Improvements in Nail Feeders for Box Nailing Machines
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Dec., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 10th Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 5th Oct., 1888
We ALFRED BRIDGMAN of 307 Amhurst Road Stoke Newington, London, Box
Maker, and RICHARD JAMES HODGES of 112 Osbaldeston Road, Stoke Newington,
London Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention has for its object "Improvements in Nail Feeders for Box Nailing
Machines" and relates to that class of apparatus used for placing the nails into the
conducting tubes automatically.
In order that this invention may be more readily understood we annex hereto one
sheet of Drawings which forms part of this Specification and illustrates our improve-
ments as above referred to.
Figure 1. is a front elevation (half in section) of a nail feeder constructed according
to our invention.
Fig. 2. is a plan of the same.
Fig. 3. is a partial plan of the supporting column or pillar, and ring, hereinafter
described.
Fig. 4. is an elevation of the nail feeder looking through A. B. having part of its
rim removed to show the internal mechanism.
Similar letters of reference are shown in corresponding parts wherever they occur.
(a) Figure 1 represents an elevation (partly in section) of a round horizontal feed
table, fixed to the vertical spindle (b) by which it is rotated, this table is supported by
its central boss resting upon top of the column or pillar (c), through which works
the spindle (6); through the feed table (a) and radial to its central axis are rows
of holes into which are screwed, or otherwise fixed short tubes (d) which extend
downward, the lower ends of which are closed by flap shutters (e) having balance
weights (e) at their outer ends; these shutters are hinged to the feed table (a) by
the projecting pins (f) and (¹), the pins (f) work in holes through the
rim (a) extending downwards from the periphery of the feed table (a); the pins (¹)
are supported and held in position by the ring (g) which is fixed to the under side of
the feed table (a) by suitable bolts or screws.

page_text: Projecting from the supporting column or pillar () are the arms and rim (h)
which support and hold in position the loose ring (i) (a plan of which is shown
in Fig. 3), this loose ring forms a circular track upon which the weights (e¹) rest
and travel, and is fitted with a hinged handle (1) by which it is turned round, or
locked in position by engaging with the notch (2) in the rim (h).
The arm (¹) is raised at (2) as shown in end elevation in Fig. 4, through which
raised portion are a series of tubes (7) which project below the arm (¹) and enter
suitable conducting tubes, which convey the nails to the desired position in the nailing
machine.
The ring () has a notch formed in its upper side at (2) which is opposite the series
of tubes in the arm (1) when the ring is locked in position.
The vertical spindle (b) is rotated intermittently by a pawl and ratchet wheel attached
to its lower end.
The working of the nail feeder is as follows:-The attendant drops the nails into the
tubes (d) points downward, which rest upon the hinged shutters (e) and at each stroke
of the machine the feed table is rotated sufficiently to bring a row of tubes over the
mouths of the tubes in the arm (4), the notch in the loose ring (i) allows the
weights (e) together with the shutters (e) to fall and open the ends of the tubes (d)
thereby permitting the nails to drop through the tubes (½³) into the conducting
tubes at the proper time; the weights and shutters are again lifted, and the ends
of the tubes (d) closed, by the said weighis being drawn up the incline (k), when
the tubes (d) are again ready to be filled with nails.
When it is desired to vary the number of nails to be driven, we arrange flat rings
as shown at (m) to cover the tubes not in use, these rings have projecting from
their under side pins, which fit into the tubes (d) by which the rings are retained
in position, the object of these rings is to prevent the attendant placing nails in
other tubes than those required.
Pivotted to the spindle (b) at (n) is a radial shutter (o) which the attendant moves
round to cover the last row of tubes filled, thereby preventing his feeding more than
one nail to each tube.
When it is necessary to empty the feeder, for the purpose of using a different size or
description of nail, or otherwise, the handle (¹) is lifted clear of the notch (2) and the
loose ring (i) turned round a complete revolution when the handle () is again dropped
into the notch (2), this revolution of the ring allows all the weights and shutters to
drop and release each row of nails in rotation, which fall into a suitable receptacle
placed to receive them.
Dated this 28th day of Doomben 1007

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Nail Feeders for Box Nailing Machines..
We, ALFRED BRIDGMAN of 307 Amhurst Road, Stoke Newington, London, Box
Maker, and RICHARD JAMES HODGES of 112 Osbakleston Road, Stoke Newington,
London, Engineer, 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 has for its object, "Improvements in nail feeders for Box Nailin
Machines and relates to that class of apparatus used for placing the nails into th
conducting tubes automatically.
Referring to the Drawings left with the Provisional Specification and the Drawings
attached hereto.
Figure 1, is a front elevation (half in section) of a nail feeder constructed according
to our invention.
Figure 2, is a plan of the same.
Figure 3, is a partial plan of the supporting column or pillar, and ring, hereinafter
described.
Figure 4, is an elevation of the nail feeder looking through A. B. having part of
its rim removed to show the internal mechanism.
Figure 5, is a plan, and Fig. 6, an elevation of a radial nail tray, and disengaging
mechanism.
Similar letters of reference are shown in corresponding parts wherever they occur.
(a) Figure 1 represents an elevation (partly in section) of a round horizontal feed
table, driven by the vertical spindle (b), the table is supported by its central boss
resting upon top of the column or pillar (c), through which works the spindle (b);
through the feed table (a) and radial to its central axis are rows of holes into which
are screwed, or otherwise fixed short tubes (d) which extend downward, the lower
ends of which are closed by flap shutters (e) having balance weights (e) at their
outer ends; these shutters are hinged to the feed table (a) by the projecting pins (/)
and (), the pins (f) work in boles through the rim (a) extending downward from
the periphery of the feed table (a) the pins () are supported and held in position
by the ring (9) which is fixed to the under side of the feed table (a) by suitable bolts
or screws.
Projecting from the supporting colnmn or pillar (c) are the arms and rim (h) which
support and hold in position the loose ring (i), (a plan of which is shown in Fig. 3),
this loose ring forms a circular track upon which the weights (e¹) rest and travel, and

page_text: is fitted with a hinged handle (i) by which it is turned round or locked in position by
engaging with the notch () in the rim (h).
The arm (4) is raised at () as shown in end elevation in Fig. 4, through which
raised portion are a series of tubes (73) which project below the arm (h) and enter
suitable conducting tubes, which convey the nails to the desired position in the nailing
machine.
The ring () has a notch formed in its upper side at (*) which is opposite the series
of tubes in the arm (¹) when the ring is locked in position.
The vertical spindle (1) is rotated by means of worm and screw gearing, whereby
the feed table is prevented from overrunning, which renders the use of a brake
unnecessary.
The feed table (a) is connected to the vertical spindle (6) by a hinged key or
feather (p) (shown in Fig. 6.) which engages with a keyway in the feed table and is
pressed outward by the spring () sunk into the body of the spindle; when it is
desirable to turn the feed table by hand, the attendant presses the projecting end of
said key towards the centre of the spindle thereby withdrawing same from, and
releasing the feed table, which can then be turned round as desired, on completion of
a revolution the key is caused to engage with the table automatically by means of the
spring ().
The working of the nail feeder is as follows:-
The attendant drops the nails into the tube (d) points downward, which rest upon
the hinged shutters (e) and at each stroke of the machine the feed table is rotated
sufficiently to bring a row of tubes over the mouths of the tubes in the arm ('), the
notch in the loose ring (1) allow the weights (e) together with the shutters (e) to
fall and open the ends of the tubes (d) thereby permitting the nails to drop through
the tubes (3) into the conducting tubes at the proper time; the weights and shutters
are again lifted, and the ends of the tubes (d) closed, by the said weights being
drawn up the incline (4), when the subes (d) are again ready to be filled with nails.
When it is desired to vary the number of mails to be driven, we arrange flat rings
as shown at (m) to cover the holes not in use, these rings have projections from their
under side, which fit into the tubes (d) by which the rings are retained in position, the
object of these rings is to prevent the attendant placing nails in other tubes than those
required.
Pivoted to the spindle (b) (at (»)) is a radial nail tray (o) which the attendant
moves round and opens the next row of tubes to be filled; the object of this tray is
to hold the nails as near as possible to the rows of tubes and indicate the last row of
tubes filled, thereby preventing the attendant feeding more than one nail to each tube.
When it is necessary to empty the feeder for the purpose of using different size
nails, the handle () is 'lified clear of the notch () and the loose ring (i) turned
round sufficient to clear the conducting tubes, the key (p) is disengaged and the feed
table turned round a complete revolution by which all the shutters are opened in
rotation, the nails falling into a suitable receptacle placed to receive them, the handle (¹)
is dropped into the notch (7) when the feeder is again ready to receive nails.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
First. A round feed table supported by a pillar or column, having radial rows of
tubes fixed therein, the lower ends of which are opened or closed by means of the
shutters (e) and weights (e¹).
Second. The loose ring or circular track supporting the shutter weights (e¹) together
with the locking handle (¹) as above described.
Third. The hinged key (p) and spring (r) for engaging and disengaging the
vertical spindle (4) with feed table (a).
Fourth. The flat rings.m as arranged to cover the circular rows of tubes in feed

page_text: table (a) not in use, for the purpose of preventing the attendant feeding other tubes
than those required.
Fifth. The radial nail tray (o) pivoted to the spindle (b) at (n) for the purpose of
holding the nails close to the tubes in the feed table (a) and indicating the last row
of tubes filled.
Sixth. Operating the feed table (a) by means of worm or screw gearing, thereby
preventing the feed table overrunning by its momentum, and rendering the use of a
brake unnessary.
Dated this 10th day of August 1888.
ALFRED BRIDGMAN.
RICHARD JAMES HODGES.