US2424717A - Stitching machine - Google Patents

Description

July 29, 1947.

W. R. SPlLLER El A L.

STITCHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 14, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet i y 1947- I w. R. SPILLER ET AL 2,424,711 J STITCHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 14', 1943 s Sheets-Shef. 2

Patented July 29, 1947 STITCHING MACHINE William R. Spiller and Robert J. Niederhauser, Dayton, Ohio, assignors, by mesne assignments, to Acme Steel Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application January 14, 1943, Serial No. 472,316

19 Claims.

This invention relates to wire stitching mames.

ft is the principal object of the invention to 'ovide a wire stitching machine adapted to .rm flat, tight-fitting stitches in hard material such as sheets of metal or the like and having long life and freedom from excessive wear in the stitching of such material.

It is a further object to provide such a machine in'which the parts subject to severe wear in use are constructed for maximum life and arranged to be quickly and easily replaced when necessary without the use of specia1 tools or equipment.

It is a further object to provide for easily and readily adjusting the position of the clincher mechanism in order to locate it in precise position with respect to the location of the stitch and to securely retain the parts in such adjusted position.

It is a further object to provide a construction in which adjustment may be readily made for stitching materials of different thickness with- 1:-=.it disturbing the driving connections as estabnihed for the actuation of the clincher mechanzsm.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawing, and the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a stitching machine constructed in accordance with the present invention with certain parts being broken away to more clearly show the construction thereof;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal broken sectional view looking downwardly on the adjustable ways which provide for vertical adjustment of the clincher arm;

Fig. 3 is a broken view of the outer end of the clincher arm showing the clincher mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a view on a somewhat larger scale of the die holder and the dies, being shown partially in section and partially in plan;

Figs. 5, 6 and i are three elevational views looking toward the front face of the dies and clincher plunger assembly and showing three successive stages in the formation and clinching of the stitches, certain parts being broken away;

Fig, 8 is a side elevational view of the clincher plunger itself;

Fig. 9 is a view partly in plan and partly in section showing a modified construction of clincher assembly;

Fig. 10 is a broken front elevational view of this modified construction;

a base portion Fig. 11 is an end elevational view of the die of Figs. 9 and 10; and

Fig. 12 is an end elevational view of the clincher plunger.

Referring to the drawing which discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention, the machine is shown as having a main frame including iii, an upwardly projecting pedestal H, and an overhanging head i2. The drive motor 14 is mounted in the rear portion of the head and has a suitable driving connection to the main shaft 15. Shaft 15 extends through the head to the front, part thereof where the mechanism for forming and driving the stitches is located, the position thereof being indicated by reference numeral iii. A coil of wire IT is mounted in a convenient location on the head and the wire feeds into the stitch forming mechanism in the usual way where it is formed into an in verted U-shaped stitch, the two legs of .the stitch being driven downwardly into and through the work material received beneath the head.

An arm 20 is provided on which the work is received, such arm also carrying the clincher mechanism which provides for clinching the two legs. of the stitch after they have been forced through the work material and flattening the legs upon the face of the material. Both the arm and the frame are of sturdy construction being preferably formed as relativel heavy castings, to provide a rigid structure having a minimum of deflection under the loads encountered in use. Arm 2%) is adjustably carried on the pedestal, and is so mounted as to have vertical adjustment thereon to accommodate work material of different thickness, and also is arranged to have lateral adjustment to properly center the clincher mechanism with respect to the location at which the stitch is formed.

To provide for obtaining such adjustment the face of pedestal II is formed with the spaced ways 22 and with vertical bearing surfaces 23 against which corresponding surfaces of the arm are adapted to bear. The arm is formed with rearwardly extending projections 24 within which there are mounted studs 25 having engagement with wedge shaped gibs 28 adapted to bear against the ways 22, respectively, end plate 21 preventin lateral displacement of the gibs. By suitably adjusting the studs 25, it will be evidentthat the entire arm can be shifted laterally from one side to the other while still maintaining its firm support upon the ways, and when so adjusted and with the wedges again tightened it will be securely retained in such adjusted position, Preferably three such sets of bolts 25 are located in vertically spaced relation on arm to provide maximum security and accuracy of positioning. It will be clear also that with the bolts spaced vertically as shown, it is possible to loosen the uppermost while tightening the lowermost, and vice versa, and in this way rock the arm about its longitudinal axis as may be necessary to maintain it level and parallel with the forming mechanism.

In order to secure vertical adjustment in the location of the arm while at all times maintaining the arm in desired level horizontal relation, the arm is provided with ,apertured portions adjacent its inner end whichare adapted toreceive locking bolts 3! threadedly received in the face of the pedestal l I, and extending through enlarged slots 32 in the rear face of the arm at the upper part thereof. The enlarged slots permit adjustment both vertically and laterally and the bolts at the top of the arm take the load in tension and support ,the arm firmly. A pair of downwardly projectin lugs 34 is provided on the lower face of the arm 20 and a connecting pin 35 having a threaded part 36 is secured thereto. A pair of nuts 31 are threadedly received on pin 3'6 and are located on opposite sides of an abutment '38 secured to the face of the pedestal. Thus it will be apparent that having first loosened bolts 3!, the entire arm may be raised or lowered upon the pedestal to adjust the position of the arm to a different level by suitably adjusting either the upper or the lower of the nuts 31. The nuts 31 and bolts 3| are then again tightened to securely lock and retain the arm in adjusted position. Since it is desirable to have as little movement of the arm as possible in the course of the stitching operation, the gibs 25 are preferably set up to such an extent that they tightly hold the arm and preferably with sufiicient frictional force to prevent downward movement thereof under the action of gravity. The arm can however be readily actuated either up or down by the means described above, and thus adjustment is simplified while at the same time maintaining firm and secure support for the arm throughout its operation. Suitable indicating and index means may be provided as desired to facilitate the setting of the arm.

The clincher mechanism is located at the outer end of the arm and comprises a die holder or block 40 suitably positioned in a recessed part of the arm and attached thereto by means of bolt 4!. The position of the clincher mechanism lengthwise of the arm may be accurately determined by means of a-threaded bolt 42 which bears against the upright face of the recessed portion as clearly shown in Fig. 3. In order to adjust the position of the, clincher mechanism in direction therefore it is; only necessary to; loosen. bolt 44 andmakesuitable adjustment in. theiposition of bolt 42, following which. bolt ii-is again tightened to retainthedie; block in properly adjusted position.- The die blockis reslr dw ib n nd; g ided; at ach side. by t e testes-1 arm; and sts'a i i s lower side di-- i qi Qilz m 2.6.:s0, hat t i firml and securely heldin prope fired.- s ioning w e so ad rises-.1

ha ic. loc r s ormer-1., witnl central upwardly extending portion; 44, at its forward; end and tgn osi e. ides re f; isformed with out.-

r new n rmortions which ontheir rd-faces are suitably-recessed; a clearly;

4 shown at 46 in Fig. 4. Within these recesses there are received, respectively, the two cooperating die members 48, the dies being themselves bored and counterbored to receive attaching bolts 49 which thread into the arms 45 and thus detachably secure the dies in position upon the die block. In such position the dies are securely held against any movement by reason of the formation of the recesses in the die block at the sides and the arm 20 providing support from below.

As shown in Fig. 4, the opposing faces of each of .the dies 48 are formed with a groove or slot 50 which extends throughout the full height of the die. This groove or slot has a width closely conforming withthe diameter of the wire, being preferably only slightly larger than the wire diameter to'provide for receiving the ends of the legs of'the stitch with only a limited clearance therefor. It will be understood that with the leg received within the groove in the die, the stitch is guided and supported around substantially the entire outer half of its periphery. The portion of the slot below the tapered portion is rectangular in section as shown in Fig. 4.

As shown in Figs, 5, 6 and 7 the slot 50 itself is of less extent than the outside length of the stitch, but the upper or leading end of the guide slot is beveled or tapered andis semi-circular in section as indicated at 52 and this taper is such that the opening-at the top of the slot is of sufiicient extent to initially receive the advancing ends of the legs of the stitch, and to guide the legs inwardly producing an inward inclination thereof. As a result of the inward inclination in the legs of the stitch so produced, the clincher in the course of itsoperation completes the bending and flattening of the legs against the face of the material.

lhe actual extent of this taper has been found to be important since with too small a taper, the legs will not be bent in sufiiciently to be flattened by the plane top surface of the plunger. Thus where the inclination was such as to provide a taper less than about half the wire diameter, it was found that in many cases the operation of the plunger would cause the ends of the wire to be doubled back upon itself, rather than bending the legsinto a flat clinch relation. On the other hand where the taper was greater than the wire diameter, an objectionable condition of curl was obtained in the legs themselves, and it was difficult to flatten the legs into a tight clinch against the surface of the material and there was some cndency to spread the hole inwardly as the wire was clinched. Best results have been consistently obtained where the extent of the taper was' less than the leg diameter, but somewhat greater than half the leg diameter. It will be understood, however, that with different types of material to be stitched, and with wire of difierent modulus of elasticity and tensile strength, some change in these relationships may be effected.

The dies are subject to substantial wear in the vicinity of the tapered groove, and for the purpose'of securing the maximum of wear from each pair of dies, they are made symmetrically at opposite ends so that by inverting and switching the dies to opposite sides of the die block, they may be reassembled with a new tapered slot and thus the effective life of the dies is substantially doubled.

A clincher plunger 55 is arranged for travel in a reciprocating path of movement in the two guide slots 50 formed by the'opposing die members, the plunger being of substantially the same thickness as the diameter of the wire and havin a width corresponding to the extent of the slot 50 and hence such as to fit closely within the guide slot while being freely movable therein. To provide additional strength and stiffness, the plunger is formed with a front portion 56 of less width than the rear portion, such front portion moving freely in spaced relation between the two side faces of the dies themselves. This front portion 56 preferably projects upwardly above the clincher surface 51 a distance of about half the wire thickness so as not to strike and deface the surface of the work, forming a forward retaining edge 58 as shown in Fig. 8 which serves the purpose of guiding the ends of the legs into the desired flat relation and preventing forward movement thereof during the course of the clinching operation. Preferably the clinching surface 51 is' plane lengthwise of the stitch and is grooved transversely as shown in Fig. 8 with a curvature corresponding closely with that of the periphery of the wire to receive the wire therein and to provide for additional guiding of the wire during the clinching operation. Both ends of the plunger are similarly shaped, and because of the severe usage to which it is subjected it is provided with a pair of equally spaced apertures 59 so that it can be assembled in either of two relatively in verted positions affording additional life and wear. Backward movement of the wire is prevented by the front face of the die block itself and the wire is thus completely guided in all directions.

,For the purpose of actuating the clincher plunger, the drive shaft is provided with a cam 69 which actuates a connecting rod 6!, such rod in turn operating a ball crank lever 62 pivotally supported at 63 on frame H. The opposite end of the bell crank engages a push rod 64 which is mounted for movement in a substantially longitudinal direction in the frame, and projects parallel with the arm 2!! and into a position adjacent the inner end and below the working surface thereof. Arm carries a push rod 65 supported in extensions formed in the lower side of the arm and in a protected position beneath the working surface thereof, push rod 65 being parallel to and having abutting engagement with the end of rod 64. In order to provide for maintaining the operative relationship established between the two rods 64 and 65 throughout the extent of the vertical and lateral adjustment of the arm 29, one or the other of these rods is provided with an extended bearing surface so that proper engaging relation is maintained notwithstanding relative travel of the arm and its rod 65. In the form shown, rod 84 is sufficiently large in diameter so that it will have proper driving relation with rod 64 in all relative positions thereof.

Suitable means are likewise provided for adjustment in the extent of movement of the clincher plunger and in the upper elevation which it reaches, to determine the force with which the plunger bears against the clinch, and the extent to which it is flattened against the work. Such adjustment can be incorporated at any suitable point in the clincher actuating mechanism and the adjustment may be made accessible either from the rear of the pedestal or from a protected position beneath the arm. In the arrangement shown, the rod 65 terminates in a butt end, and an intermediate connecting rod 58 is mounted coaxially therewith and supported in the web portions 69 of the arm 20. A bolt 10 having a head H is threaded into a recess in the end of connecting rod 68 and a lock nut 12 provides for moving the head of the bolt closer to or farther from the end of push rod 65. It will be obvious that in this way the effective length of the connecting rod 68 is altered and such change causes a greater or less travel of the clincher plunger.

Having secured the proper adjustment of the clincher plunger operation, the arm 28 may be then reset for work of different thickness, and notwithstanding the raising or lowering of the arm, it is not necessary to readjust the operation of the clincher plunger, as it retains its setting and will provide for making the same type of clinch on the new work as on the work of different thickness, this being a distinct advantage where work of different thickness is being handled.

In the outer end of the arm2il there is mounted a pin 75 which serves as the pivot for a bell crank lever 16. The lever is notched out as shown at 11 and receives the forward driving end of the connecting rod 68, such rod when moved toward the left in an operating stroke of movement causing a rocking of the bell crank in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 3. The bell crank also is formed with a downwardly extending yoke portion '58 which is adapted to be received in the rear of a pin 19 also carried by connecting rod 68 to provide for reverse rocking of the crank in response to the opposite travel of the connecting rod.

Projecting from the other side of the crank 76 is a round pin 80 which is received within the lower aperture 59 of the clincher plunger when the plunger is assembled in the groove in the dies. It will thus be clear that in response to travel of the connecting rod to the left in Fig. 3, motion will be imparted through the bell crank and the pin 80 to the clincher plunger to lift the same upwardly in a stroke of clinching operation while the plunger is guided by the guide slots 5?). Return movement of the connecting rod is obtained under the action of a compression spring 82 one end of which bears against the web element 69, and the other end against a collar 83 secured to the connecting rod 63, and provided with a suitable handle 84 readily accessible beneath arm 20,

Because of the severe wear upon the clincher plunger, it is usually found necessary to remove and replace this part at somewhat frequent intervals. In accordance with the present invention this is accomplished with great ease and without the necessity for disassembling the dies. It is only necessary to grasp the handle 84 and to pull the connecting rod 68 forwardly against the action of spring 82, to a point such that the bell crank is rocked beyond its normal range of operating movement and into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3 where as will be clear the pin 80 is withdrawn from aperture 59, providing for direct downward withdrawal of the plunger 55. Similar action provides for the reassembly of eitherthe same plunger in inverted position, or another plunger, the plunger being inserted in the guides 50 with the bell crank manually rocked into the dotted line position and the handle then released with the pin 80 returning into engaging relation in the lower of the apertures 59. While it is possible also to remove the bolts 49 and with them the two die members 48, such operation is preferably followed only when it is desired to remove and invert or replace the die members themselves, such operation ordinarily not being required as frequently as. replacement; of the plunger. a Y

.It is usually found that with stifi and hard metal sheets such as sheets of Duralumin used in the fabrication of airplane partsfor instance, the resence of the dies surrounding and giving support to the outer half of the periphery of each leg of the stitch results in a clean hole being punched with little tendency to enlargeor tear out the hole. As the legs of the stitch are forced into the stiff material, the ends thereof tend to act as punches forcing a chip or slug of the metal in advance of the wire and discharging it downwardly through the opening. inthedies, chips usually cling to the-material on the inside of the legsof the stitch and if desired means may be provided for facilitating the removal of such chips so that they will not be caught beneath the legs of the stitch. For this purpose the die block is cored as shownat 80 and connection is made to a suitable source of air pressure. The passage 90 communicates with a pair of upwardly extending passages 9 I formed in the part 44 of the block, the passagesSI opening on the front'faceof the block as shown at 92, immediately adjacent the inside of the legs of the stitch, at the points where the'chips usually tend to-cling, Suitable valve means may be provided for controlling the air supply to have it in operation as the stitch is being'formed, such mechanism being conveniently controlled from the trip mechanism which places the machine in operation.

With somewhat softer sheetmaterial there is some tendency for the downwardly moving stitch todraw the metal, and this condition is also noted more particularly where three or more sheets are being stitched. In the latter case, and particularly where the intermediate sheet or sheets is of softer materiaLit-has been found that the stitching action results in drawing the metal of the intermediate sheet or sheets downwardly with the stitch, providingafirm and secureinterlockingof that sheet with the next lower sheet, thereby forming anextremely tight and secure connection.

- In operation, the drive motor actuates the shaft I in response to being tripped, preferably by a manual trip control in the usual manner, causing thestitch forming mechanism to ,form a stitch and causing that stitch to be driven downwardly through the work material placedat-the outer end of the army It will be clear that material of widely varying sizesand shapesmay be han-' dled, and may be received over the arm in any convenient position, a back gage 86 beingprovided upon the upper face of the arm to assist in the setting of the. work at a definite location.

The clincher operation is timed-ingprecletermined relation to the stitch forming and driving operation as shown in the sequential series of viewsrepresented-in Figs. 5, Sand -'7. The initial formation of the stitch is shown in Fig. 5 with the legs being partially driven through. the sheet material and guided inwardly by the beveled portions 52, the slugsbeing indicatedat 9 L InFig. 6 the stitch has been completely formed and driven downwardly, the downwardly extending legs being' bent inwardly as shown prior to contact with the upper surface of the clincher plunger and the slugs havebeen separated anddropped out of the way. In Fig. 7 the clincher plunger has completed its stroke and has flattened the legs down. upon. the surfaceof the material, thus com- Such pleting the operation, the parts then being returned to their initial positionin preparationibr asubsequent cycle of. operation.

Adjustment of the arm either laterally or vertically does not disturb the drive mechanism for operating the clincher and the accurate horizontal relation of the arm is maintained throughout such adjustment. Likewise adjustment of the position of the die block assembly on the, arm does not affect the drive mechanism. The adjustment in the efiective length of the push rods is made: very easily and provides for adjusting for the height of the arm and causing the plunger to moveto clinching position with the desireddegree of force, without requiring any other change in the driving connections.

As a specific example the machine was constructed to form a stitch having aspace between theinner sides of the legs of 1% inch using wire of .050 inch diameter and having a tensile strength of from 270,000 to 320,000 pounds per square inch. The outermost extent of the groove at the top of the tapered portion was the same as that of the outside spacing of the legs of the stitch. Where the taper was about .020 to .025 inch on each side, or less, it was found that there was a tendency for the collapsing or folding back of the leg upon itself and a failure to turn the leg, inward sufficiently to be properly engaged by the plunger. On the other hand with a taper in excess of the diameter of the wire, 1. e. above about .050 inch, there was a tendency to produce an objectionable curl inthe leg which was not entirely removed by the plunger and thus the clinch was not sufficiently fiat. Most satisfactory results were secured where the taper varied from about .030 to .040 inch at each side. With such a taper very satisfactory stitches were secured upon two hard metal sheets such as stainless steel or Duralumin each of a thickness of approximately .040 inch. v A somewhat modified construction is shown in Figs. 9 to 12. In this construction the two dies I00 are bolted in place on die block IM and are provided with cooperating grooves I02 the inner ends of which are semi-circular in cross section and are so mounted upon the die holder that the grooves extend for the full length of the stitch andhenceno tapered lead-in is provided at the ends. The dies are relieved as shown at I03 with a frontportion I04 adapted to engage with the corresponding portion on the opposite die, to thereby close across the front of the dies for added protection. Also if desired the rear face of the die maybe removed as indicated at I05, this space with the relief provided at I03 afiording a passage through which any chips or slugs can be discharged. The plunger is shown at I06 and is of substantially the same cross length as the combined extent of slots I02 so that it overlies the entire lower face of the stitch and is rounded atits outer sides to fit closely within and to he guided by the slots I02. In order to providefor the in: ward turning of the ends of the stitch legs, the upper face of the plunger is provided with upwardly raised ear portions I0? at opposite sides thereof, these ears. making initial engaging contact with the legs of the stitch and turning the same inwardly toward each other. As the stroke of the plunger is completed, it bears against the entire lower face of the stitch and with particular pressure against the ends thereof, to assure the clinching in a firm and tight manner. The radius of curvature of the earsis approximately that of the bend, of the wire at thecorners, so.

that a flattening pressure is applied uniformly across the entire extent of the stitch. The upper surface of the plunger may be plane transversely, or may be grooved as shown at I08 in Fig. 12, to afford additional guidin'g contact for the wire as the legs are being flattened. Both the dies and the plunger are symmetrically formed so that they can be reversed for additional use, as described above.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a wire stitching machine of the character described having a base and an upwardly extending pedestal portion, forming a main frame for the machine and an overhanging head including a stitch forming mechanism, vertically extending ways on said frame, a clincher arm, means for mounting said arm for vertical adjustment on said ways including gibs bearing respectively against said ways, and means for individually adjusting said gibs to provide for lateral shifting of said arm upon said ways to locate and secure the clincher mechanism in accurate relation with respect to the stitch forming mechanism.

2. In a wire stitching machine of the character described having a base and an upwardly extending pedestal portiondorming a main frame for the machine and an overhanging head including a stitch forming mechanism, vertically extending ways on said frame, a clincher arm, clincher mechanism carried by said arm, cans for mounting said arm for vertical adjustment on said ways, operating mechanism carried by said arm for effecting actuation of said clincher mechanism, means operable separately and independently of the vertical adjustment of said armfor adjusting the extent of travel of said clincher mechanism, drive means mounted on said frame, said drive means and said operating means having cooperating parts maintained in predetermined driving relation throughout the vertical travel of said arm to maintain a predetermined setting of said adjustable means throughout different positions of vertical adjustment of said arm.

3. In a wire stitching machine of the character described having a base and an upwardly extending pedestal portion, forming a main frame for the machine and an overhanging head including a stitch forming mechanism, vertically extending ways on said frame, a clincher arm, clincher mechanism carried by said arm, means for adjusting the extent of travel of said clinch er mechanism, means for mounting said arm for vertical adjustment on said ways, a push rod carried by said arm for actuating said clincher mechanism, a drive rod mounted in said frame, one of said rods having a relatively extended engaging surface providing for maintaining the operating engagement thereof and a predetermined setting of said adjusting mechanism substantially unaffected by the vertical travel of said arm.

4. In a wire stitching machine of the character described having a base and an upwardly extending pedestal portion, forming a main frame for the machine" and an overhanging head including a' stitch "forming mechanism, vertically extending ways on said frame, a clincher arm,

clincher mechanism operably carried by said arm including a clincher plunger, means for mounting said arm for vertical adjustment on said ways, means for adjusting said clincher mechani'sm to cause a greater or less travel of said clincher plunger to apply a predetermined c1inching pressure to the ends of said stitch, means carried by said frame for driving said clincher mechanism, and means for maintaining the driving relationship between said drive means and said clincher mechanism over the range of vertical adjustment of said arm while maintaining a predetermined adjustment of the travel of said clincher plunger.

5. Clincher mechanism for a wire stitching machine comprising die members having a guide slot therein, a plunger movable in said slot to effect the clinching of the stitch, an actuating mechanism connected with said plunger for moving said plunger through a normal cycle of movement within saidslot, and manual means for effecting the disconnection of said actuating mechanism and said plunger to free said plunger and provide for continued movement thereof in said slot to a position where it is entirely withdrawn therefrom.

6. Clincher mechanism for a wire stitching machine comprising die members having a guide slot therein, a plunger movable in said slot to ef feet the clinching of the stitch, an actuating mechanism for moving said plunger through a normal cycle of movement within said slot including a pin engaging said plunger to effect reciprocation thereof in a normal cycle or movement, and means for manually moving said pin to a position beyond its normal range of reciprocating travel to effect disengagement thereof from said plunger providing for free removal and replacement of said plunger in said guide slot.

7. Clincher mechanism for a wire stitching machine comprising die members having a guide slot therein, a clincher plunger mounted for reciprocating travel in said slot to effect the clinching of the stitch, a bell crank having a pin projecting therefrom and engaging an aperture in said plunger, means for normally actuating said bell crank to effect said reciprocating travel of said plunger, and'means for modifying the action of said actuating means to provide for movement of said bell crank to a position beyond its normal range of travel such that said pin is withdrawn from the aperture in the plunger providing for direct withdrawal and replacement of the plunger in said guideslot.

8. Clincher mechanism for a wire stitching machine comprising die members having a guide slot therein, a clincher plunger mounted for reciprocating travel in said slot to effect the clinching of the stitch, a bell crank having a pin projecting therefrom and engaging an aperture in said plunger to effect said reciprocating travel of the plunger, a push rod for normally actuating said bell crank, and manual means accessible beneath said arm for moving said push rod and said bell crank to a position beyond the normal range of reciprocating travel thereof providing for withdrawal of said pin from the aperture in the plunger releasing the plunger for direct re-, moval and replacement in said guide slot.

9. Clincher mechanism for a wire stitching machine comprising a die holder, die members secured to said die holder in predetermined cooperating relation and having guide slots for receiving the ends of the stiches as they are formed w and enclosing substantially half the periphery of eacliend of the stitch, and a clincher plunger, movable in and guided'by said guide slots and movable'into engaging and flattening relation with the endsof said stitches, saidplung'er being symmetrically formed atits opposite ends and adapted to be inserted in said guide slots in either of two relatively inverted positions'to "eife'ct clinching of the stitch and to provide'longer life.

"l; Clincher mechanism for a wire stitching machine'comprising'a die block, die members for receiving the legs of the stitclias it"is forced through'the material and provided with guide slotsysaid die members having guide surfaces spaced apart a distance corresponding 'substan' tially to the outside spacing of the legs of the stitch and being formed with portions having an ve lelaili ly te with res ect to each other;

in each: or which ,said guide slots, cooperate .to form legs of the stitch as slots to. clinch and flatten the legsofsaid stitch upon the face of thematerial, said'plungerbeing.

symmetrically formed to be received in two..rela-. .tively invertedgPOfiitions within saidguide. slots to. provid for additional. wear thereon.

l nc e ..mechanismicr a wire stitching.

machinehaving a ,die, block comprising die mem.-.

bers. each having a guideeslot formed therein.ex-.. tending uniformlyto the. .upper. edge thereon means for amembling said die-members upon said inward taper at each side less than the'thickne'ss of saidlegs and greater than half the thickness thereof, said taper extending over'a substantial vertical distance such that the legs ofsaid stitch are turned inwardly but"remain substantially. uncurled, and a clincher plunger movable in said guide slots to engage the inwardly turned legs of the stitch to flatten the same against the work material.

11; Clincher mechanism for a wire stitching die block in cooperatin relationwith \s'aidire spective guide slots correlated. to. provide for ireceiving the respective endsof thestitch in.sub-. stantial parallelrelationas the same is formed,- a clincher plunger movable into clinching.v posi-.-.

tion within said guidegslots.to..flatten.the.legs of said stitch upo n theface of the material, said guide slots and. saidplunger having a length substantially the same as the outside. length of the stitch itself, said plunger. having upwardly.ex-

guide slots to engage the inwardlyturned'legs of the stitch to flatten thesam'e against the work material. 12. In clincher mechanism for a wire stitching machine "having a die block, a pair of die memk ber'sfor receiving the ends of the wire as the stitch is forced throughthe material, each of said die membershaving a guide slot therein for receiving the advancing, end or the "leg of the stitch while providing support for substantially the outerhalf of the periphery thereof, each of said die members being symmetrically formed'at opposite ends with a similar guide slot to provide forassemblyof said die members in inverted po- .sitio'n to afford additional wear" thereon.

13; In clincher mechanism for a wire stitching machine having a die block, a pair of die memhers adapted to be secured'to said die block in either of-two relatively inverted positions; said dien'ieinbers each having a guide slot iorrned therein andsymmetrically positioned to provide. for assembly of said die members in two positions relatively'inverted with respect'to each other in each of which said guideslots cooperate to "form a diefor receiving the opposite ends of the legs of the stitch as said legs are forced through the material to be stitched, and a" clincher plunger mounted for reciprocatingtravel in said guide slots to clinch and flatten the legs of said upon the face of the'work material; 7

14. In clincher mechanism for a wire stitching machine having a diebloc'k, a pair of die mend-J hers-adapted to besecuredto saiddie block; in

stitch either oftWb relatively inverted positionais'aid l h h k theforces of said spring means. fordisplacing die 'members each "having' a" guide slot formed:

therein and symmetricallypositioned to provide 7 1 for assembly: of sa'lid jdie inernbers in "two pbsi- 10 *Ji i? j." i v i tending ears adjacent its'opposite ends, to receive the ends of the legs and to initiatea bend therein.

in preparation for the flattening thereof against the material and to apply flattening pressure across the entire extent of the stitch.

l6. Clincher mechanism for a wire stitching machine having a dieblock comprising die members each having a guide .slot formed therein,

means for assembling said diemembers upon said "die block in cooperating relation with said re.-

spective guide slots correlated to provide for receiving the respective ends ofthe stitch as the same is formed, a clincher plunger movable into clinching position within; said guide slot to fiat-.

ten the legs of said stitch upon the face ofthe material, said clincher plunger having a work engaging endadapted to, engage the legs of said stitch and to pressthe same fiat against the material, said plunger also having a part located forwardly of the plane of said guideslots and projecting above said work engaging end to prevent forward displacing movementof the ends jof the. legs and to restrain said legs within. the'plane of thestitch.

17. Clincher mechanism for a wire stitching machin comprising a. diev block, means carried by said die block forming die members for receiving the ends. of theiwire stitches the'stitch is forced through the material, said die block hav-.

ingair snpply n eans in line witha part of each leg of the stitch which projects through the work material, and mean for supplying .air pressure to said air supply means to discharge air jets therefromdirectly against the chips formed .by

each leg of the stitch to effect removal thereof.

18; In a stapling machine a base carrying a,

stationary die,'a staple clinchin die movable relative to said stationary die, a rockerpivotally mounted upon said base and having a knub portion extending into a recessed portion of said clinching'die forfl'crariking' the lattertoinove in directions'transversely of the. direction. of. exten; V V sion of said knub portion, spring means tending to bias said rocker away from staple clinching.

procuring positionj and ,meansTadapted to'be l v manually operated, to' rotate said 'roclre'ifagainst,v

nectionswithsaid diejrecessedipoi'tioni ie iece na he .oppcsite. ends. of the I S d legsareforced through.

the material to be stitched, and a clincher, plung- "er mounted forreciprecating travel in said guide 19. In a stapling machine, a base, a stationary die mounted on said base, a staple clinching die movable relative to said stationary die, a rocker pivotally mounted upon said base and having a knub portion extending into operating connection with a recessed portion of said clinching die, spring means tending to bias said rocker away from staple clinching position, and means carried by said rocker adapted to be manually operated upon to actuate said rocker against the forces 10 of said spring means for rotating said rocker knub portion out of connected relation with respect to said clinching die member, whereby said movable die member may be freed of connection to said rocker to permit removal of said 15 die from said machine.

WILLIAM R. SPILLER. ROBERT J NIEDERHAUSER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Patent No. 2,424,717.

Certificate of Correction July 29, 1947. WILLIAM R. SPILLER ET AL.

It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Column 5, line 38, for ball read bell; column 10, line 74, for stiches read stitches; column 14, after line 16, add the following reference 1,761,586 Price June 8,1930

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 7th day of October, A. D. 1947.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

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