Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 6th July, 1887
Specification Accepted, 2nd Mar., 1888
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be perforined, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
or
from a
The invention comprises the arrangement in an organized machine of mechanism
devices for feeding the nail or tack-plates or blanks in successive order
stack or magazine to a second or separate feed mechanism or device,
which in turn advances them to the punching devices which form parallel diagonal
slots or holes across the plate, to devices which operate to sever the tack or nail-
blank or plate into two complete tack or nail strips.
The invention comprises a magazine arranged to hold a number of tack-plates or
blanks in stack, the magazine feed, or mechanism for advancing the blanks or plates
in successive order from the machine; the secondary feed, or devices for advancing
the plate or blank to the punching, heading and severing devices, which two feeds are
simultaneously operated from a common actuating device. A spring presser adapted
to bear upon the blank or plate as it enters the feed-way of the machine from the
magazine to hold and guide it, a reciprocating punch which is operated by a cam, and
which has a stripping device attached, a blank or plate clamp, and a gang of heading tools
upon each side of the feed-way, each of which comprises a slitting tool and spreading
tool, and a header attached to a common head, which gangs are provided with simul-
taneous movements towards and from each other, and operated after the plate or block has
been clamped, and a severing device comprising two gangs of cutters arranged to be
moved simultaneously towards and from each other, and adapted to sever or separate
the headed blank or plate into two complete tack-strips by their successive action, and

page_text: a device for horning and guiding the two strips as they are moved to the severnig
mechanism. The plate or blank is prepared for the operation of the machine by
having notches or serrations cut in each edge in regular order, to make projections
which are upset to form the heads of the connected tacks which subsequently compose
the two tack-strips.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved machine.
Figure 2 is a plan view thereof.
Figure 3 is a left end elevation, the magazine being removed.
Figure 4 is a vertical section lengthwise the magazine and parts adjacent thereto,
showing a stack of blanks or plates in the magazine.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the feed dog.
Figure 6 is a section upon the line ac of figure 2, representing particularly the
stand carrying the punching mechanism, and the cam and connecting devices for
operating it.
Figure 7 is a view in vertical section, enlarged, to still further show the construction
of the punching devices.
Figure 8 is a view in perspective of a part of the devices for providing the feed-
rod with a reciprocating movement.
Figure 9 shows in perspective the connection between the reciprocating feed-rol
and the feeding mechanism for feeding tack-strips or blanks from the magazine.
Figure 10 is a view in perspective of one of the feed-dogs adapted to enter the slot
in the tack-blank and feed the blank forward.
Figure 11 is a view in vertical section upon the lines yy of figure 2, to show the
head centering or clamping tools and devices and their operating cams and connecting
mechanism.
Figure 12 is a vertical section, enlarged, through the blank-clamps parallel to the
line of feed.
Figure 13 is a view in vertical section, enlarged, representing the position of the
blank-heading tools in relation to the blank clamps.
Figure 14 is a plan view showing one group of heading tools and the reciprocating
head to which they are secured.
Figure 15 represents in elevation the ends of the heading tools and the relation
which they bear to each other, to the block supporting them, and to the feed-way.
Figure 16 is a view in vertical section, enlarged, of the shears or devices for
separating the blank into two strips.
Figure 17 is a vertical section through the stand carrying the shears.
Figure 18 represents the various operations of the machine upon a blank.
Figure 19 is a view in section illustrating the operation of the devices for severing
the blank into two complete tack-strips.
Fig. 20 is a view in section, illustrating the operation of the devices for severing
the blank into two complete tack strips.
Figure 21 is a view in perspective of a section of the blank representing one step
in the process of forming the head.
Figure 22 is also a perspective view of a portion of a blank strip showing the
complete head.
Figure 23 is an enlarged view in longitudinal section to represent the position
which the two groups of shears bear to each other and to the nail-plate or blank in
their operation of dividing it into two strips.
Figure 24 is a view in perspective of one of the upper groups of shears.
Figure 25 is a view in perspective of one of the lower groups of shears.
Figure 26 is a plan view of one of the upper groups of shears, inverted.
Figure 27 is a plan view of one of the lower group of shears.
Figure 28 is a modified view of parts represented in figure 12.
Figure 29 is a view of the nail blank, part of it being notched with the V-shaped
projections, another part having their projections upset so as to form heads, and
another part being subsequently slotted or punched as hereinafter described.

page_text: Before proceeding with the description of the various parts of the machine I would
give a brief statement of its operation, in order that the various devices and the time
of their operation, and the character of the work which they do, may be better
understood.
The prepared tack, or nail-blanks or plates are placed in the magazine at the end
of the machine, from this they are advanced from the bottom of the stack in successive
order through a narrow aperturo into the feed-way of the machine by a feed roll in
the shape of a pinion or gear, which meshes with the serrations upon the edge of the
plate or blank. The plate is by this feed, which I have called a magazine feed,
advanced to a second feed dog, or feed in front of the punching mechanism, which
automatically lays hold of the blank or plate, and by a four-motion movement
advances it to the punching mechanism, which forms the diagonal slots or holes
therein. It is then fed forward from the slotting mechanism by the said feed,
and by additional feeding devices or dogs, to a position between two clamping plates
which have vertical movements to and from each other, and two gangs of heading
tools which have horizontal movements towards and from each other, the combined
motion of which is to centre and hold firmly the plate or blank while the heads are
being simultaneously formed upon the edge of the blank. The plate is then advanced
to the severing tools, which are arranged in two gangs, and one of which has a vertical
movement, and is separated into two complete tack strips with sharp-pointed prongs
or shanks.
Of course it will be understood that the tack-plate or blank in its movement through
the feed-way of the machine has an intermittent advancing movement, that is, it is
stationary during the operation of the punching, the heading tools, and the severing
devices, and it is then moved to bring other parts of the plate or blank into position
to be operated upon. Also that the movement of the plates or blanks through the
machine is continuous, a constant line of blanks or plates being fed forward with this
intermittent movement. Also that the operation of the various devices upon the plates
or blanks takes place simultaneously, that is, the punching of the slots, clamping
and heading; and the severing of the headed blank or plate into tack-strips, are
simultaneous operations taking place upon different parts of one or more blanks or
plates.
in the drawings A represents the base or frame of the machine, B B are bearings
thereon, which carry the main or cam shaft C. This shaft has a fly-wheel C, fast
and loose pulleys CC, and the various cams will be described in connection with the
tools which they operate. As the operation of the machine is continuous there is no
necessity for stop-motion. A bracket or stand D, fastened to the base A carries or
supports the magazine hereinafter described, the punch and die for forming the
diagonal slots in the blank or plate, and both the magazine feed and the secondary feed
mechanism. The die-holder K is well shown in figures 4 and 7. It supports the
cutting die K, and is secured in a recess or socket in the stand D by a set screw or in
any other usual way. The die K' is made of steel or other suitable metal, is quite
thin and easily formed in quantities, and is inexpensive. Above the die-holder K is
the punch K and presser and stripper K². The punch K is secured to the punch-
holder K³ by a set-screw K. The body of the set-screw outside of the holder fitting
and moving in a slot formed in the presser and stripper K2, so as to permit additional
movement of the punch when the stripper and presser is moved upon or brought in
contact with the upper surface of the tack-plate or blank, to press it against and hold
it in the die-plate.
I would here say that the tack-plate or blank is fed flat-wise through the machine,
so that the punch is provided with a vertical movement, the heading tools with
horizontal movements, and the severing device with a vertical movement in relation to
it, and that there extends from the magazine through the machine a feed-way of proper
width to receive and guide the tack-plate or blank in its passage.
The portion of the set screw K extending from the punch-holder K³, is fitted to
and moves in the slot in the die-holder K, so as to always hold the punch at the proper
angle to enter the die. The presser and stripper K³ is fitted to the die-holder K³, so

page_text: .
as to be movable thereon, and a powerfal spring K', is arranged above it to bear
against the under surface of the cross-head D, which carries or supports the die-
holder and the upper surface of the presser and stripper K, to hold the pressor or
stripper with a strong but yielding pressure, so that in use, when the punch is not in
the act of forming a slot in the nail-blank or plate, the under or working surface of
the presser or stripper extends below the working surface of the punch and serves to
perform the functions, first, upon the downward movement of the cross-head carrying
the punch-holder and punch to close upon and come in contact with the upper surface
of the tack-plate or blank before the punch strikes it, in order that it may be firmly
held upon the die-plate before the punch begins operations; and, second, upon the reverse
movement of the punch-holder or punch it remains stationary upon the tack-plate
or blank during the first part of the upward movement of the punch, or until the
lower surface of the punch has been moved beyond its lower surface, so that it then
acts as a holder or stripper in holding the tack-plate or blank, and stripping it from
the punch as the punch moves upwardly.
The cross-head D' supporting or carring the punch-holder is reciprocated by the
cam D on the main shaft C, the block or connection D3 which has a cam pin
entering a cam groove in the cam dise and the rods or slides D³, connecting the
cross-head D with the said block D³ (see figures 4, 6 and 7). There is formed in
the die-holder K a horizontal hole, preferably in the forin of an arch, and which
forms a part of the feed-way of the machine. This is represented in figure 4. The
cam D for operating the punch, and the cam G for operating the shears, are the
same in construction and time, and have alternate periods of rest and motion, and are
adapted to give to their cross-heads two full reciprocations for every complete
revolution of the cam shaft.
the
which
The various feeding devices are operated by a common actuating rod H³,
extends lengthwise the machine, and has a reciprocating movement in
bearings HH, and the rod is reciprocated or moved forward by the same cam
groove which operates the punch, and it is so connected with said cam that it is
operated or moved when the punch is at rest, so that when the punch is at its highest
position and at rest the cam serves to move the feed-rod forward, and the feed-rol by
its various connections with the tack plates or blanks hereinafter specified feeds them.
It then comes to rest, while the punch descends, and while the punch is stationary
at the end of its downward movement the rod is moved back again to again cause the
feeding devices to engage the tack-blanks or plates; and of course the operation of
the heading devices and of the severing mechanism is in unison with the movements
of the punch and of the feed.
The rod is connected with the cam-groove in D₁ by means of a can-pin on the
lever H, the rocker shaft H' having the bearing H2 and the lever H³, the lever H
carrying at its upper end the block H, which has a cam-groove H, in its upper
surface, and which is secured to the lever H3 so as to be turned upon a vertical pivot
or axis to move its can-groove H into any desired angle or position in relation to
the movement or oscillation of the lever H³, and this block is adapted to be fastened
in such position to the lever H³ by a set-screw.
The rod H has a connection or arm H', secured to it between the collars H H³, so
that the rod is free to revolve in the arm H', but any reciprocating movement given
to the arm H' is communicated to the rod H by the collars H* H*. The arin H
forms the connection between the feed-rod H and the block H, and it has a roll or
rounded end H, that fits the cam-groove in the block H', so that upon the oscillating
movement of the lever H³ the cam-groove in the block H' causes the arm H' to be
moved forward and backward, thereby communicating like movements to the rod H
To steady the arm H', or to prevent its turning, I have secured thereto a plate which
extends horizontally between the pins H" H", of course the length of the movement
of reciprocation of the rod H will depend upon the angle to which the cam-groove
in the block H* is set, and by turning it upon its vertical pivot the extent of this
movement can be easily varied to any desired degree.
It is not only necessary to provide the feed-rod H' with reciprocating movement

page_text: but it must also have a partial rotation as well. This movement is necessary for the
purpose of moving the feed dogs upward to enter the slots in the plate or blank, and
downward to disengage then after they have been moved forward to assist in feeding
the blank; and it is provided by the lever I (see figure 3) which is firmly fixed to the
feed-rod H, by the set screw 1', and which extends horizontally therefrom under
the feed-way, and is adapted to carry the serrated spring or yielding feed-dog 1 (see
figure 5) which is adapted to engage the head forming projections on the tack-blank
or plate, and to assist in feeding it, as will hereinafter be explained. This lever I has
at its outer end a hole i, which receives the lower end of the strong spring I, and the
upper end of the said spring is fixed in one of the slides D, carrying the punch
cross-head D¹.
It follows from this construction that when the cross-head is raised, lifting the
punch K from a tack plate or blank, it lifts the end of the lever I, causing it to
partially rotate the rod Ho, and moves the dog I upward to engage the edges of the
tack-plate or blank, and the other feed dogs which enter the slots or holes in the
tack-plate or blank arranged in front of, or beyond, the punching mechanism, and
in front of the heating devices, and upon the forward movement of the rod H° the
lover moves with it, its connection with the spring 1, permitting it to be thus moved,
Upon the descent of the cross-head D' and the punch, the end of the lever I is moved
downward, and the rod H³ is rotated in an opposite direction, moving the feed dogs
and downward, and the rod H', lever I and their connections are then moved
backward upon their lower level to their original position. The feed-dog I has a
yielding movement in relation to the lever I. The lever has a hole of sufficient size
to receive a spindle extending downward from the dog 12 (see Figures 4 and 5) and
a coiled spring which surrounds the spindle and moves the dog upwardly from the
lever, a pin in the spindle or other means, limiting the extent of their upward
movement.
It follows from this construction that upon the upward movement of the lever I,
and of the dog, if the projections upon the tack plate or blank in the feed-way above
the dog are not in line with the serrations of the feed-dog that the feed-log will
become stationary upon contact with the under surface of the plate, and will permit.
the continued upward movement of the lever I; but upon a slight horizontal move-
ment of the rod H the dog is moved sufficiently to bring its projections into line with
the notches or serrations of the plate, and the spring then serves to automatically move
it upward to engage them.
I have represented three feed-dogs which enter the slots in the plate or blank and
they are lettered I, I, I' and are of such length that they enter the slots before the
punch and other tools that pass through the blank or plate are fully withdrawn from
it, so that after the blank or plate is once engaged by these dogs it is held rigidly in
place in the feed-way; and to disengage them the spring or connection must be sprung
or removed from the end of the lever I when the cross-head D is in its highest
position, and the feed dogs can then be moved by turning the rod H³ to disengage
them from the slots of the plate or blank.
The magazine (see Figures 1, 2, and 4) comprises a box of proper size to receive
100 or more tack-plates or blanks and it is attached to the stand D. At the lower
front corner of this magazine there is formed an opening of sufficient size to permit
one tack-blank or plate to rest on the bottom of the magazine and to pass through,
and it is, in fact, the beginning of the feed-way of the machine. To advance or feed
the blanks or plates from the magazine automatically I have arranged near the front
end of the box a serrated or notched delivery wheel J arranged to extend the
thickness of one plate or blank above the bottom of the magazine, and so that
the teeth shall extend into it sufficiently far to mesh with or enter the serrations on the
edge of the tack-plate or blank (see Figure 9). This wheel J' is carried by a shaft J³,
being secured thereto by the nuts and washers J' which form a frictional connection.
This shaft J carries a ratchet wheel J which is moved or rotated with an intermittent
movement by the reciprocating feed-dog or pawl 18 carried and operated by the feed-
rod H (see Figure 9). This feed dog or pawl is connected with the feed-rod H by

page_text: the collars I and it has therefore only the reciprocating movement of the feed-rod H
given it, the feed-rod being free to rotate or turn in the end of the feed-dog or pawl.
The end of the arm or pawl Is extends through a slot under the magazine, and it is
supported by the under surface thereof as represented in Figure 4.
It will be noticed that so long as one tack-blank or plate is engaged with the feed-
wheel J, and until its rear end has passed into the feed-way, the blank or plate above
the magazine cannot drop down to engage the teeth of the feed-wheel; also that the
feed-wheel will not operate to feed the lowermost blank or plate immediately above it,
if it should accidentally engage it, if there is any obstruction, as it is only held to its
shaft by sufficient friction to permit it to move a plate or blank when the feed-way is
open. The magazine feed delivers the blanks or plates to the yielding feed-log I'
above described, and this feed-dog operates not only to receive the blanks or plates in
successive order from the magazine and to advance them to the punching mechanism,
and to the feed dogs in advance thereof, but it also adjusts the position of the head-
forming portions of the blank or plate in relation to the punch and die so as to always
feed the blank or plate to the punching mechanism in such a manner as to bring the
slots into right relative position to the head-forming projections of the blank or plate.
There is arranged in the feed-way of the machine to form the portions of its under
surface at the point where the feed-dog 12 engages the plate or blank a section or
stripper I which serves to hold the plate or blank from being drawn downward by
the dog 1. Of course this must be sufficiently narrow to permit the jaws of the
dog I to move on each side of it.
The magazine has a movable end J2, whereby its longth may be adjusted to the
lengths of the plates or blanks used, for it is necessary that the forward or front end
of each blank or plate should be in a position to immediately enter the feed-way to
follow the preceding blank or plate without break.
Between the forward end of the magazine and the die holder is placed a spring
presser foot J which is held downward with sufficient pressure to hold the tack-plate
or blank in the feed-way while it is being fed by the dog to the punch and die, so
that it is properly guided through the feed-way to them. While the presser-foot will
permit this positive movement of the plate or blank it is held down by a spring
sufficiently to cause it to hold a tack-plate or blank stationary against the feeding
action of the magazine feed, when it happens that the magazine feed has advanced it
to that point without the feed-dog I engaging it, so that it cannot be advanced beyond
the presser-foot by the magazine feed alone and it is held thereby until the feed-dog 12
positively engages it as before explained.
There is also arranged upon each side of the feed-way at this point the guide pieces
or plates D, De which direct the forward end of the blanks or plates to the arch or
passage in the die-holder K. The blank or plate as the slots are punched therein is
moved forward or advanced by the action of the feed between the guide-plates D', Dº
to the centreing clamping and heading devices arranged upon the stand B. The
centreing clamps or plates M, N are formed as shewn in Figures 11 and 12, and they
are adapted to be closed by the cross-head F¹, F the cross-head F¹ being moved by
connecting rods F2 and the cain-groove F7 in the cam on the shaft C, and the cross-
head F by the rod or slide F, arranged to slide in the part F, and driven by the said
cam-groove F. The slides F and F are each connected with the cam-groove by
cam-pins F pivotted in opposite parts of the cam, and so that its revolution causes
the clamping surfaces M and N to nove simultaneously toward or from each other,
according as the plate or blank is clamped or released. Two sets of heading tools are
employed, one to operate upon each edge of the blank or plate. Each set comprises
the tool 02, for slightly splitting the head forming projection, the tool 03 for flattening
to a certain extent the split portion, and the tool for completing the formation of
the head. They are each mounted upon a cross-head or slide 0, and are given simul-
taneous movements towards and from each other, and the tack-plate by means of a
cam-groove Es, on the shaft (and the levers E3 which are pivotted at E'. A feed-
way formed by the guide-plates E³ extends from the heading devices to the shears or
severing devices which are mounted upon the stand G and there is placed in the feed-

page_text: way a yielding elevating device E which serves to lift the plates or blanks as they
move or are fed to the final operation for the purposes hereinafter indicated.
The shearing devices or cutters I have represented as embodied in two gangs or
groups the upper gang Q, and the lower gang P; and they are arranged to cut or
sever by a diagonal cut the sections of the plate or blank between the punched slots
therein to form the shanks of the tack-strip. This cut extends from the corner end of
one slot diagonally to the corner end of the next adjacent slot (see Figure 18). The
shears are arranged so that the first set serve to partially sever this shank-forming
section of the plate or blank, the second set increases this cut, the third set increases
to a still further extent the shearing operation, and the fourth set completes the shearing
action; but of course the four sets are simultaneously operating, so that at each
reciprocation of the heads carrying the shears one complete cut across the blank or
plate is made. The reason for forming the cut by the successive action of a gang of
cutters is that it corrects any variation in the pitch of the strip second, that it
prevents abrupt or severe strain upon the blank or plate which may tend to weaken
the connecting webs of the strip; third the wear and strain upon the shears is
lessened; fourth, we are enabled to use the last set of shears additionally as devices
for strengthening the strips. The lower group P of the shears are held by a box or
form P fixed in the stand G as shewn in Figures 16 and 17, and a set screw serves
to bind together in this box or form the lower parts of these shears.
Each shear comprises a blade that is adapted to enter a slot in the tack blank or
plate, and a recess for receiving the blade of the opposite shear. Each also has a
cutting-edge and a face between the blade and slot of the same shape as the shank of
the rack it is intended to form.
The cutting edges of the shears vary in position, the first set being the lowest or
farthest removed from each other, the second set being somewhat nearer the ends of
the blades, the third being still nearer, and the fourth being farthest out. This makes
the first blades the longest in the series and the last blades the shortest.
The lower set. P of the shears are stationary, the upper set Q, are provided with a
reciprocating movement by mechanism hereinafter described.
It follows from this description of the construction that upon the feed of the headed
plate or blank to the shears, on the downward movement of the upper gang the blades
of the upper set enter the slots in the blank or plate, and their cutting edges come in
contact with the upper surface thereof, and move the plate or blank downward,
causing the blades of the lower set to enter their respective slots, and the tack-plate
or blank to be moved downward until its cutting edges come in contact with the
shears. As the cutting edges are so placed as to gradually increase the depth of the
cut, it follows that the first set of shears will make hardly more than a mark
or a line upon both sides of the metal, the second set will deepen these cuts, the
third set almost, but not quite severs it, and the fourth completes the operation of
the device and completely separates the metal into two tack-blanks.
It will also be seen that each blade of each set of shears enters the hole in its
opposite shear before the cutting edges come in contact with the surface of the metal
to cut it, so that the shears are supported at their outer ends during their cutting
action. It will be seen also that the blade receiving holes of the lower shears
extend to waste holes, which are adapted to receive dust and other matter falling
into the recess.
It is obvious that the tack-plate or blank must be removed from the blades of the
lower shears before it can be fed. This is accomplished by making the blades of
the upper shears, which are otherwise the same as the lower, about twice as long
as the lower, and by causing them, to fit the slots they are intended to enter a
little tighter so that the first motion of the cross-head draws the blank off the lower
blades, the upper blades are removed from the blank by providing these guiding
plates E' with the extensions which project over the side edges of the blank or plate
to thereby serve to hold the blank or plate from being moved upward while the blades
are being withdrawn.

page_text: The blank or plate elevating or lifting spring E assists somewhat in holding the
blank or plate up over the lower shear while it is being fed slowly forward, but it may
be dispensed with when the machine is running at speed.
Beyond the shears there is arranged a guide-way G which is separated into two
parts by the spring-plate G. This spring plate extends towards the severing
mechanism and serves to keep the two tack-strips as they are made, separated from
each other, so that one is caused to pass over it and the other beneath it as represented
in Figure 16.
The cross-head G is reciprocated by the cam-groove in the cam-disc upon the
sluft C, and lower cross-head G³, which has a cam-pin entering the cam groove of
the said cam, and the slide rods G².
To operate the machine the magazine is filled with prepared blanks or plates, that
is, blanks or plates having notched edges, and the end J* adjusted so that the blanks
have no longitudinal movement. Upon the starting of the machine the magazine
feed advances the lowermost blank with an intermittent movement, and upon the
forward end of the strip coming over the feed-dog I it is engaged thereby and fed
forward under the presser to the punching mechanism, which forms diagonal slots
across the same, and to a feed-dog adapted to enter a slot thus formed and engage the
blank, and assist in feeding it onward with an intermittent movement, to the heading
devices where the plate or blank is firmly clamped and centred between the two jaws
or clamping surfaces and while thus held is subjected to the action of the heading
devices, which are simultaneously moved against cach edge of the plate or blank to
operate upon the head-forming projections thereol, as above indicated. Upon the
withdrawal of the heading devices and release of the clamp the plate or blank is
advanced as before, another feed-dog entering a slot in advance of the heading
devices, and feeding the strip to the severing mechanism, which operates to cut
the plate or blank into two complete tack-strips; and the movement of the blanks
from the magazine is practically continuous, so that the machine is simultaneously
operated on one or more strips, punching one section thereof, heading another, and
. separating it into two complete tack-strips.
We would not be understood as limiting ourselves to the especial details of
construction herein specified; for instance in lieu of a gang of heading tools or
devices there may be used heading implements or tools which will form the head
at one operation; and instead of the multiple shear there may be used a single
one. As many of the auxiliary feed-dogs for feeding the tack-plate or blank may
be used as desired. The clamps and centreing plates M N, may have spacing
plates or extensions arranged to enter the slots of the tack-plate or blank when
the clasps are closed thereon, to assist in preventing the plate or blank from being
extended longitudinally during the heading operation.
We would say that blanks may be punched, or provided with cross-slots before
they are placed in the magazine, in which case of course they would be fed from the
magazine directly to the heading wechanism.
It will be seen that the shears or each section thereof, comprising the upper and
under shear, act upon the shank-forming part of the tack-plate or blank while it is
held confined as it were in a box, that is, confined so far as its side edges, top
and bottom are concerned, by the sides of the tongues of the shears, and by the
surfaces of the dies.
Instead of employing the three steps above described in making the mail or tack-
strip, in some cases I divide them. I take the blank after its edges have been
serrated and then head it with or without first splitting the V-shaped projections
using heading tools similar to those described, and afterwards punching the slots so
as to form the bars which are to be sheared and make the two comb tack strips. If
the V-shaped projections are headed before the slots are cut, as shewn in Figure 29,
it is of course necessary to clamp the strip securely and the clamps may form the
anvils upon which the lead is made. The blanks thus beaded and slotted are to be
sheared in a machine specially contrived for the purpose.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is.
1st. In a tack-strip making machine a magazine for holding a number of tack-plates
or blanks, and means as specified for feeding them in successive order therefrom to
tack-strip feeding devices, substantially as described.
2nd. The combination in a tack-strip making machine, of a punching device for
forming slots in a tack-plate or blank, a heading mechanism for forming heads upon
the edges of said blank, and shears for separating the headed blank or plate into two
complete strips, substantially as described.
3rd. The combination in a tack-strip making machine, of a punching device for.
forming slots in a tack-plate or blank, a heading mechanism for forming heads upon
the edges of said blank and shears for separating the headed blanks or plates into two
complete tack-strips and appropriate feeding mechanism for advancing the strip'
with an intermittent movement from one set of devices to another, substantially
as described.
4th. The combination in a tack-strip making machine of an automatic feeding
mechanism for feeding tack-plates or blanks automatically and in successive order
to the tack-strip making device, a reciprocating punch for forming slots in said plate
or blank, heading mechanism or devices arranged to be simultaneously operated upon
each edge of the plate or blank, severing or shearing mechanism for dividing the plate
or blank into two complete strips and an intermittent feed for advancing the plate or
blank from the punching mechanism to the heading and severing devices substantially
as described.
5th. The combination in a tack-strip making machine of a feed-way, an
intermittent feed, and two head-forming devices adapted to be simultaneously
operated to produce or form heads upon each edge of the plate or blank, substantially
as described.
6th. In a tack-strip making machine, the combination of a feed-way with a
tack-heading device, arranged upon each edge of the feed-way, and adapted to
be operated to form heads upon each edge of a tack-plate, substantially as
described.
7th. The combination in a tack-strip making machine, of an intermittent feed, a feed-
way and a shearing or severing mechanism of the character specified for separating a
blank or plate into two strips by a diagonal cut by means of two shears, substantially:
as described.
8th. The combination in a tack-strip making machine, of a feed-way an intermittent
feed, the shearing devices for cutting the blank or plate into two strips, and a separator
plate for holding the tack strips separated as they leave the shears, substantially as
described.
9th. The combination in a tack-strip making machine, of a feed-way, an intermittent
feed, and the two gangs or groups of shearing devices PQ, substantially as
described.
10th. The combination in a tack-strip making machine of the feed-way an inter-
mittent feed, a tack-blank or plate, clamp, and two heading devices arranged to be
operated upon each edge of the tack-strip while held by the clamps, substantially as
described.
11th. In a tack-strip making machine, the feed-deg I having teeth as described
and provided with four-motion feed movements, substantially as described.
12th. The combination of the magazine with a feed-wheel the teeth of which enter
the magazine space sufficiently to engage the edge of the lowermost tack-plate or blank
held therein, and mechanism for providing the wheel with an intermittent rotation,
substantially as described.
13th. In a tack-strip making machine, the feed-wheel J, having an intermittent
movement and secured to its shaft in a manner to permit the movement of the shaft
B
:
.

page_text: therein when it is required to prevent the feed of a blank or plate, substantially as
described.
14th. The combination of the dog 12 the feed-way of the machine, and the stripper I¹º
substantially as described.
15th. The combination of the feed-way of the machine, an intermittent feed, the
presser foot J, substantially as described.
16th. The combination of the magazine for holding plates or blanks in stack, a feed-
wheel as specified for advancing them in continuous order therefrom, a secondary feed
of the character indicated for engaging the blanks after they have left the magazine,
and for presenting them to the punching mechanism with said punching meclianism
substantially as described.
17th. The combination of the feed-way of the machine, the intermittent foed,
the tack blank die and punch, the cross head supporting the same, and a cam
for providing it with alternate periods of rest and movement, substantially as
described.
18th. The combination in a tack-strip making machine, of an intermittent feed, the
slides E the heading tool or tools carried the:eby, a cam, and the connecting levers E³
substantially as described.
19th. The combination of the feed-way of the machine the clamps M N, a cam
constructed substantially as specified to. cause the clamps to be moved to open and
close them, and to be held stationary while open and while closed, and devices
substantially as described for connecting the cam with the said clamps M N, all as set
forth.
20th. The combination of the feed-way of the machine an intermittent feed, a cross
head G', supporting shearing mechanism and a cam and connecting devices, substantially
as described.
and an
21st. The combination of the rod H' and mechanism for providing it with
alternate periods of rest and motion comprising the oscillating lever H³ a cam for
operating it, and the adjustable block H having a cross-slot formed therein,
arm connecting said rod H' with said cross-slot, substantially as
22nd. The combination of the feed rod H³, having reciprocating movements
substantially as specified, with the lever I the slide D2, the connection I, and feed-
dogs carried or operated by said rod HP, substantially as described.
described.
23rd. The combination in a tack-strip making machine, of the following instru-
mentalities: First the magazine for holding tack plates or blanks in stack, and a feed
for advancing them in successive order therefrom: Second, the feed-way of the machine,
adapted to connect the magazine with punching devices beading mechanism and shears
and an intermittent feed operated therein for advancing plates or blanks with an
intermittent movement to the said devices: Third a reciprocating punch for forming
diagonal slots in the blank or plate, intermittingly operated: Fourth, heading devices
for simultaneously forming heads upon each edge of the plate or blank and clamps
for holding the blank during the operation of the said head forming devices: fifth,
separating devices for separating the blank or plate into two complete tack-strips;
sixth, the main shaft C, and cams thereon for operating the shears, the clamps, the
heading devices, the punch and the feed, and providing them with the alternate
periods of movement and rest specified, substantially as described.
24th. The shearing devices, comprising a gang of shears Q, each of which has a
tongue, a shearing surface or edge and a recess, with a gang of shears P, also having
tongues, shearing edges or surfaces, and recesses, all substantially as and for the
purposes described.
25th. The shearing device, comprising a gang Q of shears, having shearing
edges or surfaces arranged upon different levels, in combination with a gang P
of shears having shearing edges arranged upon different levels adapted to
cooperate with the first named, substantially as specified and for the purposes
described.

page_text: 26th. The gang Q of shears, having shearing edges or surfaces, tongue recesses,
and tongues shorter than the tongues of their opposing shears, substantially as
described.
27th. A pair of shears each comprising a tongue, a shearing surface or edge by
the side of the tongue, and a recess adapted for conjoint operation substantially
as described.
28th. The combination of the feed-way of the machine, the stationary group P, of
shears having tongue recesses, shearing edges or surfaces and tongues with a
reciprocating gang Q of shears having tongues longer than the tongues of
the stationary group, shearing surfaces or edges, and recesses substantially as
described.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.