Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for Bending or Curling the Edges of Sheet Metal, and for Wiring such Edges, and for Straightening the Wire Employed in such Wining, and for Feeding Lengths of Wire to the Wiring Mechanism.
Year: 1885

page_text: Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for Bending or Curling
the Edges of Sheet Metal, and for Wiring such Edges, and
for Straightening the Wire Employed in such Wining, and
for Feeding Lengths of Wire to the Wiring Mechanism.
AVA
for Feeding Lengths of Wire to the Wiring Mechanism.
I, DANIEL SMITH, Junior, of Raglan Street, Wolverhampton in the County
of Stafford, engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has for its object to improve and supplement the mechanism
forming an invention for which I applied for a patent on the 28th day of March
A.D. 1885, N° 3,959, under the title of "Improvements in machinery employed in
the manufacture of sheet metal travelling trunks, and cash, deed, and other boxes,
and other receptacles."
In employing the machinery described in the specification accompanying my said
former application, it was in contemplation to curl, or curl and wire, one edge only
of the metal sheet, or two parallel edges, but it is frequently desired to curl, or
curl and wire, edges of sheet metal at right angles one to another. This purpose is
effected, according to the present invention, by employing in conjunction with the
vice or holder described in my said former specification, a loose packing-piece,
formed preferably so as to be adjustable as to its length without altering its
thickness. For this purpose, the packing-piece is formed in two parts, each part
baving parallel prongs or teeth formed to slide between the corresponding prongs
on the opposite part. These prongs or teeth, and the parts of the packing-piece to
which their roots or bases are attached, are of one uniform thickness throughout,
and thus, as the prongs are pulled outwards or pushed inwards between one
another, the total length of the packing-piece varies though its thickness through-
out remains uniform. When a sheet metal edge is to be curled at right angles to
an edge already curled, or at right angles to two parallel edges already curled, the
packing-piece is laid upon the sheet metal and adjusted as to length so as not to
bear upon the curled edge or edges, and the moving die or tool of the vice or
holder is tightened down upon the packing-piece, which is of course of a thickness
to stand above the edge or edges already curled, and thus firmly holds the sheet
while the edge thereof is being curled without bearing upon the edge or edges
already curled.

page_text: In order that the packing-piece may not be pushed too far between the moving
and fixed dies of the vice, so as to project in front thereof, lugs or stops may be
carried at the back of such packing-piece so as to come against the back edge of
the vice when the packing-piece has been pushed sufficiently far in.
When the edge is to be wired as well as curled, fingers are carried through the
packing-piece, but so as not to pass through the prongs when such are used. These
fingers are pressed, by means of springs, through the edge or face of the packing-
piece which is towards the sheet metal edge to be wired, and, when the wire is
placed in position for being curled into the sheet metal edge, the ends of the
fingers prevent such wire from rolling out of position during the curling operation,
but give backwards to such curling operation themselves as the curled or partially
curled edge presses against them.
When a packing-piece, as aforesaid, is employed, the moving die or tool of the
vice or holder requires to be set back from the face of the fixed die or tool thereof,
for the thickness of the packing-piece, from its position in relation thereto when
the packing-piece is not used; and for this purpose I employ an eccentric-pin or
pins in any convenient part of the gearing giving motion to such moving die or
tool, so that one half turn of such pin or pins will move the moving die or tool the
required distance, either from or towards the fixed die according to whether
the packing-piece is employed or not; or any convenient means may be employed
for altering the relative position of the dies. In order to prevent the chance of the
packing-piece being inserted without the eccentric pins being turned or other
means being made use of for altering the relative position of the dies to allow for
the thickness of the packing-piece between the dies, the packing-piece may be
carried by lever arms or other mechanism so that, as it is placed in position
between the vice dies, mechanism for altering the relative position of the dies is
actuated automatically thereby.
In employing the machinery described in the specification accompanying my said
former application, for the purpose of wiring the edges of sheet metal, it was in
contemplation to feed the lengths of wire to the wiring mechanism by hand.
Now, according to this invention, I apply to such mechanism a self-acting apparatus
for feeding the lengths of wire. According to one modification of this part of my
invention, lengths of wire are placed in a hopper or receptacle from the bottom of
which a shoot or spout passes to the top of a horizontally rotating cylinder or
frame having notches or pockets therein to carry the wires from the shoot and
deliver them to the wiring mechanism. The shoot is formed of the width of the
length of the wires, and the wires pass down such shoot in a horizontal position.
As a pocket upon the rotating cylinder comes below the mouth of the shoot, the
bottom wire therein (and which would have been previously resting upon the top
of the cylinder) drops into the pocket, and is carried round within a case sur-
rounding the cylinder, until it comes opposite to an opening in the case through
which it falls down an inclined part on the upper edge of the curling tool, or in
other convenient manner, on to the initially curled edge of the sheet, after which it
is curled into such edge as described in my said former specification. The rotating
motion of the cylinder may result from the raising of the vertical die described in
my said former specification as employed in producing the initial curl or bend on
the edge of the sheet, or any convenient means may be adopted for rotating the
cylinder so that a wire shall always be delivered at the proper time.
Two or more revolving cylinders or frames and shoots and hoppers may be
employed, if desired, for different lengths of wire.
The shoot (or shoots if more than one is employed) may be formed so that one
side may be adjusted to or from the other to suit different diameters of wire; and
pieces of the wire or other pieces may be hung inside the ends of the shoot to make
it of an interior size suitable for shorter lengths of wire than those for which it
may have been originally constructed.
An escapement may be employed in lieu of a cylinder, if desired, acting so that
as one arm passes from under the bottom wire in the shoot and allows it to drop

page_text: into position in the wiring mechanism, another arm passes under the wire imme-
diately above and thus holds the column of wires in the shoot until the first-
mentioned arm comes into position under the shoot, when the second-mentioned
arm passes from under the column and allows such column to drop upon the
first-mentioned arm, and so on as before.
The mechanism for straightening the wire employed for the purpose above-
described, consists of a frame having a hole at each end through which the coil of
wire is led, and a revolving frame revolving concentrically with the axis of the holes
in the first-mentioned frame, but with the wire passing through a hole therein
eccentric from such axis. The wire is drawn through the frames by means of
nippers carried upon a block which is moved forwards to draw the wire by means
of a quick-threaded screw or other convenient means, and returned again, pre-
ferably, by means of a weight or spring. The action of the revolving frame and
eccentric hole therethrough takes out any twists or bends in the wire and thus
straightens it. When a sufficient length of wire has been drawn through, the wire
is cut off by means of a shear arm or pair of shears, carried upon the outer face of
the nipper block and either at the outward or inward stroke of the block, or in
other convenient manner, so as to leave sufficient length of wire projecting through
the frames to be taken hold of by the nippers for drawing another length of wire.
The lengths of wire may be delivered straight into a hopper, if desired, for being
fed into the wiring mechanism, aforesaid.

page_text: Марготешецю ш щаешно у
AVA
the Edges of Sheet Metal, and for Wiring such Edges, and
for Straightening the Wire Employed in such Wiring, and
for Feeding Lengths of Wire to the Wiring Mechanism.
I, DANIEL SMITH, Junior, of Raglan Street, Wolverhampton in the County of
Stafford, engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon (that is to say):-
This invention has for its object to improve and supplement mechanism for
bending or curling the edges of sheet metal or for curling and wiring such edges,
operating in the manner of the mechanism forming an invention for which I applied
for Letters Patent on the 28th day of March A.D. 1885 N° 3959 under the title
of "Improvements in machinery employed in the manufacture of sheet metal
travelling trunks, and cash, deed, and other boxes, and other receptacles.
This invention consists first in modified apparatus whereby machinery operating
to bend or curl the edges of sheet metal or to curl and wire such edges in the
manner described in the complete specification lodged in pursuance of my said
former application may be employed to curl, or curl and wire, edges of sheet metal
at right angles to one another. This purpose is effected, according to the present
invention, by the means illustrated by figures to 5, inclusive, of the drawings
herewith. Figure 1 is a transverse section through the dies J and H, strip c,
block Q, die R, and upper corner of bed 'A, shewn in the drawings accompanying
the complete specification filed in pursuance of my said former application, and
these parts are lettered to correspond with the former drawings. The parts are
somewhat modified in detail, as will appear on a comparison of the drawings, the
chief modification, however, being that the tool J is formed solid with the block K
of the former drawings. His a finger-bar, and e¹ one of the fingers, corresponding
to the parts similarly lettered in the said former drawings. b' shews a piece of
sheet metal in position, upon the top of the lower tools, to be curled or curled and
wired. When a sheet is to be curled, or curled and wired, along edges at right-
angles to one another, it is not required also to be moulded, and, consequently
when the apparatus about to be described is employed, the strip c is down within
the groove in the tool H. a baba is a packing piece shewn in plan by Figure.2.
This packing piece is formed, preferably, in two parts, the portions lettered a
being upon one part and those lettered b being upon the other part. The
portions bb are capable of being slid endways in dovetailed slotted openings
formed between the parts lettered a, and thus the total length of the whole
packing piece may be altered by pushing the parts b b inwards or drawing them
outwards from the parts a a a. dd are lugs by which the packing piece is fixed
to the tool J by means of set-pins. The dovetail openings prevent the loose part
of the packing-piece falling out as the die rises. The employment of the packing

page_text: piece enables the pressure of the die J to be brought upon the sheet metal, not-
withstanding that an edge or edges at right angles to an edge to be curled has or
have already been curled. Without the employment of the packing piece it is
evident that the pressure of the die J could not be brought upon the surface of the
sheet metal without first crushing the edge or edges already curled, unless openings
were formed for the purpose in the face of the die in the manner described in the
complete specification accompanying my said former patent.
Three of these packing pieces, varying in length will be found to give a sufficient
range of length for most purposes required; but if a considerable quantity of work
has to be turned out to fixed dimensions, a plain packing piece of the proper
length required may be employed instead of one formed in parts capable of giving
an adjustment as to length.
The forward edge a¹ of the packing-piece is slanted off, as shewn, so as to allow
for the backward movement of the fingers until the wire (when used) has been
caught in the curled edge of the metal. As the slanting parts at the back of the
forward end of the fingers come in contact with the slanted edge a¹ the fingers are
raised as they continue to move backwards, and thus it is not necessary to notch
the forward edge of the packing-piece, which would be inconvenient in consequence
of its necessitating the packing-piece being always fixed in position for its notches
to coincide with the fingers.
When a packing-piece, as aforesaid, is employed the moving die J requires to be
set back from the face of the fixed die H for the thickness of the packing-piece
from its position, in relation thereto, when the packing-piece is not used; and for
this purpose I employ an arrangement illustrated by figures 3, 4, and 5 of the
drawings herewith, of which figure 3 is a side elevation, figure 4 an end elevation,
and figure 5 a vertical section on line xx of figure 4. In these views i, h h, and O,
correspond, respectively, to the parts similarly lettered on the drawings accom-
panying my said former specification being, respectively, the snug on one of the
pins passing through one of the snugs on the block K, the links connecting
such snug with one of the levers. O, and such lever O. The forward end
only of the lever O is shewn, for convenience of illustration. The outer link h
is extended downwards, as shewn, beyond the end of the other link. f is an
eccentric within the end of the lever O, and is formed solid upon a short
spindle ffwhich passes through the links h h. The outer end of this spindle
projects beyond the face of the outer link h, and is flattened on two sides as shewn
at figure 3. g is a catch lever having a slotted hole through its inner end by
which it fits over the flattened-sided part of the spindle f¹ f¹, and, consequently,
the spindle f¹ f¹ may be turned by pulling round the catch lever g. The slot
through the lever g is longer than the longer diameter of the end of the spindle
over which it fits. The end of the lever g which is shown uppermost in the
illustrations is formed to the shape shewn at figure 8, that is with a hooked end g¹
capable of taking around a stud h¹ fixed to the outer link h, and also with a
quadrant-shaped part j having in it a recess 71. In the position in which the
lever g is shewn by figure the slotted opening through it is in its lowest position
so that the upper end of the opening bears upon the top of the spindle f¹, and the
booked part g' is down upon the pin h¹, and the eccentric is in its upward position
so as to raise the tool J (figure 1), in relation to the fixed tool H, sufficiently to
admit of the employment of the packing-piece.
When the packing-piece is not required to be used the lever g is first raised
sufficiently to clear the hook g¹ from the pin h¹, and it is then turned down into
the position shewn by dotted lines figure 3, with the recess 11 in gear with a
stud projecting from the lower part of the outside link h. It will be seen that
the slot through the lever g readily permits of the lever being moved out of gear
with the pin h¹ and into gear with the pin h³, and when the lever is in gear with
either of these pins it cannot be moved out of gear therewith except by first lifting
its entire weight, so as to move the slot through it along the projecting end of the
spindle f¹. In moving the lever # from its gear with the pin h¹ into gear with

page_text: the pin the spindle f¹ is of course moved half a revolution, and the eccentric is
thus brought down into its bottom position, with the effect of drawing down the
die J in relation to the die H. The horned shape of the lever g facilitates the
handling of the lever, and putting it into gear with the pin h².
Mechanism as above described is, of course, provided in duplicate, that is in
connection with each end of the die J.
In employing the machinery described in my said former specification, for the
purpose of wiring the edges of sheet metal, it was in contemplation to feed the
lengths of wire to the wiring mechanism by hand.
It
Now, according to this invention, I apply to mechanism operating to curl and
wire the edges of sheet metal in the manner described in my said former specifi-
cation self-acting apparatus for feeding the lengths of wire. One modification of
this part of my invention is illustrated by the drawings on sheet 2 here with, of
which figure 6 is an elevation looking from the back of the machine described in
my said former specification, with my self-acting apparatus for feeding the lengths
of wire attached thereto. Figure 7 is a plan of figure 6; figure 8 an end view of
figure 6; and figure 9 a vertical section taken on line of figure 6. In all these
views the parts corresponding to those shewn in the drawings accompanying my
Baid former specification are similarly lettered. Sufficient only of the machine
illustrated by my former drawings is shewn to make the application of the present
invention clear. The parts corresponding to those shewn in the drawings accom-
panying my said former specification are as follows:-A, bed of the machine;
J, moving die (shewn as formed in one part with the block K of the former
drawings); H the fixed die; 6 the flange thereto; c the strip or projection
employed only when the machine is used for moulding; Q block at face of die J ;
R die employed in producing. initial bend; X horizontal moving die (shewn for
.convenience in section by figure 6); L L guides; N N snugs at ends of die or
block J; and UU snugs at ends of block Q. The remaining letters refer to the
mechanism forming this part of my present invention. a a is a metal tube
carried in two brackets or blocks b¹ b b¹ b, fixed to the backs of the guides L L
A detached side elevation of one of these brackets is shown by figure 10.
consists of two parts b¹ and bª. A part d is shouldered down out of the part b¹ so
as to form a sluice between the parts 61 and 6 when put together. Each bracket
is held in place by a plain guide pin b' and a stud-pin and nut 64. Each end of
the tube a a is formed as shewn by detached plan, figure 11. The part e consists
of a part of the metal of the tube flattened out to fit within the sluice of a
bracket b¹ 6, and the tube is held in position by lowering it with the ends e
within the sluices. ff are slots through the upper and lower side of the tube,
respectively, and extending for nearly the whole length of the tube. g is a barrel
fitted so as to turn easily within the tube a a. This barrel is the same length
as the tube, and is turned down at each end to form a spindle g¹ g¹ which is
carried within the brackets b¹ 6ª 61 6. Grooves are formed lengthways within
the surface of the barrel g (see figure 9) and each of these grooves is of a
size to receive a length of wire to be fed to the machine. On one end of
the spindle g g¹ is mounted a ratchet h; and a pawl i is fulcrumed to a
bracket carried upon a snug U of the block Q. In figure 8 this part U
is shewn in section so that the thickened part on the end thereof shall not
obscure the view of the pawl i. In the position in which the parts are
shown by figure 8 the lower end of the pawl is prevented from engaging with
the ratchet h, by means of a pin k in position immediately behind an upward
extension of the pawl, and also by means of the end of a lever coming in
position at the back of the upward extension of the pawl and below the bottom of
the pin k. This lever is carried on the part U and moves therewith, and,
consequently, whilst maintained in the position shewn keeps the pawl out of gear
with the ratchet. When it is desired to work the feed mechanism, the lever / is
moved sideways so as to bring the part thereof clear of the pawl, and then when
the block Qhas descended sufficiently to bring the upward extension of the pawl

page_text: below the bottom of the pin k the lower end of the pawl is moved towards the
ratchet h, by means of a spring m, the forward motion being gradual owing to the
inclined shape of the part m¹ at the top of the pawl By the time the block Q has
reached its bottom position the lower end of the pawl is in its forward position so
so as to gear with the ratchet h and gives it a partial turn as the block Qrises.
A part at the top of the pawl, acts, when the block Q is approaching its
downward position, as a stop against the front of the bracket n¹ which carries the
pink, and prevents the upper end of the pawl from fouling under the end of the
pink OO and P P are longitudinal bars. One of the bars O is fixed to the backs
of the guides L L by means of flanges S S at the back of the bar held to the inner
sides of the guides L L by set-pins as shown. One of the bars P has a block &
riveted thereto at each end, and these blocks are made to fit down within the
brackets b² 6 61 63, and act in not only steadying the bar P to the ends of which
they are fixed, but also as glands to keep down in place the spindle g¹ g¹. The
back or outer bars O and P are connected, respectively, with the inner of such bars
by means of studs oo and pp and thumb-nuts, as shewn, and around each pin and
between each pair of bars O O and P P is placed a spiral spring o' (see figure 7)
so as to force apart the outer bar of each pair from the inner or fixed bar.
99 etc. are pairs of vertical bars riveted inside the longitudinal bars OO and PP,
respectively, and the forward or inner bar of each pair of vertical bars is carried
down within the slot through the top of the tube a a. The wires to be fed to the
machine are placed between the pairs of bars q q, as shewn at figure 9, and as the
barrel g is rotated so as to bring the grooves therein successively under the slot
through the upper side of the tube a a, a wire drops into each of such grooves, and
is carried round within the tube, by the rotation of the barrel, and delivered
through the slot at the bottom of the tube, from whence it runs down guides or
fingers rr etc. fixed to the tube, and is thus delivered in proper position within
the partially curled edge of the sheet. Each operation of the pawl and ratchet
moves the barrel through an axial distance equal to the pitch between two of the
grooves in the barrel. The pawl is thrown out of gear with the ratchet at the
proper point, during the upward stroke, by the inclined part m¹ moving in contact
with the bottom of the pin k. The lengths of wire are kept in their proper position
end ways between the pairs of bars qq etc. by means of a pair of guides, each
corresponding to the guide 7, shewn by figures 6 and 9. These guides are passed
down between the pairs of bars OO and P P, and are each held in position by
means of a brackets fixed thereto and passing across the top and down at the back
of the hinder or outer bar O. A set-pin s¹, provided with a thumb-piece, securely
fixes the brackets and guide in relation to the bar O, and by slackening the set-
pin the guider may be alid along between the bars OO and PP for adjustment,
or may be removed and replaced. The width between the bars of each pair of bars
lettered qq is readily adjusted, to suit the gauge of wire employed, by means of
the fly-nuts on the pins o p. As the fly-nuts are slackened the spiral springs press
outwards the outer bars O and P, and consequently the bars qq fixed thereto, and
as the fly-nuts are tightened up the outer bars qq are moved inwards again
towards the corresponding bars fixed to the inner bars O and P.
In order to prevent an accident happening, on account of a wire getting foul
between the upper groove of the barrel g and the slot through the top of the
tube a a, the ratchet is mounted in the manner shewn by enlarged detached
views figures 12 and 13, of which figure 12 is a longitudinal section through the
centre of the ratchet, and figure 13 a transverse section taken on line y y of
figure 12. h is the ratchet and u a barrel fixed on the spindle g¹ by means of a
stud v sunk in the spindle and projecting into a niche formed therefor in the
barrel u
v is a collar on the barrel, wo a steel washer around the barrel, and w³ a
collar screwed on to the outer end of the barrel u. The washer is prevented from
turning, except with the spindle and barrel, by means of a stud upon the barrel
projecting into a corresponding niche in the washer. Endway friction is put upon
the ratchet by tightening the washer sufficiently thereagainst, and such friction is

page_text: L
sufficient to cause the washer and barrel to be revolved by the ratchet in ordinary
working so as to operate the feed, but if a wire fouls in the tube, the resistance
thus occasioned causes the ratchet to slip between the washer and the collar v¹, and
thus to turn upon the barrel u, instead of operating the feed. The ratchet hand
collar v¹ are marked so that the ratchet may be readily re-adjusted after slipping
on the barrel u.
In lieu of the arrangement above-described for feeding the lengths of wire, an
escapement mechanism may be employed, acting so that as one arm or a set of
arms passes from under the lowest wire and allows it to drop into position in the
wiring mechanism, another arm or set of arms passes under the wire immediately
above and thus holds back the stock or reserve of wires until the first mentioned arm
comes into position again to retain the wires. This mechanism is illustrated by
figures 14 to 17, inclusive, of the drawings herewith, of which figure 14 is a plan
(broken in length for convenience of illustration) of such mechanism and part of
the curling and wiring mechanism to which it is applied. Figure 15 is a section on
line of figure 14; figure 16 a side elevation of figure 14, looking in the direction
of the arrow a; and figure 17 a side elevation of figure 14 looking in the direction
of the arrow a¹. The same letters of reference occurring upon two or more of
these views indicate corresponding parts. Sufficient only of the mechanism
described in my said former specification is shewn, in these views, to clearly
illustrate the application of this part of my present invention; and the parts
which correspond to the parts in the drawings accompanying my said former
specification are correspondingly lettered, that is the parts lettered A, H, c, J, L, Q,
R, X, J, V, . The tool X is formed without the rib shewn on the top thereof in
the drawings accompanying my said former specification, and in lieu of the bolts
lettered in such drawings countersunk-headed pins are employed to fix the
tool X to the saddle V. b¹ is an inclined plate carried in grooves formed in the
inner faces of brackets 6' 6' fixed to the guides L L. The lower edge of this plate
is tapered off to a chisel edge, as shewn. The wires to be fed into the curling and
wiring mechanism are carried upon the plate 61, and from thence run down
fingers el e¹ fixed to the underside of the plate. The escapement is formed by a
set of arms f1f1, having turned-down ends, carried upon a way-shaft ƒ³ operating
in combination with a set of arms g¹ g¹, having turned-up ends, carried upon a
way-shaft g, and the operation is such that when the turned up ends of the
arms g¹ g² are up in the position shewn by figure 15 the wires are prevented from
rolling down the fingers e¹ e¹, while the turned down ends of the arms f¹ are clear
of the wires, and as the arms f¹ are lowered the arms gl are simultaneously
lowered, and thus the arms f¹ come into position to retain all the wires except the
lowest, and the arms g¹ leave the lowest wire free to run down the fingers and thus
into the wiring mechanism. This operation is continually repeated, and thus for
every double, that is downward and upward, vibration of the arms, a wire is
delivered into position to be curled in the edge of a sheet. The way-shafts f
and g² are coupled together at one end, so as to operate simultaneously, by means
of short levers h h¹ fixed, respectively, upon the ends of the shafts f* g, and a
link h³ connecting together the outer ends of these levers. On the other end of the
shaft g³, is fixed a lever i, and in a bracket or snug i, fixed or formed at the back
of one of the guides L L, is carried a short way-shaft j. On the outer end of this
way-shaft is fixed or formed a lever ¹, and a link k connects the end of such lever
with the end of the lever i. The upper end of this link is extended somewhat
above its point of connection with the lever . is a spiral spring connecting the
upper end of the link k with the outer end of a bar the other end of which is
fixed on the top of one of the guides L L is a lever carried on the inner end of
the way-shaft j. m is a set-piu screwed through a turned-out part on the inner
end of the lever . This lever. 2 is extended on the opposite side of the shaft j so
that such extended part may overbalance the part on the other side of the fulcrum.
m² is a quadrant opening through the lever immediately around part of the shaft ;,
and n. is a stud fixed on the shaft j in position to be within the quadrant. The

page_text: lever is capable of turning loosely upon the shaft ; for a distance limited by the
stud n within the quadrant. n¹³ is a stud fixed to the face of the block Q. p is
one of a pair of guide bars for the ends of the wires. The bar is simply fixed upon
the plate b¹ by bolts passing through slotted holes one of which is shewn at pl by
which means it may be adjusted to suit different lengths of wire. The bar P is
omitted from figure 15 for convenience of illustration. The plate b¹ may readily
be drawn back out of the guides in the brackets 6' 6' to permit of adjustment of
the dies.
The band-wheel w shewn upon the drawing of the power machine accompanying
my said former specification may be dispensed with so as not to form an obstruction
to the plate 6, and in lieu of such wheel; a spanner may be employed, or a stop
arrangement as described with reference to the hand machine may be employed.
The operation of the mechanism by which the sets of arms f1 and g¹ are vibrated
is as follows:-As the block Q rises the stud n¹, coming in contact with the
underside of the end of the pin m, raises the inner end of the lever 1, and the
end of the quadrant m¹, bearing against the stud n, causes the partial rotation
of the way-shaft j, and thus motion is communicated through the medium of the
lever j, link k, and lever i, to the way-shaft g³ (and consequently to the set of
arms g¹) and from thence, through the medium of the lever h¹, link h', and lever h,
to the way-shaft f³ (and consequently to the set of arms f¹). As will be seen
from the drawings, the upward movement of the stud n¹ draws down simul-
taneously the ends of the set of arms g¹ and f¹, thus allowing a length of wire to
drop upon the partially curled edge of the sheet metal. Immediately the stud n¹
has passed the end of the pin m the spring k¹ (which has been distended by the
downward pull of the link k) reacts and draws such link upwards again, bringing
with it the parts into their former position, as shown by figure 15, and thereby, of
course, raising the ends of the set of arms gl and also the ends of the set of
arms f¹. As the stud n' descends, and in doing so bears upon the upper side
of the end of the pin m, it simply depresses the end of the lever * carrying such
pin, and raises the opposite end of the lever without moving the other parts of the
mechanism, as the quadrant opening m¹ allows of the free movement of the lever
in this direction of rotation; and immediately the stud n¹ has descended sufficiently
to clear the end of the pin, the heavier end of the lever falls and brings the lever
into the position shewn by figure 15, that is with the upper end of the quadrant m¹
against the stud n, and the parts are then in position for the next upward stroke
of the block Q. A stud o under the plate 61 forms a stop against one of the
arms g¹ to the upward pull of the spring k¹.
The mechanism may be thrown out of gear by unscrewing the set-pin m or by
moving the stud n sideways.
Distance-pieces may be placed between the brackets b2b and the guides L L,
in order to bring the lower part of the mechanism back from the block Q when the
tool R is replaced by a thicker one.
The shanks of the arms f¹ pass through the way-shaft f', and are secured
therein by means of lock nuts, as shewn, in order that the points of the arms may
be adjusted in relation to the turned-up ends of the arms g¹ to suit variations in
the gauge of the wires. The adjustment is not necessary for each variation in
gauge, but only when the variation is considerable.
This modification of self-feeding mechanism is preferred to that previously
described, because in the former modification it is necessary to change the grooved
barrel for any considerable variation in the gauge of the wires, and this is a more
inconvenient operation than simply adjusting the arms f¹.
In both the modifications of feeding mechanism above-described it is preferred
to arrange such mechanism so as to drop a wire into the curling and wiring
mechanism immediately the die R has been raised sufficiently to admit thereof, and
indeed such wire may be dropped slightly in advance of this position of the die R,
as in such case it will simply lie against the die and fall immediately the die
admits thereof.

page_text: This invention consists, finally, of improvements in machinery or apparatus for
straightening the wire to be fed to curling and wiring mechanism operating in the
manner described in my said former specification. This part of my present
invention is illustrated by figures 18 to 23, inclusive, of the accompanying
drawings, of which figure 18 is a side elevation of the machinery constructed
according to this invention for straightening the wires, but the upper part of the
mechanism is omitted in this view for convenience of illustration. Figure 19 is a
longitudinal section through the centre of the machine. Figure 20 is a sectional
plan on line x x of figure 19; figure 21 is a sectional plan on line y y of figure 19;
figure 22 a transverse section taken on line x¹¹ of figure 20, looking in the
direction of the arrow a; and figure 23 a transverse section taken on line y¹ y¹
of figure 20 looking in the direction of the arrow a¹.
The same letters of reference occurring upon two or more of these views indicate
corresponding parts.
A is the bed of the machine carried upon supports or standards A¹ A¹. B is a
head-stock fixed upon the bed A and supporting a bearing-block B¹ upon its base.
Within the head-stock B and block B¹ is carried, so as to revolve readily therein,
a frame C. The axis b 61 6' of this frame is hollow, as shewn, and the part 6¹,
between the one end of the frame and the vertical part of the headstock B, carries
a spur wheel C¹ fixed thereupon, and the part 6ª projects beyond the headstock and
carries the spur pinion D fixed thereto. c is a screwed plug screwed within a hole
passing transversely through one side of the frame C. The bore of this hole is
continued through the other side of the frame to nearly the outer edge thereof, as
shewn, and in the blind end is inserted a spiral spring c. c is a plain pin between
the inner end of the plug c and the spring c₁, and this pin is prevented from
turning by means of a set-pin screwed down upon a flat part c³ formed upon the
pin. An opening for the passage of the wire is formed transversely through the
pin cl, as shewn. This arrangement is common in wire-straightening mechanism,
and usually two smaller pins are employed through which the wire also passes.
According to this invention, however, I employ in lieu of the two last-mentioned
pins bushes d d carried within the bore of the frame, as shewn, and held in place
by means of set-pins d¹ d'. The inner ends of these bushes may be approached
towards or drawn back from the pin c¹ to suit, respectively, a thinner or thicker
gauge of wire, and the pin c¹ is moved to bring the hole therethrough into any
desired position eccentric with the axis of the revolving frame, by simply screwing
or unscrewing the plug c. E is a spindle having a screw-thread E' on part of the
length thereof, as shewn, This spindle is carried at one end in the upper end of the
headstock B and at the other end in a standard B. On one end of the spindle E
is fixed a spur-wheel F which gears into the spur-wheel C¹. On the other end of
the spindle E are carried fast and loose pulleys F1 F1 by which motion is given to
the machine. e e are horizontal bars carried at one end in the headstock B and
at the other end in the standard B³, and fixed by means of set-pins e¹ e¹ in the
headstock. G is a sliding-frame carried so as to be capable of sliding along the
bars e e. f is a gland having teeth on the inner face thereof capable of gearing
with the threads of the screw E¹. In figure 20 the gland is shewn to be out of
gear with the screw. This gland is fixed to a transverse slider f¹ carried in
a V-guide across the face of the sliding-frame G. The transverse slider is con-
stantly pressed, by means of the spring g (see figure 23), in a direction to move the
gland clear of the screw E. G¹ is a bar which is passed through an opening in
the headstock B and along a groove g¹ in the inner side of one of the bars e, and is
fixed in position by means of a set-pin in the headstock. In the position in which
the parts are shewn by figures 20 and 23 it will be seen that the slider f¹ has been
pushed, by the action of the spring g, until the inner end of a notched-out part ¹
in the gland f has come in contact with the edge of the bar G¹ which thus forms a
stop to the further movement of the slider f¹ in such direction. i is a hinged
blocking-piece carried within the slider f¹, and is a spiral spring tending to
constantly press the blocking-piece in a direction to bring it into the position

page_text: shewn (figure 20), that is so as to bear against the back face of the gland f. jj are
chains carried on either side of the machine, and connected at one end with the
sliding frame G and passing over pulleys capable of rotating on fixed studs,
and having weights hanging at the lower ends thereof. The sliding-frame G is
pulled towards the head-stock B, by means of these weights and chains, imme-
diately the gland fis moved out of gear with the screw E¹. As such operation
takes place the blocking-piece i moves backwards (in relation to the sliding-
frame G) against the pressure of the spring i¹ until it has cleared the corner of the
bar G', and as the sliding-frame G continues to advance towards the headstock B
the blocking-piece i remains in its slanting backward direction due to the position
of the bar G¹ against which it bears. The weights may be hung direct upon the
ends of the chains jj, or the ends of the chains may be brought up again and fixed,
and the weights be carried by means of pulleys in the loops of the chains, in which
case the weights will fall only half the distance which the sliding-frame G travels
endways. op are a pair of nippers carried by the sliding-frame G in position to
grip the wire and draw it through the revolving frame C. The nipper p is fixed
by means of the pin p¹ passing through a slotted hole to permit of an endway
adjustment of the nipper, and the nipper o is hinged, as shewn, and is pressed into
position by means of a spiral spring o¹ so that as the sliding-frame G is moved in
the direction of the arrow a¹ (figure 20) the wire is tightly nipped or gripped
between the inner ends of the nippers. As the sliding-frame G is pulled towards
the headstock B the nipper o yields backwards against the pressure of the
spring o¹ to allow of the nippers being drawn back along the wire without
buckling the wire; and on the return stroke of the frame G the nippers again
nip the wire and draw a further length through the revolving frame.
o' is a
stud forming a stop to the nipper o in the direction in which it is pressed by
the spring o¹. q is a shearing die in the frame Q, or in a plate fixed at the
back thereof, and q¹ is a shearing tool carried in the end of a lever r fulcrumed
at A length of wire is cut off by means of this shearing mechanism after
the sliding-frame G has arrived at the end of its movement towards the head-
stock B. 8 is a spiral spring around a short stud on the upper side of the lever r.
This spring is compressed against the underside of a boss K. of the frame
the outer end of the lever is raised to shear the wire, and operates to assist in
returning the lever to the position shewn by figure 22, that is clear again
from the wire and in position for shearing off another length, and thus any
tendency which the shearing tool q' may have to "stick" after shearing, is
obviated. is a stud forming a stop to the downward position of the outer end
of the lever r. k is an arm fixed to the sliding-frame G, and has an adjustable set-
pin k' screwed through the end thereof. H is a short spindle carried at one end in.
a bearing formed out from the head-stock B and at the other end in a bracket H'
fixed to the bed A. This spindle carries a spur wheel D¹ which is mounted loosely
thereon and gears with the spur pinion D, and carries also, fixed thereupon, cams J
and J. The wheel D¹ is prevented from moving out of place by means of a guide-
piece fixed to an extended part of the headstock and fitting within a groove l' in
the boss of the wheel. The spindle H is capable of a small endway movement, and
as the sliding-frame G approaches the end of its traverse, in a direction towards the
head-stock B, the end of the set-pin k¹ comes in contact with the end of the
spindle H and moves such spindle in the same direction as the frame G is
travelling, until a cam t on the opposite end of the spindle comes in contact with.
the end of a set-pin m carried in a bracket m¹ fixed to the beadstock B. The
movement of the frame G towards the headstock, and of the spindle H in the same
direction, is thus stopped, and the spindle H is brought into such position that the
end of a key n gears with a projection n¹ on the boss of the wheel D¹, and the
cams J and J¹ are consequently rotated. The operation of these cams is best seen
at figure 22. The wheel D¹ revolves in the direction indicated by the arrow a².
The cam J¹ raises the outer end of the lever r and causes the shearing tool g¹ to
shear off a length of wire which has been straightened by passing through the
as

page_text: revolving frame C. As the cam J' passes out of contact with the lever r the cam J
bears against the part 1 of a lever L and causes such lever to force back the
transverse slider f₁ against the pressure of the spring g, for which purpose the
upper end of the lever L bears against a stud u at the face of the slider 1. By
these means the slider f¹ is moved sufficiently to bring the gland f into gear with
the screw E, at which point the blocking-piece i is free to be pressed by the spiral
spring against the back face of the gland f, and thus as the cam J passes out of
contact with the part t¹ the outer end of the blocking-piece i bears against the
edge of the bar G¹, and prevents the gland f from being moved out of gear with
the screw E¹ until the sliding frame G has been moved back, by the operation of
the screw E, to bring the parts in the position again, in relation to the bar G¹, as
shewn by figure 20. As the spindle H revolves throughout one revolution it is
moved, by means of the cam t bearing against the end of the pin m, back into the
position shewn by the drawings, and consequently out of gear with the revolving
wheel D¹. The part t¹ of the lever L is formed to act as a spring and thus yield
somewhat in case the gland f does not instantaneously gear with the screw El as it
is moved inwards by the cam J and lever L
The operation of the wire-straightening machine above-described is as follows:-
The sliding-frame G is brought towards the headstock B so that the pin k¹ pushes
back wards the spindle H until it is stopped by the cam t coming in contact with
the pin m
The coil of wire is carried upon a reel in front of the machine, and
one end of the wire is led through the two bushes d d and the hole through the
transverse pin c³, and thence through a guide bush d' and between the ends of the
nippers o and p. The machine is then set in motion, and the cam J operates to
move the gland finto gear with the screw E¹, upon which the sliding frame G is
moved by the screw, in the direction of the arrow a¹, carrying with it the nippers
and consequently drawing a length of wire through the revolving frame C.
Immediately the hinged blocking-piece i reaches the end of the bar G¹ the
transverse slider f¹ is free to be moved endways by the spring g, and the gland f
is thus thrown out of gear with the screw E. The sliding-frame G is then drawn
back again, by means of the chains j and weights thereon, into the position first-
described, when the pin k¹ moves the spindle H endways, bringing the key n into
gear with the projection n¹ on the wheel D¹ and causing such spindle to revolve,
and the cam J¹, operating through the medium of the lever r, shears off a length of
wire, and immediately thereafter the cam J operates to move the gland finto gear
with the screw E, and the operation of the machine is repeated as before-described.
The bar may be moved endways so as to vary the length of wires cut off, and
this bar may be marked in inches and fractions thereof, or any other denominations
of measure, and set from a zero point on the bar e adjacent to it, whereby the
machine is readily adjusted for cutting off the wires to any desired length.
The spindle E of the machine may be run at any velocity up to, say, 500 revo-
lutions per minute, the pitch of the screw E' being half an inch.
The machine may be considerably varied in detail, for instance the spindle E
may be arranged to revolve between the sides of the bed, and the sliding-frame G
be arranged as a saddle upon the bed, with the slider ƒ arranged vertically.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. The packing-piece formed adjustable as to length, or plain, and provided with
means by which it may be fixed to the die J, substantially as herein described and
shewn (as adjustable lengthways) by figures 1 and 2 of the drawings herewith for
the purpose set forth.
2. The means by which the die J is set back in relation to the die H when a
packing-piece is to be employed, substantially as herein described and shewn by
figures 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings herewith.

page_text: 3. The self-acting mechanism for feeding lengths of wire to curling and wiring
mechanism operating substantially in the manner described in my said former
specification, substantially as herein described and shewn by the drawings on
sheet 2 herewith.
4. The combination of the tube a a with slots therethrough, grooved barrel g,
and mechanism for successively rotating such barrel by angular distances corre-
sponding to the pitch of the grooves in the barrel, substantially as and for the
purpose herein described and shewn by the drawings on sheet 2 herewith.
5. The apparatus by which the wires are delivered to the barrel g, and the
means by which such apparatus may be adjusted to suit various gauges of wire,
substantially as herein described, and shewn by the drawings on sheet 2 herewith.
6. The self-acting mechanism for feeding lengths of wire to curling and wiring
mechanism operating substantially in the manner described in my said former
specification, substantially as herein described and shewn by figures 14 to 17,
inclusive, of the drawings herewith.
7. The combination of the set of arms lettered f¹ carried by the way-shaft ƒ³,
the set of arms lettered gl carried by the way-shaft g², and mechanism for operating
such arms, substantially as and for the purpose herein described and shewn by
figures 14 to 17, inclusive, of the drawings herewith.
8. The combination of the revolving frame C with the adjustable pin c¹ and
adjustable bushes & d, substantially as and for the purpose herein described and
shewn by figures 19, 20 and 21, of the drawings herewith.
9. The combination of the screw E, sliding frame G, transverse slider f¹, gland f,
blocking-piece i, and bar G¹, substantially as and for the purpose herein described
and shewn by figures 19, 20, 22 and 23, of the drawings herewith.
1000