US1313509A - Machine - Google Patents

Description

W. W. VINCENT.

WIRE FORMING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 7. 19I8.

' Patented g- 19, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

""HHI I L IN W. W. VINCENT.

WIRE FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 1, 1918.

1 9 3 1-3, 509 Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

/ 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. W. VINCENT.

WIRE FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 7. 1918.

1 13,509. Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

W. W. VINCENT.

WIRE FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I. 1913. 1 ,3 1 3, 59 Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

5 SHEETSSHEET 4.

' as w W567 2:

W. W. VINCENT.

WIRE FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I. 1918.

1,313,599. Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

94 H i 5 @191 106 I I I 1 dd/Zea? M67771? tINITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

winnmm w. VINCENT, or KENOSHA, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE vmciinr-nwlmn COMPANY, or mosrm, wrsconsm, A comeomrron or wrscorrsm.

WIRE-FORMING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

Applicationfiled September 7, 1918. Serial No. 252,999.

tain new and useful Improvements in Wire- Forming Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention pertains to machines for crimping or forming wire elements or sections and concerns more particularly, but not exclusively, appliances of this general character for automatically producing corrugated or crimped Wire members from a supply roll of Wire with suitably-shaped sharpened ends adapted to be driven into the framework of a piece of furniture and support the upright spiral-springs, such for example, as are employed in the seats of chairs, couches, and the like.

One object of the invention is the production of a machine of this character capable of adjustment whereby the lengths of the severed blanks may be regulated or changed and variations permitted in the number of corrugations in the preferred embodiment of the invention are produced in wire blanks by intermeshing toothed wheels. provided with automatically-acting means to cause them to mesh and separate or become temporarily inactive or. inoperative, whereby, unrrimped ends may be provided in the wires. 'lnese crimping wheels are controlled as to their movements by cammeans capable of regulation or adjustment to vary or change the number of corrugations per blank. The appliance also has cutting and feading means for cutting 03 thebl anks from the supply roll of wire,- and this is also susceptible of adjustment to modify the lengths of the blanks.

In connection with these-instrumentalities, there is also a press with suitablyformed interchangeable dies for shaping'the ends or terminal portions of the wires. All

of these parts of the mechanism work in proper timed relation to produce the desired results automatically, rapidly, and efficiently.

"A further aim of the invention is the pro-.

vision of a machine of this type whichcornprises but relatively few parts, unlikely to become injured or damaged in service,'which can be manufactured with comparatively small cost, and which is simple in structure and easily adjusted, some of its parts being 1 removable or interchangeable to produce wires of radically dlflerent characteristics as to size and shape.

In order that those skilled in this art may have a full understanding of the invention and may appreciate its advantages from structural and functional standpoints, I have illustrated in the accompanyin draw-- ings forming a part of this speci cation,

and throughout the various views of which 1 like reference characters refer to the same parts, a preferred and desirable embodiment of the invention.

In these drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of the machine; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same with .certain parts omitted Fig. 3 is a front view of the appliance with certain elements shown in section; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevation with some of the parts shown in dotted lines; crimps or bends" in each Wlre section. These Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the appliance showing the conveyr or carrier for the wires and the press for shaping their ends- Fig. 6 shows one of the wire elements before its ends have been shaped or formed and Fig. 7 shows the completed product of the shaft23 revol-ubly supported in any approved manner and at its end opposite the feed-roll it has a spur-gear 24 in mesh with a similar gear 25 on the corresponding end portion of shaft 26 on which the upper roller is fixed. I

The hearing or bearings 27 for this latter shaft are capable of vertical movement as specified for the purpose indicated, being guided by the walls of the supporting-frame sponding in adjusted and hence rotates the latter.

. i recess 28. One or -more coil expansion springs 29 act upon the bearings of such upper shaft and its feed-roll, tending to raise them, the shaft and rooved roll, however, being ordinarily hel down to its work of advancing the wire bysuitable means, to be described. I v

These feed-rolls, as well as'the remainder of the mechanism, are driven by suitable instrumentalities comprising a shaft 30 revoluble in bearings 31, 31, and equip edwith two pulleys 32 and 33 both loose on t e shaft, pulley 32 being rigid with a inion 51 also free to turn on the shaft and riving a gear '52 on the lower feed-roll shaft 23. In register with the pair of grooved feedrolls, and adapted to act on the wire ad-,

vanced thereby, I provide a pair of 006peratin toothed, wire crimping or corrugating ,ro lers 43 and 47 mounte respectively on shafts 42 and 46 connected together by intermeshing gears 44 and 45 (Fig; 4)

driven from shaft 23 by the intermediate or' idler gear 48 coacting with ear 24.. As with the upper wire feed-r01, the' correcorrugating-roller 47 is mounted for vertical play, the bearings for its shaft 46 being vertically slidable and pressed upwardly by one or more expansion springs 86, but ordinarily held down to its work by mechanism to be set forth.

Shaft 42 at one end is provided with a readily-removable or interchangeable gear 41 meshing with an idler 35 mounted on a short shaft 36 adjustable in a slot 38 of a sector .37 supported by and capable of angular adjustment on shaft 42, eing maintained osition by a screw 40 taking into a threa ed hole in the framework and extended through a curved or arcuate slot 39 in the sector. drives the larger gear 31 fixed to s aft 30 The shaft 30 is equipped with two, duplex, adjustable cams 53, 54 controlling and overning respectively the action of the eed-rolls and wire-severing or cut-off device, and the crimping or corrugating rollers By means of this construction allowing substitution of different sizes of gears 41 the ratio of the gearing may be readily modified toeffect variation in the operation of the machine.

Cam'53 consists of two recessed or cam parts 55, 56, arranged side by side on the shaft and adjustable anglularly relatively to one another to modify t e position and size of the combined cam recess, whereby the moment and period of non-activity of the wire feed-rolls and the action of the cutting or severing device may be varied as circumstances dictate. The lower end of a suitably-guided, vertical slide-bar 57 (Fi 2) carries an appropriate cam roller 58 of sufficient length to overlie and cooperate with the two parts of the compound or duplex of up The intermediate ear 35 ciated with a cross-head 69 guided by uprights 70, 7 0,-and carryin at its lower end a diagonally-arranged kni e-or cutter 71 for severin blanks from the continuous strip y wire by coacting with a stationary shear-member 72. Whenever this normallyinoperative clutch is tripped to render it temporarily active, shaft 66 makes one comlete-revolution and automatically stops, the ife or cutter performing one complete reci rocation and effecting the severing oporation. It is necessary or desirable to stop the feed or advance of the wire supply during such cutting, and, accordingly, shaft 61 has an arm 73 rlgid therewith provided with an adjustable screw 74, equipped with a locknut 75, engaging a pro ection 76 carried by the slidin bearing or bearings 27 of the upper wire eed-roll. As long as roller 58 is riding on the high part of the duplexcam 53, the feed-rolls will be held down in o erative engagement with the wire against t e pressure or lifting action of spring or springs 29, tending to separate them, and during this period the cutter will be out of action. When the depression or recess in the double-cam reaches the roller, the latter enters it, rocking arm 73, permitting an automatic, temporary separation of the feedrolls, thus stopping t e wire feed, during which period of inaction the cutter severe the wire. Soon afterward, however, the elevated portion of the compound cam enga es the roller, raising it, thus again estab ishing the wire advance, during which condition the cutter does not act.

To control the operation of the crimping or corrugating rollers independently of the Wire feeding and cutting,;shaft 30 is fitted with the second, adjustable duplex-cam 54, substantially like the cam 53. This coiiperates with a roller 80"on a vertical slide-bar 81 connected at its top end to a rock-lever 82 loose on shaft 61 and fitted at its other laterally-extended end with adjustable screws 83, provided with lock-nuts 84, engaging projections or lugs 8-5 on the hearing members of shaft 46 of the upper crimping-roller. Thus, when the recessed part of the cam comes under the roller, the upper crimping-roller by virtue of the action of spring or springs 86 rises sufficiently to sto the crimpin or comm nting operation, suc crimping roTler descen ing to operative position agaln as soon as the cam turns neath the cam-roller.

sufliciently to bring its elevated portion be- The machine is also equipped with means to receive these corrugated wire-sections and transport them-laterally or transversely out of the path of travel of the oncoming wire to a suitable press for shaping or forming their uncrimped ends whereby the complete product will appear and have the form as.

shown in Fig. 7. Any suitable style or character of mechanism ma be employed for thispurpose and that lllustrated" and described below is to be taken merely as an example of one way in which this work may be readily accom lished.

@n two paralle shafts 90 and 91 mounted in suitable bearings for rotation, there are pairs of sprocket- wheels 92 and 93 coacting in the usual manner with a pair of parallel sprocket-chains 94 disposed crosswlse the direction of feed of the supply wire and beyond the cut-off knife. These chains carry a plurality of parallel, spaced, grooved,

cradles or supports 95, each adapted to receive one of the crimped wire members asare of less length than the wire sections and receive only their corrugated middle or tions, leaving their uncrimped or straight -end sections projecting therefrom at both ends. Such cradles and their wires are stepped along intermittently, and in its travel each Wire is ultimately brought into the press 97 whose properly-shaped die or press blocks 98 and 99 are brought together by the usual mechanical means, thus de- V forming or shapinfiboth ends of the wire simultaneously. T s operation, of course, occurs during the periods of rest of the conveyer, the press acting successively on the various wires as will be readily understood. The details of construction of this press it has been deemed unnecessary to present, it being only required to employ anysuitable operating means acting in proper timed relation to other parts of the mechanism. The

die blocks are removable or interchangeable so that desired wire products of different shapes may be readily produced. After passing through the press, as the cradles travel downwardly around the sprocketwheel's, the wire members are automatically dro ped from the machine.

0 effect the required ste by step action of the conveyer or carrier, s aft 90 by intermeshing bevel- gears 100 and 101 is operatively associated with the j ask-shaft 102 actuated intermittently by a cam 103 on shaft 30 reciprocating a bar 104 by means of a cam-roller 105 traveling in the groove of the cam, the bar rocking an arm 106 loose on wardly by shaft 102 and equipped with a pawl 107 00- operating with a ratchet-wheel 108 fixed 'on shaft 102.

The mode of operation of the appliance takes place practically as follows: he continuous wire supply is fed forand between the grooved feedrolls, during which period the advance portion of the wire is crimped or corrugated by the registerin interfi-tting toothed rollers, both the fee -rolls and the corrugating rollers being power-driven. These crimping rollers, of course, come into action and terminate their corrugating functions at the proper time by reason of their cam controlled approach toward and separation from one another. At the proper moment the feed-rolls separate, thus stopping the wire. feed, the clutch-becomes momentarily operative and causes the severance of the advanced crimped length of wire which now resides in one of the cradles or supportsof the conveyer. The latter immediately carries the severed wire transversely out of the way, the feed of the supply wire is resumed,

and the cycle of operations repeated indefinitely. l/Vhen the severed wire, in its intermittent travel, reaches the press, and during an interval of rest, this portion of the mechanism acts to shape its ends. When the now completely shaped wire passes over the return bend of the endless conveyer it falls out of its cradle, thus being delivered or discharged from the machine.

One feature of importance of this machine is its capability of adjustment for the production of wires of diiferent lengths and with variable numbers of crimps or corrugations, the press also having the capacity for shaping ends into difierent forms, as may be required. As will be readily understood, the wire feed and the amount or extent of crimping is controlled by the adjustable duplex-cams governing these functions. Also the operation of the machine may be modified by substituting for the near 41 one of a different number of teeth, the number of such teeth being that required in each instance to provide each wire section with the desired number of complete corrugations. When thus interchanging such gears it may be necessary to substitute a different size idler 35 but thisis easily accomplished by reason of the feature of the adjustable support for such intermediate gear. In the device as shown, the press would require different or adjustable die blocks for wires of different lengths and shapes, but obviously, this substitution could be made changes may be made in the structure set forthwithout departure from the heart and essence of the invention and without the sacrifice of any of its substantial benefits and advantages.

I claim: a

1. In a wire-forming machine of'the character described, the combination of means to feed a wire supply, means to sever said supply into lengths, means to crimp the' wire comprising a palr of corrugated roll-- acter described, the combination of means to crim the wire comprisin a pair of corrugated rollers between which the wire passes, and adjustable automatically-acting means to cause said rollers to a proach one another and to separate to ren or them operative and inoperative on the wire, substantially as described.

In a wire-forming machine of the character described, the combination of means to feed a wire supply, means to sever said supply into lengths, means, to crim the wire comprising a pair of corrugate ers between which the wire passes, and adjustable cam means controlling the approach of said rollers toward one another and their separation to render them operative and inoperative on the wire, thus permitting variations in the number of crimps put in each section of the wire, substantially as described.

4. In a Wire-forming machine of the character described, the combination of means to feed a wire-supply, means to sever said supply into lengths, means to crim the wire comprising a pair of corrugate rollers between which the wire pasges, spring means tending to separate said rollers, and adjustable cam means controlling the relative positions of said rollers rendering them operative and inoperative on the wire, thus permitting variation in the number of crimps put in each section of the wire, substantially as described.

5. In a wire-forming machine of the character described, the combination of powerdriven feed-rollers'to advance a wire-supply, means to sever said supply into lengths, means to crimp the wire comprising a pair of power-driven corrugated rollers between 'which the wire passes, and adjustalflemeans controlling the approach of said rollers-toward one another and their separation to render them operative and inoperative on the wire, thus permitting variations of the num'ner of crimps put in each section of the wire, substantially as described.

6. In a wire-forming machine of the charroll- "to shape the uncrimpe laterally-moved wire sections while the latacter described, the combination of intermittently-operative power-driven feed-rollers adapted to advance a wire-supply, adjustable means to vary the period of action of said rollers, means to sever said wire'supply lengths during the periods of inaction of said feed-rollers, a pair of corrugated rollers to crimp the wire passing between them, and means to render said rollers operative and inoperative upon said w1re, whereby to vary the number of crim s put in each section of the wire, substantially as described.

7 In a wire-forming machine of the character described, the combination of means to feed a wire supply, means to sever said supply into sections diagonally to provide sharp ends, means to adjust the action of said feeding means to modify the lengths of the severed sections, means to crim the wire comprising a pair of corrugate rollers between WhlCh the wire passes, adjustable means to cause said rollers to approach one another and to separate to render them operative and inoperative on the wire, thus permitting variations in the number of crimps put in each section of the wire, means to intermittentl feed the severed wire sections transverse y to their lengths and prevent them from tiltin,.and means to bend end portions of such ter are stationary, substantially as described.

8.. In a wire-forming machine of the character described, the combination of means to feed a wire-supply, means to sever said supplyf in to lengt s, means to crimp the wire comprising a pair of corrugated rollers between which the wire passes, automaticallyacting means to cause said rollers to approach one another and to separate to render them operative and inoperatlve on the wire,

gearing controlling the action of said auto-- maticall -acting means, and means permitting a c ange of gear ratio of said gearing to modify the action of said cnmping means, substantially as described.

9. In a wire-forming machine of the character described, the combination of means to feed a wire-supply, means to sever said supply into lengths, means to crimp the wire comprising a pair of corrugated rollers be-.

tween which the wire passes, adjustalble automatically-acting means to cause said rollers to approach one another and to separate to render them operative and inoperatlve on the wire, gearing controlling the action of said adjustable means, and means permitting a change of gear ratio of said gearing to modif the action of said crimping means, substantially as described.

10. In a. wire-forming machine of the character described, the combination of means to feed a wire-supply, means to sever said suipply into lengt s, means to crimp the wire comprising a pair of corrugated cause said rollers to approach one another and to separate to render them operative and inoperative on the wire thus permitt ng variations in the number of crimps put m each section of the wire, gearing controlling the action of said adjustable cam means and means permitting a change of gear ratlo of said gearing to modify theaction of said crimping means, substantially as described.

11. In a wire-forming machine of the character described, the combination of means to feed a wire-supply, means to sever said supply into lengths, means controlling the action of said wire-feeding means, means to crimp the wire comprising a pair of corrugated rollers between which the wire passes, automatically-acting means-to cause said rollers to approach one another and to separate to render them operative and inoperative on the wire, gearing governmg the action of said controlling means and said roller operating means, and means permitting achange of gear ratio of said gearing,

substantially as described.

12. In a wire-forming machine of the character described, the combination, of means tofeed a wire-supply, means to sever said supply into lengths, adjustable automatically-actin tion' of said wire feeding means, means to crimp the wire comprising a pain of corrugated rollers between which the wire passes,- adjustable automatically-acting means to cause said rollers to approach one another and to separate to render them operative and inoperative on the wire, caring controlling the action ofboth of sai adjustable means,

means controlling the acand means permitting a change of'gear ratio of said gearing, substantially as described.

13. In a wire-forming machine 'ofv the character described, the combination of means to feed a wire-supply, means tosever said supply into lengths, adjustable means governing the action of said severing means, adjustable means governing the action "of said feeding means, means to crimp -the wire comprising a pair of corrugated rollers between Which the wire passes, adjustable means governing the action of said corrugated rollers on said wire by causing said rollers to approach one another and to separate thus permitting variations in the number of crimps put in each section of the wire, gearing controlling the action of said three adjustable means, and means permitting a change of'gear ratio of said gearing, substantially as described.

14. In a wire-forming machine of thecharacter described, the combination of means to feed a wire-supply, means to sever said supply into lengths, adjustable automatically-acting cam means governing the action of said feeding means and said severing means, means to crimp the wire comprising a pair of corrugated rollers between which the wire passes, adjustable automatically-acting cam' means governing the action of said rollers on said i ire by causing said rollers to approach one another and to separate to render them operative and inoperative on the Wire thus permitting variations in the number of crimps put in each section of the wire, gearing controlling the action of said two adjustable cam means, and

means permitting a change of gear ratio of said gearing, substantially as described.

WILLIAM W. VINCENT.

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