US3689980A

US3689980A - Method and apparatus for automatically affixing top stops on slider fastener chain

Info

Publication number: US3689980A
Application number: US86663A
Authority: US
Inventors: Yoshio Oyama
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-11-12
Filing date: 1970-11-04
Publication date: 1972-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 1989-09-12
Also published as: NL153106B; NL7016479A; CA929732A; FR2069089A5; DE2056523B2; DE2056523A1; DE2056523C3; GB1335376A

Abstract

There is described a process for attaching top stops on socalled ''''gap chain'''' for slide fasteners and apparatus for carrying out the method, one mechanical cycle of the method consisting of a series of steps of stopping the chain at predetermined position, spreading the gap portions of the chain, delivering top stops on the opposing tape edges of the chain close to the leading elements of the element groups spaced along the length of the chain, and clamping the top stops.

Description

United States Patent Oyama Sept. 12, 1972 54 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR [56] References Cited AUTOMATICALLY AFFIXING TOP STOPS 0N SLIDER FASTENER CHAIN 2 732 000 T gi z Q E 5 ST vme [72] Invent M 5; Toma", Asah" 3,588,991 6/1971 Maisenbacher.....29/207.5 s'r cho, shimonnkawa-gun, Toyama- Japan Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager [22] Filed: Nov. 4, 1970 Attorney-Nolte and Nolte [2| Appl. No: 86,663 I ABSTRACT Foreign Application Priority Data There is described a process for attaching top stops on so-called gap chain for slide fasteners and apparatus Nov. 12, 1969 Japan ..44/90574 for carrying out the method, one mechanical cycle of the method consisting of a series of steps of stopping US. Cl- ..29/408, the chain at predetem ined position preading the gap [51] Int. Cl. ..B23p 19/04, B23p 11/00 portions of the chain, delivering top Stops on the [58] Fleld of Search ..29/408, 207.5 ST, 207.5 R, posing tape edges of the chain Close to the leading 29/208 ments of the element groups spaced along the length of the chain, and clamping the top stops.

9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDsEP 12 1912 SHEET 2 OF 4 FIGA INVENTOR. 65///0 d a/wfl PATENTEDSEP 12 I972 3.689 .980

sum u or 4 INVENTOR.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY AFFIXING TOP STOPS ON SLIDER FASTENER CHAIN This invention relates to a method and apparatus for automatically affixing top stop members on fastener chains.

In the manufacture of slide fasteners, it is the conventional practice to provide a fastener chain consisting of a pair of stringer tapes having spaced groups of interlocking fastener elements along the inner edges thereof. Opposed fastener elements on the respective tapes are interengaged. Each group of the fastenerelements is spaced from any adjacent groupby ablank tape portion devoid of fastenerelements. Obviously, each group defines the length of an individual fastener to be produced. Before the chain is cut at the 'blank portions to provide individual fasteners, it is desirable to subject the chain to various fastener assembling operations such as mounting of top and bottom stops and sliders. In assembling slide fasteners, it is desirable for the purpose of increasing efficiency to transfer the chain in constant flow from one step to another, though insome instances it may be preferred to roll up the fastener chain after passing through an operation.

This invention is directed to a method and apparatus which not only eliminate the individual handling of single fastener lengths, required in the conventional assembling, but provides automatic mounting of top stop members on fastener chains delivered in continuous flow by a chain machine.

Heretofore, even when the chains were automatically handled on a top stop applying machine, it has been difficult to secure top stops into correct position on the tapes, i.e., in a position infinitesimally close to the leading element of the element group on each stringer tape.

It is thus an important object of the present invention to mount top stops in correct positions on the stringer tapes, close to the leading element of each group of fastener elements arranged on the tapes.

It is another object of the invention to provide a highspeed and high precision method and apparatus of autornatically mounting top stops on fastener chains, whereby the above-mentioned difficulty may be eliminated.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention-will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a fastener chain having top stops mounted in position according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic fragmentary side view of the apparatus constructed according to the invention,

showing essential parts of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of a top stop carrier having a top stop transfer nest on each side;

FIG. 4 is a plan view, partially in section, showing the essential parts of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a view showing the apparatus of FIG. 4 partially in front elevation and partially in sections taken along lines VV and V'V' of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6a, 6b and 6c are views showing the relative operative positions of fastener parts and moving elements of the apparatus; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a chain stopping means.

Referring now to the drawings, and first to FIG. 1, the fastener chain 20 has a pair of

stringer tapes

21, 21 having attached along the inner edges thereof a series of interlocking elements 22. The fastener elements 22 are arranged in groups alongthe length of the stringer tapes 21 and each group of fastener elements is spaced away from adjacent groups by blank tape portions 23. The top stops indicated at 24 are secured on the opposing inner edges of the blank tape portions 23 in a position close to the leading elements 22' of the element groups on respective stringertapes.

The operation and apparatus, which form apreferred I embodiment of this invention, are illustratedin FIGS. 2

pair of tape grippers for gripping and spreading said blank tape portions at said position; a means for mechanically spreading said grippers; a top stop carrier vpivotally supported on a machine frame overhead said position for free swinging movement into and out of the gap between the spread tapes for delivering a top stop to the inneredge of each tape in a position close to a leading fastener element; a means for clamping top stops in said position; and a means for resiliently and retractively maintaining the arms-of said tape grippers so as to bring the leading element on respective tapes laterally in alignment with each other and to allow both top stops to be positioned close to the leading elements. The chain 20 is drawn across a chain guide table 26 by

puller rollers

27 and 28. FIG. 2 shows a pressure pad 29 which is held against the tape by means of a compression spring 30 for holding the'tapes securely on the table.

Element guide ridges

31, 31 are provided on the chain guide table 26 to permit the fastener elements to pass therealong and guide the chain in proper position.

A chain stopping means is provided underneath the path of travel of the chain 20 and generally indicated by the reference numeral 32, including a feeler finger 33 normally retractively projected from underneath into the path of tape travel. When the spaced bland tape portion passes over the finger 33, it rises into the blank portion and engages with a leading element 22' of a succeeding group of fastener elements (FIG. 6a).

The finger 33 is connected to one end ofa feeler rod 34 which is pivotally movable about a pin 35 of a sliding member 77 which is slidably received in a frame 36. The finger 33 is normally biased upwardly by a compression spring 37 placed underneath the feeler rod 34. When the finger 33 engages with the leading element 22' succeeding the blank tape portion, the rod 34 and sliding member 55 slide with chain elements 22 in the direction indicated by arrow 38, against spring 39. A pusher rod 40 is provided to push the angular rear end of the feeler rod 34 upwardly against the sloping inner wall 41 of the frame 36 when the finger 33 is pulled by a predetermined distance by the chain, thereby retracking the feeler finger 33 from elements 22 and allowing spring 39 to return the feeler finger and rod member 34 to their initial position.

Reference numeral 42 generally designates chain grippers symmetrically provided one on each side of the path of the chain 20. Each gripper 42 comprises a pair of upper and

lower arms

43 and 44 disposed substantially perpendicular to the path of tape travel and pivotally supported on

pin members

45 and 46 extending between the side walls of a frame member 47. These arms are provided with bifurcated

fingers

48, 48 and 49, 49 at the ends extending into the path of the chain. The

fingers

48,48, 49, 49' of the upper and lower arms are biased away from each other by a compression spring 50. The fingers of each arm are spaced apart by a predetermined distance as indicated at H in FIG. 4 so that the arms may have a grip on the blank tape portions 23 with fingers 48, 48' as well as on the tape portion adjacent the leading elements on respective tapes with

fingers

49,49.

At the end opposite to the

fingers

48, 48' and 49, 49 the upper and lower gripper arms have

shoulder portion

51, 52 respectively. The

shoulders

51, 52 are provided in the inner surface thereof with laterally successive, mutually facing

concave recesses

53 and 54 for accommodating a ball member 55. The fingers of the upper and lower arms may be closed or opened by selectively shifting the ball member 55 between two resting positions defined by the

recesses

53 and 54. When the ball 55 is in the outer rest position defined by outer recesses 54 of the upper and

lower arms

43, 44, the fingers are opened by the action of spring 50. Shift into inner position of the ball member 55 causes the fingers to close against spring 50.

The frame member 47 supporting the gripper arms has a stud 56 loosely fitted into a bore 66 formed in a plate 57 which is supported on a vertical shaft 58 for oscillating movement thereabout. An oscillating movement is imparted to the moving plate 57by a link 59 connected thereto. Mounted on the upper end of the vertical shaft 58 is an oscillating arm 60 whose free end is extended into a cut away portion or indentation 61 of a reciprocating rod member 62 interposed between the upper and

lower arms

43, 44 of the tape gripper 42. The reciprocating rod 62 retains therein the ball member 55 as mentioned hereinbefore and functions to shift the ball member between its outer and inner rest positions defined by the

recesses

53 and 54 of the gripper arms in response to oscillating movement of the oscillating arm 60.

Once the chain 20 is gripped correctly by the

finger projections

48, 48' and 49 49' of the tape gripper 42, link 59 oscillates the moving plates 57 about the shafts 58 together with the gripper assembly 42 mounted thereon in the direction indicated by arrows in FIG. 4 thereby to spread the blank tape portions 23 symmetrically as shown in FIG. 6b.

Oscillating movement is selectively imparted to the arm 60 by link 63 through the vertical shaft 58. The arm 60, link 63 and shaft 58 are adapted to follow the oscillating movement of the moving plate 57 so that unintentional shifting of the ball member which might be caused during the oscillating movement of the gripper arms may be prevented.

When the blank tape portions 23 of the chain are spread apart, the top stop carriage generally designated at 64 swings down into the gap between the spreaded tapes for delivering and positioning top stops. This top stop carrier, as shown in FIG. 2, is supported on a machine frame 65 overhead the path of chain travel,

more particularly overhead the position at which the tapes are spread and swing down into the gap between the spread tapes in a plane passing through the center between the spread tapes and in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the fastener chain. The carrier 64 is provided at the free end thereof with a slidable moving block 67 and a

stationary block member

68, 68 disposed on each side of the moving block 67. The sliding block 67 has laterally projecting

head portions

69 and 70 which in cooperation with the

stationary blocks

68, 68 define a top stop transfer nest 71 on each side of v the carrier adjacent to said free end. The

transfer nests

71, 71 are provided in such position on the carrier that the top stops resiliently held therein may be threaded on the inner edges of respective tapes when the carrier 64 is in its lowermost position.

The top stops members indicated at 24 in FIG. 3 are of the U-shaped type each having two legs. The device of this type is well known in the art and has been used for many years. The

top stop members

24, 24 may be suitably fed to thenests 71, 71 of the carrier 64 from shoots each having a pusher member 72 adapted to push a top stop into the nest with the top stop legs disposed outwardly as shown in FIG. 3.

According to the invention, the

stationary block members

68, 68 and moving block member 67 function also as a means for clamping the top stops in position on the tapes. The top stops, after being threaded over the inner edges of the spreaded tapes, may be securely clamped on the tapes by the sliding block member 67 moving in the direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 3, compressing the top stops against the

stationary block members

68, 68. The top stops are introduced into the gap between the tapes in the direction as indicated in FIG. 6b and come into engagement with the respective tape edges at the position shown at W.

As shown in FIG. 6a, the chain is fed with the elements on the opposing tapes interconnected alternatively and this alternative interconnection of the elements necessarily results in the positional difference between the leading elements of the coupled elements groups. One leading element precedes the other by a distance corresponding to its width. However, the top stop carrier 64 has the

transfer nests

71, 71 laterally in alignment with each other and, therefore, when one top stop is brought into an abutting relationship with a leading element on one tape, the other top stop is still left spaced away from the leading element on the opposite tape as shown in FIG. 6b. In order that both of the two top stops are invariably positioned close to the leading element on respective tapes, according to the invention, the fastener chain is temporarily deflected thereby the bring the leading elements laterally in alignment with one another. To accomplish this, the apparatus according to the invention is provided with a means for resiliently and retractively maintaining the gripper arms, which means comprises a first plate member 73 secured to the undersurface of the moving plate 57 adjacent to the bore 66 in which the stud 56 of the frame member 47 is received. A second plate member 74 is secured to the lower end of the stud 56 with one end in abutted against the first plate member 73 as shown at 75 in FIG. 4. The other end of the second plate member 74 is normally biased away from the first plate 73 by a predetermined distance by means of a compression spring 76 interposed therebetween. With this arrangement, when the top stop carrier 64 is brought into the position shown in FIG. 6b, the top stop in one nest abuts against the preceding one of the leading elements. The abutting force of the carrier 64 is transmitted through the preceding leading element to the

tape gripping fingers

48, 48 causing the

arms

43 and 44 to retract against spring 76, thereby temporarily deflecting the tape as shown at R in FIG. 6c. Thus, the two top stops are laterally aligned with one another and may be placed in correct positions infinitesimally close to respective leading elements as shown in FIG. 60, and the top stops are fixed .in this position by the clamping means mentioned hereinabove. With the clamping of the top stops one mechanical cycle terminates and all moving elements of the apparatus return to their initial position for recommencement of another cycle of the operation.

- While there has been shown and described in this application one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this embodiment is merely for the purpose of illustration and description and that various other modifications and alterations may be made within the scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A method for automatically affixing top stops on a travelling slide fastener chain having a pair of stringer tapes, provided along the opposed inner edges thereof with groups of fastening elements and therebetween, with blank tape portions, each group of fastening elements being interconnected with a corresponding group on the opposite tape, said method comprising (1) stopping the blank tape portions at a predetermined position in the path of the travelling chain, (2) spreading the stringer tapes of the stopped, blank tape portions in the plane of the fastener chain by applying a pair of grips of the fastener chain, one in a part of a stopped blank portion slightly spaced from the nearest leading fastening element and the otheradjacent to a leading fastening element, (3) delivering top stops on the inner edges of the spread tapes in a position close to each of said leading elements in said predetermined position and (4) clamping the top stops in said position.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the stringer tapes are deflected temporarily so as to bring the leading elements on the opposing tapes laterally in alignment with one another.

3. Apparatus for automatically affixing top stops on a fastener chain travelling along a path of tape travel and having a pair of continuous stringer tapes, provided along the inner edges thereof with groups of fastening elements and spaced blank tape portions therebetween, each group of fastening elements being interconnected with a corresponding group on the opposite tape, comprising in combination (1) means for stopping a spaced tape portion at a predetermined position of said path, 2) a pair of tape grippers provided in said position, one on each side of said path of tape travel, each comprising a pair of pivotally supported arm means for cooperatively gripping the stringer tapes at two positions, at different locations of said spaced tape portion, (3) means for mechanically controlling said tape grippers to grip and spread the tapes, (4) a top stop carrier mounted above sai redete mined osition for swin mg into and out 0 send path in the area of the tap s spread by said tape grippers for delivering a top stop on the inner edge of each tape in a position at least generally close to a leading fastening element, (5) means for resiliently holding said tape grippers and for thereby bringing the leading elements on the opposing tapes laterally in alignment with one another, and (6) means for then clamping the top stops to said tapes.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said means for stopping the spaced tape portion comprises a feeler finger member normally retractively projected from underneath into the path of tape travel and adapted to rise into the spaced tape portion of the fastener chain.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said tape grippers comprises an upper and lower arm disposed substantially perpendicular to said path of travel of the chain and pivotally supported on a frame member, said arms being provided with bifurcated tape gripping fingers at the ends extending into said path and shoulder portions at the ends opposite thereto, spring means for normally biasing said ends of arms away from each other; mutually opposed, twin recesses in said shoulder portions of said upper and lower arms; and ball means shiftably retainable in said recesses for variable mutualpositioning of said arms.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said means for controlling the tape grippers comprises a plate mounted on a vertical shaft for oscillating movement thereabout and carrying said frame member of said gripper arms, an oscillating arm member mounted on said vertical shaft at the upper end thereof, a reciprocating rod member interposed between the upper and lower arms of said tape grippers and mechanically connected to said oscillating arm, and retaining said ball means for shifting it selectively between outer and inner positions defined by said recesses of gripper arms in response to oscillating movement of said oscillating arm.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for resiliently holding tape grippers comprises a first plate member secured to the undersurface of said plate and a second plate member secured to a stud of said frame member of the gripper arms, said stud being supportedly fitted through a bore formed in said moving plate, said second plate member having one end thereof abutted against said first plate member and the other end normally resiliently biased away from the first plate member by a predetermined distance by means of a compression spring interposed therebetween.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said top stop carrier includes a retractively slidable block member having laterally projected head portions and stationary block members disposed on the sides of said slidable block members, said laterally projecting head portions of the movable and stationary block members defining a top stop transfer nest on each side of the carrier.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the top stop carrier comprises said means for clamping top stops, between said slidable and stationary block members.

"H050 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CO RECTIO Patent No. 689,980 I I Dated SEPTEMBER 12, 1 2

Inventofls) I YOSHIO OYAMA It is certified that error appears in the'aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent are, hereby corrected as shown below:

ASSIGNMENT FROM YOSHIO 62mm to:

YOSHIDA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA Signed and sealed, this 17th day of April 1973.

(SEAL) Attest;

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. RO BERT .GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. A method for automatically affixing top stops on a travelling slide fastener chain having a pair of stringer tapes, proviDed along the opposed inner edges thereof with groups of fastening elements and therebetween, with blank tape portions, each group of fastening elements being interconnected with a corresponding group on the opposite tape, said method comprising (1) stopping the blank tape portions at a predetermined position in the path of the travelling chain, (2) spreading the stringer tapes of the stopped, blank tape portions in the plane of the fastener chain by applying a pair of grips of the fastener chain, one in a part of a stopped blank portion slightly spaced from the nearest leading fastening element and the other adjacent to a leading fastening element, (3) delivering top stops on the inner edges of the spread tapes in a position close to each of said leading elements in said predetermined position and (4) clamping the top stops in said position.

3. Apparatus for automatically affixing top stops on a fastener chain travelling along a path of tape travel and having a pair of continuous stringer tapes, provided along the inner edges thereof with groups of fastening elements and spaced blank tape portions therebetween, each group of fastening elements being interconnected with a corresponding group on the opposite tape, comprising in combination (1) means for stopping a spaced tape portion at a predetermined position of said path, (2) a pair of tape grippers provided in said position, one on each side of said path of tape travel, each comprising a pair of pivotally supported arm means for cooperatively gripping the stringer tapes at two positions, at different locations of said spaced tape portion, (3) means for mechanically controlling said tape grippers to grip and spread the tapes, (4) a top stop carrier mounted above said predetermined position for swinging into and out of said path in the area of the tapes spread by said tape grippers for delivering a top stop on the inner edge of each tape in a position at least generally close to a leading fastening element, (5) means for resiliently holding said tape grippers and for thereby bringing the leading elements on the opposing tapes laterally in alignment with one another, and (6) means for then clamping the top stops to said tapes.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said tape grippers comprises an upper and lower arm disposed substantially perpendicular to said path of travel of the chain and pivotally supported on a frame member, said arms being provided with bifurcated tape gripping fingers at the ends extending into said path and shoulder portions at the ends opposite thereto, spring means for normally biasing said ends of arms away from each other; mutually opposed, twin recesses in said shoulder portions of said upper and lower arms; and ball means shiftably retainable in said recesses for variable mutual positioning of said arms.