Improvements in Machines for "Stitching or Binding Papers.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Aug., 1889-Accepted, 19th Oct., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
"
Improvements in Machines for "Stitching or Binding Papers.
I, ABEL HARRISON BLISS, Capitalist, of Chicago, in the County of Cook, and
State of Illinois, United States of America, 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:-
My invention relates to improvements in the class of machine commonly referred to
by the term "stitcher" and employed for binding books by forming and driving
staples through the leaves to be secured together; and it relates, particularly, to:
improvement in the kind of stitcher in which wire is fed to a staple-forming
mechanism, which severs, from the supply, the section of wire to be formed into a
staple, then forms the staple and, after the formation, drives it into the work.
The more important objects of my improvement are to provide a stitcher which
shall serve reliably to drive the staples it forms and without impairing them or injury
to the machine, through any desired thickness of the material to be bound; the
driving, staple-forming and wire-feeding mechanisms of which shall be readiiy
adjustable to the thickness of the book or portion thereof to be stitched and with
reference to the support for the work.
Further objects are to provide a construction of table and means for adjustably.
supporting it whereby it may be readily converted from a table into a saddle, and
vice versa; to provide an improved construction of clincher, being the device for
bending the ends of the staples to secure them after they have been passed through
the work; and to provide a generally improved construction of "stitcher."
My improved machine is fully illustrated in all its details and in a manner to
demonstrate diagrammatically different stages of its operation, in the accompanying
drawing, in which-
Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of my improved machine.
Figure 2, a broken sectional side-elevation of the same, the section being taken
on the line 2 of Figure 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.
Figure 3, a rear elevation of the front vertically reciprocating spring head shown
at the line 3 of Figure 2.
Figure 4, a broken face view of the bracket-portion of the standard with the
spring-head removed.
Figure 5, a section taken on the line 5 of Figure 2, and viewed in the direction of
the arrow.
Figure 6, a section taken on the line 6 of Figure 1 and viewed in the direction of
the arrow.
Figure 7, a broken view in rear elevation of the clincher-device having the upper
rear cross-plate removed, and showing, by dotted lines, the clincher-pawls in their
raised position.
Figure 8, an enlarged perspective view of one of the clincher-pawls.
Figure 9, a broken sectional view showing the mechanism, inside the upper or
horizontal portion of the standard, the section being taken on the line 9 of Figure 1
and viewed in the direction of the arrow.
Figure 10, a section taken on the line 10 of Figure 9 and viewed in the direction
of the arrow.
Figure 11, a section taken on the line 11 of Eigure 9 and viewed in the direction
of the arrow.
Figure 12, a section taken on the line 12 of Figures 2 and 9 and viewed in the
direction of the arrows.
Figure 13, a section taken on the line 13 of Figures 1 and 9 and viewed in the
direction of the arrows.

page_text: Figure 14, a view in front elevation of the vertically adjustably bed-plate, with the
forward end of the hood of the standard, in front of which it is supported to extend,
shown mainly by dotted lines.
Figure 15, a perspective view of the stationary obliquely slotted anvil-block through
which the wire is fed and in which it is held while being bent towards its opposite
ends to form a staple.
Figure 16, a view in front elevation of the hood-portion of the standard showing,
through its opening, the links for connecting the levers within it with the plunger and
with the vertically reciprocating head, and the pivotal arms, flanking the levers, and
which are to engage at their forward ends with recesses provided in the rear side of
the vertically adjustably bed-plate, all as shown in Figure 9.
Figure 17, a face view of the knife-supporting block showing the guide-pin on its
rear side by dotted lines.
Figure 18, a sectional view showing the wire-severing mechanism and the cam for
actuating it.
Figure 19, a perspective view of the cutter.
Figures 20 and 21, are, respectively, front and rear perspective views of a detail.
Figure 22, a face view of the reciprocating head carrying the knife-cam and having
the plates, represented in Figure 3, removed.
Figure 23 shows, in front elevation, the two front guide-plates for the driver and
staple, in normal relative position and detached.
Figure 24, an edge view of the staple-formers detached and shown in normal
relative positions.
Figure 25, a face view of each of the staple-formers shown in Figure 24.
Figure 26, an enlarged broken view of the lower end of one of the staple formers
shown in Figure 25.
Figures 27, 28 and 29 are broken sectional views of the staple-forming mechanism,
illustrating progressively, the relative positions of parts and their operations in forming
a staple.
Figure 30 is a sectional view showing the staple as being guided out of the anvil-
block in which it is formed into oblique side channels in the vertically reciprocating
formers.
Figure 31 shows the staple as guided into the channels which hold it in the path of
the plunger.
Figures 32 and 33 are sections indicating the shape of the channels for guiding a
staple to and holding it in the path of the plunger, the sections being taken,
respectively, on the lines 32 and 33 of Figure 26 and viewed in the direction of the
arrows.
Figure 34 is a section taken on the line 34 of Figure 30 and viewed in the direction
of the arrow.
Figure 35 is a broken sectional view showing an enlarged top view of the finished
staple.
Figure 36, a face view of the adjusting mechanism for the outer staple and
driver guide-bars.
Figure 37, a section taken on the line 37 of Figure 36 and viewed in the direction
of the arrow.
Figure 38, a broken face view of the lower portion of the mechanism for controlling
the feed of the wire, illustrating an adjustable attachment for controlling long lengths
of wire fed to produce the larger staples.
Figure 39, a perspective view of the attachment shown in Figure 38.
Figure 40, a broken perspective view of a spring-held wire-clamp on the feed-arm.
Figure 41, a section taken on the line 41 of Figure 1 and viewed in the direction
of the arrow.
Figure 42, a broken view illustrating the initial operation of the clincher device.
Figure 43, a similar view illustrating the final operation of the clincher device in
bending the ends of a staple protruding from the under side of the work.

page_text: Figure 44, an enlarged bottom sectional elevation taken on the line 44 of Figure 1
and viewed in the direction of the arrow.
Figure 45, a section taken on the line 45 of Figure 44 and viewed in the direction
of the arrow.
Figure 46, a view like that illustrated in Figure 45, but showing the parts of the
clutch in different relative positions.
Figures 47 and 48, sections taken, respectively, on the lines 47 and 48 of Figure 44
and viewed in the direction of the arrows.
Figure 49. an enlarged, partly broken bottom perspective view of the adjustable
and convertible table; and
Figure 50, an edge view, like that shown in Figure 24, but enlarged and illustrating
a modified construction of the flanged groove of a staple forming bar.
The entire mechanism may be sustained on any suitable form of support; but the
form of support I have found most suitable for the purpose, but to which I do not
wish to be understood as limiting my improvement, is that illustrated in the drawings
and which comprises a hollow metal standard, A, involving a vertical portion, w,
extending from an expanded hollow base, w¹, and terminating at its upper end in a
horizontally extending hood, w³, bulging at its rear end, as shown at x Figures 2 and 9,
and bell-shaped toward its mouth, and provided, at one side of its mouth (the left side
looking toward the front end of the hood) with an ear, w³, having an oblique slot, w¹,
(Figure 16) formed in it and extending from the outer upper edge of the ear down-
ward and inward at an angle of forty-five degrees, or thereabout.
B is the rotary shaft, from which all the parts hereinafter described (except the
brake) are actuated, and which is journaled in opposite sides of the bulging part
of the hood w2, and projects beyond one side of the same. On the projecting end of
the shaft B is a belt-pulley, B', on an elongated hub, B2, held between collars, v
and vs, the latter having an opening, 6, (Figures 45 and 46) through which projects
a finger, v, extending laterally from a pin, e, about one-half of the diameter of which
nearly throughout its length, fits in a similarly shaped groove in the shaft B, the other
half being turned down to conform to the circumference of the shaft and of the
inner surface of the hub. Thus an ordinary form of clutch is provided, whereby
when the pin v fits into the recess in the shaft (as in Figure 45) the pulley revolves
without turning the shaft; but when it is turned to extend beyond the shaft into a
semi-cylindrical recess, », in the hub B2 it clutches the hub and produces rotation of
the shaft with the belt-pulley. I give to the pin va normal tendency to project
beyond the circumference of the shaft by means of a spring, v², (Figure 44)
secured at one end to a cap, v³, at the outer end of the collar 4, and at its inner
extremity to the adjacent end of the pin v.
C is a pedal, fulcrumed at one end inside the base w¹, as shown in Figure 2,
and extending thence beyond the forward side of the base, being sustained, between
its extremities, by a spring, y; and from the pedal extends vertically along the side
of the part of the standard, a rod, t, pivoted at its lower end to the pedal, and
having pivotally connected with its upper end a link, t¹, passing through guides
on the side of the standard A, into the path of the finger v².
When the finger v
comes against the brake afforded by the rod t and link t¹, it is turned against the
resistance of the spring v2 to turn the pin v to conform to the recess in the
shaft, thereby preventing rotation of the latter; but when the brake is removed
from the path of the finger, by bearing down on the pedal, and the groove in the
shaft comes coincident with the groove in the hub, the spring forces the pin »
to extend into the groove and thus clutch the belt-pulley to the shaft B.
D (Figure 9) is a cam-block affording a combined cam and eccentric, the cam
being in the form of a peculiarly shaped groove, D', (as indicated by dotted lines
in said Figure) on one side of the cam-block, and the eccentric D² being in the
form of a disk extending from the opposite side of the cam-block, with which it is
preferably integral, and having the shaft B extending eccentrically through it, the
eccentric D² being encircled by a close-fitting collar, D³, having a perforated ear, s,
extending from its periphery.

page_text: E and E¹ are levers, (Figures 9 to 12) flanked, respectively, by arms and r², and
all pivotally connected together near their centers by a pin, 73. The shaft B passes
through the rear ends of the arms and ¹, which surround it loosely; while the rear
end of the lever E is provided with a thimble, q, (Figure 11) which enters the cam-
groove D, and the rear end of the lever Ei is pivotally connected with the ears on
the collar D³ of the eccentric D³.
Thus it will be seen that when the cam-block D, which is rigidly secured to the
shaft B, rotates with the latter, the eccentric D' rocks the lever E' with a regular up
and down motion, while the cam D' rocks the lever E with an irregular up and down
motion and that raising or lowering of the arms and r¹, toward their forward ends,
similarly moves the levers toward their adjacent ends, but without altering the relative
positions of the cain and eccentric and their respective layers.
It may here be mentioned that raising and lowering of the arms and is
produced by adjusting the bed-plate, (which supports the wire-feeding and severing,
and the staple forming and driving mechanisms, all as hereinafter described,)
according to the thickness of the work and the length of staple to be formed with
regard to such thickness.
F. is the bed-plate (Figures 1, 9, 16, etc.) of general rectangular shape with a
rectangular opening through it somewhat shorter and narrower than that at the mouth
of the hood w², on the top of which it is supported at a flange, p, extending at a
right-angle from its upper end and having a threaded perforation, constituting it a
nut, for a screw, p¹, extending through it against a bearing, 23, on the top of the
hood w², the screw being provided at its upper end with a hand-wheel, p². The bed-
plate F is provided with lateral guide-flanges. o, and is held from lateral and forward
displacement by means of angle-bars, of and o² extending over its sides from the
opposite sides of the hood w² near its mouth, and to which sides they are bolted
(Figures 12 and 13). In the rear side of the bed-plate F, on opposite sides of its
opening and near the base thereof, are two rectangular recesses, 3, (Figures 13
and 14) into which extend the forward ends of the arms and in the hood w².
When, therefore, the screw p' is turned in its nut p, it raises or lowers the bed-
plate F, depending on the direction of turning the screw, and simultaneously raises or
lowers the arms and and obviously, also, the levers E and E', owing to the connee-
tion of the latter with the arms by means of the pin ².
An ear, w, extends from the lower edge of the bed-plate over the ear w³ on the
hood, and is provided with a horizontal slot, w, crossing the oblique slot w in
the ear w³.
"
Below the opening in the bed-plate F, and rigidly secured to it, centrally between
its lateral edges, is a block, G, (Figures 14 and 15), which, from the nature of its
purpose, I turn an anvil-block." Ï provide it in the rectangular form shown; and
it is screwed in position through an opening, . The anvil-block is provided with
a transverse perforation, n, from which extends, obliquely, to the front surface of
the block, a slot, n'.
H is a rectangular plate (clearly shown in Figure 22) termed by me the vertically
reciprocating head, and provided centrally and longitudinally, with a rectangular slot,
which need extend only from near the transverse center of the plate short of its lower
end. The head H is flanged laterally, as shown at n², Figures 12 and 13, and fits
with its flanges n between the lateral flanges on the bed-plate F; and it is held
to be guided between the flanges on the bed-plate by the angle-plates o¹ and o²,
which overlap its flanges n². The opposing inner sides of the slot in the head H
are cut out to form offsets, adapted to receive edgewise the bars, I and 1,
used in forming the staple, and which are clearly illustrated in Figures 24 to 26.
Each of the staple-forming bars comprises a rectangular strip of plate metal,
adapted to fit edgewise in the offsets provided to extend along the front edges of
the opposing sides of the slot in the head H; though they may, if desired, be
integral with the vertically reciprocating head. Toward the lower ends of the bars I
and I, they are provided, respectively, with openings or longitudinal slots, m and m²,
the latter being slightly longer than the first-named, for a purpose hereinafter

page_text: explained. Each of the staple-forming bars has formed in its front inner edge an
offset or rectangular groove, 1, extending from its upper end to a point short of
the upper end of the longitudinal slot, whence to that end of the slot extends,
obliquely, a shallow channel or groove, l. From a considerable distance above each
opening m and m¹ (that is from a short distance below the longitudinal center of
each staple-forming bar) the opposing surfaces of the bars I and I, laterally of the
grooves, 7, are slightly hollowed out, as shown at 12 in Figure 25, to make room, or
afford a chamber between the two bars for the anvil-block G, along the sides of which
the limits of reciprocation of the head H, with which the staple-formning bars are
practically integral, about equal the length of the hollowed out portions. The
grooves extend continuously to points below the slots m and m¹, but should widen
slightly, in lateral directions, towards their lower extremities from above the slots, as
shown at 13, Figure 25. From their lower extremities the grooves proceed, to the
lower ends of the bars I and I', as shallower grooves, 14, somewhat rounded or oval in
form, preferably, as indicated in Figure 35, whereby the inner edges of the grooves
are slightly flanged, as indicated but somewhat exaggerated, at ; and, more
particularly to adapt the staple-formers to permit staples to be driven through
work of considerable thickness the flanges grooves are curved inwardly near their
lower extremities, as shown in Figure 50, and the forming-bar cut away on its rear
surface near the lower end, to render it springy.
K is the driver, comprising a bar, of a width slightly less than that of the space
between the opposing faces of the bars I and I', and having flanges, k, extending
laterally from its rear side, which enter the grooves ; and the driver is held at its
flanges k, to permit it to be guided in its reciprocating movements in the grooves l
by flat bars, L and L', fastened to the face of the reciprocating head H, respectively
in positions to cover the flanges k, and the inner edges of which are preferably but
not necessarily provided on their inner faces with grooves like the grooves 1, 1, in the
staple-forming bars I and I', and with which they would coincide. The bar L' is
recessed, as shown at a, Figure 23, to make room for the laterally movable wire-
cutting and gaging mechanism, hereinafter described.
The forward end of the lever E (Figure 9) is pivotally connected, by a link, i, with
a lug,, on the rear side of the head H, to one side of its center, and which projects,
through the opening in the bed-plate F, into the mouth of the hood w²; and the
corresponding end of the lever E is similarly connected with the rear side of the
driver K.
From the foregoing description of parts, it will be understood that when the
shaft B is in motion by the pulley B being clutched to it, the eccentric D², by
regularly rocking the lever E on its fulcrum afforded by the pin r² (constituted
a fulcrum by the arms and being supported at their opposite ends) regularly
reciprocates the driver K; and that the cam D¹, through the lever E, irregularly
reciprocates the head H with its staple-formers I and I along the sides of the
anvil-block G.
M is a bracket (Figure 1) fastened to a side of the hood w² to extend laterally
therefrom, and having fulcrumed to it at 2, a lever, M, bent, or curved toward one
end, as shown, the bent portion being preferably one-half the length of the straight
portion, and the fulcrum being provided at a point corresponding with two-thirds
of the length of the lever, measured from its lower end, so that the extent of sweep
of the lower end of the lever will be twice that of the opposite end. These relations
are, of course, subject to change according to requirement, but the lower end of the
lever should always have an extent of sweep equal to twice the thickness of the work
to be stitched. A spring, ³, serves to afford yielding resistance to the turning of the
lever M on its fulcrum; and the end of the bent arm of the lever extends into the
path of a lug, K', rigid on the front surface of the driver K.
N, (Figures 17 and 18) is the cutter-block, having a guide-pin, h, extending from
its rear side and tongues, ', on its upper and lower edges which enter guide-grooves
respectively in the upper and lower edges of blocks, N³, and N2, secured below and
above the cutter-blocks, on the face of the head H, to the left (looking toward the

page_text: front of the hood to²) of its longitudinal slot; and when the block N is adjusted in
position between its guide-blocks, the pin h projects through the horizontal slot w
in the ear on the bed-plate F and through the oblique slot to in the ear ³ on
the hood w².
To the inner end of the knife-block N is pivoted a knife, O (Figures 18 and 19)
the cutting-edge 0¹ of which extends across the line of feed of the wire-supply, here-
inafter described, which is passed through an opening, u, formed through the block N
near its base, the knife-edge being maintained normally away from the line of feed by
a spring, u, and being advanced, at the proper time, to cut the wire, by a cam, u²,
(Figures 13, 18 and 22) on the front surface of the reciprocating head H, the
advancement forcing the knife-edge into engagement with a knife-plate, O2, (shown
clearly in Figures 20 and 21) secured in proper position in the block N, and
permitting the knife O to operate by a shearing-cut.
The supply of wire is provided on a spool, P, (Figure 1) suitably supported, to
revolve in the feeding, on an arm of the bracket M¹. The wire P¹ is passed from the
spool P, through an eye, g, (Figures 1 and 4) secured to the outer edge near the
lower end of the lever M, and having extended from it, toward the knife-block N, a
light flat spring, g', having an eye, g², on its upper side, and overlapping a shorter but
similar spring, 3, provided with an eye, 9', and extending from the outer edge of the
block N, to which it is fastened at the base of the opening u. The springs g and g³
thus afford a yielding guide to the opening u in the knife-block, for the wire P¹,
which is held against slipping by a spring-cam, Q¹, and fed by the forward movement
(produced as hereinafter described) of the lower part of the lever M, through the
medium of a spring-cam, Q, like the cam Q', but supporting on the lever (as shown in
Figures 1 and 40) to hear against the wire.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that by manipulating the screw p to
raise or lower the bed-plate F and parts it carries, the knife-block N is moved outward
or inward the exact or nearly the exact distance the bed-plate is so raised or lowered,
owing to the angle of 45° of the oblique slot w in the stationary ear w³. This, as
will hereinafter be seen, regulates the length of wire to be fed and cut off by the knife
to form staples of particular lengths; and when the block N is moved outward to
feed a considerable length of wire to be cut, a clamping finger, R (Figures 38
and 39), which is pivoted at one end to the block N, may be adjusted to extend over
and against the length of wire between the knife-block and adjacent staple-
former I¹ to prevent buckling of the wire; and when not required, it may be turned
out of the way.
S is an arm or bracket (Figure 2) secured to the front side of the part w of the
standard near its base, and curving thence in an upward and outward direction,
extending below the bed-plate F, whence it terminates in a flat rigid bed-plate, f.
From the rear side, near the upper end of the bed-plate f, and on opposite sides of
the web of the arm S, project stationary studs, f¹; and directly below the studs f¹,
near the lower end of the bed-plate, are elongated openings, 2 (Figures 45 and 46).
T is a flat reciprocating plate or head, having longitudinally along the center
throughout one (the rear) side, a rectangular recess, e³, a cross-bar, e, at the upper
end of the head, let into the sides of the recess to be flush with the faces of such
sides and affording a covering for and narrowing the recess where it crosses the same.
A similarly adjusted cross-bar, e³, extends across the recess e³ near the center of the
head. In the recess e³, between the two cross-bars, is a plate, e, having tongues, e
and e, formed at its opposite ends to enter the recess between the respective cross-
bars, the plate being rigidly fastened to the face of the bed-plate f. Recessed dogs, U,
are pivotally supported, as shown, at the upper end of the head T between the
cross-bar e and base of the recess e³, being normally in the relative positions shown
by the full lines in Figure 7, which they assume by their own gravity, and from
which they are raised, to the position indicated by dotted lines, for the purpose of
clinching the ends of a staple, in the manner hereinafter described.
Directly below the cross-bar e is an opening, e², formed through the head T, and

page_text: which is overlapped, on the rear or recessed side of the head by a plate, e², pivotally
supported near its upper end in the recesses and beveled, as shown in Figure 6, at
its lower end, toward which it is normally held, yieldingly, away from the base of
the recess e³, by a spring, e, extending against it through the opening e from the
front side of the plate T. Below the pivotal plate e', in the recess e³, is a plate, e³,
rigidly secured to the face of the bed-plate f, and having its upper edge beveled to
coincide with the bevel on the lower edge of the pivotal plate.
The head T has projecting from its rear side, near its lower end, studs, e,
(Figures 5 and 6) which project through the elongated openings f in the lower end
of the bed-plate f, and which are yieldingly connected, by stiff springs, d, with the
studs on the rear side of the bed-plate, whereby the head T is yieldingly
supported, directly underneath the head H, against the front side of the bed-plate f,
the upper end of the recess es being in direct line with the driver K.
V is the table for supporting the work to be stitched, and which is of a form and
construction, and sustained by means, to adapt it to be readily converted into a saddle.
It involves two plates, c and c', secured together edge to edge to extend at right-
angles to each other, by means of brackets, b, fastened to the under sides of the plates,
as clearly shown in Figure 49, to cause the head T to fit edgewise between them, and
each having perforations, and 62, one above the other, in their bases. The plate c is
provided with a slot, a; and a slot, a', is provided at the junction of the two
plates e and c¹.
into
To support the device V as a table, it is screwed through the lower openings
coincident threaded openings in the opposite edges of the head T, the slot a being then
coincident with and embracing the upper end of the said head; to convert it into a
saddle, the screws are removed or loosened, and the table caused to straddle tie
head T, thus bringing the slot a' coincident with and to embrace the upper end of the
head, which causes the upper openings 62 to coincide with the threaded openings in
the edges of the head, when the screws are adjusted to hold it.
As it may sometimes be desirable, for different thicknesses of wire, to adjust the
plates Land L', toward their lower ends, closer to or further from the staple-forming
bars I and I', the heads j and j¹ of the screws (Figures 6 and 37) are concaved,
peripherally, as shown, and provided circumferentially with worm-threads, with which
engage the corresponding threads, of a screw, j³, supported in a suitable bearing, as
illustrated. Turning of the screw j in one direction or the other, turns the heads j
and and screws j³ to move the plates L and L' outward or inward toward their
lower ends with reference to the bars I and I¹.
The operation is as follows:
The shaft B is first turned (on pressing upon the pedal C to clutch to the shaft the
hub B2) to cause the cam D¹ and eccentric D2 to actuate the levers E and E¹ to bring
the lower ends of the head H and driver K coincident, (which can only occur when
the staple-forming bead H and driver are at the lowest extremity of their reciprocating
play) when the screw p is manipulated to raise or lower the bed-plate and the
driver and staple-forming mechanism it carries, for the purpose of gaging their
downward play to the thickness of the work or book W to be stitche:1, and which play
is slightly beyond the width of space between the clincher-mechanism and upper
surface of the book, in order that when the driver and staple-forming head Hare
pressed against the book they may force, through the latter the head T down against
the resistance of the springs d (Figure 3) and cause the dogs U to rise, as hereinafter
described, to clinch the protruding ends of the driven staple X.
The distance of raising or lowering the bed-plate F with reference to the clincher-
mechanism of course determines the width of space between them which should, as
aforesaid, when the bed-plate F and parts it carries (driver X and head H) are
at the lowest limit of their reciprocating plat, about equal to the thickness of the
work. Vertical movement of the bed-plate F a certain distance obviously moves the
knife-plate N laterally the same distance. Thus, if the bed-plate F be moved up or
down one inch, the plate N will simultaneously be laterally moved outward or
inward the same distance, since, being confined against vertical play by its stationary

page_text: guide-plates N' and N2, it can not, independently. move vertically; but as the
horizontal slot in the ear moves with the bed-plate F, of which the ear forms a
rigid part, it carries the plate N with it, the pin h thereby being moved along the 45°
inclined slot w in the immovable car w³, and thus moving the plate N laterally the
same distance that the hed-plate F is moved vertically. Therefore the extent of
movement of the plate N with reference to the inner edge of a stationary guide-
plate Nor N may be used to indicate the thickness of the work to stitch which the
imachine is adjusted; or the distance of extension of the bed-plate F beyond the
upper ends of the stationary angle-plates o' and o² may be used for the same indica-
tion. For the first-named use of the adjustment I provide a gage-plate Y (Figure 1)
on the movable knife-plate N, and a similar plate Y parallel with the plate Y, secured
to the stationary guide-plate N2 and extending vertically over the plate N, between
which gage-plates the work may be clamped at one edge to gage it.
It will be seen that raising or lowering of the bed-plate F in the manner and for
the purpose described does not effect the relation between the cam D and eccentric D²
and their respective levers E and E¹, the only effect on the latter being to raise or
lower them toward their forward ends on their fulcrum-pin 2, through the move-
ment with the bed-plate of the arms and r¹, and without reducing or enlarging the
extent of their reciprocation.
When the width of space to receive the work W has been.gaged, as described (or
if desired before that time) the machine is threaded by extending the wire P¹ through
the guide-eyes and g, thence through the opening n (Figure 18) in the knife-
plate N and the openings m and m¹ in the staple-forming bars I and I, and opening n
in the intermediate anvil-block G, and beyond the bar I through a coincident opening
in the adjacent flange of the head H, the length of space for the wire to extend
beyond the bar I being equal to the extreme length of the space between the knife-
plate N, when moved laterally to its outward limit, and the bar 1'.
When the machine has been once threaded the wire does not require to be again
manipulated until the supply on the spool P gives out, when, of course, a new supply
has to be threaded.
In the initial operation of the machine, rotation of the shaft B carries the driver K
to descend independently of the head H, and the latter also to descend but more
slowly than the driver, owing to the relations between the eccentric D² and cam D¹.
As the bars I and I¹ descend with the head H, the upper end of the slot m in the
bar I (which slot is slightly shorter than the slot m¹ in the bar I¹) first comes against
the protruding end of the wire P¹ in its path and bends it downward through the slot
against the adjacent side of the anvil-block G. Just before the upper edge of the
slot m reaches the wire P extending across its path, the cam u² engages with the
pivotal knife O, forcing its cutting-edge 01 against the wire and severing it, when it
is bent, by the staple-forming bar l' through its slot m¹ against the adjacent side of the
anvil-block.
The arrangement whereby the bending of the wire toward its outer or free end is
first performed is advantageous, inasmuch as if both bars I and I¹ were to act
simultaneously, the severing operation of the knife-mechanism would have to precede,
and would tend (as in cutting by hand with scissors) to cause the severed section to
fly off lengthwise in the direction of its extension, and thereby produce a longer
extent of projection from the farther side of the anvil-block than from the opposite
side, thus rendering the shanks of the staple of unequal lengths.
When the staple-forming bars I and I have completed the formation of a staple, as
described, both they and the driver K proceed to the lowest limit of their reciprocating
play, and would there engage with the clincher-mechanism, through the work W, if
interposed, though such engagement in the initial operation of the machine, would be
without effect as to stitching the work, since no staple would be in the path of the
descending driver.
As the bars and 11, after bending the wire at opposite sides of the anvil-block and
thus forming the staple X, proceed on their downward course, the inclined channels I¹
in their opposing faces, (and which extend at their lower ends to or about to the rear

page_text: sides at the upper ends of the slots m and m'.) engage the bent vertical ends or shanks
of the staple and thereby gradually move its cross-head from the perforation n in the
anvil-block down the oblique slot n' by switching the shanks into the grooves 1; so
that by the time the bars I and I' and driver have reached the lowest limit of their
play, the staple, still held in the mouth of the oblique slot of the anvil-block by the
face of the latter being covered by the driver, is in the grooves with its shank-
portions.
Continued rotation of the shaft B raises the head H and, more rapidly, the
driver K, the head, in rising, leading the staple-shanks into the more expanded
grooves (as indicated in Figure 30), and the latter rising above the oblique slot n'
in the anvil-block, whereby the cross-head of the staple is freed to spring out into the
path of the driver (as indicated in Figure 31), which then descends with the head H,
but more rapidly than the latter (both the driver and head eventually reaching their
lowest positions simultaneously) and drives the staple through the shallower flanged
grooves into and through the work W.
The flanges on the grooves 14 (assisted by the corresponding grooves flanges, if
provided, in the covering-plates L and L') coincide with the extreme ends of the
cross-head of the staple near its junction with the shank-portions; and, because the
flanges of the grooves narrow the latter to a width less than that of the wire, they
cut into and notch the wire near the opposite ends of the cross head of the staple, as
indicated in Figures 32 and 33, thus holding the staple firmly against the effect of
the strain of the driver on the cross-head tending to bend the latter downward between
its extremities, which is prevented by the hold at the notches resisting the tendency
of the strain on the cross-head to draw upward in the grooves the shank-portions of
the staple and thus lengthen the cross-head sufficiently to enable it to be bent.
The rigidity of hold on the staple while being driven and the provision of a close-
fitting guide for it throughout the driving operation enable me to drive through
exceptionally unyielding or hard work W staples, or even continuous straight lengths
of wire, even of a very fine quality, without bending er buckling the wire; and I
regard the feature of my improvement permitting this, as of great importance.
It will be observed that the wire P¹ is unwound from underneath the spool P, the
winding on which renders it curved and springy; and that when the bars I and I'
bend a length of it against the anvil-block, the bending, is produced in the contrary
direction to the curve of the section of wire, whereby the shanks of the staple have a
normal tendency to curve outward. This tendency is restrained of course, while
the staple is confined in the grooves of the forming-bars; but in the driving,
especially through work of considerable thickness (say an inch or more) it is found
that the shanks of the staple spread so much, and thereby pass through the work
obliquely, as to present great resistance to the driving. I overcome this tendency by
curving inward the groove at the lower end of each staple-forming bar, as shown in
Figure 50, and beveling, in an inward and downward direction, as shown at a in that
Figure, the rear surface of each bar toward its lower end whereby it is rendered
springy. When the driver K descends into the curved portions of the grooves 1*, it
spreads the beveled ends of the bars I and I' slightly apart and effects, as I find,
straight driving of the staple.
In reaching the lowest extremity of their reciprocation and lodging the staple in
the work W, the head H and plunger K compress the work against the head T of
the clincher-device, forcing the latter downward against the resistance of its sustaining-
springs d, which is permitted by the beveled edge of the pivotal plate e¹ (Figure 6)
passing that of the rigid plate e, and which lowers the free ends of the recessed
dogs U against the upper end or tongues e of the rigid plate e, thereby raising the
dogs on their pivots and causing them to bend toward each other, or clinch," (see
Figures 42 and 43) the ends of the staple which protrude into their path from the
lower surface of the work W.
The rise of the driver K to free the staple, formed as described, from the anvil-
block G, brought its lug or striker-block K' against the end of the feed-lever M
K

page_text: extending into its path, and, by striking against the latter. actuated the opposite end
of the lever M to feed a length of the wire P₁ from the spool M', through the
block N, anvil-block G, and head H (including the staple-forming bars I and 11);
and as the parts descended to drive the staple first formed, another staple was formed
in the manner already described of the formation of the first staple. So it will be
understood that, after forming the first staple, the machine always bas one staple in
reserve, which is forined while that produced before it is being driven.
The adjustment, higher or lower, of the bed-plate F, which, as hereinbefore
described, regulates the extent of descent of the driver and head H with reference to
the clincher-mechanism, and the length of wire severed by the knife, also regulates
the length of wire fed by the feed-lever M, since the higher or lower the plunger is
adjusted by adjusting the bed-plate F with manipulation of the screw p¹, the higher, or
less high, it will move in its reciprocation, with a corresponding turn of the feed-
lever by the impingement against it of the lug K'. If, therefore, to illustrate, the
bed-plate and parts it carries be adjusted by raising it from any position one-half an
inch, to adapt the machine to work W of a particular thickness, requiring a staple,
the shanks of which shall, by the half-inch addition to the length of each, be
adapted to pass through and be clinched on the under side of the work, the curved
arm of the feed-lever will be correspondingly raised on its fulcrum, and the opposite
end of the straight part of the lever M, (which, as will be remembered, should be
twice the length of the curved part) will thereby be moved inward a whole inch, thus
feeding that additional length of the wire or additional one-half inch on each side of
the anvil-block G.
It may further be mentioned that when, after the driving operation, the driver
and head H rise from the clincher-mechanism, the springs d raise the head T to its
normal position, thereby readjusting the pawls U and other parts of the clincher-
mechanism to their normal relative positions; and also, that when the head H rises it
removes the knife-cam n² from engagement with the knife O, freeing the latter and
permitting it to be thrown back, out of the path of the feed, by the resilience of the
spring.
What I claim as new and desire to secure by letters patent is-
1-In a stitcher, the combination with a standard, driving-mechanism, and a support
for the work, of a bed-plate supporting reciprocating staple-forining inechanism and
a reciprocating driver, and adjustably supported on the standard, whereby it, with the
said staple-forming mechanism and driver, may be raised and lowered with relation to
the said support, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2 In a stitcher, the combination with a standard, driving mechanism, and a support
for the work, of a bed-plate supporting reciprocating staple-forming and wire-cutting
mechanism and a reciprocating driver, and adjustably supported on the standard,
whereby it, with the said staple-forming and wire-cutting mechanisms and driver,
may be raised and lowered with relation to the said support, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
3-In a stitcher, the combination with a standard, driving mechanism, and a support
for the work, of a bed-plate, F, supporting reciprocating staple-forming mechanism
and a reciprocating driver and having a nut, p, a set-screw, p¹, extending through
the nut against a bearing on the standard and adjustably supporting the bed-plate on
the standard, and a guide on the standard for the said bed-plate, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
4-In a stitcher, the combination with a standard, driving mechanism, and a
support for the work, of a bed-plate, F, an anvil-block, G, secured to the bed-plate
and having an oblique slot, n', reciprocating staple-forming bars, I and II, supported
on the bed-plate at opposite sides of the anvil-block, and provided with openings, m
and m³, and grooved, substantially as described, plates, L and L', secured to extend
over the bars I and I', and a reciprocating driver, K, movable in grooves of the
staple-forming bars, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 5 In a stitcher, the combination with a standard, driving-mechanism, a support,
for the work and an automatic feed and severing mechanism for the wire, of a bed-
plate, F, an anvil-block, G, secured to the bed-plate and having an oblique slot, n¹,
reciprocating staple-forming bars, I and I, supported on the bed-plate at opposite
sides of the anvil-block, and provided, respectively, with a longitudinal opening, m,
and a longer longitudinal opening, m³, and grooved, substantially as described,
plates L and L', secured to extend over the bars I and I¹, and a reciprocating
driver, K, movable in grooves of the staple-forming bars, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
6 In a stitcher, the combination with a standard, driving-mechanism, and a support
for the work, of a bed-plate, F, an anvil-block, G, secured to the bed-plate and having
an oblique slot, n', reciprocating staple-forming bars, I and I', supported on the bed-
plate at opposite sides of the anvil-block and provided with openings, m and m', and
with grooves, 1, 2 and 13, and flanged grooves, 1, plates, L and L', secured to extend
over the bars I and I', and a reciprocating driver, K, movable in grooves of the
staple-forming bars, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7-In a stitcher, the combination with a standard, and a support for the work, of a
bed-plate, F, an anvil-block, G, secured to the bed-plate and having an oblique slot, n',
a reciprocating head, H, carrying staple-forming bars, I and 1', provided with
openings, m and m², and with grooves, 1, 1 and 13, and flanged grooves 1, plates L
and L, secured to extend over the bars I and I', a reciprocating driver, K, movable
in grooves of the staple-forming bars, a driving-shaft, B, carrying to rotate with it
a cam and an eccentric, and levers, E and E', fulcrumed between their extremities
and connected at adjacent ends respectively with the cam and eccentric, and linked,
at their opposite ends, respectively, to the head H and driver K, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
8 In a stitcher, the combination with a standard, and a support for the work, of
a bed-plate, F, an anvil-block, G, secured to the bed-plate and having an oblique
slot, n', a reciprocating head, H, carrying staple-forming bars, I and I', provided
with openings, m and m', and with grooves, l, and 13, and flanged grooves, 1, plates, L.
and L, secured to extend over the bars I and I', a reciprocating driver, K, movable
in grooves of the staple-forming bars, a driving-shaft, B, carrying to rotate with it,
a cam and an eccentric, armis, r and ², loosely connected at their rear ends with the
driving-shaft and connected at their opposite ends with the bed-plate F, and levers, E
and E, pivotally connected between their extremities with the said arms, and con-
nected at their rear ends, respectively, with the cam and eccentric and linked, at
their opposite ends, respectively, to the head H and driver K, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
9 In a stitcher, the combination with a standard, driving-mechanism and a support.
for the work, of a vertically adjustable bed-plate, F, an anvil-block, G, secured to
the bed-plate having an oblique slot, n', a knife-block, N, supported on the bed-plate
and laterally adjustable thereon, automatically, by adjustment of the said bed-plate,
reciprocating staple-forming bars, I and I, supported on the bed-plate at opposite
sides of the anvil-block and provided with openings, m and m', and grooved,
substantially as described, plates, L and L', secured to extend over the bars I and I',
a reciprocating driver, K, movable in grooves of the staple-forming bars, and
an automatic feed, M, for the wire, actuated by the reciprocating driver, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
10 In a stitcher, the combination of a standard, A, having a horizontal portion, to³,
provided with an ear, t³, containing the oblique slot w, a support for the work,
a vertically adjustable bed-plate, F, secured to the part w² of the standard, and having.
an ear, provided with a slot, w, crossing the slot in the ear wo, a laterally.
adjustable knife-block, N, having a guide-pin, h, extending through the slots to and w³,
and carrying a pivotal knife, O, and supported in guides on the bed-plate, an anvil-
block, G, secured to the bed-plate, and having an oblique slot, n', a reciprocating
head, H, on the bed-plate, carrying staple-forming bars, I and I¹, at opposite sides
of the anvil-block, and provided with openings, m and m³, and grooved, substantially

page_text: as described, plates, L and L', secured to extend over the bars I and I', a cam, u*, on
the head H, for actuating the knife O, a reciprocating driver, K, movable in grooves
in the staple-forming bars, and a pivotal lever, M, extending at one end into the path
of the driver K and at its opposite end into the path of the wire to be fed and provided
with suitable clamping mechanism for the wire, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
11-In a stitcher, the combination of a hollow standard, A, having a horizontal
portion, or hood, w², provided with an ear, w³, containing the oblique slot, u, a driving-
shaft, B, journalled in the hood 2 and carrying, loosely, a driving-wheel, B¹, and an
automatic spring-clutch, a brake normally engaging with the spring-clutch and con-
trolled froni a pedal, C, a cam, D¹, and an eccentric, D2, D3, secured upon the shaft
to rotate with it, a support for the work, a vertically adjustable bed-plate, F,
supported at the front end of the hood wand having an ear, 205, provided with a
slot, w, crossing the slot in the ear w, a laterally adjustable knife-block, N, having
a guide-pin, h, extending through the slots to and to, and carrying a pivotal spring-
controlled knife, O, and supported in guides on the bed-plate, an anvil-block, G,
secured to the bed-plate and having an oblique slot, n', a reciprocating head, H, on
the bed-plate, carrying staple-forming bars, I and I', at opposite sides of the anvil-
block, and provided with openings, m and m³, and grooved, substantially as described,
plates, Land L, secured to extend over the bars I and I', a cam, w², on the head H,
for actuating the knife O, a reciprocating driver, K, movable in grooves in the staple-
forming bars, a pivotal bent lever, M, extending at one end into the path of the
driver K and at its opposite end into the path of the wire from the supply, supported
from the standard, suitable clamping mechanism for the wire, arms, rand, loosely
supported at their rear ends on the shaft B and extending at their opposite ends.
through the hood w² into engagement with the adjustable bed-plate F, and levers, E
and E¹, connected, respectively, at their rear ends, with the cam and eccentric and
linked, at their opposite ends, to the head H and driver K, and fulcrumed, between
their extremities, to the arms and, the whole being constructed and arranged to
operate substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
12 In a stitcher, the combination with a standard, supporting a vertically
adjustable bed-plate carrying reciprocating staple-forming mechanism, a reciprocating
driver and means for actuating the staple-forming mechanism and driver, of staple-
clinching mechanism having a spring-held head, T, supported in line with the vertically
reciprocating parts of the staple-forming mechanism and vertically reciprocating
driver, and carrying pivotal clincher-pawls, U and a stationary stop, e, in line with
the pawls, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
13-In a stitcher employing reciprocating staple-forming mechanism and a
reciprocating driver supported on a standard and vertically adjustable thereon, the
combination there with of a non-adjustable clincher-device having pivotal clincher-
pawls, U, on a vertically yielding support and a stop in the path of the pawls, whereby
when the support for the pawls is lowered by the pressure against it of the reciprocating
staple-forming mechanism, the pawls are actuated by the stop, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
14 In a stitcher, the combination with a standard supporting a vertically adjustable
bed-plate carrying reciprocating staple-forming mechanism, a reciprocating driver
and means for actuating the staple-forming mechanism and driver, of staple-clinching
mechanism, having a spring-held recessed head, T, supported in line with the
vertically reciprocating parts of the staple-forming mechanism and vertically
reciprocating driver, and carrying, in its recess, pivotal clincher pawls, U, and
a stationary stop, e, in line with the pawls, a pivotal plate, e¹, in the recess of the
head, controlled by a spring, e, and having its free edge beveled and held by the
spring normally against the beveled edge of a stationary plate, e, extending into
the recess of the head T, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
15 In a stitcher, the combination with a standard supporting a vertically adjustable
bed-plate carrying reciprocating staple-forming mechanism, a reciprocating driver
and means for actuating the staple-forming mechanisin and driver, of an arm, S, on

page_text: the standard having a bed-plate, f, provided with studs, f¹, and elongated openings, f²,
a recessed head, T, having studs, elo, extending through the openings f² and connected
with the studs f¹ by springs, d, clincher-pawls, U, pivotally supported in the recess e
of the said head, a stop, e, secured to the bed-plate and extending into the recess e³,
in line with the pawls, a plate, e', pivotally supported in the said recess and extending
over an opening, e, in the head T and beveled on its free edge, a spring, e, extending
against the front side of the pivotal plate, and a beveled stop-plate, e³, secured to
the bed-plate f and extending into the recess with its beveled edge normally against
that of the pivotal plate e', substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
16-In a stitcher employing reciprocating staple-forming mechanism, a reciprocating
driver supported on a standard, and clincher-mechanism, a table, V, comprising
plates, c and c', joined at adjacent edges and slotted at their junction, and one of the
plates having a slot, a, the table being adjustably supported adjacent to the
clincher-mechanism and movable on its support to bring the slot at the junction or
the slot a coincident with the clincher-mechanism, thereby to convert the table into a
saddle, and vice versa, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
17 In a stitcher, employing reciprocating staple-forming mechanism, and a
reciprocating driver supported on a standard, the combination therewith of an arm, S,
extending from the standard, and provided with a bed-plate, f, having yieldingly
connected with it a head, T, in line with the reciprocating staple-forming mechanism
and carrying pivotal clincher-pawls, U, a stop, e, in the path of the pawls, and a
table, V, supported on brackets, b, adjustable on the head T and convertible by its
adjustment, from a table into a saddle, and vice versa, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
18-In a stitcher employing a reciprocating driver, staple-forming mechanism and
clincher-mechanism, and having parts adjustable with reference to each other to the
thickness of the work to be stitched, a gage set automatically by the adjustment of
said parts, to the width of the work, substantially as described.
19 In a stitcher, the combination with a standard, driving mechanism, and a
support for the work, of vertically reciprocating longitudinally grooved staple-forming
bars supported on the standard and having the longitudinal grooves curved inward
toward their lower ends, the said bars being resiliently yielding toward their lower
ends, and a reciprocating plunger, K, movable in the grooves of the staple-forming
bars, substantially as described.
Dated the 22nd day of August 1889.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOU LT,
Agents for the Applicant.