US734648A - Can-body-making machine. - Google Patents

Description

No. 734,648. PATENTED JULY 28, 1903.

B. ZEH.

CAN BODY MAKING MACHINE.

I APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14. 1903.

N0 MODEL. 6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

.. Wzbwwwl I lwmhr, a ar/fizz, iii'arwe ya PATBNTED JULY 28, 1903.

7 B. ZEH. CAN BODY MAKING MACHINE.

6 BHBETS-SHEET 3.

V APPLIUATION FILED MAR. 14. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

' 7% Znessea PATENTED JULY 28, 1903.

' E. ZEH.

CAN BODY MAKING MAGHINE.

I APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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No. 734,648. PATENTED JULY 28, 1903.

E. ZBH.

CAN BODY MAKING MACHINE. APPLIOkTION FILED MAR. 14, 1903.

N0 MODEL. e SHEETS-SHEET 5.

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iZ-Zvrne ga Patented July 28,1903;

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EoMuND znH, oF BUFFALO, NEW Y;oRK,Ass1e oR TO NIAGARA MACHINE & A TOOL woRKs, OF BurFALo, NEW YORK.

CAN-BODY-MAKI'NG MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letterjs Patent N0. 734,648, dated July 28, 1903. 7 Application filed March 14,1903. :Serial No. 147,794; (No model.)

To all whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, EDMUND ZEH, a citizen of the German Empire,:residingat Bufialo, in.

the county of Erie and State of NewYork, have invented new and useful Improvements in Oan-Body-Making Machines, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to a machine for forming can-bodies of the well-known form :0 in which the longitudinal edges of the sheet metal blank formingthe body are. connected by interlocked seam-hooks.

The machine is of that type in which the sheet-metal blank from which the bodyis formed is fed toan' edging mechanism in which the opposite side edges of the blank.

are bent to form oppositely-pr0jecting seamhooks and is then conveyed to a body-form'- ing mechanism in which the body is formed 2 around a stationary expanding body-forming horn, with the seam-hooks overlapped, the seam-hooks cansedtointerlock by the expansion ofthe body-forming horn and the interlocked seam-hooks pressed or hammered to tightly close the seam,after which the body is removed from the forming-horn and conveyed to the soldering machine or mechanism.

I The object of theinvention is to improve a machine of this character in various particu- '0 lars, whichwill more'fully appear from the following description and claims, whereby an efficient machine of large capacity and of simple, inexpensive, strong, and durable construction is produced.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of six sheets, Figure l is a side elevation of a machine embodying the invention, the cover-plates, which *inclose some of the operating parts of the machine, being removed to 0 expose such parts. 2 is a front elevation thereof, the edging mechanism being shown in vertical section, Fig. 3 is a verticallongitudinal sectional elevation thereof. Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional ele- 5 vation thereof in'line 4 4, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation showing the body-forming mechanism, the parts being shown in the position occupied in the first portion of the forming operation. Fig. 6 is a perspective view detached of the body-forming levers and sliding head carrying the same. Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional elevation, partly broken away, in line '7 7, Fig. 3, looking from the rear. Fig. Sis a vertical sectional elevation, on an enlarged scale, through that portion of the edging mechanism which forms the downturned seam-hook, showing the hook partially formed. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional detail, on an enlarged scale, through that portion of the edging mechanism which forms the upturned hook, showing the hook partially formed. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary ,hofizontal section of the edging mechanism in line 10 10, Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is a fragmen- .[tary vertical section of the edging mechanism in line 11 11, Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a detail section, on an enlarged scale, of the friction drive-clutch for the feed-chains in line 12 12, Fig. 1. Fig. 13 is a horizontal section of the machine, partly in plan, in line 13 13, Fig. 7c

2. Fig. 14 is a horizontal section, partly in plan, through the body-forming mechanism 'in line 14 14, Fig. 4. Fig. 15 is a horizontal section through the seam-closing hammer and its ways in line 15 15, Fig. 3.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the main frame of the machine, which is preferably in the form of a solid upright casting having suitable cavities and openings for the several operating parts of the machine. The frame is provided at its front portion with stationary lateral arms or extensions B, which carry the edging mechanism.

O 0' represent two supporting-frames for the edging mechanism or devices for forming the'hooks .at the opposite edges of the blank. The supporting-frames are adjust-able transversely of the machine on horizontal ways c on the later-alarms of the main frame for the purpose of positioning the opposite hookforming devices nearer to or farther from each other to accommodate blanks for bodies of difierent diameters. porting-frames are provided with forwardlyprojecting brackets c, whichare provided on their upper portions with horizontal supporting ledges or faces 0 for the edge portions of the blank and with vertical ribs or flanges 0 too The adjustable supbetween which the blank is placed and which guide the blank while it isbeing fed to the I edging mechanism.

represents a bracket which is secured to the main frame and projects forwardly between the two brackets carried by the adj ustable supporting-frames of the edging mechanism, having a flat top face, which serves as a support for the central portion of the sheetmetal blank. The adjustable supporting frames of the edging mechanism are provided with suitable means for adjusting the same toward and from each other to accommodate blanks of different widths. In the construction shown (see Fig. 2) an adjusting screw or shaft D is journaled at one end in a bearing on one of the lateral extensions of the main frame and is provided with oppositely-screwcarried by the adjustable frames.

threaded portions working in screw-threaded. holes in lugs d, depending from the adjustable supporting-frames. The screw-shaft, which is held from longitudinal movement in its bearings, is connected by gear-wheels d d to an operating-shaft d journaled in a hearing adjacent to the end of the screw-shaft and provided with an outer end fashioned to receive an operating crank or handle. By turning the operating-shaft the adjustable frames are moved toward or from each other, according to the direction of rotation of the operating-shaft. The frames can be rigidly held in adjusted position by clamping-bolts or other means. (Not shown.)

E E E represent, respectively, a central and two side feed or conveyer chains or belts for feeding or carrying the blanks through the machine. The central conveyer-chain has a horizontal upper run or portion which passes through a longitudinal central opening in the main frame and is supported bya front chainwheel 6 and a rear chain-wheel e, journaled at the rear of the machine. The chain also runs over an idler and tension chainwvheels e and e at the front and rear lower portions of the main frame and through suitable openings formed in the base of the frame. The forwardly-projecting bracket 0 of the main frame is provided with a guide-groove a, Fig. 13, in which the front portion of the horizontal run of the chain is guided and supported horizontally. The sidefeed-chains run on front chain-wheels f, rear chain -wheels f, journaled on the rear portions of the adjustable frames of the edging mechanism and tensioning-idlers f journaled on the brackets c,

The upper runs ofthe side chains are supported horizontally and guided in groovesf in the brackets c and in horizontal railsf, secured to the inner sides of the adjustable frames of the edging mechanism. All of the conveyerchains have projecting spaced teeth adapted to engage the rear edges of the body-blanks. The front chain-wheels for the several conveyer-chains are mounted on and driven by an intermittently-rotated feed-shaft Gr, which is journaled in hearings on the brackets 0' C and a bearing-bracket g, Fig. 13, at one side of the main frame. The front chainwheelsf for the side conveyor-chains are confined in casings at the front ends of the brackets c of the supporting-frames of the edging mechanism and are provided with keys working in a keyway or groove in the feed-shaft, so that the chain-wheels f are driven by the feed-shaft, but are free to be moved longitudinally thereof in adjusting the edging mechanism.

The feed-shaft may be rotated intermittently to drive the several conveyer-chains in any desired manner. The following drive mechanism is shown: H represents the main drive-shaft of the machine, which is journaled horizontally at the upper rear portion of the main frame in a suitable bearing boss or projection h at one side of the main frame. The drive-shaft is provided with suitable tight and loose drive-pulleys h or other means for driving the same. I, Figs. 2, 3, and 13, represents a horizontal shaft, which is journaled at its ends in suitable bearings 41 on the ends of the lateral extensions of the main frame and is driven from the main driveshaft H bya sprocket-chain running around sprocket-wheelsjj' secured, respectively, to the drive-shaft and shaft 1. This shaft I, which constitutes the operating-shaft for the edging mechanism and which will be hereinafter termed the edger-shaft, is provided at one end with a mutilated gear-wheel j which is adapted to mesh with and intermittently rotate a gear-wheel), mounted on a stud-shaftj, which is secured to the adjacent portion of the main frame. The gear-wheel 7' is connected to and operates a sprocketwheel j which communicates its intermittent motion by a drive-chainj toa sprocketwheel j", secured to the feed-shaft G.

The edging mechanism, which comprises clamps for the opposite edges of the bodyblank, oppositely arranged hook forming tools and operating mechanism therefor, carried by the adjustable frames 0 O, is preferably constructed as follows, (see Figs. 2 and 8 to 11:) The supporting-frame C at one side of the machine is provided with a stationary anvil It, arranged above the path of the blank as it is fed forwardly by the conveyer-chains, and the other supporting-frame O is provided with a stationary anvil arranged beneath the path of the blank. The anvils are provided with outwardly-projecting lips, over which the hooks are bent.

Wit are presser-blocks, which are arranged, respectively, opposite to the anvils 7r 7c in sockets in the supporting-frames and pressed toward said anvils by springs 70.

L L represent the hook-forming devices or tools, which are respectively carried by horizontally-movable slides ZZ, mounted to move on horizontal ways Z on slides Z '1 mounted to slide vertically in ways Z on the supporting-frames of the edging mechanism.

The hook-forming tools are moved oppositely,

ICC

IIO

one up and theother-down, to bend one edge of the blank up against the lip of the anvil 7c and the other edge of the blank down against the anvil k. The hook-forming devices are then moved oppositely toward the blank to bend the edges of the blank inwardly over the lips on the anvils to complete the books. tools the edger-shaft I is provided with eccentrics I, connected to the vertically-movable slides by rods Z and cams Z provided with cam-grooves, in which operate studs or rollers Z secured to lugs depending from the horizontal slides carrying the hook-forming tools. The presser-blocks for the blanks are provided with shoulders Z which are normally held by the springs forthe presserblocks against the projecting lips of the hook- Sand 9.

clamping-blocks are pressed firmly against the blank and hold the latter stationary,while the hook-formingtools continuetheir vertical movement and bend the edges of the blank, one up and the other down, as shown in Figs.

The cams t then move the hookforming tools horizontally inward in'opposite directions and turn the bent edges of the blank inward, completing the hooks. The cams Z then move the hook-forming tools outwardly to clear the hooks, when the eccen trics Z move the hook-forming tools vertically away from their anvils, and the lips on the hook-forming tools engage the presser-blo'cks and retract the same to release the blank, so

that it can be removed by theconveyer or feed chains. The side feed-chains do not extend to the body-forming mechanism, and

after the blank leaves the edging mechanism it is carried on by the long central conveyerchain. In its movementto the body-forming mechanism the blank is supported by the central conveyer and brackets Z Figs. 1 and 13, projecting rearwardly from the supportingframes of the edging mechanism.

The body-forming mechanism for shaping the hooked blank into body form comprises a stationary horn, a clamp for holding the blank against the horn, forming devices or levers which shape the blank around the forming-horn, means for expanding the horn to interlock the seam-hooks, and a hammer for pressing the seam-hooks to close the seam;

.. M represents the stationary body-forming horn, which is arranged in a cavity in the main frame above the path of the blank as it is conveyed from the edging mechanism and is detachably secured to the forward overhanging portion of the main frame by suitable bolts or the like 771., Figs. 1 and 2. The forming-horn comprises a rigid central bore For thus operating the hook-forming the upper and lower raised portions of the core. The core is provided at its top with a longitudinal seam-groove m and at its bottom with a longitudinal groove, into which the teeth of the central conveyer-chain pro- 'ject.

N, Figs. 4, 5, and 13, represents rock-shafts for springing or bowing the elastic side pieces of the horn outwardly to expand the horn. The front cylindrical ends of the expandingshafts are journaled in longitudinal bearingopenings in the forward portion of the horn, and their rear portions, which are segmental in cross-section, are located in substantially semicircular grooves n in the sides of the rear portion of the horn and engage the inner faces of the elastic side pieces. When the horn is contracted, the flat sides of the expanding-shafts are substantially flush with the cylindrical face of the core of the horn, and when the expanding-shafts are oscillated they spring or bow the central portions of the elastic side pieces outwardly, thus increasing the horizontal diameter of the horn, as shown in Fig. 4. As the side pieces are elastic and their lower free ends are held against the core by the surrounding can-body, said lower ends do not move away from the core, as in the case of hinged side pieces, and do not crease or form fiat places on the canbody. As the free ends of the elastic side r pieces are at the bottom of the horn, no dirt or. foreign matter can get in between the side pieces and core.

0, Figs. 4, 5, and 6, represents the levers for forming the blank up around thehorn. The levers are arranged one at each side of the central vertical plane of the horn and in their initial or lowest position are below the path of the blank, which is moved by the central conveyer in between the horn and levers. The levers are pivoted intermediate of their ends on the upper ends of arms 0, projecting up from a sliding support or head 0', vertically movable in guideways 0 formed on the main frame. The upper arm of each lever is bowed outwardly, so that when moved upwardly it can encircle the adjacent half of the horn and the blank thereon without hearing against the same. Each lever is preferably composed of two connected side pieces, as shown in Fig. 6, and one lever is provided at its upper end with a roller O and the other with a substantially crescent-shaped block 0 by which said levers bear against the blank. The block 0 is pivoted on the lever, and a spring 0 connected to the block and lever, tends to hold said block in an'upright position, as shown in Fig. 5. The lower arms of the body-forming levers are connected by toggle-links O, the ends of the connecting knuckle-pin for which project laterally beyond the links and slide vertically in grooves or ways 0 in the slide-head for the bodyforming levers.

P represents an operatinglever for the body-forming levers. This lever is pivoted at its outer end on a bracket 13, adjustably secured on the main frame of the machine, and is provided at its inner end with a slot in which engages the kn uckle-pin for the togglelinks connecting the body-forming levers.

The operating-lever is oscillated by a crankdisk p, the wrist-pin p of which extends into an elongated slot in the lever P. This wristpin is preferably adjustable diametrically of the crank-disk in a well-known manner to regulate the throw of the operating-lever. The crank-disk is secured to one end of a horizontal crank-shaft 19 which is jonrnaled in a bearing in the adjustable bracket 19 and is driven by any suitable means. As shown, the crank-shaft is d riven from a vertical shaft pt by intermeshing bevel gear-wheels p p on the crank-shaft and vertical shaft 19 and the vertical shaft 10 is in turn driven from the main drive-shaft of the machine by intermeshing bevel gear-wheels 19 19 secured, respectively, to the driveshaft and vertical shaft 19 19*, Figs. 1 and 4, is an adjusting-screw for raising and lowering the bracket 19, carrying the operating-lever and its actuating crankshaft, and p are clamping-bolts for securing the bracket when adjusted.-

It is desirable to retain the upper arms of the levers separated a distance substantially equal to the diameter of the horn, sothat when they are moved up the roller and crescent block carried thereby will not strike the lower portion of the horn, but will bend the blank into U shape and press it against the sides of the horn without noise or impact. For this purpose a guide Q, Figs. 4, 5, and 14, is provided, which is secured to a bracket (1 on the main frame of the machine. The guide is provided with a vertical inner face, against which travels a roller q, carried by the lower arm of the adjacent body-forming lever.

g is an adjustable stop-screw or the like, carried by the sliding head and adapted to strike theknuckle of the toggle-joint connecting the body-forming levers to limit the independent downward movement of the toggle-joint. When the inner end of the operating-lever P for the body-forming levers moves upwardly, it tends to straighten the toggle-joint and throw the lower arms of the forming levers outward; but as the lower arms of the forming-levers are held from outward movement by the contact of the roller q with the guide Q the upper ends of the forming-levers cannot move inwardly and the sliding head is moved up until the roller q leaves the upper end of the guide Q, at which time the upper ends of the body-forming levers are substantially opposite the center of the horn, as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. In the further upward movement of theinner end of the operating-lever the knuckle-pin for the toggle-joint is moved upwardly in its guide grooves in the sliding head and straightens the toggle-joint, so as to press the roller and crescent block on the upper ends of the body-forming levers against the blank and horn. As the inward movement of the upper ends of the levers is only restrained by the'horn and the body-blank around the same, the roller and crescent .block follow the contour of the horn and smoothly and evenly wrap the blank around the horn. Owing to the shape of the crescent block the end of the blank engaged thereby is moved somewhat in advance of the other end of the blank, which insures the proper overlapping of the seam-hooks. At the completion of the upward movement of the levers the roller and crescent block hold the ends of the blank with the hooks overlapped until the horn is expanded to interlock the seam-hooks, as shown in Fig. at, after which the hammer descends and closes the seam, and the levers are spread and lowered to their initial position by the downward movement of the inner end of the operating-lever P. The guide Q is adjustably secured to its supporting.

bracketin any suitable manner-forinstance, by bolts (1 passing through horizontal and vertical slots in the guide and bracket, so that it can be adjusted both vertically and horizontally to insure the proper action of the body-forming levers on horns of different diameters.

The inward pressure of the body-forming levers against the horn is preferably regulated by the following means: (1 Figs. 3, 4, and 7, is a lever which is fulcrunied at one end on the lower portion of the main frame and is connected at its other end bya link q to the sliding head for the body-forming levers. (1 represents a spring which is coiled about a rod pivoted at its lower end to the lever g and sliding at its upper end through a hole in a lug q, projecting from the main frame. the lug and the lever g and when the inner end of the lever g is raised by the upward movement of the sliding head the spring is placed under tension and resists the upward movement of the head. The tension of the spring in resisting the upward movement of the head is regulated by adjusting the link q, connecting the inner end of the lever with the sliding head by means of the adjustingnuts q". By adjusting the tension of the spring it exerts more or less pressure to resist the upward movement of the sliding head, and more or less inward pressure on the upper ends of the body-forming levers is thus secured, as found necessary.

R represents the clamp-bar for holding the The coil-spring is confined between ICC central portion of the blank firmly against the bottom of the born to hold it from displacement-while it is being formed around the horn. The clamp-bar is arranged beneath the path of the blank and slides vertically in the ways for the sliding head for the forming-levers and is provided in its upper face with a longitudinal groove, through which the central conveyer-chain passes. 1', Figs. 3 and 4, is an operating-rod arranged beneath the clamp-bar to slide longitudinally in bearing-holes r in the main frame. The

operating-rod is provided on its top with inclined faces r which when the operatingbaris moved rearwardly engage wedge-blocks r on the clamp-bar and raise the latter to clampthe blank against the horn. To adjust the movement of the clamp-bar to allow for wear and insure the proper action of the clamp-bar, the wedgeblocks r have inclined faces bearing against inclined faces on the clamp-bar and are adjusted transversely by setscrews 0". When the clamp-bar is raised, it is supported by horizontal faces r on the operating rod on which the wedge blocks bear, and thus the clamp-barand its operating-rod afford a firm solid support for the horn and prevent any movement of the latter due to the force of the impact of the seamclosing hammer against the upper side of the horn.

The clamp-operating rod is preferably actuated by the following means: S represents a longitudinally-arranged horizontal shaft, hereinafter termed the hammer shaft, journaled in suitable bearings in the upper part of the main frame and driven from the main drive-shaft by a worm-wheel s, secured to the shaft S and meshing with a Worm s on themain drive-shaft, or in any other suitable manner. .3 is a vertical rock-shaft jou rnaled in bearings at the rear of themain frame and provided at its upper endwith an arm 3 the end of which enters a cam-groove s in the worm-wheel s. The rock-shaft s is provided at its lower end with a rock-arm s connected to the end of the clamp-operating rod. The cam-groove is so shaped that the clampoperating rod is moved rearwardly and held stationary with the clamp-bar supported on the horizontal faces 1' until the seam is closed by the hammer and is then moved forwardly to permit the clamp to drop by gravity and is held in this position while another blank is fed to the forming mechanism, when the clampoperating rod is again moved rearwardly to raise the clamp.

The operating mechanism for the horde):- pandin g rock-shaftsis preferably constructed as follows, (see Figs. 1, 2, and 3:) T represents a vertically-movable slide arranged at the front of the machine and provided with elongated slots t, through which pass retaining-bolts t, secured to the main frame. The slideis provided with side arms 15*, which are connected by links 25 to armsi on the front endsofthehorn-expandingshafts. Thelinks are preferably adjustable in length and also adjustable laterallyon the arms of the slide, so that they can be readily adjusted to the expanding-shafts of different-sized horns. The hammer-shaft S is provided at its front end with a cam t which engages a roller f on the slide to depress the latter, which is elevated by a spring 25 secured to the slide and to a suitable part of the main frame. The opermay be mounted and operated in any other desired manner. After the horn is expanded to interlock the seam -hooks and the seam pressed the horn is again contracted to free the can-body, so that it can be easily moved rearwardly 0d of the horn. If the horn is at once contracted to its smallest diameter, there is a possibility of the can-body being so loose on the horn as to permit the seam to work out of the groove in the top of the horn and the body to shift or turn on the horn, thus interfering with the proper soldering of the seam. To prevent this, the operating-cam t for the slide T has a stepped operating-face 'ating-slide T for the horn expanding shaft 25 whereby the slide T is elevated only part 1 Way at first to partially contract the .horn to permit the removal of the can-body and is then raised to its limit to fully contract the horn preparatory to the forming-of the next body.

U represents the hammer for pressing or closing the can-body seam. The hammer is located above the horn in an opening in the main frame and slides vertically in suitable guideways u, provided therefor in the main frame of the machine. (See Figs. 1, 3, and 15.) The hammer is operated from thehammer-shaft S, for which purpose said shaft is provided with a cam or eccentric to, which Works against a roller a journaled on the after the adjustment has been effected. The

upper end of the stem, which is bifurcated and straddles the hammer-shaft S, is connected to the lowerend of a rod M, which extends up through a hole in the upper part of the main frame and is provided at its upper end with a nut or collar a u is a coil-spring surrounding the rodu between the main frame and the nut U The spring acts to raise the hammer, and the tension of the spring can be properly regulated by adjusting the not or collar 1L7 on the upper end of the rodu.

V, Figs. 1, 4, and 13, represents squaring devices arranged at opposite sides of the horn in position to strike the front edge of the blank adjacent to its hooked side edges to arrest the blank and insure its proper position beneath the horn. The squaring devices are carried by slides o, mounted to slide longitu-. din'ally of the machine in bearings 12 on the main frame. To enable the squaring devices to. be set to suit blanks of different lengths and widths, the squaring devices are provided with shanks '0 which are longitudinally adjustable in clamp-blocks 12 which in turn are transversely adjustable on laterally-projecting arms o fixed at their inner ends to the slides 11.

' t represents bearing-blocks which are adjustably secured in guides on the rearwardlyprojecting brackets Z" on the supportingframes of the edging mechanism and are provide-d with holes in which the squaring devices slide. The bearing-blocks steady the squaring devices, preventing any lateral or vertical movement thereof. The squaring devices are held yieldingly forward by a spring 12 connected to one of the slides and of the body-forming horn.

to a suitable part of the main frame. The two squaring devices are caused to move together by a rock-shaft o journaled transversely of the main frame in a suitable hearing and provided at its opposite ends with toothed segments o engaging teeth on the slides 12. Any other suitable means for squaring the blanks may be employed.

W represents a soldering-horn or extension This horn, the front portion only of which is shown in the drawings, is detachably connected at its front end to the rear end of the body-forming horn, for which purpose the latter is provided with a reduced extension w, which engages in a corresponding socket in the front end of the soldering-horn, the two parts being held together by a cross pin or key to, passing through the front end of the soldering-horn and the extension on the body-forming horn. The can-bodies are con veyed rcarwardly along the soldering-horn, upon which they are soldered by suitable soldering mechanism which forms no part of the present invention and which is not herein shown or described.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The sheet-metal blanks for the bodies are placed one by one by an attendant on the support formed by the forwardly-projecting brackets c C at the front of the machine. The blank is engaged by the teeth on the intermittently-moving conveyer-chains E E E and is carried rearwardly one step, which places the blank in the edging mechanism with its opposite longitudinal edges in position to be clamped on the anvils 7c 7c of the edging mechanism by the presser-bars 70 The vertically-movable slides Z 1 carrying the hook-forming tools L L, are then moved 1 in opposite directions, one up and the other vertical movement the hook-forming tools bend the opposite edges of the blank, one upv and the other down, as shown in Figs. 8 and the hooked blanks along on the brackets Z,

which, together with the central conveyerchain, support the blank between the horn M and the body-forming levers O. The operating-rod r for the clamp-bar R is then moved rearwardly and the clamp-bar lifted to press and firmly holdthe blank against the under side of the horn, after which the body-forming levers O are moved upwardly and form the blank around the horn in the manner described with the hooks at the opposite edges of the blank overlapped above the seamgroove in the top of the horn. The horn-expanding rock-shafts N are then oscillated in the manner described to expand the horn which causes the overlapped hooks to interlock, after which the hammer U is moved downwardly by its cam on the hammer-shaft S and presses or closes the seam. The hammer is then retracted by its spring a the body-forming levers separated and moved downwardly, and the hornexpanding shafts N oscillated to partially contract the horn, after which the central conveyer-chain E moves another step, removing the body from the forming-horn and carrying the same rearwardly on the soldering-horn, after which the expanding-shafts for the horn are moved to completely contract the horn, which is then ready for the formation of the next body. The body-blanks are successively placed on the support in front of the teeth on the intermittently-moving ,conveyer-chains while the latter are at rest and the chains successively carry the blanks through the machine, the bodies being formed by successive operations of the machine in the manner stated.

X represents a clutch which releasably connects the sprocket-wheel t0 the feed-shaft G for the conveyer-chains. The clutch maybe of any desired form, but is preferably afriction-clutch constructed as shown in Fig. 12. a; is a sleeve keyed to the feed-shaft and provided at its inner end with a disk 00. The sprocket-wheelj" has fixed thereto a disk 00*, which is adapted to frictionally engage said disk 00' or a ring of suitable material, such as leather, between said disks. The disks are pressed together by a not 02 screwed on the feed-shaft, rings 50 of suitable material,such as leather, being interposed between the nut 00 and the adjacent end of the sprocket-wheel j". 00 is a clamp-nut for holding the nut 00 when adjusted to increase or decrease the IIC friction between disk is.

Yis alever fulcru med on the adjacent bearing-bracket for the feed-shaft and provided with an arm y, adapted to engage in either of the notches y in the disk .70. When the machinebecomes clogged orjammed for any reason, the increased resistance in the edging mechanism will tend to hold the conveyer-chains from movement which is permitted by the slipping of the sprocket-wheel 7' on the feed-shaft G. i The feed-chains are thus prevented from feeding another blank into the machine, while the other parts of the machine continue in operation and carry the a body. past the soldering mechanism, (not shown,) thus preventing the burning of the bodies. 'The stoppage of the feed chains throws their feed-teeth out of their proper relation to the edging mechanism and to restore the proper relation the operator throws the lever Y to engage a notch in the disk :13, fixed to the feed-shaft and holds the latter stationary while the edging'mechanism is set in correct operative relation to the conveyerchains. The lever Y also enables the operator to stop the conveyer-chains when this is tently-moving conveyor-chains, wheels socured to said shaft for driving said chains,the two side chains running on wheels movable with said transversely-adj ustable frames and brackets, and means for driving said feedshaft, substantially as set forth.

2. In an edging mechanism, the combination of means for holding the blank, hookforming tools,vertically-movable slides,slides movable horizontally on said vertical slides, hook-forming tools carried by said horizontally-movable slides, and means for moving said hook-forming tools oppositely in a vertical and horizonal direction, substantially as set forth.

3. In an edging mechanism, the combinaj tion of means for holding the blank, vertically-movable slides arranged at opposite sides of the blank-holding means, slides movable horizontally on said vertically-movablw slides,hook-forming tools carried by said horizontally-movable slides, an operating-shaft,

means connecting said shaft and said vertically-movable slides to move the same in opposite directions, and connections between said shaft and said horizontally-moving slides to move the same in opposite directions, substantially as set forth.

4. In an edging mechanism, the combination of meansfor holding the blank, vertically-movable slides arranged at opposite the sprocketavheel and the sides of the blank-holding means, slides movable horizontally on said vertically-movable slides, hook-forming tools carried by said horizontallymovable slides, an operatingshaft, eccentrics on said shaft connected to said vertically-movable slides to move the same in opposite directions, and cams on said operating-shaft connected to said horizontally-movable slides to move the same in opposite directions, substantially as set forth.

5. In an edging mechanism, the combination of separated vertically-movable slides, slides movable horizontally on said vertically-movable slides, hook-forming tools carried by said horizontally movable slides, yielding presserbars, springs for normally holding said presser-bars against said hookforming tools, and which permit said presserbars to yield when they engage the blank, and means for moving said hook-forming tools oppositely in a vertical and horizontal direction, substantially as set forth.

i 6. In a machine for forming can-bodies, the combination of a horn, body-forming devices mounted to move freely toward the horn and adapted to bear against the blank and press the latter against the horn, yielding means for pressing and holding the forming devices yieldingly against the blank and horn and moving said forming devices around the horn, and means for guiding said forming devices in the first portion of their movement toward the horn, said forming devices being guided and controlled by the horn in the remainder of the forming movement, substantially as set forth.

. 7. In amachine for forming can-bodies, the combination of a horn, body-forming levers pivoted to swing freely toward the horn and adapted to bear with their free ends against the blank and horn, an actuating device for said levers, yielding means connecting said actuating device with said levers and pressing and holding the same with their free ends yieldingly against the blank and horn and moving said ends around the horn, and means for guiding said levers in the first portion of their movement toward the horn, said levers being guided and controlled by the horn in the latter portion of their forming movement, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination or" a forming horn, forming devices which are movable toward said horn and toward each other, means connected to said forming devices for moving the same toward the horn and toward each other, and a stationary guide acting topreventthe movement of said forming devicestoward each other until after a preliminary movement of said forming devices toward said horn, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of a stationary forming-horn, swinging formingdevers, a sliding head carrying said levers, a toggle-joint connecting said levers, means for moving said toggle-joint to move said sliding head toward the horn and swing said forming-levers t0- ward each other against the horn, and a stationary guide engaging'one of said levers to prevent the same from swinging on said sliding head until theleverdisengages said guide, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination of a stationary forming-horn, a sliding head movable toward said horn, forming-levers pivoted on said head, means connecting said levers for swinging the same on said head toward the horn and for moving said head toward said horn, and yielding means for restraining the movement of said head toward said horn, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination of a bodyforming horn, a clamp movable toward said horn, a longitudinally-movable clamp-operating rod provided with inclined faces for moving said clamp toward said horn, and means for moving said operating-rod, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination of a body-forming horn, a clamp movable toward said born to hold the blank, means for forming the blank around said horn, a hammer movable toward said horn on the side opposite to said clamp,

an operating-bar forsaid clamp provided with inclined faces for moving said clamp and holding-faces, and means operating said bar vided with inclined faces for moving said clamp toward said horn and having holdingfaces for holding said clamp stationary against said horn, and means for actuating said operating-bar, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination of a body-forming horn comprising a central core and elastic side pieces, oscillating shafts journale'd in said horn and adapted to spring the central portion of said side pieces outwardly, and means for rocking said shafts, substantially as set forth.

15. The combination of a body-forming horn comprising a central core and elastic side pieces which are secured rigidly to the upper portion of the horn and movably engage the lower portion of. the horn, oscillatingexpanding-shafts journaled in said horn and adapted when rocked to spring the central portions of said elastic side pieces outwardly, and means for rocking said expand ing-shafts, substantially as set forth.

1G. The combination of an expansiblebodyforming horn, a conveyer for removing the body from the horn, means for expanding said horn, said means acting to partially contract said horn before the removal of the body from the horn, and then completely contract the horn after the removal of the body therefrom, substantially as set forth.

17. The combination of an expansible bodyforming horn, expanding devices, a cam, means for operating the same, connections between said cam and said expanding devices, said cam having a stepped operative face whereby said horn is first partially contracted and then further contracted after an interval of time, substantially as set forth.

18. In a machine for forming can-bodies,

the combination of mechanism for operating upon the blanks, one or more conveyers for feeding the blanks to said mechanism, and driving mechanism for said conveyers including a clutch device, whereby said conveyers are thrown out of action when said operating mechanism meets with an abnormal resistance, substantially as set forth.

19. In a machine for forming can-bodies, the combination of an edging mechanism, drive means therefor, one or more conveyers for feeding the blanks to said edging mechanism, a drive-shaft for said conveyers, and drive connections for said shaft operated by said drive means for said edging mechanism and including a clutch whereby said conveyers are thrown out of action when said operating mechanism meets with an abnormal resistance, substantially as set forth.

20. In a machine for forming can-bodies, the combination of mechanism for operating upon the blanks, one or more conveyers for feeding the blanks to said operating mechanism, drive mechanism for said conveyers including a clutch, whereby said conveyers are thrown out of action when said operating mechanism meet-s with an abnormal resistance, and a hand-operated device for stopping said conveyers,subst'antially as set forth. Witness my hand this 9th day of March, 1903.

EDMUND ZEH.

Witnesses:

JNo. J. BONNER, O. M. BENTLEY.

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