Improvements in Machines for Making Staples, and Binding Together Papers or the like with such Staples.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Oct., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 16th Mar., 1895-Accepted, 20th Apr., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Making Staples, and Binding
Together Papers or the like with such Staples.
I, BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of 23 Southampton Buildings, in
the County of London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion (a communication to me from Paul Christopher Oscanyan, of the City,
County and State of New York, in the United States of America), to be as
follows:
The object of the invention is to provide a simple and effective machine for
making staples and binding together papers or the like by a continuous operation.
In carrying the invention into effect, a broad thin tape or strip of metal is
employed, from which the staples are cut crosswise, and a die is used having two
movable members and a stationary member, one of the movable members working
within the other, the outer member cutting and forming the legs of the staple, and
the inner member severing the staple from the tape and acting also as a plunger
to drive the staple.
A movable anvil is also employed between which and the stationary member
of the die the materials to be secured together are clamped, and which receives
the thrust of the staple and bends the legs inward as the inner die forces the
staple through the material.
The metal tape is preferably provided with a central depression in which
travels the wheel for feeding it through the die.
The stationary member of the die is provided with a groove, the shape of
which corresponds to the depression in the tape. This depression is advantageous
in several ways. For instance, the depression resting in the groove in the
stationary member of the die serves as a guide for the tape and prevents lateral
movement of the tape through the die opening, thus permitting the use of various
widths of tape, in order to make staples having short or long legs according
to the thickness of the materials to be secured together by the machine. Further,
the side walls of the slot through which the tape is fed need not touch the edges
of the tape to prevent lateral movement, thus reducing friction.
It is desirable to curve or bevel the cutting dies to facilitate cutting, but this
makes it necessary to guard against the edges of the inner die cutting the
materials to be secured together, which would frequently be the result if that'
die were provided with the desired curve. By providing the depression in the
tape, the curve of that die can be reduced or it can be provided with a straight
edge since the width of material between the legs is not cut at once, but only
a portion is cut at a time, thus accomplishing the same result as when the die is
provided with a greater curve, and, as will be readily seen, the die will not
have the sharp edges which are liable to cut the materials to be secured together.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention
Figure is a side elevation of the machine ;
Figure 2 is a front elevation;
Figure 3, is a rear elevation (the tape or strip of metal and the supports therefor
being removed);
Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line stnd of Kigures 2 and 3 looking

page_text: Figure 5 is a view of the under side of the machine :
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the tape or strip from which the staples are
cut crosswise ;
Figure 7 is a detail view of the mechanism for feeding the tape forward;
Figures 8 and 9 are a rear elevation and end view, respectively, of the movable
cutting and forming dies;
Figure 10 is a view showing the normal positions of the two dies, the tape and
stationary member of the die;
Figure 11 is a view showing the relative positions of the movable members of
the die, the stationary member, and two layers of material held between the
stationary member and the movable anvil, after the legs of the staple are cut and
formed and previous to the inner die severing the staple from the tape and driving
same through the material and bending the legs inward by forcing them against
the anvil; and
Figure 12 is a detail view showing the upper ends of the movable die members
and the spring for returning then to their normal position.
A is the base of the machine having a head A' which is recessed in front and in
which recess the movable members a and a' of the die are placed, and are held
therein by a plate b which is secured to the head by screws b'. Member a is
Ushaped in cross-section and member a¹ is flat and works within member a.
a a are the cutting edges of member a, and a³ is the cutting edge of member a'.
Member a has a pin a rigidly secured thereto, and this pin projects through a
slot a in member a!. a is a hole drilled in head A¹ and in this hole is placed a
spiral spring a².
a is a slot through which pin a projects into hole a³, said pin bearing on
spring a'.
In the normal positions of die members a and a', pin at is at the top of slot as, as
shown in Figure 8. The movable members of the die are operated by a handle d
having cams d', d for engaging the ends d', d of member a, and cam d³ for
engaging end d' of member a¹. The handle is pivoted between ears ee on head A'
by a pin f. When member a of the die is moved downward by cams d¹ and d',
pin a is moved downward in slot a' and compresses spring a'. Member a¹ remains
stationary with its cutting edge resting on the metal tape, while member a is
moved downward to cut and form the legs of the staple.
When the legs are formed, the continued movement of handle d brings cam d³
in engagement with die member a¹ and moves it downward, severing the staple
from the tape and forcing the legs through the materials to be secured together,
and bending said legs inward by forcing them against the anvil.
This movement of die member a¹ brings pin a to the top of slot a' again, and
upon releasing handle d, spring a', exerting its pressure against pin a', forces both
the movable members of the die upward to the normal position, which movement
also returns handled to its normal position.
A plate c constitutes the stationary member of the die. This plate is rigidly
secured to head A' by screws c¹ which pass through lugs on the head. Plate c
is provided with a groove c³, the shape of which corresponds to the shape of the
central depression h in the tape C, which depression extends the entire length of
the tape. The tape is fed through slots and is guided through the same by the
depression registering with groove and whereby lateral movement of the tape is
prevented.
The depression in the tape and groove c³ permit the use of tapes of various
widths on the same machine without altering or re-adjusting any of the parts, and
thus the same machine may be employed for binding together materials made up
in various thicknesses requiring staples having long or short legs, the only change
required being the substitution of one tape for another, which change is readily
accomplished by removing ping and withdrawing the tape.
B, B are posts extending from base A, which posts are provided with hole's

page_text: affording a bearing for pin g on which the metal tape or strip C is coiled. The
tape is fed forward to the die by a feed-wheel which forces the tape against the
plate. The feed-wheel has ratchet teeth which grip the tape when the wheel is
rotated. Plate is secured to the underside of base A and curves upward
projecting through opening in the base. The feed-wheel is secured upon or
formed integral with a hub 3, which hub has also secured upon it a ratchet
wheel (Figure 3, and indicated by the dotted circle in Figure 4) having
flanges which prevent the pawl becoming disengaged from the ratchet wheel.
Hub rotates on a spindle which is supported in holes in cheeks A2. The feed-
wheel is rotated by a pawl k which terminates in a ring k¹, which ring fits around
a circular extension (Figure 4) on the side of handle d.
This extension is formed eccentric to the hole through which pin passes.
Ring and extension thus constitute an eccentric whereby, on drawing the
handle forward, the pawl is moved backward, and through the engagement of the
pawl with ratchet wheel, the feed-wheel is rotated. The pawl is held in
engagement with the ratchet wheel by a spring 7. The handle is provided with a
stop-pin which strikes plate to limit the forward movement of the handle.
Dis the movable anvil upon which the staples are driven by member a¹ of the
cutting die to bend the legs inward and bind the materials together. This anvil
slides on two guides formed integral with base A and are L-shaped in cross section.
One end of the anvil is bevelled off to present a surface parallel with the stationary
member of the die. The anvil is provided with a central lug or projection l
extending downward between the two guides and through this projection passes a
pin crosswise of the anvil, which pin serves to retain the anvil in place. Pis a
stop-pin for limiting the forward movement of the anvil. is a rod, one end of
which is inserted in a pocket in the end of the anvil and the opposite end works
through a hole in a bracket shown in the drawings as formed integral with
plate is a collar on rod l', and between this collar and bracket is a coiled
spring which exerts its pressure against collar l', thus forcing the anvil forward
and upward on the inclined guides. The anvil is moved downward to permit the
insertion of the materials to be fastened together between the anvil and die
member c by a curved lever m pivoted at m¹ to head A'.
This lever has a hooked end m³ (Figures 4 and 5) which extends downward
through a slot m³ in the base A and engages with pin 7. The end m of the
lever projects upward above head A' and in front of a pin m² projecting from
handle a
To move the anvil downward, handle d is pulled forward, causing pin m³ to
strike the end m of lever m, tilting said lever and moving the hooked end in²
backward, which movement carries the anvil backward and downward through the
engagement of the hooked end of the lever with pin 12. This movement further
compresses spring, which upon handle d being moved backward, forces the anvil
forward and upward and clamps the materials between die member c and the anvil.
The anvil is provided with two half round grooves a into which the legs of the
staples are driven by die member a¹ (Figure 11) which cause the legs to bend
inward and flatten against the underside of the material, as is well understood.
The materials to be secured together are indicated by and a, Figure 11.
The operation of the machine is as follows: Assuming that the end of the tape
is in line with the edge of die member c, which would be the case after the making
and driving of a staple, the tape is fed forward by drawing handle d forward,
which movement through the eccentric formed by ring and projection moves
pawl backward and rotates ratchet wheel the distance of one tooth. This
movement rotates feed-wheel i the same distance and in the same direction, feeding
tape C forward the proper distance to permit the cutting of a staple of ordinary
width. Should it be desired to cut a broader staple, the feed movement is
repeated. The end of the tape will then project beyond die member c the proper
distance for a double width staple. Simultaneous with the feeding operation the
anvil D is moved backward and downward against the pressure of spring ♬ through

page_text: the engagement of pin m³ with the end m* of lever m, and the engagement of
end m of said lever with pin . This movement permits the insertion of
materials and between the anvil and die member c, and upon moving
handled backward to form and drive the staple, spring forces the anvil forward
and upward, clamping the materials between the anvil and die member c. The
backward movement of handle d causes cams d¹ and to force die member a
downward to the position shown in Figure 11, in which movement the tape is cut
from each side and the portions so cut are bent downward forming the legs of the
staple as seen in dotted lines in Figure 11. During this movement, die member a¹
remains stationary, as will be readily understood from the foregoing description,
and as backward movement of the handle continues, cam d strikes die member a¹
and forces it downward, the die member a now remaining stationary in the position
of Figure 11. The downward movement of die member a severs the staple from
the tape and drives it through the materials and z', the inside walls of die
member a serving as a guide for the staple.
As the points of the staple strike the grooves x of the anvil, they bend inward
and fold against the underside of the materials as die member a continues to drive
the staple. The backward movement of the handled through the eccentric kɩ, k’
moves pawl k forward the distance of one tooth, placing the pawl in position to
operate the feed-wheel on drawing the handle forward. During the downward
movement of die member a, spring a' is compressed, and upon raising handled to
bring it to its normal position, spring a returns the die members a and a¹ to their
normal positions, and as the handle brought forward, the eccentric k k¹ feeds the
tape forward, and when pin m strikes the end m of lever m again, the anvil is
moved downward as before explained and the materials are released.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the machine herein described is extremely
simple in construction and operation, and one in which the staple is made without
the use of a forming mandrel. This latter feature is of great importance in staple
making machines, and especially in machines designed for making and driving
staples by a continuous operation, since the mandrel and the mechanism for operating
same are entirely dispensed with, resulting in a much cheaper and more simple
and effective machine than those heretofore in use.
Dated this 25th day of October 1894
B. J. B. MILLS,
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.
Improvements in Machines for Making Staples, and Binding
Together Papers or the like with such Staples.
J, BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of 23 Southampton Buildings, in the
County of London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention,
(a communication to me from Paul Christopher Oscanyan, of the City, County
and State of New York, United States of America,) and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
The object of the invention is to provide a simple and effective machine for
making staples and binding together papers or the like by a continuous operation.
In carrying the invention into effect a broad thin tape or strip of metal is
employed, from which the staples are cut crosswise, and a die is used having two
movable members and a stationary member, one of the movable members working
within the other, the outer member cutting and forming the legs of the staple and
the inner member severing the staple from the tape and acting also as a plunger to

page_text: drive the staple. A movable anvil is also employed, between which and the
stationary member of the die, the materials to be secured together are clamped,
and which receives the thrust of the staple and bends the legs inward as the inner
die forces the staple through the material. The metal tape is preferably provided
with a central depression, in which travels the wheel for feeding it through the die.
The stationary member of the die is provided with a groove, the shape of which
corresponds to the depression in the tape. This depression is advantageous in
several ways. For instance, the depression, resting in the groove in the stationary
member of the die, serves as a guide for the tape and prevents lateral movement of
the tape through the die opening, thus permitting the use of various widths of tape
in order to make staples having short or long legs according to the thickness of the
materials to be secured together by the machine. Further, the side walls of
the slot through which the tape is fed, need not touch the edges of the tape
to prevent lateral movement, thus reducing friction. It is desirable to curve or
bevel the cutting dies to facilitate cutting, but this makes it necessary to guard
against the edges of the inner die cutting the materials to be secured together,
which would frequently be the result if that die were provided with the desired
By providing the depression in the tape, the curve of that die can be
reduced, or it can be provided with a straight edge, since the width of material
between the legs is not cut at once, but only a portion is cut at a time, thus
accomplishing the same result as when the die is provided with a greater curve,
and, as will be readily seen, the die will not have the sharp edges which are liable
to cut the materials to be secured together.
curve.
In the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification, which illustrate the
invention ;-
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine.
Fig. 2 is a front elevation.
Fig. 3 is a rear elevation (the tape or strip of metal and the supports therefor
being removed).
Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figs. 2 and 3, looking in the
direction of the arrows.
Fig. 5 is a view of the under side of the machine.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the tape or strip from which the staples are cut
crosswise.
Fig. 7 is a detail view of the mechanism for feeding the tape forward.
Figs. 8 and 9 are a rear elevation and end view, respectively, of the movable
cutting and forming dies.
Fig. 10 is a view showing the normal positions of the two dies, the tape and
the stationary member of the die.
Fig. 11 is a view showing the relative positions of the movable members of
the die, the stationary member, and two layers of material held between the
stationary member and the movable anvil, after the legs of the staple are cut
and formed and previous to the inner die severing the staple from the tape and
driving same through the material and bending the legs inward by forcing them
against the anvil, and
Fig. 12 is a detail view showing the upper ends of the movable die members and
the spring for returning them to their normal position.
A is the base of the machine, having a head A¹ which is recessed in front,
and in which recess the movable members a and a¹ of the die are placed, and
are held therein by a plate which is secured to the head by screws b'.
Member a is U-shaped in cross section and member a' is flat and works within
member a. a² a² are the cutting edges of member a, and a³ is the cutting edge of
member a¹. Member a has a pin a rigidly secured thereto, and this pin projects
through a slot a in member a'. a is a hole drilled in head A' and in this hole is
placed a spiral spring a'. a is a slot, through which pin a projects into hole a®,
said pin bearing on spring a'. In the normal positions of die members a and a',
pin a' is at the top of slot a', as shown in Fig. 8. The movable members of the

page_text: die are operated by a handle d having cams for engaging the ends d³ d² of
member a and cam d for engaging end of member a¹. The handle is pivoted
between ears ee on head A' by a pin . When member a of the die is moved
downward by cams d' and ', pin a is moved downward in slot a and compresses
spring a. Member a' remains stationary with its cutting edge resting on the
metal tape, while member a is moved downward to cut and form the legs of
the staple. When the legs are formed, the continued movement of handle d
brings cam d³ in engagement with die member a and moves it downward,
severing the staple from the tape and forcing the legs through the materials to
be secured together, and bending said legs inward by forcing them against the
anvil. This movement of die member a brings pin a to the top of slot a³
again, and upon releasing handle d, spring a', exerting its pressure against pin 4,
forces both the movable members of the die upward to the normal position, which
movement also returns handled to its normal position.
A plate constitutes the stationary member of the die. This plate is rigidly
secured to head A' by screws which pass through lugs on the head.
Plate e is provided with a groove c³, the shape of which corresponds to the shape
of the central depression in the tape C, which depression extends the entire
length of the tape. The tape is fed through slot and is guided through the
same by the depression registering with groove and whereby lateral
movement of the tape is prevented.
The depression in the tape and groove permit the use of tapes of various
widths on the same machine without altering or re-adjusting any of the parts,
and thus the same machine may be employed for binding together materials made
up in various thicknesses requiring staples having long or short legs, the only
change required being the substitution of one tape for another, which change is
'readily accomplished by removing ping and withdrawing the tape.
B B are posts extending from base A, which posts are provided with holes
affording a bearing for ping on which the metal tape or strip C is coiled. The
tape is fed forward to the die by a feed wheel i, which forces the tape against the
plate. The feed wheel has ratchet teeth which grip the tape when the wheel is
rotated. Plate is secured to the underside of base A and curves upward
projecting through opening in the base. The feed wheel is secured upon or
formed integral with a hub 3, which hub has also secured upon it a ratchet
wheel (Fig. 3, and indicated by the dotted circle in Fig. 4) having flanges *
which prevent the pawl becoming disengaged from the ratchet wheel. Hub³
rotates on a spindle which is supported in holes in cheeks A2. The feed wheel is
rotated by a pawlk which terminates in a ring ', which ring fits around a circular
extension (Fig. 4) on the side of handle d. This extension is formed eccentric to
the hole through which pin f passes. Ring ¹ and extension thus constitute an
eccentric, whereby, on drawing the handle forward, the pawl is moved backward,
and, through the engagement of the pawl with ratchet wheel, the feed wheel
is rotated. The pawl is held in engagement with the ratchet wheel by a spring .
The handle is provided with a stop pin which strikes plate to limit the forward
movement of the handle.
D is the movable anvil upon which the staples are driven by member a¹ of the
cutting die to bend the legs inward and bind the materials together. This anvil
slides on two guides formed integral with base A and are L-shaped in cross
section. One end of the anvil is bevelled off to present a surface parallel with
the stationary member of the die. The anvil is provided with a central lug or
projection extending downward between the two guides, and through this
projection passes a pin 12 crosswise of the anvil, which pin serves to retain the
anvil in place. is a stop-pin for limiting the forward movement of the anvil.
is a rod, one end of which is inserted in a pocket in the end of the anvil and
the opposite end works through a hole in a bracket 1, shown in the drawings as
formed integral with plate . is a collar on rod 1, and between this collar and
bracket is a coiled spring 18, which exerts its pressure against co lar 1,
thus

page_text: forcing the anvil forward and upward on the inclined guides. The anvil is moved
downward to permit the insertion of the materials to be fastened together between
the anvil and die member c by a curved lever m pivoted at m' to head A'. This
lever has a hooked end m³ (Figs. 4 and 5), which extends downward through a
slot m² in the base A and engages with pin F. The end of the lever projects
upward above head A' and in front of a pin m* projecting from handle d. To
move the anvil downward, handle d is pulled forward, causing pin m³ to strike the
end of lever m, tilting said lever and moving the hooked end m³ backward,
which movement carries the anvil backward and downward through the engagement
of the hooked end of the lever with pin 12. This movement further compresses
spring 18, which, upon handle d being moved backward, forces the anvil forward
and upward and clamps the materials between die member c and the anvil. The
anvil is provided with two half-round grooves, into which the legs of the staple
are driven by die member a¹ (Fig. 11), which cause the legs to bend inward and
flatten against the underside of the material, as is well understood.
The materials to be secured together are indicated by z and 2¹, Fig. 11.
The operation of the machine is as follows
Assuming that the end of the tape is in line with the edge of die member c,
which would be the case after the making and driving of a staple, the tape is fed
forward by drawing handled forward, which movement, through the eccentric
formed by ring and projection, moves pawl k backward and rotates ratchet
wheel the distance of one tooth. This movement rotates feed wheel the same
distance and in the same direction, feeding tape C forward the proper distance to
permit the cutting of a staple of ordinary width. Should it be desired to cut a
broader staple, the feed movement is repeated. The end of the tape will then
project beyond die member c the proper distance for a double width staple.
Simultaneous with the feeding operation, the anvil D is moved backward and
downward against the pressure of spring, through the engagement of pin m
with the end m³ of lever m, and the engagement of end m² of said lever with
pin. This movement permits the insertion of materials z and 'between the
anvil and die member c, and upou moving handle d backward to form and drive
the staple, spring 1 forces the anvil forward and upward, clamping the materials
between the anvil and die member c. The backward movement of handle
causes cams d¹ and d¹ to force die member a downward to the position shown
in Fig. 11, in which movement the tape is cut from each side and the portions so
cut are bent downward, forming the legs of the staple, as seen in dotted lines
in Fig. 11. During this movement, die member a¹ remains stationary, as will bo
readily understood from the foregoing description, and as backward movement of
the handle continues, cam d³ strikes die member a' and forces it downward, the die
member a now remaining stationary in the position of Fig. 11. The downward
movement of die member a severs the staple from the tape and drives it through
the materials z and 2', the inside walls of die member a serving as a guide for the
staple. As the points of the staple strike the grooves of the anvil, they bend
inward and fold against the underside of the materials as die member a¹ continues
to drive the staple. The backward movement of the handle d, through the
eccentric k¹k, moves pawl k forward the distance of one tooth, placing the pawl
in position to operate the feed wheel on drawing the handle forward. During the
downward movement of die member a, spring a' is compressed, and upon raising
handle d to bring it to its normal position, spring a returns the die members a
and a to their normal positions, and as the handle is brought forward the
eccentrick, feeds the tape forward, and when pin m strikes the end m¹ of
lever m again, the anvil is moved downward as before explained and the materials
are released.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the machine herein described is
extremely simple in construction and operation, and one in which the staple is
made without the use of a forming mandrel. This latter feature is of great
importance in staple making machines, and especially in machines designed for

page_text: making and driving staples by a continuous operation, since the mandrel and the
mechanism for operating same are entirely dispensed with, resulting in a much
cheaper and more simple and effective machine than those heretofore in use.
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 1
claim is
1. In a staple making machine, the combination of a die for cutting the staples
crosswise from a tape or strip of metal, said die having two movable members, one
cutting and shaping the legs of the staple and the other severing the staple from
the tape or strip, and means for operating said movable members, substantially as
set forth.
2. In a machine for making and driving staples by a continuous operation, the
combination of mechanism for cutting the staples crosswise from a tape or strip of
metal, and means for driving such staple, substantially as set forth.
3. In a machine for making and driving staples by a continuous operation, the
combination of a cutting die acting also as a plunger to drive the staple, and
means for operating said die, substantially as set forth.
4. In a machine for making and driving staples by a continuous operation, the
combination of a die having a plurality of movable members for cutting the
staples crosswise from a tape or strip of metal, one or more of said members
being provided for cutting and shaping the legs of the staple and one for severing
the staple from the tape or strip and acting as a plunger to drive the staple,
substantially as set forth.
5. In a machine for making staples and binding together materials with such
staples by a continuous operation, the combination of mechanism for cutting the
staples crosswise from a tape or strip of metal, means for driving such staples,
and a movable anvil between which and a stationary part of the machine the
materials are clamped, and which bends the legs of the staple inward, substan-
tially as set forth.
6. A tape or strip of metal from which staples are cut crosswise by a staple
making machine, said tape or strip having a depression or rib throughout its length
to guide it through or to the die, substantially as set forth.
7. In a machine for making staples and binding together materials with such
staples by a continuous operation, the combination of a die for cutting the staples
from a tape or strip of metal, said die having two movable members, one cutting
and shaping the legs of the staple and the other severing the staple from the strip
and acting as a plunger to drive the staple, a movable anvil between which and
the stationary member of the die the materials are clamped and which bends the
legs of the staple inward, a handle for operating said movable members of the die
and said anvil in one direction, a spring for moving the anvil in an opposite
direction, and mechanism operated by said handle for feeding the tape forward,
substantially as set forth.
Dated March 16th 1895.
Dated March 16th 1895.
B. J. B. MILLS,
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.