US3875648A - Fastener attachment apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

Fastener attachment apparatus and method for separating a fastener attachment device comprising two end bars and a filament coupled therebetween from stock comprising two undivided and continuous side members and a plurality of cross links coupled therebetween and dispensing the devices through one or more slotted needles by pushing an end bar of the device through a slot in the needle. In addition there is disclosed a fastener attachment apparatus and method for simultaneously pushing each of the two end bars of a fastener attachment device through two slotted needles with the filament between the end bars extending through the slot of each of the needles and between the needles.

Description

I United States Patent 1 [in 3,875,648

Bone Apr. 8, 1975 [54] FASTENER ATTACHMENT APPARATUS 3,659,760 5/1972 Bone 227/67 UX R AND METHOD 3,765.1) lO/l973 Olsen 24/l50 X [75] Inventor: Arnold R. Bone, Needham. Mass. FOREIGN PATENTS 0R PLICATIONS Assignee: Dennison Manufacturing mpany Unlld Kingdom Framingham, Mass.

' Primary E.rarninerCharlie T. Moon [22] Flled: 1973 Attorney. Agent, or FirmDike, Bronstein, Roberts, 21 Appl. No.: 347,679 Cushman & Pfimd [52 us. (:1. 29/417; 29/432; 29/450; [57] ABSTRACT 29/526; 40/20 R; 227/19; 227/71; 24/150 Fastener attachment apparatus and method for sepa- [51] Int, Cl 823 11/00; 1323 17/00; [3311, 1/00 rating a fastener attachment device comprising two [58] Field ofSearch 29/4322 4321, 432, 450 end bars and a filament coupled therebetween from 29/417, 235, 526; 227/67, 71, 19; 24/150; stock comprising two undivided and continuous side 40/20 R 20 X members and a plurality of cross links coupled therebetween and dispensing the devices through one or [56] References Cit d more slotted needles by pushing an end bar of the de- VlCC through 21 slot in the needle.

LES/1.647 4/1933 Flood 227/7] In addition there is disclosed a fastener attachment 2.669795 2/1954 s a 1di apparatus and method for simultaneously pushing 2,825,162 3/1958 Flood each of the two end bars of a fastener attachment 3,103.666 9/1963 Bone device through two slotted needles with the filament 3364350 1/1965 Paxton between the end bars extending through the slot of 1165968 Amie each of the needles and between the needles. 3.444.597 .5/l969 Bone 40/20 R X 3,470,834 10/1969 Bone 227/67 UX R 25 Claims, 57 Drawing Figures use VAC! SlC mimiwa Basra 3,875,648

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FASTENER ATTACHMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention is directed to a new and improved apparatus and method for dispensing plastic fastener attachment devices.

Over the last few years there has developed a large and expanding business involving the use of plastic fastener attachment devices for coupling layers of material together.

Examples of such fastener attachment devices of the prior art may be found by reference to US. Pat. Nos 3,103,666. 3,380,122 and 3,399,432 among many others.

In the above US. Pat. No. 3,l03,666, it may be seen that the fastener attachment devices are each supported by an assembly rod via a neck portion, and are indexed one at a time into the dispensing apparatus.

In the indexing apparatus the fastener attachment devices are separated from the neck portion and assembly rod and are thereafter dispensed from the apparatus via a needle.

In addition some systems have been placed on the market in which the fastener attachment devices are placed in a dispensing apparatus one at a time and then dispensed to re-couple a button to fabric.

While the fastener attachment apparatus discussed above have gained wide public acceptance particularly with consumers who have used the fastener attachment devices for recoupling buttons to garments as well as certain industries, e.g., the retail establishments which have used the fastener attachment devices for ticket tagging, a need has been recognized particularly in the highly automated industries for a new and improved fastener attachment apparatus and method for dispensing fastener attach devices.

In particular a utility has been recognized for the present invention in the garment industry where continuous relatively high speed operation is a requirement.

Additionally, for consumer applications this invention provides advantages over the prior art in that there is provided a convenient storage for the stock and in addition the remaining unused stock need not be removed from the apparatus as with the prior art for easy storage of the device.

In view of the foregoing this invention provides a completely new and improved fastener attachment system and method which is not only applicable to high speed industrial applications but also provides for substantial practical advantages even in slow speed retail and consumer applications. With the apparatus of this invention long lengths of plastic stock may be fed from storage means containing a roll or other compressed configuration and separated or divided to provide a plurality of dispensable fastener attachment devices.

Thereafter the devices are dispensed to hold layers of material together such as a button to cloth or two layers of fabric together.

BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure illustrates new and improved fastener attachment apparatus and method for separating a fastener attachment device from fastener attachment stock comprising two plastic side members having a plurality of plastic cross links coupled therebetween, and then automatically, semiautomatically or manually dispensing the device through one or more slotted needles depending upon the application.

The present disclosure also illustrates a new and improved apparatus for coupling buttons or the like to fabric by placing two needles through two button holes and a layer of material and then dispensing the fastener attachment device so that two end bars thereof are positioned together, or adjacent each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a top view of a length of fastener attachment device stock according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of one of the attachment devices formed from the stock shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken along lines 3-3 and 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top view ofa length of fastener attachment device stock formed in a different configuration than that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front view of one of the attachment devices formed from the stock shown in FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are sectional views taken along lines 7-7, 8-8 and 9-9 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a front view showing stock of the disclosure to provide the fastener attachment device of FIGS. 6-9 confined between two parallel planes;

FIGS. 11 and I2 illustrate two ways of storing the stock in a container such as a round canister or a rectangular canister from which it may be dispensed;

FIG. 13 is a top of a dual needle apparatus for forming fastener attachment devices shown in FIGS. 2-4, or 6-9 from the stock shown in FIGS. 1, 5 or 10 and then dispensing the device through the needles and into the material;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line 14-14 in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14A is a partial sectional view taken along line I4A-14A in FIG. 14; and FIG. 14B illustrates another stock container which may be substituted for the container in FIG. 14;

FIG. I5 is a sectional view taken along line 15-15 in FIG. 14 with the means for dividing the fastener attachment stock in a first position to receive the fastener attachment stock;

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 but with the means for dividing the fastener attachment stock in a forward position after forming one fastener attachment device from the fastener attachment stock;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line 17-17 in FIG. 16 illustrating a pair of plungers about to push the fastener attachment device end bars through a pair of needles;

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. I7 but with the plungers within the needles while pushing the fastener attachment device therethrough and after the needles have penetrated through the material;

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 showing the plungers pushing the fastener attachment device end bars out of the needles to fasten two layers of material together;

FIG. 20 illustrates the attachment device holding the layers of material together;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along line 21-21 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along line 22-22 in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 18 showing one plunger and one needle for inserting one end bar of a fastener attachment device through layers of material;

FIG. 24 illustrates the fastener attachment device of FIG. 6 popping out of the needle in 'FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 illustrates the fastener attachment device inserted as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 holding two layers of material together;

FIG. 26A illustrates a powered system for controlling the operation of the apparatus of FIGS. 13-24;

FIG. 26B represents in block form a circuit for operating the apparatus of FIG. 26;

FIG. 27 represents in a front view a modification of FIGS. 13-22 to permit the aligning of the needles with respect to holes of different size buttons shown in FIG. 32;

FIGS. 28 and 29 are sectional views taken along lines 28-28 and 29-29 in FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is a sectional view taken alone line 30-30 in FIG. 27 showing in phantom rotation of the needles;

FIG. 31 is a top view looking down from line 31-31 in FIG. 27;

FIG. 32 illustrates three different size buttons which may be attached to material as shown in FIGS. 37-39 herein;

FIGS. 33-36 illustrates in sectional view similar to FIG. 28 the steps for forming or dividing an attachment device from said stock, forcing it into the needles and then positioning the needles as shown in phantom in FIG. 30;

FIGS. 37-39 illustrate respectively in a top view a button, the button attached by fastener devices to material and in a sectional view showing the button coupled to material;

FIG. 40 illustrates in a side view a hand operable apparatus for forming fastener attachment devices from the fastener attachment stock and then dispensing the devices;

FIG. 41 is a sectional view taken along line 41-41 of FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 is a sectional view taken along line 42-42 of FIG, 41;

FIG. 43 is a sectional view taken along line 43-43 of FIG. 42;

FIG. 44 is a view similar to FIG. 43 after the fastener attachment device has been formed from the stock; and

FIG. 45 is a diagrammatical view showing the parts for dividing the stock into fastener attachment devices.

FIG. 46 illustrates in a side view the feed wheel of FIGS. 41 and 42.

FIG. 47 illustrates in a top view the position of the means for dividing the stock after providing a fastener attachment device therefrom and positioning it for dispensing through a needle;

FIG. 48 illustrates the device of FIG. 40-47 modified to be operated by power means;

FIGS. 49 and 50 illustrate one method of forming the stock according to this disclosure;

FIGS. 51-53 illustrate another method of forming the stock according to this disclosure and then stretching it to strengthen the cross links thereof;

FIG. 54 illustrates a method of joining short lengths of stock together to form lengths of stock.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference should now be had to FIGS. 1-3 for a description of fastener attachment stock according to the disclosure. The stock is shown at 59 and includes two elongated, continuous and undividedplastic side members 60A and 60B and a plurality ofplastic cross links 60C coupled to and between theside members 60A and 60B such that an aperature, space orhole 60D is left between the cross links and side members.

Thestock 59 is preferably of a plastic material. Most preferably the plastic material is flexible at least in part and is also sufficiently stiff in at least a portion thereof so that a portion thereof may easily be pushed through a needle slot as will be shown later in this disclosure.

Additionally, in certain applications involving the coupling of buttons, it is highly desirable that the stock also be resilient. The plastic material forming the side members is also preferably of the type so that it may easily be separated or divided by rupturing, severing, cutting or etc., as shown herein to provide a plurality of fastener attachment devices, but not so easily separable into a plurality of attachment devices that it separates upon being fed into a dispensing apparatus and thus causes jamming of the apparatus.

As used herein and for convenience it is intended that the term plastic be given its broadest meaning as defining any flexible plastic or flexible polymer such as elastomeric materials, thermoplastics and flexible thermosetting resins which those skilled in the art will recognize as useful for the purpose disclosed herein.

Materials which may be used herein are conventional plastics such as nylon, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polvinyl chloride, etc. Other plastics suitable for this purpose will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Reference may also be had to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,444,597, 3,l03,666 and 3,470,834 among others for a further teaching of plastic materials which may be useful herein. It should be understood that combinations of plastic materials may be used as the stock.

In its preferred construction the two side members are preferably parallel to each other and the cross links are also preferably parallel to each other. In addition, each of the cross links are preferably spaced an equidistance d" apart so they may easily be fed into a fastener attaching apparatus in a preset sequence necessary for the regular timed operation of most machines.

As shown in FIG. 1 the side members also preferably extend beyond the first cross link at 60 so that the first separation of a fastener attachment device shown in FIGS. 2-4 will from the beginning be useful for its intended purpose.

The cross links or the side members of the stock may also be stretched as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,444,597 and US. Pat. No. 3,470,834 to strengthen plastic materials such as nylon.

Thestock 59 may be fabricated by punching or formingaperatures 60D in an extruded sheet of plastic as will be seen later with reference to FIGS. 49 and 50.

In FIGS. 2-4 there is disclosed a fastener attachment device resulting from the separation of one device from the stock, e.g., by cutting theside members 60A and 60B between the first and second cross links at a and a in FIG. 1.

The resulting fastener attachment device comprises twoend bars 61A and 61B preferably of the same length coupled together by a filament member 61C. In this configuration the cross section of the end bar is rectangular as is the cross section of the filament member 61C.

Preferably the filament member as well as thecross link) has a thickness T which is smaller than the thickness T of the end bar (side member) when viewed in the cross sectional view (see FIG. 3) to insure secure travel through a needle as will be described herein.

Reference should now be had to FIG. 5 as well as FIGS. 6-8 which show a slightly different configuration of the fastener attachment stock and a resultant fastener attachment device after separation from the stock at points b and b (see FIG. 5).

In FIG. 5 the stock is preferably made by molding, as for example as shown in FIG. 51, in relatively small sections and then both welded together as shown in FIG. 53. In particular, the stock also (shown as 59) in FIG. 5 comprisesside members 63A and 63B andcross links 63C separated from each other byaperatures 63D. The stock is formed by welding together side members of molded sections atpoints 63D. In this manner the continuous, undivided,elongated side members 63A and 63B are formed. FIGS. 7-9 illustrate a fastener attachment device separated from the stock of FIG. 5 by severing the side members at points b and b The construction of the stock of FIG. 5 is such that the end bars 64A and 64B are round in cross section as is thefilament 64.

More particularly, it is preferred that thecross link 63 be molded with a smaller diameter or thickness T than the diameter or thickness T of theside members 63A and 638 to insure that the resultingattachment device 64 will be securely retained within the needle of the fastener attachment apparatus as will be described.

It should also be understood that if desired the thickness of thefilament 64C may be greater than or equal to the thickness of the end bars 64A or 643 depending upon the application although for dispensing through a needle as disclosed herein so as to insure reliable dispensing the thickness of the cross links should be less than the thickness of the side members so that the side member will securely ride in the central wider portion of the needle slot with the cross link positioned in the narrow portion of the needle slot. (See FIG. which from a top view shows the slot being wider for passage of the side member with a narrower portion for holding the cross link).

It should also be understood that the side members and the cross links as well as the resulting end bar and filament may take many shapes, as for example the filament may be round and the end bars rectangular or vice versa.

Reference should briefly be had to FIG. 10 which illustrates thefastener stock 59 havinground side members 69A and 69B andrectangular cross links 69C. FIG. 10 illustrates in a front view,stock 59 to illustrate that the stock is planar in construction and that in most preferred construction the stock is entirely positionable between two parallel planes P, and P defined by the top and bottom of theside members 69A and 698. It should be understood that the side members or cross links may take various other shapes such as oval, triangular, octagonal, etc., and in addition it should be understood that side members may be of different dimensions from such each other to provide a tab such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,444,597.

In some cases to facilitate machine separation of devices from the stock if tough to separate materials are used, the side members may be formed with weakened areas.

In FIGS. 11 and 12 there is shown a container, can or canister in two convenient shapes for storing the fastener attachment stock of this disclosure. FIG. 11 illustrates at 65 a round canister for storing fastener attachment stock 59 in a roll as shown.

For use, the stock may first be rolled up and placed in thecanister 65 by removing the pressfit cover 66A from thecanister body 66B and inserting the roll with a portion of the stock being passed through afeed opening 66C.

Thestock 59 will travel as shown by the arrow when pulled from the canister. In FIG. 12 there is shown a box likecontainer 67 in which fastener attachment stock folded back and forth over itself as shown may be stored. Thecontainer 67 comprises aremovable cover 68A which is coupled to the main storage portion 683 thereof. Thecover 68A is removed for loading of the stock after the stock is folded, e.g., by removing screws (not shown) holding it in place, and is then replaced to hold the fan folded stock in place. The stock is withdrawn from thecontainer 67 via a slot oropening 68C and is pulled in the direction as shown by the arrow to feed a fastener attachment apparatus.

In order to show the manner in which the new and improved fastener attachment stock may be used. there is disclosed in FIGS. 13-48 various new and improved fastener attachment apparatus constructions as well as some of the uses to which the fastener attachment devices provided from thestock 59 may be applied.

In FIGS. 13-22 there is illustrated a dual needle fastener attachment apparatus for separating the stock into fastener attachment devices and then simultaneously inserting both end bars thereof via the two needles through material to accomplish the results shown in FIG. 20 and FIG. 39.

For convenience of explanation henceforth all fastener attachment devices will be indicated by thenum ber 61.

The dual needle apparatus is shown at 70 and comprises a base 71 which supports anupright member 72 bybolts 71A (see FIG. 21). Theupright member 72 is partially hollow and includes amotion limit slot 72A.

The top portion of theupright member 72 is slidable within housing walls or members 73 (3 in number) capped with atop member 74. Supported by one of the threemembers 73 is a motion limit screw positioned within theslot 72A. Themembers 73 are in turn coupled to themain body 78 of the apparatus bybolts 73C which supports the needles and the other operating parts of the apparatus. Within themember 72 there is provided a resilient biasing means such as aspring 73B which extends into the area between thehousing walls 73. The top of the spring is positioned against thetop member 74 and the lower part of the spring rests on ashelf 728 in the interior of themember 72. The spring 733 acts to maintain thebody 78 in a raised position as shown in FIGS. 14 and 21 while thepin 73A limits the downward movement of thebody 78 against thespring 73B when the body is manually forced downward. (See FIg. l8).

Thebody 78 includes a feed slot 79 to permit the flow ofstock 59 from thecontainer 65 coupled by a 650 to the body as shown. Thestock 59 upon entering the body is positioned on means such as awheel 82 for feeding the stock into the apparatus in order to separate thestock 59 into thedevices 61.

Thewheel 82 has a plurality of raisedportions 82A which fit into theaperatures 60D of thestock 59 and carries the cross links in open ended grooves 82B (see FIGS. 14 and 14A) with the side members on either side of theprojection 82A.

Thewheel 82 is mounted on a shaft 8] and is keyed thereto by a key 81A for rotation therewith. The shaft 81 is supported for rotation by theside wall 78A of the body in a conventional manner (see FIG. 14) and coupled to aknob 80 for advancing it.Wheel 82 motion is retarded by aspring detent 83.

The stock is forced by the feed means 82A through a guide slot 788 into ahorizontal slot 78C (open in parts) formed in thebody 78. Positioned within theslot 78C is amember 87 which acts in combination withmember 90 toseparate devices 61 from thestock 59 after thestock 59 is urged and positioned against the bottom of theslot 78C.

The means 87 also positions the separated devices 61 (see FIG. 14) at a location to be dispensed via needles 91. The member orcarrier 87 is more clearly shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 and includes a guide and retainingslot portion 87A into which thestock 59 is initially fed. Themember 87 is manually urged to the left of FIG. 14 to separate thestock 59 at points a -a or at other points along theside members 60A and 608 to provide thefastener attachment device 61.

Themember 87 or themember 90 or both may also carry knives to effect separation of thestock 59 into devices. Also a separate moving knife apart frommember 87 may also be used if desired.

All ofthe above is intended to be included in the definition of means for separating or dividing thestock 59 into a plurality ofdevices 61.

The movement of themember 87 is limited by a bolt 89 positioned in acutout 88 formed in thebody 78. In order to drive the end bars of thedevice 61 through theneedles 91 there is provided an end bar pusher mechanism comprising atop member 101 supporting amember 103 having aslot 102A for supporting two needle plungers 103 (see FIG. 17).

Themember 102 is slidable in a guide slot 783 formed in thebody 78 and is held in place within the slot by aplate 93 coupled to thebody 78 by screws as shown in FIG. 17.

Theplate 93 has a limit shot 93A formed therein in which there is positioned alimit pin 102B supported bymember 102. Themembers 101, 102 and the pushers 103 (coupled to member 102) are urged upwardly by aspring 106 supported by arod 105 slidably mounted in amember 104 having a bore (shown dotted). In this manner the pushers orplungers 103 are retained above the mouth of the needles.

At 110 there is a raised platform having a bore 111 through which the needles may extend. Briefly, the operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 14-22 is as follows:

l.stock 59 is fed into thebody 78 from the container orcanister 65 containing a roll or coil of the stock or from the canister 67 (see FIG. 14B) containing the stock in a fan fold configuration and is positioned on thewheel 82 as shown in FIG. 14A for processing in the apparatus;

2. the knob is rotated to bring the stock side member ends 60E (see FIG. 1) against the bottom ofslot 78C and through theguide slot 87A in themember 87;

3. themember 87 is then pushed to the left of FIG. 14 to divide or separate a fastener attachment device, e.g., H shaped, by forcing theside members 60A and 60B of thestock 59 against an edge surface of member 90 (see FIG. 15). This in affect results in a severing, rupturing or cutting of theside members 60A and 608 to form afastener attachment device 61 depending upon the edge configuration and sharpness;

4. thereafter thecarrier member 87 now holding thedevice 61 is moved to the left of FIG. 14 to the point where thedevice end bars 61A and 61B are positioned above the slots 90A of the two needles 91 (see FIGS. 15 and 16). Thedevice 61 is preferably somewhat wedged or tightly fits into the slot 86A so that it moves easily with thecarrier member 86. The needles as shown are held in place by lockingmeans 91B and each having aslot 91A to accommodate the end bar thickness and anarrower portion 91C to permit the narrower thickness filament portion 61C to extend therethrough. In this manner the fastener attachmentdevice end bars 61A and 61B is securely held within the needles when the end bars travel therethrough;

5. assuming now that two pieces of material A and 1158 are positioned as in FIGS. 18 and 19 one on top of the other on theplatform 110, thebody 78 is then forced downwardly to drive theneedle tips 91C through the material as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 and into thebores 111 and 70A;

6. at this time themember 101 is urged downwardly (see FIG. 18) to force theplungers 103 to push thedevice 61end bars 61A and 618 respectively through (preferably simultaneously) theneedle slots 91A with the filament 61C extending between theneedles 91;

7. when theplungers 103 extend downwardly as shown to the point shown in FIG. 19, the end bars 61A and 61B are urged or pop out of needle wide cutaway portion 915 thereby providing for a coupling of the layers of material together as shown in FIG. 20. The plastic material used for thedevice 61 preferably has enough return in it to cause it to assume the shape shown in FIG. 20.

It should be understood that the sequence of operations described herein may be modified without departing from the invention. For example, thebody 78 may first be forced downwardly to pierce the material with the needles, thecarrier member 87 may then be moved to divide thestock 59 and position thedevice 61 and thereafter thepushers 103 may be forced downwardly.

Reference should now be had to FIGS. 23-25 for a description of a modification of the apparatus of FIGS. 14-22.

In this embodiment, oneneedle 91 is used instead of two so that only oneend bar 61A is driven through the needle and thecloth 115A and 115. By merely removing the needle which would normally be on the left of FIG. 23, theend bar 618 will move freely downwardly as theplunger 103 pushes theend bar 61A through theneedle 91 to the point where it springs outwardly from the needle as shown in FIG. 24. FIG. 25 represents thedevice 61 shown coupling the twolayers 115A and 1158 together.

In FIGS. 26A and 268 there is schematically shown, an automated implementation for the apparatus shown in FIG. 14. In order to operate the various parts of the machine, that is to feed the stock by rotating thewheel 82 the carrier movesmember 87 to separate thedevice 61 from the stock and position them for dispensing through theneedles 91, move themachine body 78 to do that the needles 9] pierce the material, and drive the plungers 103 [via member 101) through the needles to force thedevice end bars 61A and 61B therethrough, there are provided a plurality of fixed in place fluid operatedcylinders 132, 140, and 143 havingpiston rods 132A, 140A and 148A and a steppingmotor 130 mounted to theapparatus 70.

In order to provide fluid e.g., compressed air or gas (oil, or hydraulic fluid may also be used) there is provided acompressor pump 129. The passage of fluid back and forth into the cylinders is controlled bysolenoid control valves 133, 141 and 144.

Valve 133 is shown in block and may be a four way two solenoid valve (the solenoids are as shown in 133A and 133B) such as shown in US. Patent 3,306,144 and thevalves 141 and 144 are also shown in block may be the three way valve one solenoid and spring return also shown in US. Pat. No. 3,306,144.

In order to control thesolenoids 133A, 1333, 141A and 144A of the valves shown in FIG. 26A, there is diagrammatically shown at 125 a foot pedal as may be used in the garment industry having aspring return 126.

The motor drives a shaft 128 having a plurality of shaped timing cams l29A-129B supported thereon for rotation therewith.

The cams are used to operate cam followers (shown dotted) to control the opening and closing ofswitches 131, 142, 145 and gangedswitches 134 and 135.

By actuation of themotor 127, the aforementioned switches coupled tosolenoids 133A, 133B, 141A and 144A ofvalves 133, 141 and 144 are sequentially controlled to control machine operation as heretofore described. In addition,switch 131 will provide a signal to step the steppingmotor 130 to feed the fastener attachment stock.

In FIGS. 27-36, there is disclosed a further feature of the apparatus of the disclosure which permits it to couple varioussized buttons 162A-C (see FIG. 32) having a variety of spacings in button holes to be attached to material such as fabric (e.g., to a coat).

In all major details the apparatus disclosed in these figures are identical with the apparatus of FIG. 14 except that the needles and plungers therefore are mounted to permit buttons having different hole spacings to be coupled to fabric without the requirement of a new machine for each new dimensioned button.

In FIGS. 27-29 there are shown twopivotal members 140A and 140B positioned on arod 141 having anarrower portion 141A. Themembers 140A, 1408 and 141 are supported by abody 78extension member 142. The wider portion of the rod rests on top of pivotal member 1408 and thus is prevented from moving downwardly. Themembers 140A and 140B support for slidable motion a plunger member comprising atop portion 148 slidable with respect to a top pusher member and movable in an are about the bottom surface ofmember 146.

Thetop portion 148 is urged againstmember 146 by aspring 149 positioned about acentral portion 147 resting on the members A and 140B. The lower end of the pusher member includes anarrow rod 150 adapted to fit within theslot 91A of the needles 9] to push afastener attachment device 61 into and through the needle.

The extent of pusher motion is limited by apin 141A coupled to therod 141 and which is positionable in a slot 145A formed in the wall of acylinder member 145. Thecylinder member 145 is coupled at its top tomember 146 as shown.

The operation of the apparatus of FIGS. 27-29 is briefly as follows:

a. abutton 170 andfabric 171 are positioned on themember 160 having an arc like channel 160 (see FIG. 31) through which the needles may extend to deposit end bars of afastener attachment device 61 below the fabric 171 (see FIGS. 37-39);

b. adevice 61 positioned within thecarrier 87slot 87A is moved over the needles after being separated from thestock 59 as heretofore explaned;

c. thereafter, themember 146 is urged downwardly to cause member to push the end bars of themember 61 into the top portion of theneedle 91 as shown in FIG. 34;

d. themembers 87 and therods 150 are withdrawn as in FIG. 35',

e. at this point thepivotal members 140A and 1408 are rotated (see FIG. 30) to locate them over two adjacent button holes of the bottons shown in FIGS. 37-39;

f. thebody 78 is then forced downwardly as heretofore described to extend theneedles 91 through the button holes, the fabric therebelow and into the channel (like in FIG. 18); and

g. now therods 150 are reinserted into theneedle slots 91A as shown in FIG. 36 to drive the end bars of thedevice 61 throughneedles 91 which already extend through the button holes and the fabric to deposit the end bars as shown in FIG. 39.

Reference should now be had to FIGS. 40-47 which illustrate a hand operatablefastener attachment apparatus 178 using the principles of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 13-24 to dispense afastener attachment device 61 separated from thestock 59.

Theapparatus 178 comprises abody 179 to which there is pivotly attached ahandle 180 atpoint 181. The handle drives alink 183 coupled thereto at 182 to rock back and forth agear segment 184 pivotly coupled to the link at 185 and to the body at 184A.

The gear segment is urged to the right of FIG. 42 by aspring 194 positioned in abody cavity 193 which forces a pin likemember 191 pivotly coupled at 192 to thegear segment 184. Thegear segment 184 drives aplunger 186 by gear teeth positioned incutouts 186A.

For a further description of this type of drive system reference may be had to my US. patent application Ser. No. 169,413 filed on Aug. 5, 1971.

Thestock 59 is stored in acontainer 196 in a rolled up configuration about apin 196A container being detachable from the body 174 viascrew 197. Thestock 59 is passed through a container opening 196B and then threaded throughslot 198 overfeed wheel 199 of the type as previously disclosed.

Thefeed wheel 199 comprisesridges 199A between cavities 199B to support thestock 59. The ridges fit within theaperature 60D with thelinks 60C andside members 60A and 60B positioned thereabout as previously disclosed with reference to FIG. 13.

The wheel portions are supported by a conventional one way roller or clutch mechanism so that it will rotate to feed stock in one direction. A one way roller mechanism may be purchased from the Torrington Company of Connecticut under the designation Torringtons Drawn Cup Overrunning Roller Clutch and modified as shown herein, and another type of one way roller is also disclosed in US Pat. No. 3,652,001.

The one way roller is driven viagear 199C coupled thereto (see FIG. 46) which is in turn driven bygear teeth 186C ofmember 186. The feed wheel is mounted onshaft members 199E supported by bores formed in the body and accessible by removing the top of the body.

Thestock 59 is fed into a carrier member 216 (of thetype 87 previously disclosed) which is urged to the right of FIGS. 43 and 44 bysprings 217 and 218, thespring 217 being supported at its rear againstplug 219.

The stock is divided or separated 61 into fastener attachment devices by the engagement of the side mem bers of the stock against member 220 as shown in FIGS. 41 and 47, as the carrier member moves under spring pressure from the position shown in FIG. 43 to the position shown in FIG. 44. FIGS. 44 and 47 illustrate the carrier member holding onefastener attachment device 61 in position for it to be pushed through theslot 190A ofneedle 190 by theplunger member 186.

In order to return the carrier member after the dispensing of afastener attachment device 61, there is provided apivotal member 211 which extends through acutout 212 in theslidable member 210 and is pivotly supported by pin 213 (see FIGS. 42 and 45).

On the advance stroke ofmember 186, themember 210 is free to move forward therewith after aspring 186E supported bymember cutouts 186D and 186F fully expands. Thus under the pressure ofsprings 217 and 218 themember 216 moves to the right of FIG. 43 to the position shown in FIGS. 44 & 47 and thus rotates themember 211 aboutpin 213 which at this time is free to rotate due to the advance ofmember 186.

Upon the opening ofhandle 180, themember 210 is driven rearwardly bymember 186 to rotatemember 211 clockwise (see FIG. 41) and return thecarrier member 216 to the position shown in FIG. 43 where it can now receive thestock 59.

In this device thestock 59 is fed into thecarrier member 216 on the return stroke asmember 186 begins to compressspring 186E and thegear teeth 186C engage the gear teeth ofgear 199C.

In summary, the operation of the hand actuable fastener attachment apparatus of FIGS. 40-47 is as follows:

a. stock is fed into thecarrier member 216;

b. thehandle 180 is compressed causing themember 186 to move forward thus permitting the separating of onefastener attachment device 61 from the stock and the positioning of the device to be pushed through theneedle 190;

c. themember 186 then continues to move forward to engage an end bar of thefastener attachment device 61 and push it through the needle;

d. on the return stroke and under the pressure ofspring 194 themember 186 is withdrawn from the needle causing the return of thecarrier member 216 and then the feeding of thestock 59 intocarrier member 216 to ready the apparatus for its next use.

Reference should now be had to FIG. 48 which illustrates a powered (e.g., fluid or electric powered) version of the apparatus of FIGS. 40-47. All elements are the same except that themember 186 is driven by a modified version fluid operated system as shown in my US. Pat. No. 3,659,769.

In this Fig. fluid such as compressed air or gas is controllably fed into acylinder 241 by atrigger 231 operating avalve 237. The trigger is pivotly mounted at 232 to the body and is positioned in afinger hole 230. Pulling thefinger 231 backwards againstreturn spring 233 causes theslidable rod 234 pivotly coupled at 230 to thetrigger 231 to move to the right of FIG. 48. Finger 234A of therod 234 thus rotates the valve member 273 havingsolid portions 237A positioned for rotation in a cavity formed within the body and apassageway 237 extending through a portion thereof as in FIG. 11 of US. Pat. 3,659,769.

In its rotated position gas shown by the arrow travels through abore 239A of aplug 239 thence through thepassageways 2378 and 241A to move thepiston 242 to the left of FIG. 48.

In this manner thepiston 242 compresses thereturn spring 243 to drive themember 186 to the left of FIG. 48. Upon release of thetrigger 231, themember 234 moves left rotating thevalve member 237 to the position shown in FIG. 48 to exhaust the gas from cylinder throughport 240. Thereturn spring 243 then returns thepiston 242 and themember 186 coupled thereto to provide the functions previously described with reference to FIGS. 40-47.

At this time reference should be had to FIGS. 49-54 which illustrate various methods for fabricating thestock 59. FIGS. 49 and 50 disclose an inexpensive and convenient manner for fabricating the stock according to the disclosure. Thestock 59 is formed by providing an extruded continuous strip of plastic 252 from an extruder in the configuration shown in FIG. 50 and then punching out or forming aperatures by applying a force to a punchingmember 255 to move it up and down to form the aperatures (leaving the side members and cross links) as the strip moves in a direction to the right of FIG. 49 while thestrip 252 passes over the table 251. The punched out portions of the strip pass through anopening 253 in the table. Stock such as shown in FIG. I is conveniently formed in this manner although obviously various other shaped stock may also be formed.

In FIG. 51 there is shown a method of molding the stock in amold 260 by forcing into the mold plastic under pressure into channels 264A formed in themold top 262 and bottom 264 and then cooling or curing depending upon the plastic used.Stock 59 havingside members 60A and 608 withcross links 60C is thus formable.

Smaller sections formed in this manner may be joined together by applying heat, e.g., from a laser, ultrasonic means and other conventional heating devices as shown in FIG. 54 to butt weld theside members 63A and 63B of each section together, said side members supporting thecross links 63C.

In FIGS. 52 and 53 there is illustrated the stretching of thecross links 63C of the stock bypuller members 265 and 266 havingslots 265A and 265B to hold the side members and cross links during the stretching operation to strengthen as well as elongate stock made from materials such as nylon exhibiting a crystalline structure and which will be strengthened by stretching.

Conveniently such crystalline structure materials may be heated during stretching to facilitate stretching.

it will thus be seen that the purposes set forth above for this invention have been efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in carrying out the methods and in the constructions set forth, it is intended that all matter contained in the following description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

I claim:

1. A method of coupling two or more layers of material together which comprises inserting two needles of a fastener attachment device into the material with a portion of the needles extending above and below the layers of material, the needles having slots which are open, the steps of dividing plastic fastener attachment stock comprising two side members having a plurality of cross links coupled between said side members to provide a plastic fastener attachment device comprising a portion of each of said side members forming end bars and a cross link forming a filament, device having said end bars and said filament coupled between said end bars into the slot of said needles such that each end bar is positioned in a needle slot with the filament extending through the slot of each needle, then pushing said end bars through said needle slots while bending the filament with respect to said end bars as the end bars pass through the portion of the needles positioned within the material and the filament engages the material and then forcing said end bars out of said needles below the layers of material to permit them to twist with respect to the filament.

2. The method of claim 1 in which the step of forcing portions of the fastener attachment device into the needles includes the step of positioning the fastener attachment device with respect to the needles such that the end bars thereof are in position to be forced through the needles.

3. The method of claim 1 in which one of the layers of material comprises a button having at least two button holes and in which the needles extend through the button holes.

4. The method ofclaim 2 in which one of the layers of material comprises a button having at least two button holes and in which the needles extend through the button holes.

5. The method of claim 1 which includes the step of adjusting the position of the needle with respect to the material prior to inserting the needles therethrough.

6. The method ofclaim 2 which includes the step of adjusting the position of the needles with respect to the material prior to inserting the needles therethrough.

7. A method of coupling layers of material together which comprises dividing fastener attachment stock comprising two plastic side members having a plurality of plastic cross links coupled between said side members to provide a fastener attachment device comprising a portion of each of said side members and a cross link and then inserting a portion of the fastener attachment device through the material.

8. The method ofclaim 7 in which at least one of the side member portions is forced through the slot of a needle with the cross link extending from the needle slot.

9. The method ofclaim 8 in which one of the side member portions is positioned above the layers of material and the other of said side member portions is positioned below the layers of material.

10. In a fastener attachment apparatus comprising at least one slotted needle for dispensing a portion of a fastener attachment device therethrough while another portion of the fastener attachment device extends therefrom and means for pushing the fastener attachment device portion through said needle slot, the improvement comprising means for separating a fastener attachment device from fastener attachment stock comprising a pair of plastic side members having a plurality of plastic cross links coupled therebetween, and means for positioning the fastener attachment device after separation from the stock in position so that a portion thereof may be pushed through said needle slot.

11. In a fastener attachment apparatus according to claim 10 which includes means for feeding the fastener attachment stock in position to separate a fastener at tachment device therefrom.

12. In a fastener attachment apparatus according to claim 10 in which said apparatus has only one needle.

13. In a fastener attachment apparatus according to claim 10 in which said apparatus has only two needles and in which said means for pushing comprises two pusher members for pushing portions of each of said fastener attachement devices through the slots of each of said needles with portions of each of the fastener attachment devices extending between said needles.

14. In a fastener attachment apparatus according toclaim 11 in which said apparatus has only one needle.

15. In a fastener attachment apparatus according toclaim 11 in which said apparatus has only two needles and in which said means for pushing comprises two pusher members for pushing portions of each of said fastener attachment devices through the slots of each of said needles with portions of each of the fastener attachment devices extending between said needles.

16. in an apparatus according to claim 11 including means for holding the fastener attachment stock in a compressed configuration for feeding into the apparatus.

17. In an apparatus according to claim 10 including means for forcing the needles through at least one layer of material prior to dispensing the device therefrom.

18. In an apparatus according to claim 12 including means for forcing the needles through at least one layer of material prior to dispensing the device therefrom.

19. in an apparatus according to claim 13 including means for forcing the needles through at least one layer of material prior to dispensing the device therefrom.

20. In the apparatus according toclaim 13 in which means is provided for relatively moving the needles with respect to each other to position them for dispensing the fastener attachment devices at different spacings.

21. In the apparatus according to claim 20 including means for pushing the needles through at least one layer of material.

22. In the apparatus according to claim 10 including power means to divide the fastener attachment stock.

23. In the apparatus according to claim 10 in which a handle means is compressed to dispense a fastener attachment device.

24. in the apparatus according to claim 10 in which control means is provided to dispense a fastener attachment device.

25. In the apparatus according to claim 23 in which

Claims (25)

1. A method of coupling two or more layers of material together which comprises inserting two needles of a fastener attachment device into the material with a portion of the needles extending above and below the layers of material, the needles having slots which are open, the steps of dividing plastic fastener attachment stock comprising two side members having a plurality of cross links coupled between said side members to provide a plastic fastener attachment device comprising a portion of each of said side members forming end bars and a cross link forming a filament, device having said end bars and said filament coupled between said end bars into the slot of said needles such that each end bar is positioned in a needle slot with the filament extending through the slot of each needle, then pushing said end bars through said needle slots while bending the filament with respect to said end bars as the end bars pass through the portion of the needles positioned within the material and the filament engages the material and then forcing said end bars out of said needles below the layers of material to permit them to twist with respect to the filament.

2. The method of claim 1 in which the step of forcing portions of the fastener attachment device into the needles includes the step of positioning the fastener attachment device with respect to the needles such that the end bars thereof are in position to be forced through the needles.

3. The method of claim 1 in which one of the layers of material comprises a button having at least two button holes and in which the needles extend through the button holes.

4. The method of claim 2 in which one of the layers of material comprises a button having at least two button holes and in which the needles extend through the button holes.

5. The method of claim 1 which includes the step of adjusting the position of the needle with respect to the material prior to inserting the needles therethrough.

6. The method of claim 2 which includes the step of adjusting the position of the needles with respect to the material prior to inserting the needles therethrough.

7. A method of coupling layers of material together which comprises dividing fastener attachment stock comprising two plastic side members having a plurality of plastic cross links coupled between said side members to provide a fastener attachment device comprising a portion of each of said side members and a cross link and then inserting a portion of the fastener attachment device through the material.

8. The method of claim 7 in which at least one of the side member portions is forced through the slot of a needle with the cross link extending from the needle slot.

9. The method of claim 8 in which one of the side member portions is positioned above the layers of material and the other of said side member portions is positioned below the layers of material.

10. In a fastener attachment apparatus comprising at least one slotted needle for dispensing a portion of a fastener attachment device therethrough while another portion of the fastener attachment device extends therefrom and means for pushing the fastener attachment device portion through said needle slot, the improvement comprising means for separating a fastener attachment device from fastener attachment stock comprising a pair of plastic side members having a plurality of plastic cross links coupled therebetween, and means for positioning the fastener attachment device after separation from the stock in position so that a portion thereof may be pushed through said needle slot.

11. In a fastener attachment apparatus according to claim 10 which includes means for feeding the fastener attachment stock in position to separate a fastener attachment device therefrom.

12. In a fastener attachment apparatus according to claim 10 in which said apparatus has only one needle.

13. In a fastener attachment apparatus according to claim 10 in which said apparatus has only two needles and in which said means for pushing comprises two pusher members for pushing portions of each of said fastener attachement devices through the slots of each of said needles with portions of each of the fastener attachment devices extending between said needles.

14. In a fastener attachment apparatus according to claim 11 in which said apparatus has only one needle.

15. In a fastener attachment apparatus according to claim 11 in which said apparatus has only two needles and in which said means for pushing comprises two pusher members for pushing portions of each of said fastener attachment devices through the slots of each of said needles with portions of each of the fastener attachment devices extending between said needles.

16. In an apparatus according to claim 11 including means for holding the fastener attachment stock in a compressed configuration for feeding into the apparatus.

17. In an apparatus according to claim 10 including means for forcing the needles through at least one layer of material prior to dispensing the device therefrom.

18. In an apparatus according to claim 12 including means for forcing the needles through at least one layer of material prior to dispensing the device therefrom.

19. In an apparatus according to claim 13 including means for forcing the needles through at least one layer of material prior to dispensing the device therefrom.

20. In the apparatus according to claim 13 in which means is provided for relatively moving the needles with respect to each other to position them for dispensing the fastener attachment devices at different spacings.

21. In the apparatus according to claim 20 including means for pushing the needles through at least one layer of material.

22. In the apparatus according to claim 10 including power means to divide the fastener attachment stock.

23. In the apparatus according to claim 10 in which a handle means is compressed to dispense a fastener attachment device.

24. In the apparatus according to claim 10 in which control means is provided to dispense a fastener attachment device.

25. In the apparatus according to claim 23 in which the control means comprises a valve.

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