Improvements in or connected with the Feeding of Cardboard and other Material to Cutting, Printing, and other Machinery, specially applicable for Use in the Mauufacture of Playing Cards.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 26th May, 189t-Accepted, 22nd Aug., 1896
. COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with the Feeding of Cardboard and
other Material to Cutting, Printing, and other Machinery,
specially applicable for Use in the Mauufacture of Playing
Cards.
I, ALBERT ANDRADE COHEN, of 226 West 14th Street in the City, County
and State of New York, in the United States of America, 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:-
My invention relates to methods of and machines for feeding cardboard, paper,
and other material.
The main object of my invention is to fix, govern, or regulate the feed of a
material, advanced step-by-step, so that the places or points at which the material
is to be operated upon, successively, may be brought accurately to the required
locality each time.
My object is accomplished by cutting, notching, slitting, perforating, indenting,
enibossing, or otherwise physically altering the material at predetermined points
to form shoulders, abutments, or engaging portions, and in subsequently acting
upon the same, during the feeding operation of the material, in such a manner as
to bring the portion to be operated upon each time precisely where it is wanted.
This is the foundation or underlying principle of my several improvements,
which may be carried out in different ways and by a variety of means or machines
for carrying out the manufacture.
The engaging portions of the material may be employed either to positively
arrest the material at predetermined times during a feeding movement, or as a
means whereby the material may be positively carried or moved a required
distance.
In either case when the material has been fed the necessary distance or to the
desired extent, it may then be subjected to the required operation or treatment.
For instance, the material may be fed along and, by the engagement of a finger or
other suitable device with the shoulders or stops formed by the cutting or other
process, then positively arrested at the desired time and while thus held subjected
to a cutting, printing, or other desired operation, after which it may be moved
along farther until the next stop-formation in the material is engaged by the finger
or other equivalent arresting device.
Or instead of thus proceeding, the material may be moved to a finger, the latter
then engaged with the cut or shoulder, and the material then moved along by
positive engagement with the finger. In this case, the finger would act as a carrier
and to deliver the material to the desired device or at the required locality.
When thus delivered the material may be subjected to any desired operation or
treatment; for example, a portion of it may be cut off, or printed or stamped
upon; or, the feed thus made may be for the purpose of delivering the material
accurately and uniformly to a means which is to take the material to another or
farther point for a desired operation or treatment.
I have practised my invention in the way last alluded to; that is to say, the
material having the engaging portions formed therein is first fed to be engaged by
fingers which convey the material to a carriage, and this carriage then feeds the
material to the devices which are to act upon it.

page_text: I have applied my invention to the art of manufacturing playing cards, to which
art brief references will now he made in order that my invention and its importance
and utility may be more fully understood.
All of the cards to constitute the pack are printed upon a single sheet of
cardboard and in columns or rows. The faces of the cards are printed first and
then the backs are printed in register with the faces. The sheet is then put
through various processes to obtain the required polish or finish, in the course of
which the sheet is dampened and dried several times and subjected to the pressure
of calendering rolls.
These necessary operations cause the sheets to expand and irregularly, so that
some of them are a quarter of an inch, more or less, larger than the others. The
sheets are then cut into strips, of six or more cards to the strip, and owing to the
expansion the cards in each strip will vary in distance from each other, the variation
increasing from the centre to the ends of the strip.
These strips must be cut up into individual cards, and to produce perfect cards
the designs must come centrally upon each severed card; or, in other words, the
margin surrounding the design on the back of the card must be uniform or alike
on each card of the pack.
Owing to the fact that the cards come unequally spaced on the strips, it has been
extremely difficult heretofore to properly divide the cards.
.
Two methods have heretofore been pursued in cutting the cards into individuals.
One is known as the "hand-feed," which involves the use of a gauge, feed rollers
geared together and provided one with a crank, and a punch or knife. The strip
is passed between the pair of feed rollers and by one or more revolutions of the
crank the strip is fed the required distance, the operator endeavouring to bring a
given point each time in alignment with the gauge. The punch or knife is then
brought down and the foremost card cut off. While with exceeding care, involving
great eye-strain, cards may by this method be properly cut off, the operation is
necessarily slow and expensive and can be performed accurately only by one having
the long experience and training necessary to become capable or expert. Even
with such a person errors of cut frequently occur.
In order to overcome the objections of the hand feed the second method known
as the "automatic feed" was devised, in which the strips are first hand-fed to a
gauge and thereafter automatically fed step-by-step, one movement for each card,
until all of the cards have been punched out from the strip.
This method, as heretofore practised, while speedier and cheaper than the first
still involves the objection of the improper cutting of the cards, for in the machines
thus far made for this purpose the strip is fed an equal distance each time, and
since the cards are not equally spaced on the strip, as explained, they cannot be
cut out so that the design will come centrally of each card, or so that the cards
will have uniform margins on their sides.
By my improvements the strip may be automatically fed and the cards properly
severed therefrom; that is to say, with the design or printed matter on each card
centrally of the sides thereof; and by my improvements the sheets may also be
divided into strips with uniform top and bottom margins.
I shall confine the following description more particularly to my novel method
of and means for severing strips into individual cards. I have already stated
generally in what my improved method consists, but I shall hereinafter more fully
describe the same and particularly point out the novel features in the appended
claims.
I have devised a novel machiue for carrying on the new method, and my
improvements pertaining to the same consist in certain features of construction and
combinations of devices, all as will be hereinafter more fully described and
particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
In the accompanying drawings representing my several improvements,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a printing press, in which the sheets
are printed and simultaneously cut or slitted at the proper localities.

page_text: Figure 2 is a plan view of the "form" removed from the bed of the press.
Figure 3 is a partial side elevation of one of the slitting knives or implements.
Figure 4 is a cross-section of the same taken at the line, z, of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a plan view of the back of a sheet, after having been printed and cut
or slitted, the design on the back of one card only being shown, in order to avoid
confusion and to simplify the work.
Figure 6 is a similar view, enlarged, of one of the strips cut from a sheet, such
as shown at Figure 5.
Figure 7 is an enlarged plan of part of a strip, with designs on the backs of the
cards.
Figure 8 is a plan of the back of a card properly punched or cut out from the strip.
Figure 9 is an end elevation of a machine embodying my invention.
Figure 10 is a front view thereof, the legs being broken off.
Figure 11 is a top plan view thereof, with the punch, band pulley, main shaft,
support therefor, and some of the upper gearing removed.
Figure 12 is an enlarged partial perspective to show more particularly the feeding
mechanism.
Figure 13 is a perspective view of one of the strip-carrying fingers and the lever
or arm by which it is vibrated.
Figure 14 is a side elevation of the carriage which takes each card to the punch.
Figure 15 is a similar view with the movable parts in another position.
Figure 16 is a perspective view of the carriage and appurtenances, omitting the
rods for moving the carriage.
Figure 17 is a partial perspective of the rear, inner side of the carriage.
Figure 18 is an enlarged vertical section, illustrating the feeding operation at
one stage.
Figure 19 is a similar view illustrating said operation at another stage.
Figure 20 is a vertical cross-section of one of the side guides.
Figure 21 is a plan view of the same.
Figure 22 is a vertical section of the means by which certain adjustments of the
carriage may be effected, said means being part of the mechanism by which the
carriage is connected to the crank shaft.
Figures 23 to 29 are detail views showing various steps in the feeding and cutting
operations.
Figure 30 is a perspective view of the stripper.
In the various views the same parts will be found designated by the same letters '
and numerals of reference.
a, b, c, and d represent, respectively, the bed, inking rolls, impression cylinder,
and feed beard of a printing press, and e a form mounted upon said bed and
comprising a series of independent blocks, preferably electrotypes, disposed in
rows, and a series of steel strips g, having knives h, arranged between adjacent rows
and on the outer sides of the first and last rows of the blocks, the whole being
properly secured within a chase i.
Each block contains a design, as j, for instance such as it may be desired to print
upon the back of the card. For convenience I have shown only one design, but it
will of course be understood that each block may contain a similar design, and that
the design patterns may vary in accordance with the desire of the manufacturer.
The knives or cutters h, are formed at equal distances apart on the strip y, and
in the case shown are spaced from centre to centre a distance equal to the length of
each block. The blocks being of equal dimensions the knives occupy positions at
the corners of the blocks and extend past the top and bottom edges of the blocks,
the centre of each knife coinciding with either the top or bottom edge or line of its
respective block.
k represents a sheet of cardboard after having been acted upon in the press by
the form e. A plain sheet of cardboard is fed to the grippers of the impression
cylinder, as shown and is carried round to meet the reciprocating bed containing
the form, as in ordinary cylinder press work, and is simultaneously subjected to the.

page_text: action of the inked electrotypes, whereby the backs of the connected cards are
printed, and to the action of the cutting or slitting knives h. In the example
shown, represents the printed design (only one of which is shown for convenience),
and m the cuts or slits made by the knife h. From an inspection of Figure 5 it will
be observed that fifty-six (56) cards in this instance are printed at one operation,
and are arranged in seven transverse rows and eight longitudinal rows or columns.
By a guillotine or other suitable cutter the sheet k is severed transversely along
the dotted lines n to form seven strips containing each eight cards. One of said
strips is shown enlarged at Figure 6 and is marked p As the transverse sub-
divisions on the dotted lines n pass centrally through the longitudinal slits or cuts m
one-half of each slit or cut made in the press becomes a part of one strip p, and the
other half a part of its immediately contiguous strip, and on the completion of the
sub-dividing operation each strip p is formed at each longitudinal edge with a series
of incisions, cuts or slits, those of one series being directly opposite those of the other,
and the card back or design being printed centrally between each opposite pair of
slits or cuts.
By examining the upper portion of Figure 7 it will be observed that the cuts m
are the same distance from arbitrary points, as 7 and r, in the design or back, in
each card, the vertical lines s and horizontal arrow-headed lines t being used to
conveniently exhibit the relationship of the cuts to given portions of the design.
At the lower edge portion of the card the other cuts m are likewise similarly shown
as distant from selected points, as v and w, in the designs, like lines s and t being
employed to illustrate this effect.
The continuous dotted line w', on each card between opposite pairs of cuts, shows
the line at which the card is to be severed from the strip by the round cornering
punch or knife, in order to produce a card, such as shown at Figure 8, with a
margin y of uniform width extending around the card. As the design is usually
printed in color upon a white ground, the border y may be therefore a white margin
of uniform width.
In order to show how the cuts are utilized in the sub-divisions of the strips to
produce individual cards, such as shown at Figure 8, reference may now be made to
the machine which I have devised for acting upon such strips and delivering each
card of each strip successively to the punch or cutter in the exact position for
blanking out or disconnecting the same."
1 designates the side or end frames of the machine, and 2 the bed-plate mounted
thereon. Bolted to the rear side of the bed-plate is an upright 3, opposite which
and also rising from the bed-plate, is a curved standard 4. 5 is a driving shaft,
mounted in suitable bearings in the upper ends of the upright 3 and standard 4 and
carrying a pulley 6, by which the movable parts of the machine may be driveu
through the intervention of the usual belt 7. The main shaft 5 is provided with a
clutch mechanism 8, 9, one part 8 being carried by the shaft 5 and the other part
being pivoted at 10 and connected by a rod 11 to a treadle 12 pivoted at the foot
of the machine. The connecting rod is provided. with a weight 13, which tends
normally to bring the parts 8 and 9 into engagement to arrest the motion of the
shaft 5. When it may be desired to have the shaft 5 revolve, the foot of the
operater must keep pressing down the front end of the treadle, which action
effects a separation of the parts 8 and 9. This clutch mechanism and its
connections are well known and form no part of my present invention.
Ou the shaft 5 is secured a beveled gear 14, which engages another beveled
gear 15 mounted at the upper end of an inclined shaft 16 arranged to rotate in boxes
or bearings 17 and 18, the former being bolted to the standard 4, and the latter
upon an arm or bracket 19 extending upward from the bed-plate.
At the lower end of the shaft 16 is secured a small beveled gear 20, which meshes
with a beveled gear 21 on a horizontal counter shaft 22 mounted in brackets 23
rising from the bed-plate.
At the forward end of the counter shaft 22 is secured a crank 24, to which is
attached one end of a rod 25, whose opposite end is threaded at 26 (see Fig. 22)

page_text: and by nuts 27 adjustably connected to a head or block 28 mounted about centrally
of a cross-rod 29, which at its ends is connected to the right hand ends of longitu-
dinally-arranged rods 30 (see Figs. 10, 11 and 12), at their opposite ends provided
with sleeves 31, which are slipped each upon a stul 32 projecting outwardly from
a lever er pivoted arm 33 connected to the carriage or carrier, designated as a whole
by the numeral 34, and shown more particularly at Figure 16.
Said carriage consists essentially of a cross-bar 35, perforated at its ends as at 36
to slide upon longitudinal guide-rols 37, fixet at each side of the feed table. From
the cross-bar 35 at each end extends upwardly a pill w. or blick 38 provided with
a bearing 39 for a journal or pin 40, which extends utwardly from an arm 4),
sufficiently for the securement thereto by a screw 42, of the lever 33, which at its
lower portion is provided with a depending hook 43. The levers 33 are arranged
on the outer sides of the pillows or blocks of the carriage and the arms 41 on the
inner side thereof, and said levers and arms are adapted to vibrate together under
the action of the frame composed of the rods 29 and 30, which frame is
reciprocated by the rotation of the crank 24 to which it is conuectel by the
rod 25.
Each vibratory arm 41 is provided with an inwardly extended finger 44, which
is notched, grooved, or cut away longitudinally, as at 45, to co-operite with the
cuts m in the strips, as will be hereinafter more fully explaine.l.
On each pillow or block is screwed a stop arm 46; against which the lever 33
strikes to limit the motion of the feed finger 44 in one direction, the motion of the
finger and the lever being limited in the opposite direction by the hook or curved.
stop 43 and a pin 47 projecting laterally or outwardly from each pillow or block and
travelling in a slot 48 in a bracket 49 screwed or bolted as at 50 to each side of a
feed table 51. The pins 47 by contact with the ends of the slots 48 also serve to
limit the travel of the carriage in both directions. The crank 24 is not connected
directly to the carriage but is connected to the arms which vibrate the fingers, and 1
these arms have a movement independent of the carriage. When the fingers are
moving forward the enrriage cannot move backward, and when the fingers are.
moving backward the carriage cannot move forward, the carriage being confined in
its movements by the ends of the slots and the pins 47. The pins 47 prevent the
carriage from moving onward by inertia when the crank has arrived at the horizontal"
position at each half revolution.
Slightly above the level of the cross-bar 35, and preferably cast therewith, at
each end, is a ledge 52, upon which is mounted a flat spring 53, which is slightly.
curved and secured to the ledge by a screw and steady pin, as indicated. At the
front end of each ledge is a flange 54, which co-operates with the notched portion 45
of the finger, as will heroinafter he more fully explained. Normally the forward
end of the spring stands above the plane of the flange, bat when the finger comes
around it depresses the spring and comes to a stop at the flange, which does not act
as an abutment, however, the arm 43, previously describel, serving to take the
strain off the Hange.
At the forward cr right hand en of the feed table is arranged a die 55, with
which co-operates a punch or cutter 56, screwed to a plunger, which slides in
ways 57 in the standard 4, and is connected at its upper end by aljustable rols 58
to a crauk-plate 59 on the main shaft 5.
On each side of the punch 56 are provided two cars 60, through perforations in
which passes a pin 61, extenling upwardly from the stripper 62, an I between each
pair of ears is arranged a spiral spring 63 for keeping the stripper normally down,
a cross-pin 64 being provided to prevent the latter from falling off. The stripper
is provided at one side with two upwardly-bent fingers 65, which serve to deflect
the leading end of the strip under the punch.
A clamp 66 arranged immediately in front of the die is provided to hold the
strip down close to the die during the cutting or punching operation, and this clamp,
is formed on the end of a bent arm 67, secured to a rock-shaft 68 extending cross-
wise of the machine aud mounted in bearings in standards 69 bolted to the feed

page_text: table. A spring 70 encircling the rock-shaft is attached at one end to the hub of
the clamping arm, and at the other end to the bearing of one of the standards.
The cross-shaft is prolonged as at 71 to extend beyond the feed table, and at its
rearmest end is provided with a depending forked arm 72, formed in each fork with
a slot 73, with which engages a pin 74 extending laterally from each side of a long
square rod 75, the opposite end of which is provided with an anti-friction roller 76,
to engage a cam 77 on the counter shaft 22. The rod 75 slides in guides or
bearings 78, and is provided with a coiled spring 79. The eam operates to draw
the rod forward or towards the right, thus compressing the spring 79, and during
this movement the clamp 66 is raised, and at this time the strip is fed. When the
rise of the cam leaves the roller on the end of the rod the spring 79 moves the rod
back to rock the shaft, which carries the clamp, in the reverse direction and bring
the clamp down upon the strip again with a force due to the combined power of the
spring on the rod 75 and the spring 70 on the rock-shaft.
On the rock-shaft, and extending towards 'the left is an arm 80, which is adapted
to be actuated by a cam or striker 81, mounted on a cross-shaft 82, once to every
eight movements of the sliding rod 75, or to every eight revolutions of the crank-
shaft 22, and when thus acted upon the arm 80 effects a lifting movement of the
clamp and permits the introduction of a fresh strip, which is brought forward at
this moment by the auxiliary feed, as will be presently more fully described.
The shaft 82 is provided with a beveled gear 83 which is driven by a beveled
gear 84 on one end of an inclined shaft 85, whose opposite end is provided with a
worm gear 86 which meshes with a worm 87 on the shaft 22. The shaft 82 rotates
in bearings 88 secured to a yoked bracket 89, which supports the shaft 82 and its
attachments.
At the front end of the shaft 82 is secured a rotatory sector 90, which at certain
times co-operates with a feed roller 91 supported in hangers 92 secured to the feed
table 51.
The feed board or table 51, preferably made of metal, is mounted above the
bed of the press and extends inwardly to the vertical plane of the inner side of
the die.
The feed table with all of its attachments is constructed for lateral adjustments for
strips of different widths, the widths of the strips varying according to the distance
between cards in adjacent rows in the printed sheet. In some sheets the rows,
which subsequently form the strips, are printed closer together than others, and
hence when these rows are severed to form the strips they are of varying widths
(in different sheets), and the centre of each design from the top or bottom edge of
the card or the sides of the strip would subsequently vary in different designs or
editions. Therefore, if the machine has been arranged to cut up strips of the.
minimum width, it must be changed or adjusted when strips of greater width are
to be cut, in order to have the centre of the design register with the centre of the
punch and die if it be desired to have the top and bottom edges of each card bear
uniform margins. Hence the feed table is constructed for lateral adjustments and
iu the following manner :-
In the first place, it is supported by standards 93 extending up from the bed-plate
of the press, which standards have at their upper ends threaded eyes 94, through
which screws 95 pass inwardly towards each other, and into bearings or centers 96
formed at each side of the edge of the feed table, about midway of the length of
the same. These screws when turned to the desired position are set or held by
jamb-nuts 97. In practice the side edges of the feed table at the centers 96 are
distant from the inner edges of the threaded bearings 94 at the front ends of the
standards about one quarter of an inch, and for this reason the feed table may be
adjusted laterally in either direction between such standards by proper movements
of the adjusting screws. The lateral adjustments required usually do not exceed
one-sixteenth of an inch, and in making these adjustments the screws are turned
one in and one out, according to the direction in which the table is to be shifted.
If the mechanism has been set for feeding the narrowest width of strip the feed

page_text: table must be shifted rearwardly or towards the rod 75. This adjustment of the
table for strips of different widths obviates the lateral adjustment independently of
the side guides for the strips to be presently described, and one of which guides is.
extremely bothersome to adjust.
But the capacity of the table for lateral adjustments is provided for another
purpose as well; vic.;-to effect in the first instance a proper setting of the table
relatively to the center of the die, and so as to have the center of each strip
coincident with the center of the die and subsequently for the accurate resetting of.
the table relatively to the punch and die, when in course of time it may become
necessary to sharpen the punch and die.. The punch and die have to be sharpened
occasionally, and as this operation requires the table to be entirely removed from.
the bed of the press, it has been found advantageous to provide means for the
ready and accurate resetting of the table after the sharpening operation.
The entire feed table is also adjustable in a vertical plane to compensate for
wear and sharpening of the die. The front end of the feed table should be on a
level with the face of the die. As the die is worn or cut away this end of the
feed table is depressed accordingly by turning the table about the pivots opposite
the feed roller 91.
The feed table is held firmly by means of two screws 98 and 99 (Figures 10, 11
and 12). Through an opening in the strip lifter 100, secured to the feed table,
and through a transverse slot 101 in the feed table is passed downwarlly the
screw 98, whose lower end engages a tapped hole in the bed-plate. By turning
the screw down, the right hand portion of the feed table is depressed, the whole
table rocking on the screw pivots referred to. By turning up the screw 98 the
table may of course be oscillated in the opposite direction. But before the table
may be tilted downwardly the screw 99 must be lowered. This screw works in a
tapped hole in the bed-plate and its upper end simply abuts against the lower side
of the feed table. In connection with the adjusting screw-98 it serves to firmly
lock or hold the table in its adjusted position. By turning the screw 99 down from
the underside of the bed-plate, the upper end of the screw is carried away from the
feed table and then the latter may be tilted or adjusted by turning the screw 98.
102 and 103 are guides for the edges of the strips, and are mounted upon the
feed table. The guide 102, extending for a large portion of the length of the
table, is preferably secured to the table by screws and without provision for
independent lateral adjustment.
The other guide 103 at the front side of the table is preferably very much shorter
in length and is constructed for lateral adjustments. The adjustable guide 103
consists of a vertically-arranged strip or plate 104, from which extends laterally a
threaded pin 105 (Figure 20), which passes through a block 106 secured to the
feed table by a small screw 107. This block is hollow and contains a coiled
spring 108 surrounding the plain portion of the threaded pin and bears at one end:
against the vertical plate 104. The threaded portion of the pin extends out
beyond the block and is provided with a nut 109 for drawing the vertical guide
plate outwardly. When the nut is unscrewed the spring forces the plate inwardly.
The plate is provided with flanges 110 that form a fork to embrace the block and
serve as a guide for the plate in its movements. To the plate are attached winged
guides 111. Guides 112 similar to and opposite 111, are secured to the long fixed
guide 102. The spring-pressed vertical plate 104 bearing against the front edge
of the cardboard strip serves to press the rear edge thereof against the fixed guide
lightly. If the next strip should be only a trifle wider, the front edge of the strip
may force the plate 104 outwardly to accommodate the strip, as the spring 108 is
of exceedingly light tension, and permits the plate to readily accommodate itself
to varying widths of strip, thus providing for the accurate guiding of the various.
widths by the long fixed guide 102. When the vertical plate is thus moved
outwardly the threaded pin upon the stem and the nut of course move with the
same, and if the next strip should be a narrower one the devices will automatically
move together inwardly under the expansion of the spring.

page_text: The strips are all first fed by hand to a gauge 113, which is arranged between
the sector 90 and the fingers 44, and this gauge consists of a plate 114, and a
lateral index or finger 115. The plate is fitted to a rectangular notch at one of the
rear corners of the strip lifter or deflector, and is provided on its underside
with a screw 116 which passes down through a longitudinal slot 117 in the feed
table and is provided on the underside thereof with a clamping nut 118. The
index supporting plate 114 is prevented from turning by reason of the square
notch and is held in place against vertical movement by the screw and nut.
second front slit or cut of each incoming strip is first fed or adjusted to the index
or finger 115, as will be hereinafter more fully explained. The slot 117 in the
feed table permits the index to be adjusted lengthwise of the latter, in order
that each strip may be placed in such a position that when it is fed by the sector
its slit or cut will come in the best possible position relatively to the carriage
fingers 44.
The
The strip lifter or deflector 100 is screwed upon the feed table and is beveled or
rounded at each end. It serves to insure the feed of the incoming strip above the
plane of the tail end of the outgoing strip to avoid any collision in the feed or
damage to the strips. This strip lifter also assists in leading the forward edge of
the strip into the winged guides. The manner in which the strip lifter passes the
leading end of the incoming sheet above the tail end of the outgoing sheet during
the last punching operation, will be described hereinafter.
For the purpose of determining the feed of the carriage 34, or the points at
which it shall stop in its movements, the rod 25 is made adjustable. If it be
desired to have the carriage travel farther forward or nearer to the die, the nuts 27
are loosened and the block 28 on the cross-rod is moved forward nearer to the
crank the desired distance, the carriage at the same time being pulled forward, the
plain hole in the block sliding along over the threaded portion 26, and if it be
desired to have the carriage stop farther back the block is moved in the reverse
direction, and in either ease after adjustment the nuts are again set up against the
block to hold the parts firmly together. When an adjustment of this sort is made
the brackets 49 at the sides of the feed table should be adjusted correspondingly,
and if an adjustable gauge 113 be used this may also be adjusted lengthwise of the
feed table in accordance with the adjustment of the carriage feed.
In order that the carriage may move with the feed table during its lateral
adjustment, the block 28, to which the crank rod 25 is connected, is provided with
a vertical set screw and nut, by loosening which the cross-rod 29 may be slid
through the block to the desired extent or in accordance with the required amount
of sidewise adjustment of the feed table which supports the carriage.
I shall now describe more particularly the mode of operation of the machine and
the method of feeding the strips of cardboard and the punching or cutting out of
individual cards.
Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 of-the drawings show the parts in the same positions,
and in readiness to receive a strip. The operator sits opposite the gauge and by
hand feeds a strip to the gauge, adjusting it thereto preferably by the first nicks
or cuts m back of the first card, the strip lying between the sector and the roller
and with its rear edge against the guide 102. If the machine be now started,
by pressing down the treadle 12, the segment will revolve and feed the strip by
its pressure against the roller in a forward direction between the winged guides
until the second pair of cuts of the strip is firmly grasped by the fingers 44. (In
practice I do not use the first pair of cuts in feeding. If, however, the strip
were turned around the first pair of cuts would become the last pair and these
would then be used in the feeding of the last card of the strip.) The fingers
firmly grasp when the grooved portions of the fingers are alongside of the
flanges 54, the grasping position being indicated at Figure 29. The lowermost
portion or downward lip 45 of each finger presses down the cut portion of the
second card of the strip and causes its forward edge to abut against the flange 54,
while the rear edge or corner of the cut portion of the first card is caused to press

page_text: against the finger or vertical face of the lip 45°. Thus the strip is prevented
from moving in either direction, the finger and the flange alone effecting the
locking of the strip. When the strip has become thus locked the sector 90
simultaneously ceases its feeding operation by passing off the roller, the carriage
immediately commences its forward movement, and the clamp, is simultaneously
lifted. The carriage starts forward by reason of the shanks of the levers 33
coming to a bearing against the arms 46 of the carriage and by reason of this
contact and the pull of the rods 30 by the rotation of the crank 24 the carriage
is caused to travel towards the die and the strip firmly grasped or held thereon
or thereto.
When the machine is started with the parts in the position shown at Figure 12
the fingers are vibrated simultaneously with the initial movement of the sector,
and by the time the sector engages the sheet on the roller the fingers have come
to a stop and the carriage is thereafter moved forward during the beginning of
the feed of the strip by the sector. By the time the leading edge of the strip
has been fully fed by the sector, the carriage has completed its forward stroke
and returned with the fingers up ready to engage the first set of cuts back of the
first card. This, of course occurs only at the starting of the machine, as there-
after the fingers always engage a set of cuts in their forward travel, and the
carriage always moves a card forward.
The leading end of the strip having been adjusted to the gauge and to the side
guides, it is fed by the sector and roller between the winged guides up and over
the spring plates 53, with the first set of cuts back of the first card forward of the
fingers.
When the fingers come down the lip portion of each rides upon the uncut
or unnicked surface of the card and presses the same down against the spring,
as a yielding bed, until the forward edge pertion of the cut or until the rear edge
of the forward card lies upon the top of the flange 54, and at this moment the lip
of the finger presses or keeps down the rear portion of the cut, or the forward
edge of the next succeeding card, which is thus caused to abut against the face of
the flange and prevent any further feed or forward movement of the strip. by the
fingers, the strip being prevented from slipping backward by the finger or
specifically by the vertical face of the lip, as before explained. (See Fig. 19.)
When the carriage has completed its forward movement and the fingers start to
return, the springs 53 beneath the same operate to throw up the depressed slitted
portions of the card above the plane, of the flange, 54, and thus permit the
recession of the carriage.
When the carriage with the strip in the bite or grip of the fingers and flanges
has made its forward excursion, the clamp is brought down, the fingers are then
opened to release the strip and the carriage then recedes. Just before the
carriage finishes its return stroke the punch descends and the first card of the strip
is punched out. While the punching takes place the carriage is finishing its
return stroke, the clamp is on the strip, and the next set of cuts or nicks in
position to be grasped by the fingers on their next forward vibration, the fingers
in returning passing beyond the plane of the next set of cuts.
When the carriage
and the fingers come to the end of their back strokes, and about simultaneously
with the rise of the punch, the fingers start forward again at once, and at about
the moment the fingers engage the said set of cuts the clamp rises to allow the
forward motion of the strip under the carrying motion of the fingers until the
flanges 54 are reached, and then the carriage re-commences its forward
movement and the second card is brought under the punch in the manner before
explained.
During this time the sector is turning around comparatively slowly, since it
does not once come into action again until the feed of the last card of the strip by
the fingers.
Before the feed of the last card commences the operator should have the
second strip on the roller (having adjusted the first set of cuts thereof back of
B

page_text: the first card with reference to the gauge and the edges of the strip with reference
to the side guides). Immediately the sector co-operates with the roller the
'second strip is fed lorward a comparatively long distance until its leading end
has arrived at the position above mentioned with reference to the leading end of
the first strip; or, in other words, to the position shown at Figure 29.
When the carriage advances, in feeding forward the first card of the second
strip, the forward end of the second strip is held above the level of the feed
table by means of the strip deflector and the flanges of the carriage, so that the
forward end of the second strip will pass over the rear end of the first strip and
thus avoid any collision between the two strips.
When the stripper on the punch reaches the last card of the first strip, just
before the pnnching operation, it acts in a manner to hold said card firmly, and
at this moment the cam or striker 81 operates through the arm 80 to lift the
clamp to allow the advance of the forward end of the second strip, which at the
close of the sector feed overlaps the tail end of the first strip at about
the same time the punch rises and the skeleton of the first strip falls off from
the die.
The first card of the second strip is at once fed to the punch and the cutting
out operation thus continues uninterruptedly. As the cards are punched out they
.descend into a box or receiver 119, beneath and in front of the bed-plate,
convenient to the operator.
The winged guides keep the incoming strip down to such a level as that in the
return movement of the fingers they must pass above the plane of the strip,
otherwise the leading end of the incoming strip might bend or move in an upward
direction, and be caught and turned back by the receding fingers, thus interfering
with the operation of the machine.
Referring to Figure 18, the carriage is shown at the end of its rearward
movement, and the finger at the limit of its upward movement with the strip fed
forward over and upon the spring plate, and at this time it may be considered
that the sector has finished its feeding motion or parted company with the
roller 91. As the rods 30 are now drawn forward the fingers vibrate down-
wardly and soon bear or press upon the surface of the strip. As they move
along the same they soon come into register with a set of the cuts m, and
positively engage the same. If the cuts be not exactly in alignment with the
flanges the fingers will carry them positively to the flanges and hence feed the
strip slightly forward during this motion. When the cuts are in alignment
with the flanges 54 and the feed fingers have arrived at their vertical positions,
as shown at Figure 19, the strip becomes locked, as it were, to or upon the
carriage.
Referring to Figure 23, the carriage is shown in its rearward position, the
fingers vibrated backwardly and upwardly, the punch ascending, the clamp
down upon the last card of a strip, a succeeding strip set to the feed gauge,
and the sector about to co-operate with the feed roller to feed the second strip
forward.
Referring to Figure 24, the carriage is shown in the same position that
it occupies at Figure 23, the clamp as having been lifted by the cam 77,
through the intermediate means described, the finger as having been vibrated
downwardly and brought into engagement with the last cuts of the outgoing strip,
the punch ascending and the sector as just commencing to feed the fresh strip
forward.
. Referring to Figure 25, the carriage is shown as having been moved forward
its full distance, with the fingers still engaging the cuts, the clamp still elevated,
the punch descending, and the incoming strip as having been partially fed forward.
Referring to Figure 26, the carriage is shown as still in its forward position,
the fingers as disengaged from the outgoing strip, the clamp down upon the
rearmost portion of the outgoing strip, the punch descending, and the incoming
strip as having been fed further forward.

page_text: Referring to Figure 27, the carriage is shown as returning to its initial position
with the fingers lifted, the clamp as having been raised by means of the striker 81,
the stripper as bearing down upon the margins of the last card, the punch as having
cut out the last card, (the card being shown in dotted lines), and the incoming strip
as having been still further advanced by the sector.
Referring to Figure 28, the carriage is shown at its initial position and the
fingers raised, the punch as ascending, the clamp as still elevated by the striker,
and the incoming strip as having been nearly fully advanced by the sector.
Referring to Figure 29, the sector has completed its feed, the carriage is now
in its first position, but the fingers have engaged the cuts back of the first
card and advanced the same slightly to the flanges of the carriage (as illustrated
at Figure 19), the clamp is still elevated, and the punch is ascending; in short,
all of the parts are in condition to permit of the advance of the carriage and
the bringing of the first card of the new strip centrally of the punch and die.
When the carriage finishes its forward stroke, the clamp is released by the
striker, the fingers release the strip, and the first card is held firmly to be cut
out by the punch which now descends, the carriage meanwhile returning to its
normal position in readiness to feed the next card forward after the punching
action. After the striker releases the clamp, (which it is about to do at Figure 29)
it does not co-act with the same again until the last card of the strip shown at
Figure 29 is punched out.
For the purpose of more clearly explaining my improvements and the importance
of the cuts and the feeding of the fingers independently of the carriage, the following
is added; viz. :—
Say for example that the cards when printed are exactly three inches apart
from center to center, and that the carriage is arranged to move each time
exactly three inches. Now, if the strip bearing the cards should expand (say
one-half of an inch) the cards would become unequally spaced or would not be
equidistant from center to center, or not exactly three inches apart at centers, the.
expansion occurring from the center of the strip towards the ends. Now if the
cards were fed solely by the carriage and three inches every time, it is plain that
the punch would not divide the cards equally or so cut them as to leave uniform
margins.
With the cuts m in the strips and the fingers 44, a preliminary feed is made
(if necessary, on account of expansion) and each cut is placed at a given point
on the carriage, and hence each card is placed exactly in the same position on
the carriage. Therefore, when the carriage feeds and the punch descends each
card is blanked out alike; that is, with the same margins.
It is immaterial, therefore, how much expansion takes place, or whether the
distance between the centers of the first and second cards of the strip is three
and one-eighth inches; that between the second and third cards three and one-
sixteenth inches; and that between the third and fourth cards three and
one-thirty-second inches, because the distances are adjusted or provided for by
the cuts and fingers before the successive cards are delivered to the carriage;
that is to say, if the first card does not register with the flanges of the carriage,
before the carriage takes the card to the punch, the fingers move the strip
forward by engagement until the cuts do register with the flanges. Then
the carriage with the card properly placed, moves towards the punch and delivers
the card to the die with the center of the card in line with the center of the
punch and die.
Now, the second card to be cut may not come naturally to the same place
on the carriage that the first card was delivered at, and if it should not the
fingers will, by engagement with the third set of cuts, (or the cuts which govern
the feed of the second card) move the strip slightly forward until the cuts
align with the flanges, and hence the second card will be delivered at the required
place on the carriage, and at exactly the same point at which the first card was
delivered.

page_text: The preliminary feed for the second card may be less than that for the first card,
and the said preliminary feed may vary for all of the cards, but whatever the
amount of preliminary feed which may be needed for any card (and which is always
slight) the fingers will readily effect.
It will happen at times that the cuts will register naturally with the flanges of
the carriage; and in such cases the fingers perform simply their locking or gripping
functions.
When the fingers bear down on the strip they sometimes move the same forward
by friction, and simultaneously press down the stock immediately back of the cuts,
so that the rear edge portions of the cuts are brought against the flanges or
abutments before the fingers engage or arrive at the cuts.
When this occurs the fingers continue to move (after such positive stoppage of
the strip by the flanges) until the lowermost portions of the fingers arrive at the
cuts, when they co-operate with the front edge portions of the cuts to prevent any
backing of the strip.
For convenience, the cuts or other formations are made midway of the space
between the contiguous cards, but they may of course be arranged at other
localities, as on the edge of the unsevered cards, since they are left in the skeleton
or frame, and after assisting in the feed of the cards, perform no additional office.
From the foregoing description it will therefore be seen that the cuts, nicks,
notches, slits, indentations, embossing, or analogous formations or alterations in the
strip, serve to define or govern the feed of the cards and render it possible to
produce cards with uniform or equal margins.
By the physical alterations in the sheet or strip provision is made for a variable
feed of the material, so that successive unequally-spaced portions thereof to be
operated upon may with great precision be brought to or arrested at a predetermined
or given position or locality.
The various operations as I prefer to carry them out, involve the following steps,
. but I do not wish to be limited to all of the steps which I prefer to employ, as
some of them may be used without others, and are new per se. A sheet of card-
board is formed with a series of cuts, incisions, or the like, preferably during the
printing of the backs of the cards in the sheet, the sheet is then cut into strips so
as to produce a plurality of sets of cuts or incisions at the longitudinal edges,
preferably of each strip. The series of sets of cuts of each strip are then
successively seized or engaged, and by this means the strip is moved forward to a
given point. Each of the cuts is then employed to hold the strip in its new
position and while it is being moved to another given locality;, then the strip is
clamped, the cuts released, the strip subjected to the required operation or
treatment, and then unclamped or released for another double feed in connection
with said cuts.
My improvements may be used to feed any kind of material in sheet or strip
forin, and hence I do not wish to be limited altogether to the use of paper or
cardboard and to the manufacture of playing cards.
The fingers may, of course, be of other shape or construction than that shown,
as for instance, plain or flat-sided without the groove and lip. In fact, in different
machines, I employ both kinds of fingers. By grooving the fingers as shown the
forward cut portions of the cards are prevented from unduly rising by the
overhanging ledges or shoulders at right angles to the lips.
Various other changes in detail construction and arrangement of parts of the
machine may be made, without departing from the gist of my improvements.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is
1. That improvement in the feeding of sheets or strips of material which
consists in stopping the feed of the material by means of engaging portions formed
therein.

page_text: 2. That improvement in the feeding of sheets or strips of material which consists'
in stopping the feed of the material by means of cuts formed therein.
3. That improvement in the feeding of sheets or strips of material which consists
in forming therein engaging portions and in subsequently arresting the feed of the
material by engaging such portions.
4. That improvement in the manufacture of playing cards which consists in
feeding a sheet or strip of unequally-spaced cards varying distances, but always
to a given point by intermittently engaging successive cut portions of the sheet or
strip itself and moving such cut portions varying distances but to a given point
whereby each card may be moved or delivered at the same place.
5. That improvement in the manufacture of playing cards which consists in
intermittently feeding positively engaging unequally-spaced stop-formations in a
sheet or strip of unequally-spaced cards, producing thereby a variable feed-
movement of the sheet or strip and delivering each card at the same locality.
6. That improvement in the feeding of strips or sheets of material, which consists
in first cutting or physically altering a strip or sheet. to provide engaging portions,
and in subsequently engaging such portions to positively move the strip or sheet
varying distances and bring those unequally-spaced portious of the strip or sheet
between the engaging portions all to the same given locality to be acted upon
exactly alike.
7. That improvement in the feeding of strips or sheets of material which consists
in first cutting or physically altering a strip or sheet at a series of places along
its edges, and in subsequently successively engaging such portions to positively and
intermittently move the strip or sheet varying distances and cause each section of
the strip or sheet between cuts &c. to be brought exactly to the same given
locality.
8. That improvement in the feeding of strips or sheets of material which consists
in first cutting or physically altering a strip or sheet, then successively engaging
such portions to positively move the unequally-spaced strip or sheet the required
but varying distance and to a given point, and in then carrying the strip or sheet
to another given point to be there treated or acted upon in any desired manner.
9. That improvement in the feeding of strips or sheets of material which consists
in first cutting or physically altering a strip or sheet, in then successively engaging
such portions to positively move the unequally-spaced strip or sheet the required
but varying distance and to a given point, in then clamping or gripping the strip.
or sheet, and in then moving the latter the required distance and to another given:
point to be there treated or acted upon in any desired manner.
10. That improvement in the feeding of strips or sheets of material which consists
in first cutting or physically altering a strip or sheet, in then successively engaging:
such portions to positively move the unequally-spaced strip or sheet the required
but varying distance and to a given point, and in then engaging such portious to
aid in the gripping or holding of the material.
11. That improvement in the feeding of strips or sheets of material which consists
in first cutting or physically altering a strip or sheet, in then successively engaging
such portions to positively move the unequally-spaced strip or sheet the required
but varying distance and to a given point, in then engaging such portions to aid in
the holding or gripping of the material, and in subsequently moving the material a
further distance to another given point for treatment or action in any desired
manner.
12. That improvement in the feeding of strips or sheets of unequally-spaced
material having previously made cuts, which consists in feeding the material
positively the required, varying distance to a given point by engagement with the
cuts provided therein.
13. That improvement in the feeding of strips or sheets of unequally-spaced.
material which consists in successively feeding the material varying distances by
positive engagement with cuts formed therein, delivering it thus to a. given point

page_text: or locality, and in then feeding the material by other means to another pre-
determined point or locality.
14. That improvement in the feeding of strips or sheets of unequally-spaced
material which consists in moving the material varying distances by positive
engagement with cuts formed therein and delivering it thus to a given point or
locality, in then holding said material by means of said cuts, and while thus held
again moving the material to another predetermined point or locality.
15. That improvement in the feeding of strips or sheets of unequally-spaced
material which consists in moving the material varying distances by engagement
with cuts formed therein, and delivering it to a given point or locality, in then
holding said material by means of said cuts and while thus held again moving it to
another predetermined point or locality, and in then subjecting the material to the
required treatment or operation.
16. That improvement in the feeding of strips or sheets of material which
consists in first producing a series of sets of cuts, shoulders, or abutments therein
in then moving the material by engagement with one set of the cuts, shoulders, or
abutments, the required distance and to a given point or locality, in then holding
said material by means of said cuts, shoulders, or abutments, and while thus held
in again moving said material the required distance and to another predetermined
point or locality, in then subjecting the advanced portion of the material to the
required treatment or operation, and in subsequently repeating the several recited
feeding, holding, feeding and treating operations a plurality of times, according to
the number of sets of cuts, shoulders, or abutments, and the number of places or
portions of the material which it is desired to treat or act upon, the said first feeding
operation each time varying to compensate for inequalities of spacing.
17. That improvement in the feeding of strips or sheets of material which
consists in first forming a series of sets of cuts, shoulders, or abutments in the
material, in then feeding the same to a given point, in then engaging a set of the
cuts, shoulders, or abutments and feeding the material positively by such engagement,
in then holding the material by means of said cuts, shoulders, or abutments, and in
then again feeding said material forward while held by means of the cuts, shoulders,
or abutments.
18. That improvement in the feeding of strips or sheets of material which
consists in first forming a series of engaging portions therein, in then feeding the
material to a given point by seizing an engaging portion, in then again moving the
material to another given point, in then clamping the material, in then cutting off
a portion of the same, in then seizing another engaging portion of the material, in
then unclamping the material, and in then repeating the duplex feeding actions
and the clamping and cutting operations.
19. That improvement in the feeding of strips or sheets of material which
consists in first forming a series of sets of engaging portions, in then positively
feeding the material to a given point by seizing a set of such engaging portions,
in then holding the material by means of such set of engaging portions, in then
again feeding the material to a given point by other means, in then clamping the
material, in then cutting off the forward portion of the same, in then seizing
another set of the engaging portions, in then unclamping the material, and in then
repeating the several described operations.
20. That improvement in the manufacture of playing cards which consists in
first printing the faces on a sheet of cardboard, in then printing the backs on
said sheet and simultaneously with the last described operation forming a series of
cuts in the cardboard between the rows of cards, in subsequently severing the
sheet into strips so as to provide each strip with a series of engaging portions,
and in subsequently variably feeding and arresting the strip by means of
said cuts.
21. That improvement in the manufacture of playing cards which consists in
intermittently feeding varying distances a strip containing a plurality of unequally-
spaced cards and provided with a series of cuts by positive engagement with said

page_text: cuts, the said variable feed movements being independent of the main feed
movements and operating to compensate for physical changes in the strip, whereby
the successive unequally-spaced cards may be brought always to the required
position or locality.
22. That improvement in the manufacture of playing cards which consists in
intermittently feeding varying distances a strip containing a plurality of unequally-
spaced cards and provided with a series of cuts by positive engagement with said
cuts, the said variable feed being a preliminary or adjusting one for the successive
card and to compensate for physical changes in the strip, and then again feeding
the strip to a cutting mechanism, and in then detaching the foremost card of
the strip.
23. That improvement in the manufacture of playing cards which consists in
intermittently feeding varying distances a strip containing a plurality of unequally-
spaced cards and provided with a series of cuts by positive engagement with said
cuts, and then holding said strip by means of said cuts, and while thus held again
moving the strip to a cutting mechanism, and in then detaching the foremost card
of the strip.
24. That improvement in the manufacture of playing cards which consists in
intermittently feeding varying distances a strip containing a plurality of unequally-
spaced cards and provided with a series of cuts by positive engagement with said
cuts, in then holding said strip by means of said cuts, and while thus held again
moving the strip to a cutting mechanism, in then clamping the said strip, and in
then detaching the foremost card of the strip.
25. That improvement in the feeding of a sheet or strip of material whose
successive portions have all to be fed intermittently to a given and fixed locality
and by movements which involve necessarily movements of the sheet or strip
different and previously unascertainable distances, which consists in making the
successive feed movements of the sheet or strip by engaging cuts or their equivalents
formed therein.
26. That improvement in the manufacture of playing cards which consists in
engaging a series of cuts or their equivalents in a sheet or strip of unequally-
spaced cards, to determine, in a machine for individualizing such cards, the feed of
each successive card and thereby bring all of said cards ultimately in the required
position to be punched or cut out alike.
27. That improvement which consists in making a series of stop-formations in a
sheet or strip of material and in subsequently moving the sheet or strip unequal
distances to bring the stop-formations always to a given point, and in such
movements causing the said stop-formations to control the unequal movements of
said sheet or strip.
28. As an improvement in the art of manufacturing playing cards from a sheet
or strip or cards having a series of unequally-spaced stop-formations, the com-
bination of means for moving the sheet or strip intermittently varying but
previously unascertainable distances and bringing the stop-formations always to a
given point, and means engaging with said stop-formations to automatically
determine or govern the amount of the successive inovements, substantially as set
forth.
29. The combination, in a machine for operating upon an unequally-spaced sheet
or strip having a series of engaging portions formed therein, mechanism for inter-
mittently variably advancing the saine, and means engaging with said engaging
portions for successively arresting the feed movements of said sheet or strip,
whereby the same is fed unequal distances and the successive portions thereof all
brought to the same point or locality, substantially as set forth.
30. In an intermittent feeding mechanism for operating upon a sheet or strip
having engaging portions, the combination with the feeding mechanism, of means
for co-operating with said engaging portions and thereby independently adjusting
the sheet or strip, whereby the latter is moved varying distances and the unequally

page_text: spaced portions thereof all brought to the same point or locality; substantially as
set forth.
31. In a machine for operating upon a sheet or strip having unequally-spaced slits
or cuts, a feeding means having a throw or movement greater than the distance
apart of the slits or cuts, whereby the cuts may be positively engaged after
expansion or physical change in the sheet or strip and the latter moved the
required distance each time, the feeding movements varying for the entire sheet or
strip; substantially as set forth.
32. The combination of a carriage, and means for engaging cut portions in a
strip and delivering successive portions of the strip to a given point on said
carriage before said carriage commences its movement; substantially as set forth.
33. The combination of a carriage and fingers thereon for engaging cut portions
of a strip and delivering successive parts of said strip to a given point on said
carriage before said carriage commences its movements; substantially as set
forth.
34. The combination of a carriage, and a pair of vibratory fingers mounted
thereon and adapted to engage cut portions of a strip containing a plurality of
unequally-spaced playing cards, and feed the same successively to a given point on
said carriage before it commences its movement; substantially as set forth.
35. The combination of a carriage provided with a flange, and a finger to
co-operate with said flange and the cut portions of an unequally-spaced strip of
material, whereby said strip is properly adjusted on said carriage before the latter
commences its movement; substantially as set forth.
36. The combination of a carriage provided with a pair of flanges, and a pair of
fingers to co-operate with the flanges and cut portions of an unequally-spaced strip
of material, whereby said strip is properly adjusted on said carriage before the
latter commences its movement; substantially as set forth.
37. The combination of a carriage provided with a pair of vertical flanges and a
pair of vibratory arms having each a lateral finger, substantially as set forth.
38. The combination of a carriage having a pair of flanges and a pair of springs
and a pair of vibratory arms having each a strip-moving finger; substantially as
set forth.
39. The combination of a carriage, means for reciprocating the same, a vibratory
strip-moving finger mounted on said carriage, and means for moving said finger
forming a part of the carriage-moving means and operating in advance of the
carriage-moving means to move the strip before and independently of the carriage,
substantially as set forth.
. 40. The combination of a carriage, a pair of vibratory arms provided each with
a strip-moving finger mounted on said carriage, a pair of levers connected to said
arms, and means attached to said levers for both vibrating said arms and moving
said carrier, the said strip-moving fingers being arranged to move before and
independently of the carriage and to adjust the strip properly upon the latter;
substantially as set forth.
41. The combination of a carriage, a pair of vibratory arms mounted thereon
and provided each with a strip-moving finger, a pair of levers attached to said
arms, and a reciprocating frame attached to said levers for first vibrating said arms
and adjusting the strip properly upon the carriage, and then moving said carrier;
substantially as set forth.
42. The combination of a carriage, a pair of vibratory arms mounted thereon
and provided each with a strip moving finger, operating to adjust the strip upon
'the carriage before the latter commences to move, a pair of levers connected to said
arms, abutments on said carriage, rods attached to said levers, and a crank for
reciprocating said rods; substantially as set forth.
43. The combination of a carriage, a pair of vibratory arms mounted thereon
and provided each with a strip-moving finger operating to adjust the strip on the
carriage before the latter commences to move, a pair of levers connected to said

page_text: rms, means for moving said levers, and stops in front and in rear of said revers
ubstantially as set forth.
44. The combination of a carriage, a pair of vibratory arms mounted thereon
nd provided each with a strip-moving finger operating to adjust the strip on the
arriage before the latter commences to move, a.pair of levers connected to said
rms, and provided each with a hook, a pin to co-operate with said hook, an
butment in front of each lever, and a reciprocating rod connected to each lever;
ubstantially as set forth.
45. The combination of a carriage provided with a pair of vibratory arms having.
each a strip-moving finger, a lever connected to each said arm, an abutment in
front of said lever, a stationary guide, and an abutment in rear of said lever for.
limiting its backward movement, and projecting from said carriage to co-operate
with said guide and limit the rearward movement of said carriage, and means for.
moving said levers, substantially as set forth.
46. The combination with a carriage provided with flanges, a pair of vibratory
arms having each a finger provided with a lip, levers for moving said arms or.
fingers, fore and aft stops for said fingers, means for vibrating the said levers and
moving said carriage, and means for guiding and arresting said carriage; substan-.
tially os set forth.
47. The combination of a carriage having a pair of vibratory strip-adjusting
fingers, a reciprocatory frame connected to said fingers, a stop therefor and for.
the strip, and an adjustable crank rod connected to said frame; substantially as.
set forth.
48. The combination of a carriage having a pair of vibratory fingers, a.
reciprocatory frame connected to said fingers and composed of longitudinal rods.
and a cross rod, an adjustable head or block on said cross rod, a crank, and averank
rod connected to said head or block; substantially as set forth.
:
49. The combination of a carriage having a pair of vibratory fingers, a
reciprocatory frame connected to said fingers and composed of longitudinal rods.
cross rod, an adjustable head or block on said cross rod, a crank, and ´àn
adjustable crank rod; substantially as set forth.
and a
50. The combination of a carriage having a pair of vibratory arms, a pair of
strip-moving fingers, a pair of levers, a reciprocatory frame connected to said:
levers, and composed of longitudinal rods and a cross rod an adjustable block or:
head on said cross rod, a-crank, and an adjustable crank rod; substantially asset.
forth.
51. The combination of a feed table provided with longitudinal guide rods and
with slotted side brackets, a carriage composed of a cross bar, perforated at or near
ench end, pillows, guide-pins, abutments, flanges, and springs, a pair of vibratory
arms having each a grooved finger, a pair of levers connected to said arms and
provided each with a book, a pair of reciprocatory rods, united by a cross rod, a
block on said cross rod, a crank rod, and a crank; substantially as set forth.
52. The combination of a feed table provided with longitudinal guide rods and
with slotted side brackets, a carriage composed of a cross bar, perforated at or near
each end, pillows, guide-pins, abutments, flanges, and springs, a pair of vibratory
arms having each a grooved finger, a pair of levers connected to said arms, and
provided each with a hook, a pair of reciprocating rods, united by a cross bar,
a block adjustable on said cross rod, an adjustable-crank rod, and a crank; -sub-
stantially as set forth.
53. The combination with a punch and die, of a horizontally pivoted-feed-table,
and adjusting and retaining screws 98 and 99-engaging tapped holes in the bed-
plate and opposing each other; substantially as set forth.
54. The combination with a punch and die, of a feed table held by means of
screw pivots, whereby the table may be elevated or lowered at its forward end and
5- also adjusted laterally; substantially as set forth.
55. The combination with a feed-table, of the guide 104, the threaded stem, the
spring, and the nut; substantially as set forth..
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page_text: 56. The combination with a feed table, a recessed block secured thereto, the
guide 104 having flanges 110, the screw stem, the spring, and the nut; substan-
tially as set forth.
57. The combination with a feed table, a recessed block secured thereto, the
guide 104 having flanges 110, wings 111, the screw stem, the spring, and the nut ;
substantially as set forth.
58. The combination of a feed table provided with a feed roller, a feed sector,
a punch and die, means for raising and lowering the punch, means for moving the
carriage back and forth, and means for rotating said sector connected to the means
for moving the carriage and geared in a manner to produce a comparatively slow
movement of said sector, whereby the carriage may be moved back and forth a
number of times to one complete revolution of the sector; substantially as set
forth.
59. The combination with a feed table provided with a feed roller, a feed sector
mounted on a cross shaft, a carriage, a crank connected to said carriage for moving
the same back and forth, a crank shaft, and a counter shaft geared to the sector
shaft and to the crank shaft so as to be driven by the latter and in a manner to
drive the sector shaft at a less rate of speed than the crank shaft; substantially as
set forth..
60. The combination of a punch and die, a reciprocatory carriage, a feed table, a
rock-shaft, a clamping arm thereon, a spring connected at one end to a fixed piece
and at its opposite end to said clamping arm, a depending forked and slotted arm
connected to said rock shaft, a rod provided with lateral pins arranged in the slots
of said forked arm, a cam for moving said rod in one direction, and a means for
moving it in the other direction; substantially as set forth.
61. The combination of a punch and die, a reciprocatory carriage, a feed table
provided with a feed roller, a feed sector mounted on a cross shaft, a clamping arm
mounted on a rock shaft, the arms 80 mounted on said rock shaft, and the cam or
striker on the sector shaft; substantially as set forth.
62. The combination with a punch and die, of a reciprocatory carriage, a feed
table provided with a feed roller, a feed sector, a rock shaft, a clamping arm
thereon, means for holding said clamping arm raised during each forward
movement of the carriage, means for holding said clamp down during each return
movement of the carriage, and the arm 80 and cam or striker 81 for holding
up the clamp during the insertion of a fresh strip; substantially as set forth.
63. The combination with a punch and die, of a reciprocatory carriage, a feed
table, and a fixed plate 100 thereon adapted to lift the forward end of an oncoming
strip and cause it to overlie the rear end of the strip being operated upon by the
punch and die; substantially as set forth.
64. The combination with a longitudinally-slotted feed table, of a gauge 114
having a gauge finger 115, the screw 116, and nut 118; substantially as set
forth.
65. The combination of a punch and die, a feed table, a reciprocatory carriage,
the independently movable fingers thereon for engaging cuts in a strip of cards and
bringing each card successively to its proper position on said carriage, means for
then moving the said carriage while the fingers are held in engagement with said
cuts towards the punch and die, and delivering the foremost card of the strip in
proper position relatively to said punch and die, a clamp for then holding said
strip, means for then disengaging said fingers from said strip and moving them
rearwardly to co-operate with the next cuts of the strip, means for bringing down
the punch and cutting out the foremost card while the strip is held by the clamp,
meaus for returning the carriage while the last operation is taking place, and means
for raising the clamp at the completion of the cutting out. operation; substantially
as set forth.
66. The combination, in a machine for operating upon a strip containing a
plurality of cards and having a series of cuts, means for delivering the cards of the
strip successively to a reciprocating.carrier and co-operating with said cuts to
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page_text: deliver the cards of the strip at exactly the proper place on the carrier, means for
holding each said card accurately in position during the movement of the carrier,
and a cutting mechanism for removing one card at a time from the strip, substantially*
as set forth.
67. The combination, in a machine for operating upon a sheet or strip having
unequally-spaced slits or cuts, of a main carriage feed, and an independent finger
feed the combined throw or movement of the carriage feed and the finger feed:
being greater than the distance apart of said slits or cuts; substantially as set
forth.
68. The combination, in a machine for operating upon a sheet or strip having cuts..
or slits formed therein, of a stop, and a feed finger adapted to engage with each
elit or cut in the sheet or strip and move it to the said stop and cause one edge-
of the slit or cut to abut against said stop; substantially as set forth.
69. In a machine for operating upon a sheet or strip having unequally-spaced
engaging portions, and in which machine such sheet or strip has a variable feed
movement or travel, a stop or stops arranged in the path of travel of the sheet or
strip and serving to intermittently arrest the travel thereof by acting as an.
abutment to the engaging portions of the unequally-spaced and variably fed sheet
or strip; substantially as set forth.
70. In a machine for operating upon a sheet or strip having unequally-spaced
engaging portions, the combination of a stop or stops and means for intermittently
feeding the said engaging portions against said stop or stops; substantially as set
forth.
71. In a machine for operating upon a sheet or strip having unequally-spaced.
engaging portions, means for engaging said engaging portions and variably
mechanically moving or adjusting said sheet or strip so as to bring the successive
portions thereof all to a given point or locality, and means for intermittently
feeding the sheet or strip; substantially as set forth.
72. In a machine for operating upon a sheet or strip of material having-
unequally-spaced engaging portions, means for feeding the same and means for
co-operating with said engaging portions and thereby independently and variably
adjusting the sheet or strip, whereby the latter is moved varying distances and the
unequally-spaced portions thereof all brought to the same point of locality;;
substantially as set forth.
73. In a machine for operating upon a sheet or strip having unequally-spaced
engaging portions formed therein, a feeding mechanism adapted to intermittently-
engage with each engaging portion and positively advance the sheet or strip, the
said feed mechanism being constructed and arranged to engage with said engaging
portion at different points in the path of travel of the feed mechanism, and.
thereby compensate for the varying distances of the engaging portions, and.
hence automatically feed the sheet or strip variable distances and bring each
engaging portion at each advance always to the same point or locality;.
substantially as set forth.
74. The combination in a machine for operating upon a sheet or strip having.
unequally-spaced cuts or slits formed therein, of a feeding mechanism for advancing
the sheet or strip and a stop; said feeding mechanism being constructed and
arranged to advance the sheet or strip to the said stop and cause one edge of the
cut or slit to abut against said stop; substantially as set forth.
75. In a machine for operating upon a sheet or strip having unequally-spaced
cuts or slits formed therein, the combination of a feeding device adapted to bend.
the stock on one side of the slit or cut out of the plane of the sheet or strip, and to
engage the remaining edge portion of the slit or cut, and thereby move or adjust
the sheet or strip; substantially as set forth.
76. In a machine for operating upon a sheet or strip having unequally-spaced
cuts or slits formed therein, the combination of a yielding bed or support, a
feeding device adapted to bend the stock on one side of the slit or cut out of the

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plane of the sheet or strip and to engage the remaining edge of the slit or
cut and move or adjust the sheet or strip, and a stop to serve as an abutment to
the bent edge of the slit or cut and thus arrest the movement of the sheet or
strip; substantially as set forth.
Dated: M. 1900
FELL & JAMES,
Agents for the Applicant.