US2723442A - Apparatus for forming bendable prong fasteners - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 15, 1955 w, ER 2,723,442

APPARATUS FOR FORMING BENDABLE PRONG FASTENERS Filed Oct. 28, 1952 INVENTOR.

WALTEQ E'- THAYEE ATTORNEYS United States Patent APPARATUS FOR FORMING BENDABLE PRONG FASTENERS Walter E. Thayer, Lockport, N. Y.

Application October 28, 1952, Serial No. 317,166

2 Claims. (Cl. 29-13) This invention relates to an apparatus for forming bendable prong fasteners.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for forming prong fasteners which enables the user to perform the necessary bending operations with facility and ease.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for forming prong fasteners which is suitable for use by unskilled persons, and which is of sturdy construction.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a corner portion of the top plate of the punch block forming part of the apparatus of the present invention, showing a strip of bendable material inserted prior to forming said strip into a fastener.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the strip partly formed and illustrating the engagement therewith of the strip forming bar which may be employed as a part of the model making assembly.

Figure 3 is a perspective view similar to Figures 1 and 2 showing the fastener in its almost completely formed condition.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating the manner of completing the formation of the fastener, employing the same bar member shown in Figure 2 in conjunction with the structure provided on the top of the punch block.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus comprises a supporting member 11 on the top of which is secured a plate 14. One corner of the top plate 14 is beveled, as shown at 44 and is formed with the upwardly offset tongue 45 which is employed as a forming die for forming metal fasteners from narrow strips of thin sheet metal. The fasteners are formed from narrow strips, such as is shown at 46 in Figure 1, the strip 46 being engageable beneath the tongue 45 against the edge of the beveled corner portion 44 of the plate 14, and the strips being bendable upwardly, as shown in dotted view in Figure 1, to a substantially U-shaped configuration. Designated at 47 is a rectangular bar member having parallel slots 48, 48 formed at one end thereof to define a forming finger 49 which is insertable between the upstanding legs of the strip 46, in the manner shown in Figure 2, said legs being received in the slots 48, 48 as illustrated. The upstanding legs may be then bent outwardly to substantially horizontal positions overlying the top surfaces of the bar 47 outwardly adjacent the slots 43, 48. Then the bar 47 is removed and both legs are bent inwardly and upwardly to the positions shown in Figure 3. The partially fabricated fastener is then removed from the tongue 45. The punch 25 is removed from its bore and the legs 50, 50 are engaged in the bore in the manner shown in Figure 4, the bore being designated by the reference numeral 51. The bar 47 is formed at the end thereof opposite the slots 48, 48 with an arcuate notch 52 which is then engaged beneath the head of a screw 53 secured in the top of the block member 13, as illustrated in Figure 4, the bar 47 being thus employed to eXert downward force on the head portion of the fastener to flatten said head portion, as shown at 54. Bar 47 is therefore employed as a forming lever which cooperates with the headed member 53 to fiatten the head of the fastener. After the head has been thus flattened, the fastener may be removed and is ready for use. The fastener may be used to secure together a plurality of formed strips or other members, the legs of the fastener being insertable through punched holes in the strips or elements to be secured and the ends of the legs being then bendable outwardly to lock the pieces in secured relationship.

Respective vertical bores 40', 40 are formed in the rear portion of supporting member 11 through which suitable fastening members may be engaged to secure the member 11 to a larger base to provide additional rigidity.

A suitable upstanding bracket may be removably secured to the rear portion of block 13 to which a lever may be pivotally connected, said lever being engageable in a groove 41' formed in the top of head 26, so that the punch may be lever-operated. While a specific embodiment of an improved model making punch device has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for forming bendable pronged fasteners comprising a support, a horizontal tongue on said support spaced from the support to receive a bendable blank strip therebeneath whereby the ends of the strip may be bent upwardly to define prongs, and a flat rectangular forming bar provided with parallel slots at one end, said slots being engageable with the upwardly bent prongs when the portion of the bar between the slots is placed on the tongue, whereby said prongs may be bent outwardly over the edges of the slots.

2. Apparatus for forming bendable prong fasteners comprising an upstanding supporting member, a flat plate on the top of said member inwardly of a corner portion of the latter member, a horizontally disposed tongue carried by said plate and overhanging and spaced above the corner portion of said member to receive a bendable blank strip therebeneath whereby the ends of the strip may be bent upwardly to define prongs, and a flat bar having spaced slots extending inwardly from one end, said slots being engageable with the upwardly bent prongs when the portion of the bar between the slots is placed on the tongue whereby said tongues may be bent outwardly over the edges of the slot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 75,781 Naylor Mar. 24, 1868 1,431,641 Erickson Oct. 10, 1922 2,013,705 Warren Sept. 10, 1935 2,320,205 Wales May 25, 1943

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