and jam
nut I2
MECHANISM FOR CARRIER C; AND TRANSFER DEVICES.
The same cam lever 108, from which the swinging movements of the grinders
or cutters I are derived, serves also to operate a gauge or setting device K
adjacent to the carrier table C. A vertical rock-shaft q in standard 124 on the
table A is operated by lever arm q' connected by link 105 to the lever arm 108,
(Figs. 1, 27, 30). At its upper end the rock shaft q carries a slotted lever arm gi
which engages a piu K¹ on a gauge finger K, which slides in the head of the
standard 124.
During the quick movement of the lever 108, which swings the cutters I
into operation, the link 105 operates the rock-shaft q. to thrust out the gauge
finger to quickly set the-needle blank backward into the chuck on the carrier C,
which at this instant stands opposite the gauge finger K.
As each chuck on the carrier B (Figs. 1 and 9) finishes the step movement
which brings it opposite the transfer device J, the tail of the pivoted jaw 2 of
the chuck passes under an overhanging fixed shoe 151 mounted rigidly on the
dise 13+, and the chuck is thereby opened. At this point, as already described.
the opposed chuck X on the carrier C is thrust forward to receive the blank, and
it is opened to receive and closed to hold the blank by the parts J, J3, of the
transfer ring J. As the form and operation of these parts J, J3 are identical with
the corresponding parts of the transfer device Q which is between carriers C
and D, the latter, which is shown in detail in Figs. 38, 39, 40 and 41, will be
described in detail. Parts on the two transfers which are the same in form are
indicated by the same letters. A ring J' is mounted upon frame A³, the centre
or axis of the ring being in a line joining the centres of the two carriers C and D).

page_text: The ring J has pivoted on its face on the side toward the receiving chuck trip
sectors or fingers J, which extend radially toward the centre of the ring and
jointly. form a circular central aperture. Springs J tend to hold the fingers J
against the face of the ring J. When the receiving chuck on the carrier D
is thrust forward, even though still rotating, it passes through the central aper-
ture and encounters the ends of one or more of the trip fingers J2, which operate
as a rigid ring and trip or open the pivoted jaw of the chuck as it is thrust
through such ring: The pivoted jaws of the chucks are shouldered or cut down
as at 154 to permut the jaw to spring shut and close on the needle blank as the
said shoulder 154 passes by the trip finger J². In the first portion, therefore, of
the thrusting-out movement, the jaw is opened as described, so that the blank
enters the open jaw. As the shoulder 154 clears or runs off the trip finger J,
the jaw closes on and grasps the blank. Immediately thereafter the retreating
movement of both chucks commences, but the trip fingers, now caught by the
shoulder 154, yield toward the carrier D and permit the chuck to withdraw
without opening the jaw. It will be seen that the purpose served by the several
trip fingers in a complete ring is to insure this action, no matter what position
in its rotation the chuck may assume when thrust out; thus preventing the
necessity of always stopping the rotation of the chuck at any particular angular
position. As the chucks on carrier C are rotary, they cannot be opened by a fixed
shoe like 151 on carrier B. The opening of the chucks on the table to deliver
the blanks is therefore effected by the advance or thrusting-out movement of
the chuck. The fixed ring 160, secured by springs 163 to the ring J¹ of transfer
device Q, strikes and opens the pivoted jaw of the chuck, as the latter enters the
ring (Fig. 38). The chuck does not, however, enter far enough to clear its
shoulder 154 and, therefore, it is held open until the chuck withdraws. The
spring fingers 163 yield as the chuck is retracted by its spring 123, thus per-
mitting a slight free movement of ring 160 to lessen the friction between the
chuck jaw and the ring and insure the chuck being withdrawn freely and
quickly.
GRINDING, DRESSING, AND POLISHING MECHANISMS.
After the blanks have been received by the chucks on the carrier C, they are
successively carried past the several grinding, dressing and polishing devices,
which are mounted and operated adjacent to their path as they move with this
carrier (Figs. 1, 3, 6, 47 and 48). The first three of these,--the cutter L, the
grinding roll and the grinding roll N,-are similarly mounted and driven.
They are made universally adjustable in the same way as the polishing belts P
and S, illustrated in detail in Fig. 47. The same letters are applied to correspond-
ing parts in all the carriages and adjusting devices, and for their full understand-
ing, reference may be had to Fig. 47, in addition to Figs. 1 and 6. The cutters
or grinders L, M, or N, and the carriage of the polishing belt, are each pivoted
in the forward end of a fork frame 300, having a spindle mounted and adjustable
longitudinally and angularly, in a sleeve or collar 302, which has a pin or
spindle 303 at right angles. This also is longitudinally and angularly adjustable
in a sleeve 304 which has a pin or stem 305 in the slot of the segment exten-
sion A of the table frame A³. Any conceivable adjustment, horizontal, vertical
or angular, may be therefore accurately given to cutters, grinders or other tools
mounted in the forward end of the fork frame 300 as stated.
Rotary motion is communicated to the cutters and grinders L, M, N by belts
from shaft a. The grinding disc is mounted and driven similarly to the
grinders L, M and N, but this disc because of its size is mounted on its shaft
outside the arms of its fork frame 300 and its driving pulley 306 is mounted on
the shaft between the arms. All these dressing and grinding devices, as well
as polishing belts P, P, act on the blanks during the intermittent movement of
the carrier C and the rotation of each blank in its chuck. They differ principally
in fineness of the surface, which does the grinding and polishing. The polishing

page_text: belts P, travel over two little pulleys journaled at opposite ends of a rocking
frame 312, mounted between the arms of the fork frame 300, and adjustable by
the set screws 313. The surface of the belt travelling over the rollers should be
given a slight inclination corresponding as accurately as possible to the taper
point of the needle, so that as the needle passes over the belt, the entire tapered
surface may be accurately reached and polished. The blanks are held against
the cutters and belts while being shaped and dressed by means of depending
guard rails 307, 307, etc. which rest against and support the needle passing
under them while it is being acted upon. The polishing belts P run over and
are driven by pulleys 314, 315, adjustably mounted on the frame and actuated by
belts from the pulleys 19 and 20 and running guide pulleys or idlers as shown.
The cutters or grinders L, M, N and O are adjusted to effect the following
relations: All the grinders revolve in the direction away from the chuck and
toward the point as they impinge upon the blank to avoid risk of catching and
bending the blank. The first grinder or cutter L operates upon the unpointed
blank. It first meets the extreme end and points that, gradually touching and
grinding further back on the sides of the rotating blank as the chuck moves
along. By this method the end is ground before the diameter and the stiffness
of the blank have been lessened. In other words the cutter L is inclined in
the horizontal plane slightly to the path of movement of the blank, as seen in
Fig. 1, so that it first encounters the end of the blank and the grinding proceeds
gradually back from the end as the blank moves laterally over the face of the
cutter. The grinders M, N and O, however, commence their work first upon
the sides of the blank, considerably behind the point and then work toward the
point as the blank moves over them. In order to operate in this manner, the
grinders M and N are differently inclined slightly as seen in Fig. 1 relative to
the path of movement of the blank. The grinding surface O being on a peri-
phery of much greater diameter than the cylindrical grinders M and N is set at
an angle of about 30° to the path of the blanks, as seen in Fig. 1; and to cause
it to nicely follow the taper of the needle, the axis is inclined downward very
slightly at the inner end, as seen in Figs. 4 and 6. This disc cutter by
reason of its greater diameter and special angle, touches and dresses the entire
taper of the needle point at one sweeping movement, removing all angles or lines
made by the preceding cutters. The belts P merely smooth and polish.
CARRIER D MECHANISMS.
When the blanks are delivered to the chucks on the carrier D, through transfer
device Q, as already described, the head ends are exposed ready to be polished.
To insure the equal protrusion of all the blanks, a gauge or setter R (Figs. 1, 5,
45, 46) is provided. A vertical rock-shaft r is journaled in a suitable standard 325
on the table. This rock-shaft is turned by lever arm 326 which is operatively
At the
connected by a link 327 to the bell-crank lever F, already described.
upper end of the rock-shaft r is a lever arm 328 provided with a slot. This slot
engages a pin 329 on the gauge finger R mounted to slide in an arm of the
standard 325, and provided with a retracting spring 331. As the lever F, which
also operates the press F, is actuated at the time of rest of the carriers B, C, D,
it actuates this gauge finger R during the interval of rest of the chuck on
table D; and the gauge encounters the end of the blank and forces it back into
the chuck to the exact position desired. The blank is next brought to the
polishing belt S, which may be mounted and driven in a manner similar to the
polishing belts P, P, the power being derived from the pulley 22 on the shaft b.
STRAIGHTENING AND DELIVERING MECHANISMS.
After passing the polishing belt S, the needles are ready to be delivered. In
line with one of the rest positions of the chucks are a pair of feed rolls 400
and 401, mounted respectively in a fixed bearing T1 and in a spring-pressed
box T2 pivoted to the bearing T¹, (Figs. 1, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19). Spur gears 402

page_text: and 403 on the rear ends of the shafts, and pulley 404, and belt 405, actuate
the rolls. Between the rolls and the chuck from which they are to receive the
blank, there is located a ring 406 (which may be like ring 160) into which the
chuck is thrust to open the jaw and deliver the blank to the feed-rolls. Just
beyond the feed-rolls, and in position to receive the blank thus delivered by
and through them, there is located the straightening mechanism. This mechanism
consists of a steel roller Z which has a series of segmental surfaces Z', partly
concentric and partly slightly eccentric, separated by short radial steps 73 less
than the diameter of the needle Y. This roller bears against a steel spring
plate or shoe 407 which is set to press severely against the roller and is slightly
curved to conform to the roller for several degrees. The roller turns with a
step-by-step movement, which is communicated to it by ratchet 410 and pawl 408
on the lever 409. A link 411 connected to a crank pin 412 on the wheel 413,
gives the roller one step movement for each complete revolution of the wheel 413.
The wheel is rotated by means of a chain 414 which is driven by a sprocket 415
on the end of the shaft c. The sprocket wheels 413 and 415 are proportioned
to turn the roller one step for each step movement of the carriers B, C and D, so
that the roller receives one needle for each of its step movements. The needles
are delivered by rolls 400, 401, between plate 407, and the immediately adjacent
segmental surface of the roller, and are rolled between the roller and the spring
plate under the severe pressure. This straightens out any bend they may have
and they drop from the roller into a receptacle or chute U, Fig. 1. The very
slight shoulders or steps in the periphery of the straightening roller Z are less
than the diameter of the needle blanks and serve to prevent any needle dropping
through without being properly grasped under pressure of the roll and plate.
CONCLUSION.
It will be noticed that there are two sorts of actions performed on the blanks
in the operation of this machine; first, the striking or instantaneous actions
performed upon the head-end while the blanks are carried upon the table B.
Second, the grinding actions which are performed upon the two ends of the
blanks while they are carried by the chucks on the carriers C and D. The first
set of actions being, as remarked, instantaneous as far as the blank is concerned,
and being necessarily performed while the carrier B stands at rest, (and, there-
fore, while all the carriers stand at rest), it is desirable, in order to facilitate
rapid action of the machine as a whole, that these actions be performed in the
shortest possible time, so that, the period of rest or halting of the carrier may be
as short as possible and the largest possible angle of each complete rotation of
the primary shaft g may therefore he employed in giving to the carriers their
step-feed movement. This allows the blanks to spend a large portion of the total
time in contact with the dressing mechanism pertaining to the carriers C and D.
For this purpose, I construct the cam g', so that about one-quarter of the
rotation only is required to retract the crosshead 70, and draw the pawls, 80, 81, 82,
back around the carriers respectively, while three-quarters of its rotation is
occupied in giving the carrier-actuating movement to the crosshead.
The halt of the carriers, of course; is made while the blanks are between the
consecutive grinding devices.
As, however, the operation of grinding off the lateral burrs performed by the
mechanism on the frame bracket I is performed during the shorter interval, of
rest or halting of the carriers, all the preliminary movements, that is, all move-
ments preceding the actual contact of the grinders with the burrs, should be
timed to be performed very quickly, so that the largest possible proportion of
the time of the halt may be devoted to the actual grinding off of the burrs. How
this is accomplished in the machine shown may be most clearly understood by
observing the outline of the cam 50 the whole of whose active portion is com-
prised within about one hundred degrees (or less than one-third of its rotation)
and the but-slightly-eccentric portion which causes the very slow advance of

page_text: the grinders against the burrs, as already described, during nearly 60° of
rotation, or about two-thirds of the time the needle blanks are stationary.
Dated this 20th day of February 1800
J. G. LORRAIN,
Communicatee.
or
A communication from abroad by HAROLD BINNEY, of the City and State of
New York, United States of America, Attorney-at-Law.
I, JAMES GRITE LORRAIN, M.I.E.E., M.I.Mech. E., of Norfolk House, Norfolk
Street, Strand, in the County of London, Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention (as communicated to me from abroad)
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
Before considering the details of the invention in the particular forms shown
in the drawings, it is well to understand briefly and generally in what the
distinguishing features of the new invention consist.
Firstly, the
new needle-making machine is characterized by automatic
mechanisms which form the eye-end by means of forming-dies and subsequently
rotate or spin the needle and grind or dress the eye-ends as well as the point-
ends, while they rotate.
Secondly and more in detail, the new needle-making machine automatically
draws in and cuts off the wire into needle-blanks, then forms the eye-ends by
forming-dies and eye-punches, then rotates the needle blank and grinds or
dresses both its point-end and its eye-end while it is rotating, and finally
straightens the needle and delivers it in a finished state ready for tempering.
Thirdly, the needle-making machine for carrying out these several operations
has special features and characteristics, which if not essential to the proper
operation, are certainly of especial importance in facilitating and perfecting the
accuracy and finish given to each needle by the machine.
In the drawings left with the Provisional Specification,
Fig. 1 is a general plan of the improved needle-making machine; some minor
details being omitted.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the general frame, driving shafts, and table stripped of the
upper mechanism.
Fig. 3 is a left-hand side-elevation. Some parts are omitted.
Fig. 4 is a partial right-hand side-elevation showing certain driving connections.
Fig 5 is a rear elevation; the carriers and much of the detail-mechanism
being omitted.
Fig. 6 is a partial front elevation showing the driving mechanism for the
point-forming and point-dressing devices.
Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the table and some mechanism on the under side
thereof.
Fig. 8 is a plan of certain details to illustrate the carriers and carrier-operating
mechanism, stripped of chucks, and partly broken away to show mechanism
underneath.
Fig. 9 is a partial section at the plane 9-9 in Fig. 1.
Fig. 10 is a plan of the wire-feeding and cutting-off mechanism.

page_text: Fig. 11 is an enlarged section at the line 11-11, Fig. 5.
Fig. 12 is a section at the line 12-12, Fig. 11.
Fig. 13 is a detail section at the line 13-13, Fig. 10.
Fig. 14 is an elevation of the needle straightening mechanism, as seen from
right side of Fig. 1..
Fig. 15 is a large section of same on the line 15-15, Fig. 1; the needle-
catching chute U omitted.
Fig. 10 is a section at the line 16-16, Fig. 15.
Fig. 17 is a section at the line 17-17, Fig. 16.
Fig. 18 is an enlarged section of the straightening roll and co-operating shoe
or spring.
Fig. 19 is a detail plan of the part shown in Fig. 15, the feeding rolls and the
straightening roll being partly broken away.
Fig. 20 is an enlarged section at the line 20-20, Fig. 7.
Fig. 21 is an enlarged section at the line 21-21 on Fig. 7.
Fig. 22 is an axial section of one of the locking bolts with which each of the
carriers is provided.
Fig. 23 is a detail elevation partly in section of the device for thrusting-out
the chucks on the last carrier toward the delivery rolls; as viewed looking
towards the foot of Fig. 8.
Fig. 24 is a vertical section on line 24, Fig. 3, of the stamp for impressing or
stamping the eye and head of the needle.
Fig. 25 is a section at the line 25-25, Fig. 24.
Fig. 26 is an elevation of the stamp or press viewed from right-hand of Fig. 24.
Fig. 27 is a view of certain details viewed from the arrow 27 on Fig. 1 and
partly in section.
Fig. 28 is a bottom view of some of the operating mechanism of the parts
shown in Fig. 27.
Fig. 29. is a detail section at the line 29-29, Fig. 28.
Fig. 30 is a plan of grinding mechanism for the head end of the needle.
Fig. 31 is a detail in section at the line 31-31, Fig. 30.
Fig. 32 is a detail in section at the line 32-32, Fig. 30.
Fig. 33 is an elevation of the double gripping jaws for holding the needle
blanks during the grinding of the head.
Fig. 34 is a detail in section at the line 34 34, Fig. 30.
Fig. 35 is a greatly enlarged detail in section transversely through the needle-
blank gripped in the jaws.
Fig. 36 is a detail elevation of an actuating cam for the grinding mechanism.
Fig. 37 is a vertical section through the axis of the second and third carriers,
showing also the bearings and operating gears.
Fig. 38 is a detail vertical axial section of two chucks on the second and
third tables at the instant of transferring the blank devices.
Fig. 39 is an elevation of the transferring device viewed from the centre of
the third carrier.
Fig. 40 is an elevation from the opposite side of same.
Fig. 41 is a detail section at the line 41-41, of Fig. 39.
Fig. 42 is an enlarged section of line 42, Fig. 9, showing the stem or shank
and the bearing of one of the chucks of either the second or the third carrier.
Fig. 43 is a detail in section at the line 43-43, Fig. 3.
Fig. 44 is an elevation viewed from the arrow 44, Fig. 43.
Fig. 45 is a plan of the setting device for accurately adjusting the blanks in
the chucks on the third carrier.
Fig. 46 is an elevation of the same, viewed from the arrow 46, Fig. 45.
The several parts are lettered alike throughout all the figures.
Fig. 47 shows in elevation partly broken away one of the dressing or finishing-
belt carriages for operating upon the protruded ends of the blanks, either point
or head. A needle point is shown in position.

page_text: Fig. 48 is a section at the line 48-48, Fig. 47.
Figs. 49, 50 and 51 are greatly enlarged plan views of the head and of the
needie-blank in different stages of formation.
Fig. 52 is a section at the line 52-52, Fig. 50.
Fig. 53 shows the section after the eye is pierced through.
Fig. 54 is a plan showing in smaller scale the die on which the needles are
pierced through.
Fig. 55 is a section at the line 55-55, Fig. 54.
Fig. 56 is a magnified longitudinal section at the line 56-56, on Fig. 54,
showing by dotted lines a needle-blank in position.
Fig. 57 is a section at the line 57-57, Fig. 56.
A is a rigid base-block. A and A2 are standards mounted upon it and carrying
a top frame or table A³. A+ is a segmental or arc-shaped extension for sup-
porting the various mechanisms which co-operate with the second rotating
carriers; A is another segmental or arc-shaped extension for supporting certain
other mechanisms which co-operate with the third rotating carriers. On the
table A there are mounted the three intermittently rotating carriers B, C and D.
The three carriers each have a plurality of chucks or gripping-devices for holding
the needle-blanks radially. The carriers C and D have mechanism for rotating
the chucks. Between the two carriers B and C, there is a device for transferring
the needle-blank from B to C when two chucks are in line; and there is another
such transferring device between carriers C and D).
The wire-feeding and cutting-off mechanism, mounted upon a bracket or
standard E on the table A3, successively cuts off and delivers blanks, radially to
the chucks of the carrier B, as the carrier intermittently rotates. Grouped around
the carrier in position to be reached successively by the blanks (which the chucks
carry protruding radially), are several mechanisms for forming the head or eye-
end of the needle; including a press for flattening the end of the wire prepara-
tory to impressing the same in the form desired; a press G, for impressing or
stamping the blanks to form the head, eye and the thread groove; a press H for
piercing the eye; grinding or other mechanism mounted on frame I for dressing
off the exterior burrs which are left by the impressing dies in press G.
Next, in order of operation, is the blank-transferring device J, located between
the carriers B and C.
The blank when transferred to a chuck of carrier C is carried with its other
end projecting radially ready to be shaped to form the point. A gauge finger K
Next a
limits accurately the distance which the blank protrudes from the chuck.
cutter L performs the first cutting operation upon the point, followed by cutting
or grinding rolls M and N which perform further steps in the same operation.
Then a grinding disc O further dresses the point. Finally polishing belts P, P
complete the dressing of the point.
After the needle leaves the belts P, P, it reaches the transferring device or
ring Q; and is transferred thereby to a chuck on the third carrier D) leaving
its head protruding. A setting gauge R, and a polishing belt S, which finely
polishes the head, act on it successively. Finally a withdrawing and straighten-
ing-mechanism on the bracket T, straightens and delivers the needle to a recep-
tacle or chute U.
In order to conveniently communicate power to the mechanisms at both sides
of the table, two parallel shafts, a and b, at the front and rear, are journaled in
short standards 1, 2, 3 and 4, and connected by a belt 5 passing over pulleys 6
and 7. The pulley 8 on the shaft a may be driven by any suitable source of
power.
Pulleys 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 on shaft a are connected by belts to actuate
the grinding and polishing devices L, M, N, O, P, P.
On the shaft b are the pulleys 21, 22 and 25. These (by suitable connections,
such for example as belt 23, pulley 24 and other belts) drive the grinders I7 17
for dressing off the side of the needle eye, the polishing belt S, for the heads of

page_text: the needles on carrier 1), the delivery rolls and other mechanism L, M, N, O, P.
These mechanisms all run continuously at high speed. The mechanisms which
operate the carriers, the various press mechanisms which form the head and eye
and other intermittently acting parts are driven by a secondary shaft c which
is arranged to be disconnected at will from the continuously operated shafts
and b. A belt 30 passes loosely about a small pulley 31, on the shaft b, and
larger pulley 32, on the shaft C. An idler or take-up pulley 33,
and lever 34, form the means for tightening the belt and driving the shaft c.
A brake shoe 35, also on lever 34, may be provided for stopping shaft c. Beneath
the top frame A³ is a shaft d, with a beveled gear 39, which meshes with gear 36
on shaft c and is driven thereby at equal speed.
Journaled vertically within the spindle of the carrier D, is a shaft e with
beveled pinion 40, which meshes with, and is driven by the beveled gear 37,
on the shaft c. Similarly in the carrier 'C, there is journaled vertical shaft f,
with a beveled gear 40, which is driven by a beveled gear 43, on the shaft .
The two vertical shafts e and f rotate the radial chucks on the tables D and C
respectively. Another horizontal shaft suitably journaled extends under the
table from rear to front and is driven at reduced speed by a large bevel wheel 44
and small beveled pinion 38, on the shaft a A pulley 45 on shaft c, by means of
a belt 46 and a pulley 47, journaled at the rear end of the arm E¹ drives the
wire feeding and cut-off mechanism mounted on standard E. The mechanism
for delivering the needle to the final straightening roll is actuated by a belt from
pulley 25 on shaft b. The straightening-roll mechanism is actuated by a sprocket
wheel 415 on the shaft c, sprocket chain 414 (Figure 14), sprocket wheel 413,
pitman 411, pawl and lever 408, 409 and ratchet wheel 410.
The various mechanisms will now be described more in detail.
STEP-BY-STEP ROTATION AND REST OF CARRIERS.
The step-by-step rotary motion of the tables B, C, and D is derived from a
reciprocating cross-head 70, which moves on frame or table A. A cam g' on
shaft g, actuates the lever 71 fulcrumed on the bracket arm A, and connected
by a link 72, to the crosshead 70. Two powerful springs 73, 73, connected to
the crosshead retract the crosshead in the direction opposite that in which it is
actuated by the cam. The rotating tables or carriers B, C and D have hollow
spindles B, C and D¹ journaled in steel bushings A2, A33 and A34
in the frame A3. The bushings extend above the top of the table A³, and exter-
nally (Fig. 8) form fulcrums for the pawl-levers 77, 78 and 79, which carry
feed pawis 80, 81 and 82, engaging the ratchet teeth B, C and D on the
carriers. Links 83, 84 and 85 connect the levers 77, 78 and 79, with the
reciprocating crosshead 70. In order to lock the carriers at the end of each
movement so as to prevent overfeed from the momentum and backward or
reverse action from any cause, I provide the locking bolts 86, 87 and 88 mounted
in sleeves 89 90 and 91 on the table A³, each provided with a spring 92, acting
to shoot the bolts upward into square notches 29, 29 and 29 in the carriers B, C
and D. The ends of the bolts (Fig. 22) are slightly tapered to enter the notches
freely, and tightly bind in them." These locking bolts are operated by a rock
shaft (Fig. 20) which has an arm j¹ actuated by a cam on shaft g, and two
other arms, slotted to receive the lower portions of bolts 86 and 88, between
adjustable check nuts 96, 97, 98, 99. The cam surface has two concentric arcs,
and the shoulders between them are sufficiently abrupt to give to the lever j¹
practically instantaneous movements. The cam g² and levers j', 2, 3 withdraw
the bolts against the springs 92, and unlock the carriers B and D at the instant
the carriers are about to rotate. The bolts are released and spring up just as the
carriers end their movements. A lever 100, Fig. 20, fulcrumed on the frame,
and moving with the free end of the lever arm, similarly receives and actuates
the lower end of the lock-bolt 87 for carrier C.

page_text: MECHANISM FOR ROTATING THE CHUCKS.
The structure and all the movements of all the chucks on carriers C and D are
identical, and this description of one is true of all. The shafts or spindles f
and e as already described are axially journaled in the carriers C and D, and
serve to turn bevel gear wheels 11 and 12 lying in the respective rotating carriers.
Placed radially on each of the carriers C and D are chuck-carrying chairs or
brackets X, each of which has two journal bearings. In the inner bearing alo,
there is journaled the hollow shaft or sleeve X3 and beveled gear pinion X³,
which meshes with and is driven by the central bevel gear or crown gear. In
the outer bearing X, the spindle of the chuck is journaled but free to slide
lengthwise. It has a bearing also within the sleeve X A conical shoulder 10
on the spindle a¹, and a corresponding surface in the sleeve hub, afford a frictional
driving engagement between the pinions X and the chuck, allowing slipping"
in case of accidental stoppage of the chuck. In addition there is a short groove
or notch in the inner surface of the sleeve hub X and the spindle carries a
spring feather X, which lies in a groove in the spindle and engages the
notch X. If the rotation of the chuck is accidentally arrested, then the spring
feather will slip out of the notch X without breaking. A slide X' moving
radially in the carrier, has a forked stud X which engages with the annular
groove of the chuck, and causes the chuck to move longitudinally with it.
The slide is forced towards the center of the carrier by a spring 123, the other
end of which is hooked to loose central disc 120. Therefore the spring 123
normally holds the chuck in engagement to be rotated by the beveled pinion X2.
The rotary force of the gears 11 and 12 in driving all these chucks tends to turn
the carriers as a whole in a direction reverse to their intermittent movement.
This tendency is overcome by the locking bolts 86, 87, 88, but to save the
necessity of accurately timing these, stationary spring stops or pawls 94 and 93
are fixed at suitable points to engage the notches 29 of the carriers to lock them
positively against back motion.
THRUSTING-OUT THE CHUCKS.
In order to thrust out each chuck at the proper time and place to cause it to
receive or deliver a needle blank, each shipping slide X has a finger X", which
projects down through a slot 26 in the carrier or rotating table. Fulcrumned on
the frame below the carrier C, is a lever 125 which terminates at a point imme-
diately behind the position at which these fingers X successively stand as the
chucks one by one come in line with the center of the transfer device or ring J
(Figs. 9, 27 and 28). A link 126 with a roller or abutment 127, in the path of
rotation of and actuated by the suitably eccentric portion go of a cam g', operates
the lever at the desired intervals. A spring 128 attached to the link keeps the
abutment 127 always against the cam . The lever 125 strikes the finger X6
and thrusts out the slide X and its chuck, causing the disengagement of the
chuck from its driving pinion X², and so arresting the rotation of the chuck.
The link 126 may conveniently be slotted at 129 and so supported directly or
by a block as shown on the shaft g adjacent to the cam gt.
When the carrier C is stationary and while one of its chucks is thrust-out to
receive a blank from the first carrier B, another chuck similarly is thrust out to
deliver to a chuck on the third carrier D. To produce this other movement
there is journaled on the frame a vertical rock shaft, which is actuated by
its lever arm 133, and a link 134, pivoted to the link 126. The link 134 thus
communicates a rocking movement to the rock shaft n, at this upper end of
which is a lever arm n, immediately behind the position of a finger X6, when
its chuck r is in line to deliver a needle blank to the opposed chuck on the third
carrier, so as to thrust forward the chuck at the proper time. On the carrier D
the thrusting out of each chuck when in line to receive a blank from the chucks of
carrier C, and also the thrusting out, at the same time, of the chuck which is in
line to deliver a needle to the delivering rolls and straightening mechanism Z,

page_text: is produced as follows: On the bracket arm 28 of the frame, there is fulcrumed a
cam lever 140, which depends in the path of an abutment 141, on the back of the
cam gl, and is actuated thereby (Figs. 7, 8, 21, 23). A link 139 connects the
lever 140 to an arm 138 of the vertical rock-shaft 137, which carries an arm 136
for successively engaging and thrusting out the fingers X and chuck r when in
line with a chuck on the carrier C. From the lower end of the rock-shaft 137
another arm 135 extends against and actuates the lower end of a lever 143,
fulcrumed on the frame. The upper end of lever 143 moves in line to actuate a
finger X when the latter is in position opposite the delivering rolls. A spring 142
retracts the lever 143 and lever arm 136 from the path of the fingers X, and
keeps abutment 144 of lever 140 in the path of the abutment 141 on the cam g.
As the cam rotates, therefore, the two chucks which are in line respectively with
the transfer ring or device Q and with the delivering and straightening rolls Z,
are simultaneously thrust out radially and stop rotating.
In Fig. 28 it will be seen that lever arm 133 is slotted; the bolt on link 134
may be adjusted in the slot toward and from the fulcrum. This permits inde-
pendent accurate adjustment of the simultaneous throws of two chucks on
carrier C.
WIRE FEEDING & CUTTING MECHANISM.
(See Figs. 1, 3, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13.)
The wire from which the blanks are cut is delivered from a reel in any suitable
way, to guide 58 leading to the feeding rolls 53, 55. The roll 53 turns with
gear 52 and bevel gear 51. Bevel gear 51 is driven by bevel gear 50, shaft h,
spur gears 49 and 48, and belt pulley 47, all mounted on standard E. Gear 52
drives gear 54 and roll 55 which is mounted on slide 56 on the bracket E and is
pressed, by spring 57, towards roll 53 to cause the rolls to grip the wire. The
moving member of the wire cutter is a sleeve-like rock shaft and gear seg-
ment journaled in the bracket E. A lever 59 on the forward end of a rock
shaft m operated by lever m³ carrying cam roller m running in cam 62 on
shaft g.
The lever 59 is provided with a gear segment 60 which engages and
turns the gear segment k¹. An angle-shaped adjustably-fixed cutter 61 and
guide 63 are placed in front of the sleeve k. The passage in the sleeve k
commences, at the rear, in the axial line but is inclined so as to emerge at the
front eccentrically. The rocking motion of the shaft k brings the forward end of
the duct alternately below and above the cutting edge 61. When above,
the rolls 53, 55 feed the wire through the passage 2, and when the sleeve rocks
it therefore causes the cutter 61 to cut off the protruding end of the wire. The
grip of the feed rolls on the wire is sufficient to feed the wire through the rolls
and through the duct but readily allows the rolls to slip when the advance of
the wire is obstructed by the cutter 61 being in front of the end of the duct. The
action of cam 62 is timed to permit the feeding at the instant a chuck on rotating
carrier B stands at rest in line with the wire. While the carrier B is still at
rest, the reverse rocking movement of the sleeve-shaft k cuts the wire leaving
the protruding portion as a detached blank in the chuck of carrier B. To
prevent any flying up or bending of the blank as it is cut, a shoe 63, overhangs
the protruding wire between the cutter and the chuck so closely that although it
permits the latter to be fed under it, it prevents any appreciable springing or
bending of the blank by the cutting action. This shoe 63 is adjustably mounted
on a bar 64. The same bar 64, serves to support another shoe 66 in position to
depress the tail of the spring gripping jaw 2 of the chuck w (which is pivoted
as shown) and hold the jaw open while the chuck is in line with the wire feed,
(Figs. 10 and 11). The several chucks are adjustably mounted radially on chairs
or boxes W on the first carrier B. In the shank of each chuck lies a plunger ut,
which serves as a wire stop and gauge touching at the rear end the periphery of
a stationary disc B carried on axial spindle B. This disc B is circular except-
ing about 90 degrees of its circumference (as seen at B Figs. 1 and 30) where

page_text: the radius is very slightly shorter to permit a slight movement of plungers w³,
to compensate for any elongation of the blank under the stamping and pressing
mechanisms.
PRESSING, STAMPING AND PIERCING MECHANISM.
Immediately upon the cutting-off of the blank, the rotating carrier B is un-
locked, and its intermittent rotating movement takes place, carrying the chuck
away from the shoe 66, and allowing it therefore to close and grip the blank.
The blank is thus carried in the grasp of the chuck to a position between the
upper and lower dies of the press F (Figs. 1, 3, 5, 7, 43, and 44). Press F
merely flattens the wire at the head end. The slightly flattened surfaces, how-
ever, produced by this press serve to lodge the blank squarely on the die of the
next press, upon whose accuracy the perfection of the head end of the needle
largely depends. The press F has a slightly inclined guide-shoe 115, which lies
in a slight recess in the under die F and rises a little above the surface of the
die. It terminates just short of the position which the needle blank should have
when on the die. The needle blank carried by the chuck (even if it be bent
slightly downward) is guided along the shoe, yielding slightly at the free end.
It clears the shoe and springs down on to the die as the carrier reaches the end of
the intermittent movement. The upper die F2, of the press is adjustably secured
in the powerful press lever F3. A bell-crank lever F fulcrumed on the table A",
engages and actuates the long arm of the lever 13 and is itself actuated by an
adjustable abutment 27 on the wheel 44, which strikes it once in each revolution.
The retracting spring F50 is connected to the end of the lever F³. In order to
adjust very precisely the degree of flattening produced by the press on wires of
various size or compressibility, a hardened contact piece 30 is secured on the
lever for the bell-erank F to engage, and is made adjustable accurately by
means of a screw F. The upper die F2 is so placed relating to the fulcrum of
lever that it descends upon the lower die in a line that is almost tangent to.
the lower die, producing a drawing movement upon the blank which prevents any
tendency to burst or split the wire.
The blank is next carried by the intermittent travel to the press G, (Figs. 1, 3,
24, 25, 26). In order to insure the accurate placing of the needle on the die-
which is very essential-a spring guide bar G¹, is extended along the inner side
of the lower die G2, and supported by a delicate spring bracket Go. Just at the
position which the needle reaches when it is to be acted upon by the dies the guide
bar G has a slight shaped notch G. When the needle blank, after riding
up on to the bar G reaches the notch, the upward springing of the bar centres
the blank in the apex of the notch, accurately, notwithstanding any slight bend
which the blank may have.
"
The form of the dies G2 and G3 for press G, will be understood from Figs. 50
and 52, which show a blank after action by the press. The head is shaped
(excepting the burrs or fins) substantially as in the finished needle. The web
break within the eye greatly diminishes the liability of splitting the wire.
As the flattening of the blank by the action of the presses F and G tends to
slightly lengthen it, in order to prevent the blank from becoming bent, the
disk (against the periphery of which rest the stops W of the chucks) is
slightly cut away as at B, Fig. 30. The plungers w also form means for adapt-
ing the chucks to making needles of different lengths. This is accomplished
by substituting shorter or longer plungers w in all the chucks.
The necessity for almost absolute accuracy makes a heavy press standard and
rigid parts desirable. The press is in fact a drop hammer. The head G* by
its fall performs the work. The standard G is formed with a channel G7 which
is matched with a corresponding channel G5, their line of parting being in the
diagonal plane of the square space formed by them for the square shaft of the
drop hammer G. The upper end of the hammer has a crosshead Go which.
strikes rubber cushions G³, G³, cushioning the blow by their compression and

page_text: reaching to instantly lift the hammer from the blank. Accurate means for
adjusting the dies angularly and exactly in alignment-such, for instance, as
shown must be provided. The drop hammer is operated by a lifting rod G²,
provided with a tappet shoulder G which engages the abutment or tappet Ga
and lifts the hammer. The lower end of said lifting rod is pivotally attached to
une arm of a bell crank lever G2, which is fulcrumed on the frame at G17, and
actuated by an eccentric cam 6 on the shaft ġ, timed to cause it to drop when
the needle blank is at rest on the lower die. The lifting rod or bar is ripped
from under the tappet or shoulder G, to cause the latter to fall, by an incline
shoe or cam G8 secured adjustably on the standard in the path of motion of the
two ends G19 of a stud set through the bar. Abutment studs G1, in the upward
movement of the bar, riding on the incline cam GIS disengage the two tappets
or abutments G and G2, thus permitting the hammer to fall. A spring G22 on
the standard presses the lifting bar towards the hammer to engage it.
1
After the needle leaves the press G, the next process punches out the thin
remnant or web of metal in the eye. For this purpose the press H (Figs. 1, 3, 27,
54, 55, 56, 57) is mounted at a distance of two steps of the intermittent-carrier-
movement from the press G. The die-holder H₁ in this press may be secured
and adjusted in the same manner as the die-holder in the press G. The punch He
for piercing the eye is carried in the stiff overhanging arm of the reciprocating
slide or head H³, which extends down and is actuated at its lower end by the
short arm on the small rock-shaft p, which is rocked by link 115, cam lever 116,
and cam go on shaft g (Figs. 3, 7, 27, 28, 29, 36). The die H10 in the press H is
slightly crowned or sloping on all sides up to the aperture, so that the needle
blank is readily guided on to it. The die has a distinct notch H" whose sloping
sides tend to centre the slightly springing needle blank accurately. The die H
fits the thread-grooves and eye closely in order that the metal of the needle blank
may be supported throughout the entire eye, while the latter is being pierced.
In order that the needle blank shall be held closely and firmly on to the die while
the punch descends and that the punch may be prevented from dragging the
blank up with it as it withdraws, I provide a presser and stripper foot. H* over-
hanging the die and apertured for the punch, and having a spring-pressed stem
or shank H which slides in the overhanging arm of the head H³. An adjustable
collar limits the downward movement of the presser foot or stripper relatively
to the punch so that it overhangs the die at ample distance above the same to
admit the needle blank, when the punch is at its highest position. As the punch
descends. the presser foot reaches the die first and holds the blank firmly thereon
before the point of the punch reaches it. The yielding of the presser spring
permits the punch to descend and do its work, and only when the punch has
withdrawn so far that the overhanging arm H³ reaches again the collar on the
stripper shank, the presser foot rises.
BURR-GRINDING MECHANISM.
On leaving the press H in which the eye is pierced and cleaned out, the next
process is to dress off the outer burr or fin (Fig. 53). A bracket I forming a
double fixed lower jaw I has hinged to it a movable upper jaw 12 (Figs. 1, and 27
to 36 inclusive). These jaws are armed at both ends with hard steel grip-
pers III which work in pairs to hold the needle blank as in Fig. 35.
Springs I, I, tend to hold the jaws apart. A bolt I, which is connected below
to an operating lever 118, fulcrumed at 119 and moved by an arm p on rock
shaft, closes the jaws. The grippers I project beyond the ends of the jaws
a distance about equal to the diameter of a needle blank and hold the heads of
the needle blanks firmly between them as in Fig. 35 with only the fin exposed.
The distance and position of the grooves of the two pairs of grippers is such
that, while a blank held in one chuck is grasped in first pair of grippers, exposing
half of its burr or fin, the blank held in the preceding chuck is gripped in other
pair of grippers exposing the opposite half of the burr or fin. The lower fixed

page_text: jaw is provided with a spring lip or guide plate I", which is designed to guide
the needle blank with certainty into the gripper. This lip plate is upheld by
spring (Figs. 33, 34) and checked by long taper pins Is screwed through the
back of the fixed jaw, and extending through short slots 100 in the lip plate. The
taper of the pins adapts them to vary the limit of upward thrust of the lip. The
edge of the lip at points near the groove in the lower or fixed gripper, should be
a very little above the level of the face of that gripper, so that the blank sliding
along the inclined edge of the lip to that point shall be sprung up sufficiently to
ride clear of the edge of the gripper groove, and be in position to lodge in the
latter when the lip and upper jaw are depressed. Between the two grippers, the
upper jaw is provided with an abutment I20, which strikes and depresses the ip
plate I before the jaw is fully closed.
For dressing off the burrs, while the blanks are thus gripped, there are
provided rotating cutters grooved to trim off the burr or fin accurately on
the side and end of the head. These rotating cutters are mounted in
sleeves I, which are adjustably screwed into boxes or heads 1. These boxes
or heads I are carried by and turn with the respective vertical rock-shafts I2.
Shafts are actuated by the adjustable links 106, 107, extending from the
opposite arms 108, 109 of a lever fulcrumed at 110. To dress away the burrs,
as described, there is provided on the rock-shaft pa lever arm, which acts on
arm 108 and turns the lever 108, 109 against the tension of the spring 112 to
swing the cutters I inward against the burrs of the blanks held in the grippers.
Belts and pulleys 176 on the rear ends of the shafts I serve to drive the cutters I'
as shown in Fig. 6.
For accurately regulating the action of the jaws 12, the lower end of bolt I is
provided with an adjustable stop I cone-shaped on the upper surface. This
engages the eye in the lever 118 (Fig. 32) to accomodate the movement required,
and may be adjusted and secured on the bolt by the adjusting nut It and jam
nut 152.
MECHANISM FOR CARRIER C; AND TRANSFER DEVICES.
The same cam lever 108, from which the swinging movements of the grinders
or cutters I are derived, serves also to operate a gauge or setting device K
adjacent to the carrier table C. A vertical rock-shatt g in standard 124 on the
table A is operated by lever arm q' connected by link 105 to the lever arm 108.
(Figs. 1, 27, 30). At its upper end the rock shaft y carries a slotted lever arm q
which engaged a pin K¹ on a gauge finger K, which slides in the head of the
standard 124.
During the quick movement of the lever 108, which swings the cutters I'
into operation, the link 105 operates the rock-shaft g to thrust out the gauge
finger to quickly set the needle blank backward into the chuck on carrier C,
which at this instant stands opposite the gauge finger K.
As each chuck on the carrier B (Figs. 1 and 9) finishes the step movement
which brings it opposite the transfer device J, the tail of the pivoted jaw #2 of
the chuck passes under an overhanging fixed shoe 151 mounted rigidly on the
disc B, and the chuck is thereby opened. At this point, as already described,
the opposed chuck X on the carrier C is thrust forward to receive the blank, and
it is opened to receive and closed to hold the blank by the parts J2, J, of the
transfer ring J. As the form and operation of these parts J2, J³ are identical with
the corresponding parts of the transfer device Q which is between carriers C
and D, the latter, which is shown in detail in Figs. 38, 39, 40 and 41, will he
described in detail. Parts, on the two transfers which are the same in form are
indicated by the same letters. A ring J is mounted upon frame A3, the centre
or axis of the ring being in a line joining the centres of the two carriers C and D.
The ring J has pivoted on its face on the side toward the receiving chuck trip
sectors or fingers J2, which extend radially toward the centre of the ring and
jointly form a circular central aperture. Springs J³ tend to hold the fingers ja

page_text: against the face of the ring J'. When the receiving chuck on the carrier D
is thrust forward, even though still rotating, it passes through the central aper-
ture and encounters the ends of one or more of the trip fingers J, which operate
as a rigid ring and trip or open the pivoted jaw of the chuck as it is thrust
through such ring. The pivoted jaws of the chucks are shouldered or cut down
as at 154 to permit the jaw to spring shut and close on the needle blank as the
said shoulder 154 passes by the trip finger J. In the first portion, therefore, of
the thrusting-out movement, the jaw is opened as described, so that the blank
enters the open jaw. As the shoulder 154 clears or runs off the trip finger J,
the jaw closes on and grasps the blank.. Immediately thereafter the retreating
movement of both chucks commences, but the trip fingers, now caught by the
shoulder 154, yield toward the carrier D) and permit the chuck to withdraw
without opening the jaw. It will be seen that the purpose served by the several
trip fingers in a complete ring is to insure this action, no matter what position
in its rotation the chuck may assume when thrust out; thus preventing the
necessity of always stopping the rotation of the chuck at any particular angular
position. As the chucks on carrier Care rotary, they cannot be opened by a fixed
shoe like 151 on carrier B. The opening of the chucks on the table C to deliver
the blanks is therefore effected by the advance or thrusting-out movement of
the chuck. The fixed ring 160, secured by springs 163 to the ring J¹ of transfer
device Q, strikes and opens the pivoted jaw of the chuck, as the latter enters the
ring (Fig. 38). The chuck does not, however, enter far enough to clear its
shoulder 154 and, therefore, it is held open until the chuck withdraws. The
spring fingers 163 yield as the chuck is retracted by its spring 123, thus per-
mitting a slight free movement of ring 160 to lessen the friction between the
chuck jaw and the ring and insure the chuck being withdrawn freely and
quickly.
GRINDING, DRESSING, AND POLISHING MECHANISMS.
After the blanks have been received by the chucks on the carrier C, they are
successively carried past the several grinding, dressing and polishing devices,
which are mounted and operated adjacent to their path as they move with this
carrier (Figs. 1, 3, 6, 47 and 48). The first three of these, the cutter L, the
grinding roll M and the grinding roll N,-
-are similarly mounted and driven.
They are made universally adjustable in the same way as the polishing belts P
and S, illustrated in detail in Fig. 47. The same letters are applied to correspond-
ing parts in all the carriages and adjusting devices, and for their full understand-
ing, reference may be had to Fig. 47, in addition to Figs. 1 and 6. The cutters
or grinders L, M, or N, and the carriage of the polishing belt, are each pivoted
in the forward end of a fork frame 300, having a spindle mounted and adjustable
longitudinally and angularly, in a sleeve or collar 302, which has a pin or
spindle 303 at right angles. This also is longitudinally and angularly adjustable
in a sleeve 304 which has a pin or stem 305 in the slot of the segment exten-
sion A of the table frame A³. Any conceivable adjustment, horizontal, vertical
or angular, may be therefore accurately given to cutters, grinders or other tools
mounted in the forward end of the fork frame 300 as stated.
Rotary motion is communicated to the cutters and grinders L, M, N by belts
from shaft v. The grinding disc O is mounted and driven similarly to the
grinders L, M and N, but this disc because of its size is mounted on its shaft
outside the arms of its fork frame 300 and its driving pulley 306 is mounted on
the shaft between the arms. All these dressing and grinding devices, as well
as polishing belts P, P, act on the blanks during the intermittent movement of
the carrier C and the rotation of each blank in its chuck. They differ principally
in fineness of the surface, which does the grinding and polishing. The polishing
belt's P, travel over two little pulleys journaled at opposite ends of rocking
frame 312, mounted between the arms of the fork frame 300, and adjustable by 5
the set screws 313. The surface of the belt travelling over the rollers should be

page_text: given a slight inclination corresponding as accurately as possible to the taper
point of the needle, so that as the needle passes over the belt, the entire tapered
surface may be accurately reached and polished. The blanks are held against
the cutters and belts while being shaped and dressed by means of depending
guard rails 307, 307, etc. which rest against and support the needle passing
under them while it is being acted upon. The polishing belts P run over and
are driven by pulleys 314, 315, adjustably mounted on the frame and actuated by
belts from the pulleys 19 and 20 and running guide pulleys or idlers as shown.
The cutters or grinders L, M, N and O are adjusted to effect the following
relations: All the grinders revolve in the direction away from the chuck and
toward the point as they impinge upon the blank to avoid risk of catching and
bending the blank. The first grinder or cutter L operates upon the unpointed
blank. It first meets the extreme end and points that, gradually touching and
grinding further back on the sides of the rotating blank as the chuck moves
along. By this method the end is ground before the diameter and the stiffness
of the blank have been lessened. In other words the cutter L is inclined in
the horizontal plane slightly to the path of movement of the blank, as seen in
Fig. 1, so that it first encounters the end of the blank and the grinding proceeds
gradually back from the end as the blank moves laterally over the face of the
cutter. The grinders M, N and O, however, commence their work first upon
the sides of the blank, considerably behind the point and then work toward the
point as the blank moves over them. In order to operate in this manner, the
grinders M and N are differently inclined slightly as seen in Fig. 1 relative to
the path of movement of the blank. The grinding surface O being on a peri-
phery of much greater diameter than the cylindrical grinders M and N is set at
an angle of about 30° to the path of the blanks, as seen in Fig. 1; and to cause
it to nicely follow the taper of the needle, the axis is inclined downward very
slightly at the inner end, as seen in Figs. 4 and 6. This disc cutter 0 by
reason of its greater diameter and special angle, touches and dresses the entire
taper of the needle point at one sweeping movement, removing all angles or lines
made by the preceding cutters. The belts P merely smooth and polish.
CARRIER D MECHANISMS.
до
When the blanks are delivered to the chucks on the carrier D, through transfer
device Q, as already described, the head ends are exposed ready to be polished.
To insure the equal protrusion of all the blanks, a gauge or setter R (Figs. 1, 5,
45, 46) is provided. A vertical rock-shaft r is journaled in a suitable standard 325
on the table. This rock-shaft is turned by lever arm 326 which is operatively
connected by a link 327 to the bell-crank lever F5, already described. At the
upper end of the rock-shaft is a lever arm 328 provided with a slot. This slot
engages a pin 329 on the gauge finger R mounted to slide in an arm of the
standard 325, and provided with a retracting spring 331. As the lever F5, which
also operates the press F, is actuated at the time of rest of the carriers B, C, D,
it actuates this gauge finger R during the interval of rest of the chuck on
table D; and the gauge encounters the end of the blank and forces it back into
the chuck to the exact position desired. The blank is next brought to the
polishing belt S, which may be mounted and driven in a manner similar to the
polishing belts P, P, the power being derived from the pulley 22 on the shaft b.
STRAIGHTENING AND DELIVERING MECHANISMS.
After passing the polishing belt S, the needles are ready to be delivered. In
line with one of the rest positions of the chucks are a pair of feed rolls 400
and 401, mounted respectively in a fixed bearing T¹ and in a spring-pressed
box T pivoted to the bearing T1. (Figs. 1, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19). Spur gears 402
and 403 on the rear ends of the shafts, and pulley 404, and belt 405, actuate
the rolls. Between the rolls and the chuck from which they are to receive the

page_text: blank, there is located a ring 406 (which may be like ring 160) into which the
chuck is thrust to open the jaw and deliver the blank to the feed-rolls. Just
beyond the feed-rolls, and in position to receive the blank thus delivered by
and through them, there located the straightening mechanism. This mechanism
consists of a steel roller Z which has a series of segmental surfaces Z', partly
concentric and partly slightly eccentric, separated by short radial steps 72 less
than the diameter of the needle Y. This roller bears against a steel spring
plate or shoe 407 which is set to press severely against the roller and is slightly
curved to conform to the roller for several degrees.. The roller turns with a
step-by-step movement, which is communicated to it by ratchet 4.10. and pawl 408
on the lever 409. A link 411 connected to a crank pin 412 on the wheel 413,
gives the roller one step movement for each complete revolution of the wheel 413.
The wheel is rotated by means of a chain 414 which is driven by a sprocket 415
on the end of the shaft c. The sprocket wheels 413 and 415 are proportioned
to turn the roller one step for each step movement of the carriers B, C and D, so
that the roller receives one needle for each of its step movements. The needles
are delivered by rolls 400, 401, between plate 407, and the immediately adjacent
segmental surface of the roller, and are rolled between the roller and the spring
plate under the severe pressure. This straightens out any bend they may have
and they drop from the roller into a receptacle or chute U, Fig. 1. The very
slight shoulders or steps in the periphery of the straightening roller Z are less
than the diameter of the needle blanks and serve to prevent any needle dropping
through without being properly grasped under pressure of the roll and plate.
CONCLUSION.
It will be noticed that there are two sorts of actions performed on the blanks
in the operation of this machine; first, the striking or instantaneous actions
performed upon the head-end while the blanks are carried upon the table B.
Second, the grinding actions which are performed upon the two ends of the
blanks while they are carried by the chucks on the carriers Cand. D. The first
set of actions being, as remarked, instantaneous as far as the blank is concerned,
and being necessarily performed while the carrier B stands at rest, (and, there-
fore, while all the carriers stand at rest), it is desirable, in order to facilitate
rapid action of the machine as a whole, that these actions be performed in the
shortest possible time, so that, the period of rest or halting of the carrier may be
as short as possible and the largest possible angle of each complete rotation of
the primary shaft g may therefore be employed in giving to the carriers their
step-feed movement. This allows the blanks to spend a large portion of the total
time in contact with the dressing mechanism pertaining to the carriers C and D.
For this purpose, I construct the cam g', so that about one-quarter of the
rotation only is required to retract the crosshead 70, and draw the pawls, 80, 81, 82,
back around the carriers respectively, while three-quarters of its rotation is
occupied in giving the carrier-actuating movement to the crosshead.
The halt of the carriers, of course, is made while the blanks are between the
consecutive grinding devices.
As, however, the operation of grinding off the lateral burrs performed by the
mechanism on the frame bracket I is performed during the shorter interval, of
rest or halting of the carriers, all the preliminary movements, that is, all move-
ments preceding the actual contact of the grinders with the burrs, should be
timed to be performed very quickly, so that the largest possible proportion of
the time of the halt may be devoted to the actual grindings off of the burrs. How
this is accomplished in the machine shown may be most clearly understood by
observing the outline of the cam 50 the whole of whose active portion is com-
prised within about one hundred degrees (or less than one-third of its rotation)
and the but-slightly-eccentric portion g which causes the very slow advance of
the grinders against the burrs, as already described, during nearly 60° of
rotation, or about two-thirds of the time the needle blanks are stationary.

page_text: 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:-
0
1. A needle making machine characterized by die-mechanisms, provided with
dies, which stamp the thread channels and eye-ends of the needle and pierce the
eyes and rotary mechanisms which grind and finish the eye-ends of the needles
and automatic holding and carrying mechanisms which first expose the eye-ends
of the blank stationary to the action of the dies and then rotate the needles and
expose the eye-ends, while axially rotating, to the said grinding and finishing
action, substantially as described.
2. A needle making machine having a mechanism-which frictionally feeds in
the wire, and cutting-off mechanism, the movable member of which in the act
of cutting carries the needle wire behind a stationary stop and so prevents the
frictional feeding-in of the wire for a certain period" (without tending to bend
the cut-off portion or needle-blank and without wasting any portion of the wire),
substantially as described.
3. In a needle making machine the wire cutting mechanism including a
stationary cutting-member which also constitutes a guide through which the
wire passes to be cut off, subsiantially as described.
4. In a needle making machine an intermittently moving carrier provided
with means for holding the needle-blank and an automatic cooperatively connected
hammer and dies for stamping or impressing the eye-ends of the needles and the
thread channels leading from the eye, such die mechanism being arranged, rela-
tively to the path of movement of the needle blank, to act upon the blank during
an interval of rest of the carrier, substantially as described.
5. In a needle making machine, a press which merely flattens the eye-ends of
the needle-blanks and a die-mechanism which stamps or impresses the eye-ends
of the needles, and automatic cooperatively-connected mechanism which holds
the needle blank and presents it first to the flattening mechanism and subse-
quently to the said die mechanism, substantially as described.
6. In a needle making machine, an intermittently-moved holder for the needle-
blank. means for stamping or impressing the eye-end of the blank while held in
the said holder, automatic gripping jaws which seize and hold the blank during
a rest-interval and grinding-off mechanism which acts upon the blank while so
held in the said gripping-jaws, substantially as described.
7. In a needle making machine, provided with a moving carrier, the needle-
holding and rotating chuck consisting of a suitably-actuated rotating sleeve
surrounding the shank of the needle-holding jaws, a shoulder upon the shank
which is spring-pressed longitudinally against the said sleeve to cause the sleeve
to rotate the needle-holding jaws, and means for thrusting out the shank and
jaws, and thereby disengaging the frictional driving contact between the sleeve
and the shank and stopping the rotation of the jaws and the needle, substantially
as and for the purposes described.
8. In a needle making machine the rotating needle-holding chuck provided
with a frictional driving engagement and also with a spring-feather-and-slot
driving engagement, and means for disengaging the latter, substantially as and
for the purposes described.
9. In a needle making machine the rotary needle-holding chucks mounted on
a carrier which moves them transversely to the length of the needle-blanks, and
grinding or dressing mechanism placed at a slight angle to the path of travel of
the needle-blanks so as to operate progressively over a considerable extent of the
lateral surface of the needle-blanks.
10. In a needle-making machine, chucks or holders for the needles, final
grinding or dressing mechanism for needles, a straightening mechanism which
rolls the needles transversely to their length, delivering mechanism for drawing
the needles from their chucks or holders, and delivering them to the said

page_text: straightening mechanism, and cooperatively-actuated carrier mechanism for
the said chucks or holders, which first presents the needles to the said grinding
or dressing mechanism, and then presents them to the said delivering mechanism,
substantially as described.
DOLL 1
T
1000