Improvements in or relating to Machines or Tools for Feeding and Driving Tacks, Rivets, Nails, and other similar Fastenings.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 19th May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 19th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 18th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Machines or Tools for Feeding and
Driving Tacks, Rivets, Nails, and other similar Fastenings.
We, THOMAS BRINING, of 27, Saint Paul's Street, Leeds, in the County of
York, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer, and GEORGE LISTER, of 5, Oakfield Terrace,
Headingley, Leeds, aforesaid, Leather Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in machines or tools for automatically
feeding or supplying tacks, rivets, nails, and other similar fastenings (all of which
are hereafter termed nails) from one or more boxes or other receptacles to one or
more driving tools (mounted in a plunger) for insertion into materials, used in the
boot, shoe, belting, joinery, and other similar trades, for fastening such material or
materials together.
And its object is to construct simple and automatic mechanism (capable of being
driven by hand or power) for supplying nails of the same or varying lengths from
one or more rotating or oscillating boxes to one or more driving tools for insertion
one at a time into the material.
According to this invention within a cylindrical or other shaped casing (armed
at one end with one or more pairs of spring or other dies) may be mounted a
spring plunger armed with one or more driving tools of varying diameters or sizes,
said plunger being provided with one or more nuts or their equivalents for adjusting
or regulating the force of the blow and also the stroke of the plunger. To the other
end of the casing (opposite that armed with the dies) may be mounted a cap or
cover (through which a portion of the plunger passes and projects) in any suitable
manner to permit of the lower portion of the cylindrical or other casing carrying
the dies being moved or turned into any desired position. On or to the cap or
cover may be cast or fixed bearings or spindles for supporting a portion of the
mechanism for actuating the moving parts of the machine. To the lower and
moveable part of the casing may be cast or otherwise fixed or attached one or more
plates or platforms, preferably at an angle with the casing. On each plate or
platform may be mounted (capable of rotating) a suitable box or other receptacle
(with or without a lid) for receiving the nails. Each box may be provided with
any desired number of internal webs or projections for agitating the nails. In each
platform or plate may be cut or formed a slot or groove communicating with a fixed
vertical or angular chute or conductor through which slot and chute the nails pass
from the interior of the box to the dies. Each chute may be curved at one or both
ends, and in it may be cut or formed a suitable conducting groove or recess capable
of receiving the nail and its head; the said groove may be covered with a suitable
plate or lid. The delivery end of the chute may be inserted in a recess formed for
its reception in the casing so as to deliver the nails to the dies, and the chute at
this end may also be cut away in an angular direction so as to permit of the nail
being held by its head in the die prior to being acted upon by the driving tool;
whilst the nail next to it is held in the chute by its head in or about a vertical
position ready to pass into the dies after the driving tool has been withdrawn from
between the dies. The delivery end of the chute may in some cases be provided
with a spring pin or other suitable device for regulating, controlling, or cutting off
the supply of nails to the dies.
A continuous or intermittent rotary, or an oscillating motion may be imparted to
the box or boxes containing the nails through suitable bevel, skew, or other gearing,
or by a pawl, ratchet and lever device, or other equivalent means; suitable bearings

page_text: or spindles being provided for their reception on or attached to the two portions of
the herein described casing.
The required intermittent reciprocating motion may be imparted to the plunger,
carrying the driving tool or tools, by hand pressure, or by a blow from a mallet,
or by a cam, eccentric, or other equivalent means driven by hand or other suitable
motive power.
The above described apparatus may be used or combined with the lasting machines
described in Specifications of Letters Patent Nos. 13391 of 1887 and 16863 of 1888,
and when used with the machine described in Provisional Specification No. 2681
of 1890 may be actuated by the driving shaft of the machine through suitable
gearing, shafts, levers or their equivalents, also parts of the herein described
machine or tool may be substituted for portions of the rivetting, tacking, and
nailing machines described in Specifications of Letters Patent Nos. 13390 of 1887:
8453 of 1888; and 5085 of 1889; all of which Specifications have been filed by one
or both of the present applicants.
Dated the Seventeenth day of May 1890.
THOMAS
BRINING.
GEORGE LISTER.
By W. Fairburn-Hart,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Machines or Tools for Feeding and
Driving Tacks, Rivets, Nails, and other similar Fastenings.
We, THOMAS BRINING, of 27, Saint Paul's Street, Leeds, in the County of
York, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer, and GEORGE LISTER, of 5, Oakfield Terrace,
Headingley, Leeds, aforesaid, Leather Manufacturer, 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 machines or tools for automatically
feeding and supplying tacks, rivets, nails, and other similar fastenings (all of which
are hereinafter termed nails) from one or more boxes or other receptacles to one or
more driving tools (mounted in a plunger) for insertion into materials used in the
boot, shoe, belting, joinery and other similar trades for fastening such material or
materials together. This invention may either be used as a hand tool or portions
thereof combined with or substituted for the machines driven by power described
in the Specifications of Letters Patent Nos. 13,390 of 1887 and 5085 of 1889
granted to one or both of us. And its object is to construct simple and
automatic mechanism (capable of being driven by hand or power) for supplying
nails of the same or varying lengths from one or more boxes to one or more
driving tools for insertion one at a time (for each driving tool) into the material.
We will first describe the hand tool arrangement.
At Figs. 1 to 5 we have shown a hand tool suitable for being used with a lasting
machine, such as is used in the boot and shoe trades, as well as for other purposes.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation. Figs. 2 and 3 are side elevations showing the tool in
different positions. Fig. 4. a back elevation. Fig. 5. a plan looking at the top.
Fig. 6. a part sectional elevation. Figs. 7 to 15 are respectively elevations
(sectional or other) and plans of details.
Like parts in all these views are marked with the same or similar letters of
reference.
A is the casing, shown in the drawings cylindrical, but any other convenient
shape may be employed. It is slotted at a (Fig. 4) for the purposes to be hereafter
described, and armed at its lowest end with a nozzle B. In the drawings the
nozzle is shown screwed into the end of the casing but any other suitable form
of attachment may be employed. The nozzle acts as a bearing for the lower

page_text: portion of the driving tool C as well as for receiving the end of the conducting
tube portion of the chute. To the nozzle is also fixed one or more spring
dies which in the drawings are shown at Fig. 6 consisting of a piece of
spring steel fixed at one end to the nozzle, and arranged so that its free end is
bent and passed through a hole across the path of the driving tool. Any other
form of spring or other die may be used. Within the casing A is mounted a
plunger surrounded by a helical spring c and armed with one or more driving
tools C. In the drawings only one driving tool is shown for the hand arrange-
ment; also one end of the plunger C₁ is shown projecting through and above the
top of the fixed cover g of nail receiving box G. The stroke of the plunger may
be regulated by means of one or more nuts if desired. To the upper end of
the cylinder or casing (opposite to that armed with the dies) may be cast or
mounted at an angle (say at an angle of sixty degrees) with the casing a
circular platform or plate F having an upward projecting ledge or flange f.
Within the projecting ledge and resting upon the plate is a circular rotating
box G for receiving the nails. The box is provided with a suitable cover 9 (a
portion of which is hinged at g¹ for the admission of the nails) fixed to lugs or
projections (see Fig. 5) on the plate so as to aid in retaining the box in
position. On the outer periphery of the box is cut or formed ratchet teeth 9³
which extends a portion of its depth and by which it is rotated as hereinafter
described. To the inner periphery is cast or otherwise attached any desired
number of webs or projections pieces g (see Figs. 9 and 10) for agitating the
nails. Below the webs is a flange go to prevent them getting under the lower edge
of the box. In the plate may be cut or formed any desired number of straight,
curved or other shaped slots communicating with a suitably shaped chute H
(made in one or more portions) fixed by one of its ends to the platform F and by a
bracket at its other end to the casing, but at an angle therewith.
In the drawings we have shown four slots g" (see Figs. 7 and 8) communicating
with a single groove or slot h¹ (see Figs. 12 and 13) of the chute.
A continuous or intermittent rotary motion is imparted to the nail receiving
box G by a spring pawi I (engaging with the ratchet teeth 93) mounted on the
end of a lever J pivoted (see Fig. 4) to the under surface of the plate F. The
required motion for moving the lever and pawl the required distance is obtained.
from the plunger C' by means of a projection 2 (working in the slot a of the
casing) fixed thereto, acting during the descent of the plunger upon the lower and
cam shaped end (see Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 14, 15) of a double ended lever K (pivoted
at or about its centre to a lug or projection (see Figs. 2, 3 and 4) cast on or
fixed to the plate F) thereby moving the upper end 2 (see Fig. 4) and causing it
to come in contact with the lever J armed with the spring pawl I whereby the
pawl and wheel are removed the required distance. The lever J (on the upward
movement of the plunger) is returned to its normal position by spring (see Figs. 2
and 5). During the rotation of the box the nails are carried round by the webs
until they drop therefrom, and in falling some of them enter the grooves or slits
in the box and are conducted to the chute and gravitate down the groove h¹ (say
about one sixteenth of an inch in width) to its outer end H. The end H¹ of the
chute is armed with what we term a spring, slide, and lever arrangement con-
structed as follows:-
A portion of the lower end H' of the chute is cut away to form a recess in
which works a double ended lever mounted upon a pin h* fixed to the chute in
the said recess.
To the heel ³ of the double ended lever is attached a coiled
spring for causing the front portion of the said lever to follow the receding end
of the slide when acted upon by a cam L as hereafter described. The spring
slide consists of three portions namely a circular rod 6 (around which is coiled
the spring ) working in the bearing formed on the bracket h, a projecting
(inclined see Fig. 2) piece 4º, and a blade or slide proper which works in a slit
or groove formed for its reception in the outer end of the chute at or about a right
angle with the groove . The blade is about one sixteenth of an inch in

page_text: thickness and about the depth of the groove h', and when in its mounted position
extends to the inner edge of the hole in which the tube portion Hs of the chute
is fixed. On the face of the projection 2 is fixed the cam or tappet piece L
which is arranged to operate against the inclined face of the cam P, the two faces
being kept in contact by the spring 7.
When the plunger descends the cam L forces the slide outwards in the direction
of arrow until its inner end is clear of the groove h'. At the same time that the
slide is receding, the spring / causes the front end of the double ended lever /²
to be drawn into position for preventing more than one nail escaping from the
main groove h into the inner portion of the transverse slit in which the slide
works. On the ascent of the plunger the cam L is withdrawn when the spring
causes the cam h³ to remain in contact with and to follow the path of the first
named cam and in so doing the slide is forced across the groove ¹ (thus
preventing more than one nail escaping at a time therefrom) the double ended
lever is pressed back, and the nail carried forward and dropped into the tube H³
and conducted to the spring die E. The nail is held by the die E until the
driving tool (mounted in the plunger) descends when the bent end of the die is
forced outwards and the nail driven into the boot or other object. The required
intermittent motion may be imparted to the end of the plunger of the hand tool
(which projects above the casing) by hand pressure or by a blow from a mallet
or its equivalent. The chute may when desired be provided with a hinged or
other cover H2 as shown, also plates and 13 may be employed for retaining
the slide and double ended lever 2 in position. An india rubber or buffer
may also be employed as a stop for the projection c².
In some cases and when preferred the pawl I and lever J may be dispensed
with, and a continuous rotary motion imparted to the nail box by means of bevel,
skew, or other gearing in a similar manner to that of an egg beater, suitable
bearings or spindles being provided for their reception on or attached to the
casing or plate. Also the nail box and its supporting plate may be placed out
of centre with the plunger and fixed separately to the casing in which the latter
works.
At Figs. 16 to 25 we have shown parts of the herein described tool adapted to
be combined with or substituted for parts of the machine driven by power described
and illustrated in the before mentioned Specifications. When this is done the nail
receiving boxes and plates constructed as herein described are cast on or attached
to the chutes which are mounted singly or in groups on the framework of the
machine, separately from and on one or both sides of the cylinder or casing through
which the spring plunger works.
As we have already fully described the construction and action of the hand tool
we will briefly indicate the adaption of the parts to the power driven machine,
lettering such corresponding as far as possible with the same letters of reference.
Fig. 16 is a part front elevation of a power driven boot and shoe rivet or nailing
machine with these improvements applied.
Figs. 17, 18 and 19 are respectively a side elevation, an end elevation, and a plan
of die box and means for operating the same.
Figs. 20, 21 and 22 are respectively a front elevation a side elevation, and a plan
of a nail receiving box, chute, and delivery mechanism.
Figs. 23, 24, and 25 are respectively a side elevation, an end elevation, and a
plan looking at the bottom of mechanism for stopping the delivery of nails from
one or more given chutes.
Figs. 26, 27 and 28 are respectively a front elevation an end elevation, and a
plan of arrangement for holding and releasing the operating treadle.
Figs. 29 to 46 are respectively elevations (sectional or otherwise) and plans of
details.
The
A is the casing or cylinder mounted on the standard or framing a. B the
plunger working within the cylinder, and operated by a cam D and spring c.
fender, the feed wheel arrangement for traversing the work, the last supporting

page_text: mechanism, the means for imparting motion to the moving parts of the machine,
as well as the above described parts may be of the same or a similar description to
that set forth in the aforesaid Specification.
Instead of arranging the plunger to pass through the nail receiving box as
described for the hand tool, we arrange said boxes singly or in pairs (as shown at.
Fig. 16) or in groups on each side thereof.
G is the nail receiving box of a similar construction to that of the hand tool,
but larger in diameter, say about six inches diameter by about one inch and a
quarter in depth, (internal dimensions) armed with internal projections g and a
notched (ratchet teeth like) flange 9 for the purposes already set forth for the
hand tool. To the upper end of the chute H (see Figs. 20 to 22) is cast or other-
wise fixed the plate with its projecting flange f and lugs g* to which the cover g
(hinged at g¹) is fixed. In the plate F is or are formed or cut one, two or more
grooves or slit 96 communicating with the main channel ' of the chute.
In the arrangement shown in the drawings at Figs. 16, 20 to 22 we preferably
employ one, groove of communicating with, or in a line with the channel. The
channel may be about one sixteenth of an inch in width by one inch in depth.
At the lower end of the chute H¹ is a spring slide h³ and double ended lever
arrangement ² for regulating the delivery of the nails to the dies, but instead of
providing for the cam h' to be operated as in the hand tool, we employ the levers m*
(used for operating the horizontal slides in the aforesaid Specification) for this
purpose. The said levers (when used for this purpose) are made in one piece and
armed at a suitable distance from their lower or free ends with a spring buffer
arrangement m (see Fig. 22). When the lever m² is operated by its cam C (on
the driving shaft of the machine), as soon as the spring buffer mx comes in contact
with the end (the buffer spring m×× being stronger than spring 4××) causes the
cam to be moved forwards in the direction of arrow 1. But should the slide
become wedged or fixed by any means the spring m×× permits the buffer to.
recede. Spring ** is employed for returning the cam to its normal position. In
order to throw each slide in and out of action as required without stopping the
machine to the blocks carrying the slides (of the hereinbefore mentioned Specifi-
cation) is fixed a bracket M. To each bracket is pivoted any desired number of
levers, two are shown in the drawings and are marked N N¹. These levers are
operated by cams n, n¹ mounted on a shaft (see Figs. 23, 24 and 25) arranged to.
operate on their lower ends. When it is desired to stop the action of both the
slides the cams are turned until the face 1 of each cam is brought in contact
with the end of its respective lever. The upper end of the lever which is arranged.
to engage with the head or largest projecting portion of cam is thus moved
forwards towards the plunger (thereby withdrawing the slide h³) until the end of
rod x is clear of the stroke of the buffer mx, thus stopping the action of the
delivery mechanism of the chute. But when the face 2 of each cam is made to act
upon its respective lever, the delivery mechanism of the inner chute will be stopped
whilst the outer one will be in action. The delivery action of the chutes may be
readily reversed by turning the face 3 of each cam so as to act upon its lever as.
described. The spring ** also keeps each lever in contact with its cam.
required intermittent rotary motion is imparted to box G from lever m² through
connecting rod ml to lever J (pivoted to the underside of plate F) carrying spring
pawl I which engages with the ratchet teeth 3 on the periphery of the box G.
In order to permit of any adjustment being made in the stroke of the lever J, the
end m of the rod m is slotted, and armed with a set screw and lock nut as
shown at Fig. 22.
The
In the arrangements shown in the drawings for the machine driven by power, we
have shown a die box capable of supplying nails to two driving tools mounted in a
single plunger, that is to say :-)
-When say four nail receiving boxes are employed,
two on each side of the plunger B* armed with two tools P (one behind the other)
a rivet and a stud, or two rivets, or two studs, or other nails may be simultaneously
fed and driven into say a boot sole, in parallel rows at a single stroke of the

page_text: plunger. In order to do this we arrange the die box and parts connected therewith
as follows:-
To the bracket 2 of the aforesaid Specification is bolted the die box O as shown
at Fig. 16, preferably though not necessarily so, made in two portions or halves and
fastened together by set screws O'. In each portion of the die box O (see Figs. 33-
a back elevation-to 35) is a recess 02 communicating with two holes O³ O through
which the driving tools PP respectively pass. Instead of employing spring dies as
described in the aforesaid Specification we mount the dies Ox 0x in the end of the
lever 00 (see Figs. 33, 36, 37) which are pivoted at 0° to each side of the die box
as shown at Figs. 17 and 33. In the upper end of each of the levers O³ is mounted
a piston O, spring 08, (the tension of which may be regulated by tube 0 and
lock nut 0) and also in some cases with a buffering of india rubber Q (see
Fig. 33). The piston 07 and its connections are employed for keeping the two
portions of the dies Ox in facial contact except when opened by the driving tools P.
The dies Ox are capable of adjustment in the ends of their supporting levers by
means of the set screws (12.
The nails after leaving the delivery end H' of the chute are conveyed (when the
machine is not driven at a greater speed than say one hundred and sixty revolutions
per minute) directly to the die box O by means of a bifurcated tube H³ as shown at
Figs. 16, 42 to 45. The tube H³ is made in one or two portions preferably two
(that is two halves bolted together) and arranged that each of the parts forming the
fork shall communicate with a single chute as well as with a single delivery end.
It will readily be understood that when the number of chutes on each side of the
driving tools exceed two, then the number of branches communicating with a single
delivery end will require to be correspondingly increased. But when the machine
is driven at a greater speed than one hundred and sixty revolutions per minute then
each tube H³ is shortened, and is connected to an intermediate tube H (also made
in two halves bolted together) in which works a spring slide H5 (see Figs. 17, 18,
19, 40, 41,) actuated by a lever He pivoted at H to the intermediate tube H.
When the plunger B is raised to its highest point (Fig. 17) by cam D tappet
piece HB (fixed to the plunger) will have closed the slide H thus preventing any
nail from dropping into the die box. But as soon as the plunger commences to
descend, carrying with it the tappet piece H³, the spring H (surrounding the outer
portion of slide H) forces the slide outwards and permits the nail to fall into the
die box. The slides H and are arranged to be opened and closed alternately.
By this means the delivery of the nails to the die box is under the control of the
operator.
In order to permit of a nail delivered from either of the chutes being directed
after it leaves the delivery end of one of the bifurcated tubes H3 under either of the
driving tools P at the will of the operator we provide the following means:-
Within the recess O2 in each half of the die box is pivoted at q (Fig. 34) a short
tapering tube or funnel Q. The delivery end of this tube may be moved over
either of the holes 03 04 by means of a hooked lever R (see Figs. 33 to 35) the
outer end of which is retained in contact with a cam R¹ (see Figs. 34, 38, 39)
mounted on a stud fixed to the die box O. When the cam R¹ is turned by means
of its handle so that the outer end of one of the hooked levers R is within the
indent of the cam whilst the outer end of the other lever R is in contact with the
concentric portion 3, then one tube Q will deliver the nail into hole O³ whilst the
other tube Q will deliver the nail into hole 04. But when the outer ends of both
levers R are in contact with the concentric portion then both tubes Q will deliver
into the same hole as the respective slides and chutes communicating therewith are
thrown in and out of action by the means described.
The last mentioned position is particularly applicable, in cases where it is
required to insert nails or rivets of varying sizes or made of different materials, such
as for instance in a boot sole, where the waist may have a row of brass rivets, which
row is continued in the fore part or sole proper with brass rivets of a greater
thickness or with iron studs. The outer ends of each of the levers R may be

page_text: 703
kept in contact with the cam by means of a coiled (or other) spring encircling
the outer portion of the hooked lever. The cam may be retained in any given
position by means of a flat spring »³.
To retain the operating lever 62 (of the aforesaid Specification which throws the
driving pulley in and out of action) in a depressed position without requiring the
operator's foot to be kept constantly upon it, we employ the arrangement shown at
Figs. 26 to 28, in which T is a bracket bolted to the floor or other foundation upon
which the machine stands. To this bracket is pivoted respectively at tt¹ the double
ended levers T' T². The lever T¹ is arranged so that its end 2 is kept in contact
(by the spring (6) with end t³ of lever T2 whilst the end engages with the
projection of catch T³. The catch T3 works through a hole in the bracket T and
its circular and outer portion 8 (around which is placed the coiled spring 6) is
supported in the bearing to. When the operator depresses the treadle 1² for starting
the machine, the catch T³ is forced backwards until the treadle has passed it, when the
spring returns the catch to the position shown in the drawings for retaining
the treadle in a depressed position. But when it is desired to stop the machine the
operator places his foot on the end t of the lever T¹ and on depressing the same the
end 2 raises the end of lever T2 forcing the lower end t to the left hand thereby
withdrawing the catch T³ and allowing the treadle to be raised by its weight or a
spring. As soon as the operator withdraws his foot from the end to the spring (6
returns the catch to its normal position.
The action of the machine, and parts of the machine not herein described may be
the same as in the aforesaid Specification.
Any of the dimensions or angles herein set forth may be varied or modified as
circumstances may require and the chutes may be made in one or more pieces'
as desired. A convenient form of making the chute is to cast it and the plate F in
one piece, and after turning the flange and plate to the required size, to cut, by
any convenient means, the groove h' and continue it into and through a portion of the
plate. When more than two driving tools are employed then the holes 0³ 0%,
tubes Q, and hooked levers R will require to be correspondingly increased.
By substituting the parts herein described for the nail receiving boxes and parts
connected therewith, the slides springs and hoppers described in the herein before
mentioned Specification may be dispensed with, thereby reducing the cost of the
manufacture of the machine.
We would have it understood that when desired the double ended lever /² may
be dispensed with and the slide increased in thickness and a vertical recess cut
therein for receiving a single nail as it passes from the chute. In this case the nail
will be carried forward in the said vertical recess until it is brought over the hole
communicating with the tube H3 when it falls into the tube. When so constructed
two or more slides may be arranged to be operated by one or more cams.
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. The improved construction of machine for the purposes described having
means for actuating either by hand or power the plunger armed with one or more
driving tools, the feeding of the nails from one or more circular box or boxes
mounted at an angle respectively on the top of a chute or chutes armed
with delivery mechanism for admitting one nail at a time to each driving tool
substantially as herein set forth and illustrated.
Second. The application and use of nail receiving boxes and chutes armed with
delivery mechanism substantially as described with reference to Figs. 20 to 22.
Third. The combination in machines such as herein described, of the nail
receiving box or boxes chute or chutes, and delivery mechanism substantially as
herein described arranged singly or in groups on each side of or around one or more
driving tools with a die box substantially as herein described with reference to
Figs. 33 to 35.

page_text: Fourth. The improved construction of mechanism for delivering one nail at a
time to each driving tool in combination with the means for actuating the same
substantially as herein set forth and illustrated.
Fifth. The improved construction and arrangements of machinery for feeding and
driving one or more rivets, tacks or nails at a time substantially as herein set forth
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated the Eighteenth day of February 1891
THOMAS
BRINING.
GEORGE LISTER.
By W. Fairburn-Hart,
Agent.