US2955730A - Buckle threading apparatus - Google Patents

Description

5.0. SONNTAG ETAL 2,955,730

BUCKLE THREADING APPARATUS Oct. 11', 1960 Filed Dec. 17, 1958 13 sheets-sheet 2 FIG. 2

Oct. 11, 1960 E. G. SONNTAG ET AL 2,955,730

BUCKLE THREADING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 17, 1958 13 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIGJB anw 664 Oct. 11, 1960 SONNTAG ETAL BUCKLE THREADING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 17, 1958 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 FIG. 2O

INVENTORS Edmund & 62/7/71 2 Oct. 11, 1960 E. ca. SQNNTAG ETAL 2,955,730

BUCKLE THREADING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 17, 1958 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 94 M E K4! INVENTORS Oct. 11, 1960 E. G. SQNNTAG ET AL 2,955,730

BUCKLE THREADING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 1'7, 1958 13 Sheets-Sheet 10 INVENTORS ATTOR/VIXS Oct. 11, 1960 E. G. SONNTAG ETAL 2,955,730

BUCKLE THREADING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 17, 1958 13 Sheets-Sheet 11 FIG.24

2 w W 8 Q 4&4 M. wnmw m l 4 l I v #2 w l l. iLirul 44 U 5 IO 7 IHI 2 a m [1. F W

Oct. 11, 1960 E. G. SONNTAG ETAL 2,955,730

BUCKLE THREADING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 1'7, 1958 13 Sheets-Sheet 13 FIG.3O

Edmund BUCKLE THREADING APPARATUS Edmund G. Sonntag and Benjamin Fenn, Waterbury, and

Karl F. Sonntag, Watertown, Conn., assignors to Seovill Manufacturing Company, Waterbury, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Dec. 17, 1958, Ser. No. 781,069

28 Claims. (Cl. 223-49) The present invention relates to apparatus for automatically inserting or threading straps or tapes through the apertures in buckles or similar articles.

The buckle threading apparatus of the present application is related to and is an improvement of the buckle threading apparatus described in Patent No. 2,848,147, assigned to the assignee of the present application. In said patent, there is described and claimed an apparatus for the automatic assembly of straps and buckles, wherein the buckles are automatically supplied from a feeding station and transferred to a threading station at which they are retained while the tape or strap is threaded therethrough, the threaded buckles being ejected from the threading station as the succeeding buckles arrive thereat from the feeding station.

An object of the present invention is to provide a buckle threading apparatus of a generally improved type providing greater compactness and efficiency.

Another object of the present invention is to provide abuckle threading apparatus having an improved buckle discharge mechanism.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a buckle threading apparatus having improved means for supporting a buckle during the threading thereof.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a buckle threading apparatus having gripping jaw members which withdraw tape from a supply thereof and which provide means for clamping the tape during the threading of said tape through the buckles.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a buckle threading apparatus with gripping jaws having improved operating mechanisms therefor and including means for adjusting the movement and position of the gripper jaws to vary the length of tape withdrawn from a supply thereof.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a buckle threading apparatus having improved means for opening and closing the gripper jaw members.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a buckle threading apparatus having improved means for transferring the buckles from a feed station to a threading station and for adjusting the position of the buckle at the threading station.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a buckle threading apparatus having a looper mechanism for withdrawing a predetermined length of tape from a supply thereof and the provision of means for varying the length of said withdrawn tape.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a buckle threading apparatus having improved means for releasably securing, for ready removal, a threader member from a support for said member.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a buckle threading apparatus having an improved guide mechanism for a tape feed device.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a buckle threading apparatus having one main drive shaft on which all the actuating cams for the areas Patented Oct. 11,1960

ice

ently contemplated of carrying out the invention:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a buckle threading apparatus pursuant to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the buckle threading appar-atus illustrated in Fig. 1; r

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, taken along theline 44 of Fig. 3; v

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6A is a fragmentary vertical view, of a portion of Fig. 6, showing the position of a buckle as it is transferred from the feed station to the threading station;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the line 7-7 of Fig. 6A;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a detailed sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;-

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view, on an'enlarged scale, taken along the line 10-10 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view, taken along the line 11-11 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a fregrnentary detailed sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 12-12 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 13-13 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view on scale, taken along the line 14-14 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional view, with parts broken away, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 15-15 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 16 is a plan view, partly in section with portions cut away, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 1616 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 17 is a detailed sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 1717 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 18 is a detailed sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 18-18 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 is a partial vertical sectional view, taken along the line 19-19 of Fig. 16;

' Fig. 20 is a view similar to Fig. 19 and illustrates a subsequent position of the parts of the mechanism;

Fig. 21 is a view similar to Fig. 19 and shows the position of the parts of the mechanism during the second threading operation;

Fig. 22 is a partial sectional view, with parts broken away, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 22-22 of Fig. 2;

an enlarged Fig. 23 is a detailed sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 23-23 of Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is a view, similar to Fig. 22, showing the third threader in a subsequent position of operation, and showing the discharge bin for the threaded buckles;

Fig. 25 is a view similar to Fig. 24, showing the parts of the mechanism in a subsequent position and the buckle being discharged from the apparatus;

Fig. 26 is a partial vertical sectional view, with parts cut away, taken along the line 2626 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 27 is a partial vertical view, partly in section, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 27-27 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 28-34, inclusive, are partial views, similar to Fig. 27 and partly in section, illustrating various steps in the buckle threading operation;

Fig. 35 is a plan view, partly in section, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 3535 of Fig. 33, showing a subsequent position in the threading operation;

Fig. 36 is a view similar to Fig. 35 and illustrates the apparatus in a subsequent position wherein the threaded buckle is being discharged;

Fig. 37 is a perspective view of a buckle utilized in the present apparatus; and

Fig. 38 is a perspective view of a threaded buckle assembly delivered by the apparatus of the present invention.

Briefly described, the strap and buckle assembly apparatus of the present invention automatically provides a threadedbuckle assembly 12 of the type illustrated in Fig. 38, which utilizes buckles 14 of the type illustrated in Fig. 37. The leadingend 16 of a flexible tape or strap T (Fig. 1), preferably formed of a suitable fabric, is initially inserted into the apparatus 10, and during the course of the operation of said apparatus, a predetermined length of said tape is periodically withdrawn from the supply thereof, which is not shown. The tape supply may be any convenient source such as a roller. The withdrawn tape length is threaded through the buckle to provide a first loop L1 or tab portion (Fig. 38) and an adjustable loop L2 which forms the body portion of the tape. As is well known to those skilled in the art, the loop or tab portion L1 of the tape may be secured to a ladys undergarment, or the like, and one end of the loop L2 or body portion of the tape may also be secured to the garment, the other end thereof being free to permit the adjustment of the loop L2 for varying the strap length.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 in detail, the strap and buckle assembly apparatus 10 is supported on abed plate 18 which may be provided with suitable supportinglegs 20. Mounted tobed plate 18, along one side edge thereof, by securingelements 22 is abracket 24 which supports amotor 26 and areduction gear assembly 28 which comprises the drive mechanism for the apparatus, the drive mechanism being mounted to thebracket 24 by securingelements 30. Extending fromreduction gear assembly 28 is anoutput drive shaft 32 to which is suitably mounted asprocket drive wheel 34 which drives a sprocket wheel 36 through asprocket chain 38. Sprocket wheel 36 is suitably fastened to ashaft 40 which extends across the length ofbed plate 18 and constitutes the main drive shaft for the apparatus.Shaft 40 is journalled for support in four hearing brackets, 42, 44, 46, and 48, respectively, which are disposed at various positions along the length of the main drive shaft, as shown, each of the brackets being secured tobed plate 18 by securingelements 50, as best shown in Fig. 8. Suitably mounted onshaft 40, adjacent sprocket wheel 36, is a standard single revolution clutch 52 which permits the main drive shaft to "be disengaged frommotor 26 andgear assembly 28 when it is desired to operate the apparatus by hand, hand wheel 54 being provided for this purpose, said hand wheel being mounted at one end ofshaft 40. Also mounted onshaft 40 are a plurality of cams, generally designated by the numeral 56, of the internal or grooved type, which operate the various mechanisms of the apparatus to be described hereinafter.

A buckle transfer mechanism, generally indicated by the reference numeral 58 (Fig. 2), operates to automatically transfer buckles in timed relation from a supply stack thereof to a threadingstation 60 and to discharge threaded buckles therefrom. Referring to Fig. 37 is will be noted that the previously mentioned buckles 14- are of the type having enclosed outer and inner eyelets, 62 and 64, respectively, and athird eyelet 66 which is open between the confrontingribs 68 and 70 thereof. The outer and inner eyelets are enclosed byside rib members 72 and 74, respectively,outer rib member 76, andinner rib members 78 and 80, respectively. Thebuckles 14 are supported and guided on a T-shapedbar 82 which is secured to an L -shapedholder 84.Holder 84 is provided with a vertically extendingslot 86, at the lower portion thereof, which receives oneleg 88 ofbar 82 therein, said bar being secured to the holder bybolts 90. Securingelements 92 fastenholder 84 to abracket 94 which is secured tobed plate 18 by securingelements 96, as best seen in Figs. 3, 4 and 7.

Referring now to Figs. 3 through 7, the upper surface ofbracket member 94 is provided with a transversely extendingguideway 98 in which aslide holder 100 reciprocates. Fastened to the upper surface of the slide holder is a slide member orpusher 102, said pusher being held in adjustable abutting relation againstslide holder 100 by adjustingmember 104, and securingelements 106, said pusher being provided with an adjustingslot 108 therein and said adjusting member being provided withslots 110 through which said securing elements pass. From the foregoing it will be seen that the position ofpusher 102 may thus be adjusted onslide holder 100 for varying the position of the buckles at the threadingstation 60 and for accommodating various sizes of buckles.

Disposed on either side of theguideway 98 areside guide members 112 and 114, respectively, said guide members being secured to the top surface ofbracket 94 by securingelements 116. As best seen in Fig. 7 the lower inner corners of saidguide members 112 and 114 are cut away to provide cutouts 1-18 to form a slideway for the passage of the buckles from thefeed station 122 at T-shapedbar 82 to the previously mentioned threadingstation 60. Each of the guide members are provided withcutaway portions 124 in the area of the feed station to permit the buckles to fall into theslideway 120 from the T-shapedfeed bar 82. It will be noted that the thickness of thepusher 102 is slightly less than the thickness of a buckle and that the depth of thecutouts 118 is only slightly greater than the thickness of a buckle so that as thepusher 102 is reci rocated back and forth only one buckle will be removed from the stack or buckles. It will also be noted, as best seen in Fig. 7, that thebottom edge 126 ofleg 128 ofbar 82 is slightly above the top surface of the bottom buckle in the stack thereby permitting the bottom buckle to be removed from the stack bypusher 102 while retaining the remaining buckles in the stack in position.

As best shown in Fig. 4, mounted at one end ofguide member 112 is anextension member 130 which is secured in a recess inbracket 94 by securingelements 132, said member being provided with aslot 134 coextensive withslideway 120 for supporting the buckle at theouter rim member 76 when said buckle is at the threadingstation 60, as shown. As best seen in Figs. 6 and 36, abuckle support member 136 is secured to the undersurface ofbracket 94 by securingelements 138.Support member 136 is provided with extendingsupport elements 140 and 142, which support the buckle atrib member 80 and confronting rib 70, respectively. In addition, asupport 144 is provided for confrontingrib 68, supporting said rib at the undersurface thereof bypart 147, said support being an elongated rod-like member, as best seen in Fig. 22, said member being mounted onthreader bracket 146 by securing elements 148.Bracket 146 is fastened tobed plate 18 by securing element's 145. Aspring member 150 is secured to guidemembers 112 and 114 by securingelements 152, said spring member engagingside rib member 74 of the buckle, thereby resiliently retaining said buckle at the threadingstation 60, as best seen in Fig. 4. Mounted onguide member 114 is an L-shapedtape guide 154 which is secured to guidemember 114 by securingelement 152. The tape guide has anupstanding leg 156 which helps keep the tape T in vertical elignment during the threading operation, as best seen in Fig. 32, and as will be more fully understood hereinafter.

Bracket 94 is provided, at the upper end thereof, with aguideway 158 in which is mounted arod 160 having a nylon roller ortape guide member 162 suitably mounted at one end thereof. The tape guide member is adapted to be withdrawn into or out ofguideway 158 as will be explained more clearly hereinafter.

Referring now to Figs. 2, 3 and 5, the actuating mechanism for thebuckle transfer mechanism 58 comprises abuckle pusher cam 164, of the internal or grooved type, which is keyed toshaft 40 and drives a forked permitting ready removal of the forked levers from thefollower lever arm 166, viaroller 168, which is pivotally mounted onlever 166 and engages the cam groove 170 incam 164. Pivotally mounted onshaft 40 is. abronze shoe 172 on which the forked lever is adapted to slide in channel opening 174- in the forked lever, said channel opening being closed at one end of the forked lever bycap member 176 which is secured to the fork lever bybolts 178. The foregoing described forked lever arm and bronze shoe permits the use-of smaller linkage arms thereby resulting in a more compact driving mechanism. In addition, the sliding movement of the follower arm on the bronze shoe causes the follower roller to remain in proper alignment in the cam groove thereby preventing undue wear of the moving parts.

The other end of forkedlever 166 is pivotally mounted,

at 180, to alever 182, one end of which is journalled on ashaft 184 by bearing 186, setscrew 188 being provided for fastening said bearing to the lever, as best seen in Fig. 5. The other end oflever 182 is pivotally mounted at 190 to linkmember 192 which is pivotally mounted to the previously mentionedslide holder 100 at 194.Shaft 184 is supported injournal bearings 196,

apparatus without the removal of any of the cams there from, as will be more fully understood hereinafter.

Provision is made for a tape gripping device generally designated byreference numeral 224, which withdraws tape from a tape feed device, generally designated by thereference numeral 226. Referring now to Figs. 1, 8 and 12, agripper slide bracket 228 is mounted, by securingelements 230, onbed plate 18. Secured tobracket 228, by securingelements 232, are upper and lowergripper slide members 234 and 236, respectively, which form agripper slideway 238. Mounted for sliding movement within said slideway is a T-shapedgripper slide 240 which is provided, at one end thereof, with a recessedportion 242 in which is mounted, by securing elements 244, a lowergripping jaw member 246.Lower jaw member 246 is provided with an extendingportion 248 in which is mounted a compression spring 250 for biasingupper jaw member 252 into a closed position, as best seen in Fig. 27.Upper jaw member 252 is provided with an extendingportion 254 which fits into aslot 256 in the lower jaw member, the upper and lower jaw members being pivotally mounted to each other at thisposition bypivot pin 258.

Gripper slide 240 is actuated by a mechanism comprising agripper slide cam 260 which drives a forkedfollower lever arm 262 which is provided with a forked end 264- which is pivotally mounted toyoke member 266 bypivot pin 268.Yoke member 266 is pivotally mounted to a bell crank 270 at connection 272, said connection comprising apivot pin assembly 274 which passes through aslot 276 in onearm 278 ofbell crank 270. Bell crank 270 is pivotally mounted at 280 on abracket 282. Referring now to Fig. 9, it will be noted that the position ofyoke member 266 atpivot pin assembly 274 may be adjusted toward or away frompivot 280.Pivot pin assembly 274 comprises astud 284 having abushing 286 mounted at one end thereof, said stud being mounted for pivotal movement onbearings 288 which are press fitted into thearms 290 ofyoke member 266.Stud 284 is provided with flat portions, on

. the body thereof, in order to prevent the stud from roatv each end thereof, said bearings being mounted in a tating withinslot 276. Anut 292 is provided on the threaded end ofstud 284 to retain the assembly in the slot. .An adjustingscrew 294 is provided, which screws intothe body portion ofstud 284, said adjusting screw being retained in position bypin 296. Fromthe foregoing it will be seen that upon rotation of .adjustingscrew 294,yoke member 266 may be moved toward or similar to forkedlever 166, said lever being pivotally mounted, at 210, to lever 212 which is keyed, at 214, V

toshaft 184. Also keyed toshaft 184, at 216, is alink 218 which is pivotally connected, at 220, to alink 219 which is pivotally connected, at 221, to the tapeguide roller rod 160, said rod being provided with a cut outportion 222 for this connection, as best seen in Fig. 4.

From the foregoing it will be understood that asbuckle pusher cam 164 is caused to rotate by the rotation ofshaft 40,pusher 102 will reciprocate inslideway 120 causing buckles to be removed from thefeed station 122 lar to lever 166' andshoe 172, said lever and bronze shoe arrangement permitting the use of shorter levers, reducing maintenance costs, as indicated above, and

away frompivot 280 of bell crank 2'70. Movement ofyoke member 266 away frompivot 280 results in a shorter stroke forgripper slide 240 whereas movingyoke member 266 towardpivot 280 results in a longer stroke forgripper slide 240.

Bell crank 270 is supported atpivot 280 on the previously mentionedbracket 282, said bracket being secured tobed plate 18 by securingelements 298, asbest seen in Figs. 2 and 8. As shown in Fig. 9pivot 280 comprises apivot pin 300 which is screwed intobracket 282 and is provided with a washer 302 and a bearing 304.

As best seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 8, theother arm 306 ofbell crank 270 is pivotally mounted, at 308, to aclevis 310 which is mounted to an adjustingscrew 312 which is provided with a lefthand thread portion 314 and a righthand thread portion 316 and is also provided with a Wrenchgripping portion 318 for facilitating turning said adjusting screw. Adjustingscrew 312 is also connected to anotherclevis 320 which is pivotally mounted togripper slide 240, at 322. Actuation of adjustingscrew 312 varies the position of thegripper slide 240 and thegripper jaw members 246 and 252 with respect to theend 16 of the tape T. Thus, from the foregoing it will be seen that asgripper slide cam 260 rotates the gripper jaw members will be caused to reciprocate alongslideway 238 for positioning the jaw members for gripping the 7end 16 of the tape and withdrawing said tape from thetape feed device 226.

.a-Referring now to Figs.,10 and .11, it will be noted that reach of cams 56 is provided-with acutout'portion 326 into which aplug 328 is secured byscrews 330. It will be noted from Fig. 2 that the apparatus is very compact with very little space provided between the follower arms and the cams mounted onshaft 40. To remove the follower arms from engagement with their, corresponding cams it is not necessary to move any of thecams onshaft 40. To remove the follower arm, plug 328 is removed from the cam andcap member 176 is removed from its corresponding follower arm when a forked follower arm is employed.Shaft 40 is then turned by hand ;until the roller attached to the follower arm, such asroller 332 in r Fig. 10, is aligned withcutout portion 326, which forms a passageway therefor leading from thecam groove 327, wherein in said position the follower arm may be easily disengaged from its corresponding cam.

Provision is made for opening and closing the gripper jaw members comprising a gripperjaw actuating cam 334 which is keyed toshaft 40 and drives a bellcrank follower lever 336 which is pivotally supported, at 338, on the vertically extendingportion 340 ofbracket 282. Bell crank 336 is provided, at one end thereof, with a forkedportion 342, as best seen in Fig. 8, which engages and supports a gripperjaw actuating member 344, said member being provided withupstanding ear portions 346, with asupport pin 348 disposed therebetween, as best seen in Fig. 12. The actuatingmember 344 is pivotally supported bygripper slide bracket 228, at 345, as seen in Fig. 8. The gripperjaw actuating member 344 is provided with a depending portion 350 along its entire length which is adapted to engage aroller 352 which is mounted in one end of uppergripper jaw member 252 by pin 354. From the foregoing it will be seen that as gripperjaw actuating cam 334 is caused to rotate,member 344 will be actuated to engageroller 352 ofupper jaw member 252 causing said member to pivot aboutpin 258 against the bias of compression spring 250 causing said jaw members to open, as best seen in Fig. 1, the normal position of the jaw members being closed.

Provision is made for a threading and tape looping mechanism, generally designated by thereference numeral 360, in Fig. 1. The mechanism comprises the previously mentionedthreader bracket 146 to which is fastened, by securingelements 362, twothreader guide members 364, as best seen in Fig. 14, which form aguideway 366 in which athreader slide 368 is mounted for Vertical reciprocating movement. Fastened to the threader slide, by securingelements 378, is aholder 372 which has anadjustable member 374 which is provided with an extendingguide portion 376 that fits into aslot 378 inholder 372, for vertical adjustment ofmember 374 onholder 372, said member being provided with.slots 379 through which securingelements 382 pass, thereby permitting said vertical adjustment. Mounted tomember 374 by securingelements 384 is afirst threader 386.

The first threader is actuated, in vertical reciprocating movement, by a mechanism comprising, as best seen in Figs. 2, 13 and 14, afirst threader cam 388 which drives a forkedfollower arm 398 which is pivotally mounted at 392 to abell crank 394, said bell crank being journalled, at 396, between theupstanding parts 398 of athreader support bracket 480, as best seen in Fig. 13, said bracket being secured tobed plate 18 by securingelements 401. Bell crank 394 is also pivotally mounted, at 402, to ashort link 404 which is pivotally mounted to thethreader slide 368, at 406. From the foregoing it will be seen that asfirst threader cam 388 is caused to rotate thefirst threader 386 will be caused to reciprocate in a vertical direction.

Referring to Figs. 14 and 17 there is secured to the bottom ofthreaderbracket 146, by securingelements 408, an L -shap,ed.bracket 410. which .is providedwith'a slot 412 therein, which forms a slideway for a T-shapedslide 414 to which is fastened, by securingelements 416, a threader-support member 418. Said'support member is provided with aslot 420 in which the end of asecond threader 422 is Secured by securing elements 424.

Referring to Figs. 2, 13, 15 and 22, the mechanism for actuating thesecond threader 422 comprises asecond threader cam 426 which drives a forkedfollower arm 427 which is pivotally mounted, at 428, to alink 430 which is keyed, at 432, to ashaft 434 which is journalled inbearings 436 mounted in asupport bracket 438, said bracket being fastened tobed plate 18 by securingelements 440.Shaft 434 extends out frombracket 438 and has keyed thereto, at said extending portion, alink 442 which is pivotally connected, at 444, to alink 446 which is pivotally connected, at 448, to the previously mentionedthreader support member 418. It will be understood from the foregoingthat assecond threader cam 426 is caused to rotate thesecond threader 422 will be caused to reciprocate in a vertical direction asslide 414 moves inslot 412. With reference to Fig. 17 it will be noted that when the second threader is in its lowermost position thesupport member 418 will be below thetop surface 450 ofbed plate 18, said bed plate being cut away at 452.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 15 and 22, provision is made for athird threader 454 which is removably secured to the lower end of acircular rod 456 which is mounted for vertical reciprocating movement in theslideway 458 provided in the previously mentionedthreader bracket 146. Referring now to Figs. 22 and 23 it will be noted that the lower end ofrod 456 is provided with twoslots 460, at right angles to each other, thethreader 454 being inserted in one of said slots. The upper end of the threader is slotted at 462 for receiving apin 464 which resists any twisting forces being applied to thethreader 454 during the threading operation. The outer surface ofrod 456 is threaded to receive anut 466. Upon tighteningnut 466 onrod 456,slots 46% will be compressed for tightly securing the threader to the rod. Upon loosening ofnut 466 the threader may be easily removed from the rod.

The mechanism for operating thethird threader 454 comprises athird threader cam 468 which drives a forkedfollower arm 470 which is pivotally connected, at oneend 472 thereof, to a bell crank 474 which is pivotally supported, at 476, on anupstanding portion 478 of the previously mentionedbearing bracket 46. The other end of hell crank 474 is pivotally connected, at 480, to alink 482 which is pivotally connected, at 484, to aclamp 486 which is provided with ahole 488 to receive the upper end ofrod 456, as best seen in Fig. 2.Clamp 486 is provided with a tightening screw 49) for adjustably securingrod 456 to theclamp 486. From the foregoing it will be seen that asthird threader cam 468 is caused to rotate thethird threader 454 will be caused to reciprocate in a vertical direction asrod 456 reciprocates inslideway 458.

For withdrawing and varying the length of the loop L2 or body portion of the tape a looper mechanism, generally designated by thereference numeral 492, is provided. Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 15, the previously mentionedthreader bracket 146 is provided with aslot 494 which is enclosed by acover plate 496, said cover plate being fastened tobracket 146 by securingelements 498, to form aslideway 500 in which a forkedlooper rod 502 is adapted to slide. Between the forked portions ofrod 502 there is provided aroller 504 supported on apin 506, said roller being adapted to engage the upper surface of the tape T, as best seen in Fig. 29.

The actuating mechanism forlooper 492 comprises alooper cam 508 which drives a forkedfollower arm 510 which is pivotally mounted, at 512, in aslot 514 formed in one end of abell crank 516, said bell crank being pivotally supported, at 518, inbracket 46. The position of pivot 5.12 in-,slot. 514 may be adjusted by actuatingscrew 520 in the same manner as the previously discussed connection shown in Fig. 9. This adjustment permits the length of the stroke of the looper to be adjusted as desired to vary the length of tape withdrawn by the looper. Bell crank 516 is pivotally connected, at 522, to alink 524 which is pivotally connected to apivot pin 526 which is mounted on anadjusting block 530 which holds the upper end oflooper rod 502, as .best seen in Fig. 2. Adjustingblock 530 comprises a U-shaped member having aslot 532 therein which is covered by aplate 534 which, is secured to block 530 by securingelements 536, the upper end ofrod 502 being secured in saidslot byplate 534. Upon loosening securingelements 536 the position ofrod 502 may be adjusted inslot 532, whereby the position oflooper 492 inslideway 500 may be varied. From the foregoing it will be seen that aslooper cam 508 rotateslooper 492 will be reciprocated in a vertical direction for withdrawing varying lengths of tape for loop L2.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 13, 14, 16, 19 and 29, there is provided an inside cutter and slide mechanism, generally designated byreference numeral 538,.which provides means for separating the loops L1 and L2 of the tape from each other. The mechanism comprises aknife slide bracket 540 which is provided withflange members 542 through which pass securingelements 544 for mounting the knife slide bracket 54010threader bracket 146.Knife slide bracket 540 is provided with aslideway 546 in which theknife slide 548 is mounted, said knife slide having a T-shapedmember 550 secured to it by securingelements 552, said T-shapedmember 550 being mounted in said slideway. Suitably fastened along the upper edge ofknife slide 548 is acarbide insert 554 which provides self-sharpening means for the knife. Also secured at the upper edge ofknife slide 548, by securingelements 556, is apilot holder 558 which is provided with a slot 560 therein which mounts a pilot or pointedspreader 562, the point of said pilot being positioned ahead of the tip of theinside knife 564. Acutout 563 is provided inbracket 94 to provide clearance for the pilot and the knife. The knife is pivotally mounted on the slide at 566. Theknife slide 548 is provided with ashearing edge 565 which cooperates with the knife during the tape cutting operation.

The actuating mechanism for theknife slide 548 comprises aknife slide cam 568 which drives a forkedfollower arm 570 which is pivotally connected, at 572,

to a knife bell cranklever 574, at onearm 575 thereof,

said lever being supported in thejournal bearings 576 which are mounted onshaft 578, said shaft being supported injournal bearings 580 in the previously mentionedthreader support bracket 400. Pivotally mounted to lever 574, at theother arm 581, at 582, is alink 584 which is pivotally connected toknife slide 548, at 586. The actuating mechanism forinside knife 564 comprises aninside knife cam 588 which drives a forkedfollower arm 590 which is pivotally connected, at 592, to alink 594 which is keyed, at 596, toshaft 578. Also keyed toshaft 578, at 598, is alink 600 which is pivotally mounted, at 602, in aslot 604 formed in one end of alink 606 which is pivotally connected to theinside knife 564, at 608.Slot 604 provides lost motion means permitting theslide 548 to move forward carryingknife 564 without causing said knife to be actuated as best shown in Figs. 19 and 20. From the foregoing it will be clear that asknife slide cam 568 is actuatedknife slide 548 will be moved forward into position for the cutting operation carrying insideknife 564 forward into position and then upon actuation ofinside knife 564 bycam 588 and the operating linkage therefor described above, the tape will be cut, as best shown in Fig. 20. In order to prevent interference betweenlink 606 andknife 564 withthreader bracket 410, in the position shown in Fig. 20, acutout portion 609 is provided therein, as shown.

of the gripper jaws.

an outside knife mechanism comprising a stationaryoutside knife member 610 which is secured, by securingelements 612, in aslot 614 formed inbracket 94. Suitably secured along the upper edge ofknife member 610 is acarbide insert 616 which provides self-sharpening means for theoutside knife 618. Said knife is pivotally mounted onknife member 610, at 620, and ashearing edge 621 is provided on said knife member that 00- operates with the outside knife during the tape shearing operation.

The actuating mechanism foroutside knife 618 comprises anoutside knife cam 622 which drives a forkedfollower arm 624 which is pivotally connected, at 626, to anarm 627 of a bell crank 628 which is journalled on bearing 630 which is mounted onshaft 434. Bell 'crank628 is also pivotally connected, at itsother am 629, to alink 632, at 634, said link being pivotally connected to the outside knife, at 636. From the foregoing it will be seen that asoutside knife cam 622 is actuated,outside knife 618 will be caused to pivot about itspivot support 620 to cut the tape and separate said tape from the supply thereof. It will also be noted that as the knife is actuated thecarbide insert 616 will rub against a side of the knife thereby automatically sharpening said knife during the operation thereof.

Referring to Figs. 1, l6, l8 and 27, the previously mentionedtape feed device 226 comprises atape feed plate 638 which is pivotally mounted at 640 on the upper part of arib portion 642 formed onbracket 94.Tape feed plate 638 has acutout portion 644 which provides clearance for the serrated ends, 646 and 648, of the upper and lower jaw members, 252 and 246, respectively. Pivotally mounted at 650, on anupstanding portion 652 ofslide bracket 94, is an uppertape guide member 654 which is also provided, at the forward end thereof, with acutout portion 656 which provides a clearance space for the ends Disposed betweentape feed plate 638 andupper guide member 654, to form atape guideway 658, areguide members 660 and 662, said guide members being provided with slots, 66 4 and 666, respectively, through which pass securingelements 668, for adjustably securing the guide members to thetape feed plate 638 whereby the width oftape gaiideway 658 may be varied to accommodate varying widths of tape. Secured to the undersurface ofupper guide member 654 is a bowedspring member 670 which is provided with aserrated end 672 for resiliently holding the tape against the upper surface of thetape feed plate 638. Aspring member 674 is secured to guidemember 662 by securingelement 668 and is in engagement with the top surface ofupper guide member 654 to provide means for biasingspring member 670 against the tape. Thetape feed device 226 is resiliently supported on apin 676, which engages the undersurface oftape feed plate 638, said pin being actuated by acompression spring 678 mounted on the top surface ofpart 680 ofbracket 94,pin 676 being slidably mounted in ahole 682 formed inbracket 94. From the foregoing it will be seen that as the tape is gripped by the gripping jaws and withdrawn from thetape feed device 226, the biasing force ofpin 676 against the tape feed device will tension the tape.

For guiding the tape to thetape feed device 226 there is provided abracket 684 which is suitably fastened to ally mounted on thefront upper portion ofslide bracket 94.

- 1 Referring to Figs; 1, 24 and 36, there is provided adischarge slide wire 696 which is secured at one end thereof to bucklesupport element 140, as best seen in Fig. 36, I said slide wire being curved to guide the completed buckle buckles, the extendingtape portions of the buckles and the position of the buckle on thewire 696 create a balanced condition for said buckles during the discharge thereof.

In operating the apparatus of the present invention to thread the tape through the buckles so as to provide the finished assemblies illustrated in Fig. 38, the buckles are mounted on the T-shapedbar 82 with thebuckle pusher 102 in its retracted position. It will be apparent that the lowermost buckle in the stack of the T-bar 8 2, will move off the T-bar directly into theslideway 120, immediately in front of and in registry with thepusher 102. As said pusher is caused to move forward by the operation ofbuckle pusher cam 164 and the linkage mechanism therefor, previously described, the buckle will be transferred from thefeed station 122 to the threadingstation 60. As seen in Fig. 6A, abuckle 14 is shownin an intermediate position between the feed station and the threading station.

The tape T is furnished from a suitable supply roller (not illustrated) and theleading end 16 of said tape is inserted between theguide members 688 and 690 into thetape feed device 226, said tape being disposed inguideway 658 of said device, as shown in Fig. 27, theend 16 of the tape extending slightly from said device. In the position shown in Fig. 27, the buckle has been moved into the threading station and the grippingjaws 252 and 246 have moved to the extreme right under the actuation ofgripper slide cam 260 and its associated linkage mechainsm, previously described. The gripper jaws have moved into the position shown simultaneously with the movement of the buckle into the threading station from the feed station. During this movement the gripper jaws are open, said opening being caused by the action of gripperjaw actuating cam 334 and its associated mechanism, previously described. As best seen in Figs. 6 and 36 the buckle at the threading station is fully supported, theouter rib member 76 of the buckle lying within theslot 134 in extension member 1130,inner rib member 80 being supported on its undersurface bysupport element 140 ofsupport member 136, confronting rib 70 being supported on its undersurface bysupport element 142 ofsupport member 136, confrontingrib 68 being supported on its undersurface bysupport member 144, andside rib member 74 being engaged at its upper surface by theoverlying spring member 150. In the position of the gripping jaws shown in Fig. 27, it will be noted that thetape feed device 226 has moved into its uppermost position under the biasing force ofpin 676, said tape feed device pivoting aboutpiovts 640 and 650. The serrated end 648 oflower jaw member 246 is disposed within thecutout portion 644 oftape feed plate 638.

As soon as the jaw members have reached the position shown in Fig. 27, theupper jaw member 252 will be actuated upon release of said jaw by gripperjaw actuating member 344 under the control of gripperjaw actuating cam 334 and its associated mechanism, previously described, resulting in said jaw member pivoting aboutpivot pin 258, under the biasing force of spring 250, causing the upper jaw member to close upon the lower jaw member and grasp theend 16 of the tape between the serrated portions of the jaw-members. The closed jaw members now begin to retract under the control ofgripper slide cam 260 and its associated mechanism, previously described, to the position shown in Fig. 28, wherein said jaw members remain stationary while holding the withdrawn end of the tape during the entire threading operation. It will be noted that during the retracting movement of the jaw members,tape feed device 226 rotated downwardly aboutpivots 640 and 650 againstpin 676 thereby compressingspring 678 and tensioning the tape.

Simultaneously with the retraction of the jaw members and the withdrawing of the tape from the tape feed device, thefirst threader 386 moves downwardly under the control of thefirst threader cam 388 and its associated mechanism previously described, and thelooper 492 also moves downwardly under the control of thelooper cam 508 and its associated mechanism, previously described. During this movement, and simultaneously therewith, thepusher 102 retracts from its position at the threadingstation 60 under the control of thebuckle pusher cam 164 to return to thefeed station 122 in preparation for feeding a successive buckle into the threading station. Continuous movement of thefirst threader 382 causes the tape to be threaded through theouter eyelet 62, as best seen in Fig. 29, to form the tab portion or loop L1 of the buckle and tape assembly. In this regard it will be noted that the length of the tab portion of the tape may be adjusted by adjusting the length of the stroke of the gripper jaws, as well as the position of the gripper jaws, by adjusting the gripper slide actuating mechanism and adjustingscrew 312, as previously described. Simultaneously with the threading of the tape througheyelet 62 byfirst threader 386, thelooper 492 will engage the upper surface of the tape and withdraw said tape from thefeed device 226 to form a loop L2 for the body portion of the tape and buckle assembly, said portion of the tape being supported on thenylon roller 694 and thetape guide roller 162 which is in its projected position. It will be noted from Fig. 1 that in itsextended position looper 492 is belowbed plate 18 at the cut awayportion 452 of the bed plate, said portion providing a clear area for loop L2.

After completing the first threading operation, thefirst threader 386 begins to move into its retracted position under the control ofcam 388 and its associated mechanism and, simultaneously with said movement, the pilot or pointedspreader 562 enters the loop formed by the first threader to spread the loop for the succeeding entry therein of theinside knife 564, as best seen in Fig. 30. The movement of thepilot 562 is under the control of the insideknife slide cam 568 and its associated mechanism, previously described, and the movement of theinside knife 564 is under the control of theinside knife cam 588 and its associated mechanism, previously described. It will be noted from Fig. 30 that the pilot and knife are within the confines of the loop formed by the first threader before the first threader has entirely retracted from the loop.

As previously described and, as best shown in Figs. 19 and 20, theknife slide 548 first moves forwardly into position carrying thepilot 562 and theinside knife 564, which are mounted to the slide, into position, thepilot 562 entering the loop ahead of theknife 564. After the pilot and knife are in position the knife will cut the loop, as shown in Figs. 20 and 31, the cutting action through the loop causing the severed ends 706 and 708 of the tape to move apart from each other. Simultaneously with this cutting operation thesecond threader 422 begins to move up under the control of thesecond threader cam 426 and its associated mechanism, previously described, to engage thesevered end 708 of the tape before it can swing all the way back to its original position. It will be seen from Fig. 31 that thetape end 708, when severed, swings out across the path of upward movement of the second threader and the latter engages the severed tape ,on its return swing, in the broken line position of the. tape, as shown.

and final threading operation.

Simultaneously with continued upward movement of the second threader the knife slide 548' retracts into its initial position under the control ofcam 568, as shown in Fig. 21.

Thesecond threader 422 continues to move upwardly, carrying theengaged end 708 of the tape up through theoverlying buckle eyelet 64, as shown in Fig. 32, and into abutment with the main tape strip or body portion of the tape, as shown. It will be noted from Fig. 32 that theupstanding leg 156 oftape guide 154 engages the side edges of the tape thereby preventing said tape from moving off to the side of the buckle to misalign said tape with the eyelets of the buckle.

Assecond threader 422 performs the second threading operation,looper 492 begins to move upwardly under the control ofcam 508, to relieve the tension in the tape, causing thetape feed device 226 to move upwardly aboutpivots 640 and 650 under thebiasing force ofpin 676. Simultaneously with this movement theoutside knife 618 is actuated, under the control ofoutside knife cam 622 and its associated mechanism, previously described, to sever the withdrawn tape from the supply thereof. It will be noted that this cutting operation occurs when there is little tension in the tape resulting in a straight cut rather than a slanting cut which occurs when the tape is severed when under tension. At this time the succeeding buckle from thefeed station 122 is approaching the threadingstation 60, said buckle being pushed into position by slide member. orpusher 102. During the foregoing movements, thetape guide roller 162 is retracted under the control ofcam 206 and its associated mechanism, previously described, so that thesevered end 710 of the tape will fall downwardly past the previously projected position oftape guide roller 162, as best seen in 7 Figs. 24 and 33, the cut end projecting intobin 698 through the cut awayportion 452 of thebed plate 18. Simultaneously with this movement of the tape thesecond threader 422 will begin to move downwardly, under the control ofcam 426, thereby permitting the abutting tape portions to fall downwardly and overlie thethird eyelet 66 to position said tape with respect to the buckle in preparation for the third threading operation, as seen in Fig. 33

Thethird threader 454 then moves downwardly, under the control ofthird threader cam 468 and its associated mechanism, previously described, to perform the third Thethird threader 454 is provided with anarrow neck portion 712, as best seen in Fig. 22, to facilitate drawing the double layer tape through the narrow opening between confrontingribs 68 and 70 of the buckle, as shown in Figs. 34 and 35. 'Upon completion of this third threading operation thethird threader 454 moves upwardly under the control ofcam 468, as shown in Fig. 24, and the gripper jaws open under the control ofcam 334 for releasing the threaded" buckle. Simultaneously with this movement the various threaders and the looper return to their completely retracted position. Then the slide member orpusher 102 pushes a succeedingbuckle 14 into the threadingstation 60, saidsucceeding buckle pushing the completed buckle and tape assembly therefrom, as best seen in Figs. 25 and 36, wherein said buckle assembly is discharged intobin 698, the tab L1 and the body portion L2 of the tape balancing the buckle assembly, on thedischarge slide wire 696, as the buckle assembly slides down the wire into the discharge bin. 7

As the succeeding buckle is moved into the threading station, thetape guide roller 162 moves into its projected position under the control ofcam 206 and the gripper jaws start to move forward again to repeat the operating cycle just described.

While we have shown and described the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be underas herein specifically illustrated or described and that in stood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than I,

the'illustrated embodiment certain changes in the details of construction and in the form and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of the invention. Accordingly, we do not wish to be limited to the precise construction shown or described herein, except as may be required by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thu desonibed our invention, What We claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Buckle threading apparatus, comprising means for releasably holding an apertured buckle in position for the threading thereof, and means for advancing a length of tape from :a supply thereof to a position at one side of said buckle comprising a pair of gripper jaws mounted for reciprocating movement to withdraw a predetermined length of tape from said supply, means for operating said gripper jaws for causing said movement, and means for adjusting the length of movement of said jaws to vary the length of said withdrawn tape comprising a first link member provided with a slot therein, a second link member connected to said first link member at said slot, said connection comprising a pivot pin connected to said second link member, said pivot pin being mounted in said slot, and means for adjustably connecting said pivot pin to said first link for adjusting the position of said pin in said slot to vary the relative movement of said link members with respect to each other so as to vary the length of movement of said reciprocating gripper jaws.

2. Buckle threading apparatus, comprising means for releasably holding an apertured buckle in position for the threading thereof, and means for advancing a length of tape from a supply thereof to a position at one side of said buckle comprising gripping means for clamping the end of said tape, means for operating said gripping means in a horizontal reciprocating direction to withdraw said tape from a supply thereof, said operating means including means for adjusting the length of movement of said gripping means to vary the length of tape withdrawn from said supply, and means for adjustably positioning said gripping means with respect to said end of said tape.

3. Buckle threading apparatus, comprising means for releasably holding an apertured buckle in position for the threading thereof, and means for advancing a length of tape from a supply thereof to a position at one side of said buckle comprising gripping means for clamping the end of said tape, means for operating said gripping means in a horizontal reciprocating direction to withdraw said tape from a supply thereof, said operating means including means for adjusting the length of movement of said gripping means to vary the length of tape withdrawn from said supply comprising a first link member provided with a slot therein, a second link member connected to said first link member at said slot, said connection comprising a pivot pin connected to said second link member, said pivot pin being mounted in said slot, and means for adjustably connecting said pivot pin to said first link for adjusting the position of. said pin in said slot to vary the relative movement of said link members with respect toeach other so as to vary the length of movement of said reciprocating gripper means.

4. Buckle threading apparatus, comprising means for releasably holding an apertured buckle in position for the threading thereof, and means for advancing a length of tape from a supply thereof to a position at one side of said buckle comprising gripping means for clamping the end of said tape, means for operating said gripping means in a reciprocating direction to withdraw said tape from a supply thereof, and means for adjustably positioning said gripping means with respect to said end of said tape comprising an adjusting screw connected at one end thereof to said gripping means, the other end of said adjusting screw being connected to said operating means

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