Improvements in Tack Driving Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 27th June, 1893-Accepted, 6th Jan., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by JOHN HENRY HANAN, of No. 86, Eighth Avenue,
the City of Brooklyn, State of New York, United States of America,
Merchant.]
Improvements in Tack Driving Machines.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in tack driving machines of the kind or
class in which loose tacks are placed in hoppers, and are then arranged and stored
in inclined chutes attached to said hoppers; and from which chutes a supply of
tacks for the driving implement is drawn by the act of connecting an inclined chute
fixed to the driver, to the chute attached to the hoppers, when the driver is not
in use.
The said invention consists-First. In providing two adjoining sets of tack
hoppers and arranging mechanism with a common power operating mechanism.
Second. In improved means to ensure the quick delivery of tacks from the elevators
into the arranging chutes, and in constructing said chutes so that they can be
readily removed from the hoppers for inspection. Third. In improved connections
and gates between the two parts of the separable tack chutes, and in improved
means to preserve the continuity of flow of tacks down the part of the chutes
attached to the loader or hopper. Fourth. In simple and effective mechanism for
separating the tacks from the column in the lower part of the chute fixed to the
driver, and moving and holding them under the driver bar of the machine.
Fifth. In improved mechanism for guiding and limiting the motion of the plunger
carrying the driver whereby the action of the spring for raising said plunger serves
to automatically lock the various parts of the machine securely together.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the loading machine with a portion of the frame
removed to show the mechanism operating the crank-shaft.
Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation of a part of Figure 1, with portions of the
side removed, showing the friction device for the elevator slides, and the reciprocating
covers or slides, which operate to keep clear the upper ends of the chutes, in which
the tacks are arranged.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of one of the tack-hoppers looking from the rear,
and showing details of construction to be hereinafter referred to.
Figure 4 is a plan of the tack-hoppers and chutes, with parts of the same in
section, showing the manner of attaching the chutes to the hoppers, and the automatic
gates at the lower ends of the chutes.
Figure 5 is a side elevation showing the driving machine and sufficient of the
guideway to show its relation thereto.
Figure 6 is a vertical cross section of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cross-pin guiding and limiting the motion
of the plunger.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the lock for holding the cross-pin in position,
by the action of the raising spring and which also acts as a piston within the hollow
plunger.

page_text: Figures 9 and 10 are enlarged views in perspective of the interior of the throat.
Figure 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the separating, feeding and holding
device.
Figures 12 and 13 are enlarged vertical cross sections, showing the manner of
moving the device Figure 11 and
Figures 14 and 15 are enlarged perspective views of the lower part of the
driving machine cut at horizontal cross section at the upper side of the tack
separating, feeding and holding device and showing its mode of operation.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures of
the drawings.
The hoppers and tack arranging mechanism will be first described in detail and
then the driving implement.
The inner and adjoining parts of the two tack-hoppers A, are formed upon or
secured to the stand A', and the outer parts of the tack-hoppers A', when secured
to the inner parts by suitable screws, complete the hoppers and also form the caps
which retain in position the elevator-slides and the removable inclined tack-chutes.
The elevator-slides B, provided with the inclined groove, B', are fitted to
reciprocate in the slideways B2, formed in the outer faces of the stand A', and
hoppers A.
The tack-chutes C, are also fitted to inclined slideways formed part in the
hoppers A, and part in the caps A³, where they are retained in position by the
pointed thumb-screws C¹.
In bearings formed upon or attached to the frame A2 is mounted the crank-
shaft D, having the cranks D' fixed to its outer ends, so that the crank pins D³, will
be diametrically opposite each other.
On these crank-pins D' the lower ends of the connections B³ are fitted, the upper
ends being connected to, and reciprocating alternately, the elevator-slides when the
crank-shaft D is revolved.
The worm-gear E is fixed to the crank-shaft, between the two sides of the
stand A¹. The worm E' is fixed upon the shaft E' and said shaft is fitted to a
bearing A formed upon or attached to the stand A', so that the worm E¹ will
intermesh with the teeth of the worm-gear E.
The pulley E' is fixed to the outer end of the worm-shaft E2 and when said pulley
is connected by a belt to a motor, the crank-shaft will revolve, as will be understood
by reference to Figure 1.
It is important that the tension of the driving belt should be just enough to
revolve the crank-shaft, when the elevator-slides move freely, otherwise some of
the tacks would be crooked and rendered unfit for use, should they from any cause
clog in the hoppers.
The elevator-slides B are fitted to slide free in the slideways B2 which are
formed as herein before described and it is necessary that said slides have a
period of rest at their highest elevation, so that the tacks within the groove B¹,
will all be delivered into the fixed part of the chute C.
This is accomplished by making the slot B in the upper ends of the connections B³,
which engage with the pins B, fixed in the elevator slides. This slot B₁,
reciprocates upon the pins B' when the slides B, reach their highest and lowest
positions, and the periods of rest of said slides are governed by the length of said
slots.
The slides B, as fitted, would drop as soon as the connections B³, commenced to
descend unless means were provided to prevent such action, and it is also desirable
that said slides reach their highest altitude with a slight jump and jar, in order to
start the flow of the tacks from the groove B₁.
The short round slide F, Figure 2, fitted to reciprocate in the bearing F' and
formed partly in the stands and partly in the caps, is designed to produce both of
the desired results.
The inner end of the slide F, is slotted so as to pass over the sides of the
elevator-slides as shown by the dotted lines.

page_text: The bottom of this slot bears on the edge of the elevator-slides and the spring F³,
secured as shown to the rear of the stand by the screws F³ press the two together
and give sufficient friction to prevent the elevator-slides from dropping faster than
the motion of the cranks calls for.
The upper corner of the bottom of the slots in the slides F are inclined at F',
and the elevator-slides are cut in about one-eighth of an inch and inclined to match
the incline F*.
When one of the elevator-slides is being raised by one of the slotted connections B³,
and just before it reaches its highest point, the two inclines contact and the action
of the spring F, on that side causes the slide F, to move the elevator-slide
quickly to the limit of its upward motion, and the bottom of the slot in F strikes
the edge of the elevator-slide with some force.
This combined jump and jar cause the tacks in the groove, B¹, of the elevator-
slide to start and run freely into the fixed part of the tack-chute as desired, and
the contact of the two inclines prevent the dropping of the elevator-slides until the
tops of the slots in the connections B³, contact with the pins B³, when the elevator-
slides will commence their descent.
The tack-chutes C are fitted to the inclined slide-ways in the hoppers, so that
they can be removed therefrom, by withdrawing the thumb-screws C¹, and cleared
from any obstruction which would prevent the free flow of tacks into the separable
part of said chutes.
A description of the connecting and operating parts of one of these chutes will
suffice for either.
To the sides of the upper end of the separable part of the chute C is secured
the hook C, so that the cover of said chute can pass under said hook as shown
in Figure 2. The hook C, is made quite wide, as shown by Figure 4, and has its
point and sides inclined.
Secured to the sides of the lower end of the fixed part of the tack-chute C, are
the stands, C³, whose upper ends are far enough apart to receive the sides of the
hook C, and the inner sides of these standards are inclined to facilitate the entrance
of the sides of the hook therein.
Through the top of the standards C³, there is fixed the pin C, which engages
with the hook C, and in combination with the sides of the standard, align the two
parts of the chute when they are thus connected, as shown in Figures 2 and 4.
The fixed part of the chute is extended into the hopper as shown in Figures 2
and 4 and to form a perfect joint with the under part of said chute, the gib C³,
somewhat wider than the elevator slide B, is fitted into the frame and cap, as
shown by Figures 2 and 3 and there secured by the cap screws which pass
through it.
The upper end of this gib is inclined to the angle of the bottom of the chute,
and the sides of the chute are bevelled down to the thickness of the gib to remove
any chance of the tacks catching against the under side of the chute.
The top sides of the part of the chute within the hopper are inclined, as shown
in Figure 3 to allow tacks which are raised by the elevator, and which are not
correctly positioned in the groove B¹ to fall off and not prevent the flow of those
which are correctly positioned therein.
The small wire C is fixed in the end of the chute, as shown in Figures 2 and 4,
so that the upper end of the elevator will reciprocate past it, and the wire acts to
remove such tacks as may be raised by the elevator balanced crosswise thereon.
Tacks are liable to be raised upon the heads of other tacks correctly positioned in
the groove of the elevator, with their shanks parallel with said groove and their
points towards the chute.
When such tacks retain their position and run down the incline, they form a
wedge under the cover of the chute which will prevent the flow of tacks unless
they are removed.
In order to remove these obstructing tacks, the cover of the tack-chute is formed

page_text: in two parts and the upper of these parts is reciprocated, so that its upper end will
move from the side of the hopper to a little beyond the end of the part of the chute
that is extended within said hopper, as shown in Figure 4.
The reciprocations of the movable part of the cover G, are made elastic towards
the hopper, by the action of a spring in order to prevent injury to tacks or
mechanism.
The cover G is made wider than the top of the tack-chute upon which it rests,
and it is provided with the groove G¹, in its under side, through which the heads of
the tacks pass, and its sides and top are fitted free to the guideway G2, formed over
that in which the chute is secured.
The lower end of this cover is enlarged and fixed therein is the pin G³, which
engages with the slot G*, on the long arm of the bell-crank-lever Go and transmits
the motions of said lever to the cover.
The bell-crank lever G is pivoted upon the bolt A fixed in the frame A¹ and
the pull spring G' acts to draw the cover G, inward.
The short arm of the bell-crank lever G is formed as shown in Figure 2, and
contacts with the roll Be which is mounted on the pin B, (between the connection B³
and the cap A²), causes the bell-crank-lever G', to make three distinct backward
movements against the action of the spring G at each full reciprocation of the
elevator slide B.
When the elevator-slide is at its highest point of rest, the position of the parts
are as shown by Figure 2, and the tacks in the groove of the elevator will run into
the chute unless the said chute is full, in which case the tacks correctly positioned
in the elevator will not flow, but those resting upon the heads of said tacks will run
down over the heads of those resting in the chute.
Formed upon or attached to one of the standards C³ is the short fixed part G7 of
the cover of the tack-chute which completes the continuity of the cover when the
part G is fully back, and gives the tacks in the lower part of the chute no chance to
bulge up by the impact of tacks delivered by the elevator as they strike the upper
end of the column.
Should it be found that the tacks from any cause bulge up in the opening made
between the two parts of the cover when the part G, is at its upper position,
a thin piece of suitable metal can be secured to the part G7 and extended enough
into the groove in the part G to bridge the opening and obviate the trouble. This
bridge would be necessary also with a very steep angle of tack-chute such as might
be required to cause very light tacks to flow.
To automatically open and close the lower end of the fixed part of the tack-
chute C, the gate H, Figures 2 and 4, is fitted to a suitable slot H', formed through
one of the sides of the chute near the top thereof.
This gate is hung upon the pin II' so that it can be swung to and from the groove
through which the shanks of the tacks move, and the spring H³ presses it towards
the inner side of said groove. To open the gate H, it is provided with the
extensions H', which engages with the separable part of the chute, when the two
parts are connected.
The upper end of the cover of the separable part H of the chute is made thin
and elastic and is extended to engage with the top of the cover G' as shown by
Figure 2.
When in that position, the tacks will flow from the fixed into the separable part
of the chute, and when said parts are separated, the elasticity of the end H³ of the
cover causes it to close the rear end of that part of the chute and retain the tacks
therein.
The shell of the tack driving implement K is made from any suitable metal, and
to its interior the plunger L is fitted so that it will reciprocate and be guided
therein as shown in Figures 5 and 6.
The plunger L is made hollow from the top to near its lower end, and is provided
with the slots L' through its sides. These slots are made correct in length to

page_text: allow the desired reciprocation of the plunger, when the round parts of the cross
pin K¹ are passed through them, and secured in the hole K³, in the sides of the
shell K.
To secure the cross pin K' in position its centre is flatted at K to fit the slot cut
in the short cylindrical piece K Figure 8, and this piece is held thereon by the
action of the raising spring L2, upon its top surface as shown in Figure 6.
The raising spring L operates within the plunger L, as shown and is secured
therein by the screw-plug L³, at its upper end.
The piece K is fitted to the hole inside of the plunger L and acts as a piston
therein, thus operating as a dash-pot and forming an air cushion and preventing
the usual severe concussion incident to the quick rise of spring elevated
plungers.
To the lower end of the plunger L, are secured the driver L, and the
reciprocating cam L' which moves outward the tack separating and feeding
device.
The throat composed of the parts M and M' is secured to a projection formed on
and below the shell K, by the screws, M M² and in this throat are formed suitable
holes M³, for the driver and M for the reciprocating cam to pass through,
Figures 6, 9 and 10.
One end of the throat terminates near the hole for the driver M³ and there is a
passage formed at M' for the heads of the tacks to pass through into the driveway.
The lower inner sides of this passage are inclined towards the centre of the
driveway to cause the heads of the tacks to pass over, and drop down said incline
into the driveway, after they have been moved inward by the operative edge of the
feeding finger N.
Below this passage M' the end of the throat is cut away at M8 to allow the
passage of the tack shanks to the driveway and the back part M, of the throat is
cut out at M so that it can be removed past the lower end of the driver when
required.
The inclined chute or roadway C is of the usual construction and its lower end
is fitted close to the end of the throat, where it is secured by the screws C' C'
to a suitable part of the same projection to which the throat is secured.
The relation of throat and chute is such as will cause the lower tack in the chute
to rest against the driver for the action of the tack separating and feeding mechanism
when said driver is down.
The tack separating and feeding mechanism. Figure 11, may be made of one or
more pieces as preferred. It consists of the finger N, the arm N', the hinge N³,
and the gate Nr.
This device is hung upon the pin, N1, fixed in the hole, M³, and operates in a
suitable slot, M', cut through the parts of the throat. The end of the throat and
the contacting end of the chute are also cut away to allow the motion of said
feeding device.
The tack separating and feeding finger N, is made quite thin and operates with
its upper face just under the incline formed in the throat at M', so that it will
engage with the tack shanks near the head where it can move them easily.
This finger N, is so formed that when inward as shown in Fig. 14, it completes
the circle of the driveway and is provided at that place with an inclined corner to
ensure the descent of the tack head past its upper edge.
The outer edge of this finger forms a rest for the column of tacks in the chute,
and from the place where the tacks rest to its point, this edge being formed at such
a curve that as it is swung outward to catch and feed another tack, the column of
tacks is constantly descending and has acquired sufficient momentum to quickly
drop the lower tack past the separating point, and against the driver when the
finger N, has reached the position shown in Fig. 15.
The inner edge of the feed finger N, is inclined from the driveway to a point
which will a little more than pass the back of the shank of a tack whose head is
resting against the driver when said finger moves inward from the position shown

page_text: in Fig. 1, so that on the inward or active motion of said finger it will engage with
said tack shank and by its incline draw the tack into the driveway, while at the
same time the outer edge of the feed finger will separate and push the column of
tacks in the chute back to their starting point ready to again commence their
descent as before described.
The gate, N³, extends down from the feed finger, N, to below the point of the
longest tack the machine is designed to drive, and when closed separates the drive-
way from the passage in the chute. Its lower part is inclined towards the centre
of the driveway and contracts the passage sufficiently to hold the tacks, drawn in
by the feed finger, suspended by their heads under the driver, until the driver
descends, when the gate yields outwardly and allows the tack to be moved down
by the driver.
The feed finger, N, and gate, N³, are swung out so that a tack can rest against
the driver as shown in Figure 15 by the inclined reciprocating cam, L°, acting
against the bearing, N³, formed on the arm, N1, for that purpose.
The inclined cam, L, is formed spirally to conform to the motion of the arm, N',
as it swings, and its relation to the driver is made such that unless the tack under
the driver is fairly driven, the end of the feed finger, N, will not disclose the
passage from the chute to the driver, and allow a tack to reach the position where
the return motion of the feed finger will draw it under the driver, and allow
the tack to be forced down upon the one already in the throat or nozzle of the
machine.
Secured to the chute C, by one of the screws, C', is the spring C³, of sufficient
strength to swing the feed finger, N, and gate N³, to the position shown by
Figures 5, 6, 12, and 14 and cause them to carry and hold a tack under the driver
when said driver is up.
The cam Ls, as it moves up, separates from the bearing, N³, when the point of
the feeding finger is resting upon a tack shank, and allows the spring, C³, to
press the head of the tack shank against the side of the driver, through the medium
of the feed finger, N, and the friction thus produced between driver and tack head
causes the point of the tack to swing close to the body of the driver.
When the lower end of the driver passes up beyond the point of the tack, the
point of the tack swings into the driveway, and as the lower end of the driver
passes above the tack head, the feed finger, N, and the gate N³, snap completely
in, and spring the head of the tack into the driveway, where it is caught and held
by the lower projecting part of the gate, until removed therefrom by a descent of
the driver. It it is desired to examine the interior of the throat of the machine,
the spring C, can be moved down from over the gate, the gate and feed finger
swung out giving free access thereto.
Below the throat there is secured under the driveway a plain nozzle, O in the
usual manner so that it will correctly align with said driveway.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention has several advantages, as
follows:-
First. The decreased weight of the plunger due to the interior hole for the
raising spring, combined with the air cushion, largely diminish the destructive
blow usual where spring raised plungers are positively stopped during their upward
movement.
Second. The plunger is more perfectly guided than where the spring for raising
it operates in a pocket formed in the upper or lower part of the shell or guideway
for said plunger.
Third. The plunger is positively secured within the shell and when it is desired
to remove it therefrom it can be quickly done.
Fourth. The feed finger can be made very light without injury thereto, and there
is little, if any chance of clogging the throat and nozzle by accumulation of tacks
therein.
Fifth. There are no projecting parts to be injured by coming in contact with the
lasting machine.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is
1. In tacking-driving mechanism of the class described, the combination with the
elevator-slides, B, of the pins, B5, the slotted connections, B', the cranks, D', and
suitable operating mechanism therefor, substantially as described and for the
purpose set forth.
2. In tack-driving mechanism of the class described, the combination with the
elevator-slide, B, of the slide, F, and the spring F³, substantially as shown and
described.
3. In tack-driving mechanism of the class described, the combination with the
tack-arranging chute, of the reciprocating cover, G, the pin, G³, the lever, Go, and
suitable operating and connecting mechanism, substantially as shown and described.
4. In tack-driving mechanism of the class described, the combination with the
elevator-slide of the pin or wire, C, fixed in the tack chute, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
5. In tack-driving mechanism of the class described, the combination with the
fixed and separable parts of the tack chute of the hook C, the standards C³, the
pin, C, gate H, cover G7 and cover, H³, all arranged and operating substantially
as shown and described.
6. The combination with the shell of a hand tack driving machine and suitable
tack feeding mechanism of a hollow slotted plunger carrying the tack driver, a
raising spring therefor secured therein, a flattened cross pin substantially as
described for guiding the motion and limiting the rise of said plunger, which is held
in position by the action of the raising spring, all operating substantially as shown
and described.
7. The combination with the shell of a hand tack driving machine and suitable
tack feeding mechanism of a hollow slotted plunger carrying the tack driver, a
raising spring therefor secured therein, a flatted cross pin and slotted piston,
substantiallly as described for guiding the motion and limiting the rise of said
plunger, which are held in position by the action of the raising spring and form in
combination with the interior of said plunger a dash pot to reduce concussion at
the termination of the rise of said plunger, substantially as shown and described.
8. In combination with the shell of a hand tack driving machine, the hollow
plunger, L, provided with the slots, L¹, the screw plug L³, the spring L2, the cross
pin K, the slotted piston K, the driver L, the cam, L³, and suitable tack
separating and feeding mechanism, all operating substantially as described.
9. In combination with tack driving mechanism above described and an inclined
chute for guiding loose tacks to the driveway thereof, a tack separating, feeding
and holding device consisting of the finger, N, arm, N¹, hinge, N2, gate, N³, and
bearing N constructed, located and operating substantially as shown and described.
10. In combination with suitable tack driving mechanism, an inclined chute for
guiding loose tacks to the driveway thereof, and tack separating, feeding and
holding mechanism substantially as described with the reciprocating inclined
cam, L, located with reference to the lower end of the driver, substantially as
shown and described for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 27th devy of June 1893
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.