Improvements in Hand Tacking Implements.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Aug., 1392-Accepted, 4th Feb., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by ORLANDO ETHELBERT LEWIS, of 96, Lincoln's
Street, Boston, Suffolk County, State of Massachusetts, United States of
America, Manufacturer.]
Improvements in Hand Tacking Implements.
'
I SYDNEY PITT of Sutton in the County of Surrey Gentleman, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention relates to hand tacking implements, employed to drive tacks in the
process of lasting boots or shoes. The primary features of said machine are
embodied in a reciprocating plunger, a receptacle for containing the tacks and
means for assembling and delivering the tacks in proper position to be driven into
the boot or shoe upon descent of the plunger.
The improvements are contained in the various elements by which the tacks are
assembled in the same position, with their points downward, within a feed duct
which extends into the tack receptacle, the latter rotating intermittently. Further
in, a gate or cut off whereby said tacks are delivered one at a time to a feed
cylinder, likewise in rotation. An important feature is also embodied in the
independent,mounting of said gate, which is spring-impelled, hence should it strike
the body of a tack in lieu of passing between two of them, there is no danger of
breaking said gate.
The improvements are likewise contained in the tack-receptacle, which is provided
interiorly with a series of concentric rods, and a number of buckets or shelves,
whereby the tacks are, distributed about the internal periphery of said hopper in
lieu of being, massed at the lowest portion thereof where gravity directs them. The
method of mounting, or dismounting the feed-cylinder is likewise an important
feature.
The drawings accompanying this Specification represent in
Fig. 1 a side elevation of a hand-tacking implement embodying my invention.
Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional elevation with the feed cylinder removed.
Fig. 3 is a plan with the tack-receptacle off.
Fig. 4 is a vertical section in part on lineæ.
Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on line y y.
Fig. 6 is a view of the inner side of the fixed' end of the tack-receiver.
Fig. 7 is a side view of the oscillating finger outside tlie tack-receptacle.
In the description of this implement, I will first include the plunger or
mechanism for driving and inserting the tacks. This consists of a cylindrical
tube or barrel to be held in a vertical position or thereabouts, when in use, and
is fitted with a hand grasp. Said tube is composed of three parts: an upper
tube portion, 2, with a head or intermediate casting, 3, as a support for the
various operating parts, and a lower terminal or nose, 4, which is tapered and
provided with a branch delivery-tube, 5; through the latter the tacks are passed
from the feed-cylinder to the plunger tube at a point below the extremity of
said plunger, when the latter is at rest, see Fig. 2.
The plunger consists of a cylindrical shaft or rod, 6, surmounted by a weight or
knob, 7, while a spring, 8, serves to lift and cause-its retreat after the insertion of
a tack.
The lower portion of the plunger consists of a small steel rod, 9, which is
preferably of a length equal to that of the casting and nose of the tube. A pin, 10;
transversely of said plunger and affixed thereto, reciprocates within a longitudinal

page_text: aperture, 12, in the tube and projects there-beyond to engage a slot, 13, within
a rocker-arm, 14.. The latter is mounted upon a stud, see Fig. 4, inserted in the
casting or head.
The mechanism for receiving and assembling the tacks individually in a similar
position is as follows: laterally of the head, 3, and preferably obliquely in the
curve of a helix, see Figs. 1 and 3, is an extension or bracket, 15, longitudinally
and vertically slotted to form a feed duct, 16. Said bracket is curved, as shown,
in order to obtain a proper length of feed duct for a large supply of assembled
tacks, and further to keep the hopper closer to the plunger-tube and make the
tool compact. A short cylindrical piece or arbor, 17, upon which is detachably
secured a revoluble cylinder or tack-receiver, 18, terminates said bracket. The
receiver is interiorly fitted with a series of concentrically arranged rods, 19, and
a number of buckets, 20, whereby a more even distribution of the contents are
obtained, said tacks being lifted by the buckets which are enabled to retain a
portion of their contents by means of the rods, 19. Hence the receiver is self-
balanced, and readily revolves. Rotation and feed movement is obtained by means
of a pawl, 60, operated by the plate, 21. This latter is affixed to the stud, 10.
and moves with the plunger, its reciprocations causing the pawl, by aid of the
spring, 50, to engage in teeth formed upon or attached to the end of the hopper.
In the present instance said teeth consist of the projecting ends of the rods, 19,
before mentioned, see Fig. 2. The hopper is closed upon the outer end, but
open at the inner end for purposes of easily renewing the supply of tacks. This
filling aperture is closed, see Fig. 3, by a disk, 23, preferably circular, which is
fixed upon the bracket; hence, when the hopper is in place the disk, 23, closes
one end and the arbor fills the tubular boss on which the receiver revolves. The
escape of tacks is thus prevented, except through the proper feed-duct, 16.
To ensure that each tack is properly placed in said duct and all assembled
with their points down to continuously pass through said duct, there is arranged
at the end of the bracket, 15, two converging similar plates, 26, 26, one on either
side of the feed duct. Said plates fit closely against the outer end of the
receiver to prevent tacks wedging in between. Moreover, that part of the bracket
between said plates and the disk, 23, is wedge-shaped or bevelled from the median
line. Thus, as the tack-receiver revolves, numbers of the tacks are continually
dropping upon the inclined plates, those that are properly positioned with their
bodies in alignment with the slot, drop into the latter and now hang pendant by
their heads, which are wider than the feed-duct. The others, not so presented
impinging upon said plates and also upon the wedge or convex surface of the
metal composing the feed-duct, fall off into the bottom of the receiver, as rejected,
and are then in readiness to be lifted again on the buckets for a fresh 'preseu-
tation against the plates, 26.
Immediately upon their entrance within the feed-duct, the tacks are compelled
to slide to the lower end of said duct, owing to its inclination, see Fig. 2, which
end is here closed by the feed-cylinder before mentioned. In order to prevent
any tacks from passing out, except such as are properly assembled, and further
to prevent the rejected tacks from jamming or entering the aperture in the closing
disk, 23, where the accepted tacks are allowed to pass out, an inwardly projecting
finger, 28, is provided see Figs. 6 and 7, furnished with a transverse guard plate, 51,
notched to straddle the inclined portions of the bracket at a point just inside the
disk, 23.
The finger, 28, is hung upon a stud, 52, and oscillated by the wiping
action of the rod, 53, this latter being fastened in the rocker arm, 14, at right
angles thereto. Thus, unless every tack passing out is properly positioned, the
guard, 51, strikes against it and aided by the sloping surface of the bracket
compels every rejected tack or such as are not properly positioned to drop into the
bottom of the receiver. In this way the duct is always kept clear, and the tacks
assembled in the duct are free to pass along and no cessation in the delivery of the
tacks can occur.

page_text: That portion of the duct exteriorly of the hopper is fitted with a shield, 29, to
prevent the jar or vibrations of the tool, incidental to the operation of the plunger,
from dislodging the tacks, now resting in said feed-duct.
At the lower or discharge end of the duct, which is closed by feed-cylinder, see
Fig. 5, a clearer, 30, is placed, which acts as a cut-off, and consists in a pointed finger
or rod, which plays freely in the casting, 3, and has its rear fitted to engage the
free end of a spring, 31. The function of this reciprocating clearer is to agitate the
tacks and keep them free to move in the feed-duct, hence the lower edge of said
clearer is straight, while its upper surface is bevelled at the end, hence when the
clearer advances, it pushes back all the tacks in the duct and so holds them and
allows only the lowermost tack, now entered in the feed-cylinder, to pass away
when the latter revolves.
Said spring, 31, in the present instance is coiled about the hub of the rocker-arm
and its fixed end attached thereto. It is evident that said cut-off is reciprocated
by the varying tension of its spring, occasioned by the rocker-arm: as a consequence,
said cut-off should its active end strike a tack in lieu of passing between two of
them as its duty requires, is not harmed since the spring yields. This independent
mounting of the cut-off is an important feature of my invention.
Having now described the driving clement or plunger, and the several parts
whereby the tacks are properly assembled and positioned to be then driven by said
plunger, I will now describe the mechanism by which said tacks are taken separately
from the delivery-end of the feed-duct, 16, and conveyed to the receiving-end of the
delivery tube, 5, from whence they pass to the nose of the plunger tube or terminal, 4.
This is effected by means of a revoluble feed-cylinder adapted to be removed at any
time and constitutes an important feature of the implement.
At
Laterally of the casting or head, 3, and forming an offset, which connects the
bracket, 15, therewith, is a flat lip, 34, see Fig. 2, fitted with a slot 34, in which
enters an upright spindle, 35, acting as a seat therefor, while the lower screw-
threaded end receives a thumb-nut. Upon said spindle is mounted a feed-cylinder, 37,
preferably frusto-conical in shape to more readily receive the bodies of the tacks
which are contained in a series of longitudinal slots, 38, cut in said cylinder.
the upper extremities of said slots is formed an annular groove, 39, to create a
ledge upon which the heads of the tacks rest and likewise to permit a switch, 42,
sec Fig. 5, to project within, and thus engage the head of each tack as it arrives
opposite the receiving end of the delivery tube, 5. Said switch consists of a bent
spring, which is affixed to a block, 43, removably mounted in the head, 3.
Rotation and intermittent feed movement of said cylinder is obtained by means
of a ratchet wheel, 40, which surmounts said cylinder and is engaged by a pawl, 41,
see Fig. 4, the rear end of which is hung upon the lower extremity of the rocker-
lever, it being understood that the pivot of said lever is at some distance from its
lower end.
It is to be
Proper tension to hold the feed-cylinder, except when movement is desired, is
created by means of a spring medium-as a rubber gasket-and adjusting nuts,
which screw upon the upper extremity of the spindle, 35, see Fig. 1.
understood that the slots, 38, in the cylinder are so spaced that when one, opposite
the feed-duct, is receiving a tack another, opposite the delivery tube, 5, is dis-
charging a tack.
Within the nose, or lower end of the plunger tube, is tightly fitted a sleeve, 45,
to which are fastened opposite spring clips or holders, 46, the function of the latter
being to provide a yielding gate to close the end of the plunger-tube and likewise
to grasp and hold in proper position any tack, not yet driven, but which has been
discharged from the feed-cylinder. This mechanism is requisite since every time a
tack is driven by the implement, upon retreat of the plunger, a second tack enters
the lower end of the terminal, 4. To prevent the escape of this undriven tack and
at the same time to hold it in place in case the tool is not retained in an upright
position, such instrumentalities are provided.

page_text: The operation of the various elements hereinbefore described, when united and
co-operating as a complete implement is as follows: The assumption is made that
the tack-receiver is supplied with tacks, some of which have been properly
positioned and assembled in the feed-duct, while the feed-cylinder is charged and in
readiness to deliver a tack, one of the latter already having been, 'discharged into
the delivery-tube and is now held by the spring clips, 46. With this premise, I will
instance that the terminal, 4, is placed upon the boot or shoe in process at a point
where a tack is required. A blow upon the knob, 7, forces the plunger by a quick
action to expel the tack at the end of the plunger-tube and drive it home. Upon
descent of the plunger, the arm or lever, 14, is oscillated and such movement
performs four operations; one is to rotate the feed-cylinder by means of the
pawl, 41, and thereby to present an empty slot, 38, in front of the feed-duct, 16,
and bring a slot containing a tack in alignment with the delivery-tube, 5; the
second revolves the hopper by its pawl, 60, and plate, 21, to provide for proper
assembling of the tacks therein; the third is to oscillate the finger, 28, and guard-
plate, 51, along the top of the bracket and push off improperly assembled tacks;
while the fourth is to advance the clearer, 30, and by increased tension of the
spring, 31, to thrust the tacks in the feed-duct back and allow the lowermost tack
therein to drop into the empty slot in the feed-cylinder.
Upon retreat of the plunger, the tack conveyed to the delivery-tube, 5, and
thrust therein by the switch, 42, enters the plunger-tube and is grasped and held
by the yielding medium, 46, in the nose thereof, until the plunger again descends.
Successive reciprocations of the plunger consequently provide, for the proper
assembling of the tacks,, delivery of the same to the feed-cylinder, discharging
from the latter into the plunger-tube and final insertion into a boot or.shoe.
In connection with the delivery end of the plunger tube, a sleeve 45 of steel may
be inserted in the shape of a permanent magnet. In this way all yielding
mechanism as the spring plates 46, or otherwise to retain the undriven tack which
rests in the nose of the plunger-tube is done away with, while the tack as soon as it
passes from the delivery tube 5, is held by the magnet and prevented from escaping
until descent of the plunger occurs at the desired time. In lieu of the sleeve.a
removable tubular end piece as a magnet may be attached.
Having now. particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said; inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1st. In a tacking implement the combination with a reciprocating plunger, its
plunger-tube, and a revoluble feed-cylinder, and tack-receptacle attached to said
tube of a feed-duct interconnecting said receptacle with the cylinder and a spring-
impelled clearer reciprocating across said feed-duct, substantially. as herein set
forth.
2nd. In a hand tacker, a plunger, its enclosing tube, a revoluble tack receptacle,
and the feed-duct leading therefrom and contained in an arm projecting from: said
tube, combined with a revoluble feed-cylinder removably. mounted and affixed upon
said tube, a series of slots formed in the cylinder, and a delivery-tube, which
connects the plunger-tube-with said cylinder, substantially as specified.
3rd. In a hand tacker, the combination with a plunger tube, its extension, arm,
the revoluble feed-cylinder and tack-receiver mounted thereupon, and the duct
which conveys the tacks to said cylinder, of a reciprocating plunger, the rocker-
arm oscillated thereby, and means whereby intermittent feed motion: is imparted
to 'both cylinder and 'receiver upon descent of the plunger, substantially · as
described.
4th. In a tacking implement, a reciprocating, plunger, a plunger-tube,..and a
feed-cylinder connected therewith, combined with a tack containing receptacle
adapted to be revolved intermittently by the action of said plunger, a series of
rods concentrically within said receptacle, and a number of buckets between said

page_text: rods and the enclosing shell of the receptacle, substantially as stated and
explained.
5th. The combination with a plunger-tube, its plunger, a revoluble feed-cylinder,
and a removable tack-receptacle fitted with tack-lifting devices and attached to
said tube, of a curved bracket longitudinally slotted to create a feed-duct, the
inclined plates at one end of said bracket, the circular disk transversely of said
bracket, adapted to close one end of the tack-receptacle, and a guard-plate to
reciprocate with the tack-receptacle but above and along the duct; substantially
as specified.
6th. In combination with a plunger-tube, its plunger, the oscillating lever
pivoted to said plunger-tube, a feed-cylinder, and a tack-receptacle likewise
attached to said tube and actuated by the descent of the plunger, a helical curved
arm provided with a feed-duct, which interconnects said hopper and feed-cylinder,
a reciprocating clearer at the discharge end of said duct, and a spring medium
which unites said clearer with the oscillating lever, substantially as and for
purposes specified.
7th. In a tacking inplement the combination with the revoluble feed-cylinder, a
feed-duct, and suitable mechanism for properly assembling the tacks in said duct,
of a plunger, a plunger-tube which supports said cylinder, an oscillating lever
operated by said plunger, the pawl and lever which rotate the cylinder, and a
clearer reciprocating transversely at the base of the feed-duct and spring-impelled
upon each descent of the plunger, substantially as explained.
8th. In a tacking implement, the combination with a revoluble slotted cylinder
having an annular groove, its removable spindle, a feed-duct and suitable means for
properly assembling said tacks and feeding said cylinder, of a plunger, the plunger-
tube, a delivery-tube which interconnects the said cylinder and plunger-tube, and a
switch having its free end to engage the said annular groove, and thereby empty
each tack-filled slot in the cylinder, substantially as set forth.
9th. In a tacking implement, the combination with a plunger, its enclosing tube,
a revoluble feed-cylinder, and tack-receiver attached to said tube, and a feed
duct connecting said cylinder and receiver, of a yielding agency or gate secured in
the nose of said plunger-tube to grasp each undriven tack prior to its discharge from
the implement, substantially as specified.
10th. In a hand tacker, a plunger, a plunger-tube, and a tack-receptacle with
means for assembling said tacks in proper position, combined with a feed-cylinder
composed of a removable spindle, a revoluble body having a series of peripheral
slots, with an annular groove transversely of said slots, and mechanism for
delivering and discharging tacks separately from the cylinder, substantially as
stated.
11th. In a hand tacker, a plunger, a plunger tube, a curved bracket containing
a feed duct, and a removable feed-cylinder, combined with a tack-containing
receptacle mounted upon a hub on the said arm and composed as follows: a
revoluble casing with interior rods and buckets, a stationary end disk upon said
bracket, an oscillating finger affixed to said disk exteriorly and carrying within a
forked grooved plate adapted to reciprocate above and along the duct as
explained.
12th. In a tacking implement, the combination with a plunger-tube, its plunger,
and an apertured curved bracket, a feed-cylinder and tack-receptacle thereupon, of
mechanism for assembling and positioning said tacks, composed of the inclined
plates 26 within the tack-receiver, but laterally of the feed-duct 16, the
reciprocating guard-plate 51 likewise within the receptacle and operated by the
finger 28 through the agency of the plunger, and the shield above said feed-duct,
and exteriorly between said tack-receptacle and feed-cylinder, substantially as set
forth.
13th. In a hand tacking implement, the combination with a plunger, and a
plunger-tube, and mechanism for delivering tacks to the plunger-tube, of a

page_text: permanent magnet composed of a tubular nose piece to form a part of the plunger-
tube and adapted to retain the tack within the said tube, and allow passage of the
tack therefrom upon descent of the plunger, substantially as described.
Dated this Third day of August 1892.
SYDNEY PITT.