Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Docket M-326
Summary of the Invention
The method of the invention utilizes an anvil
and a cooperable plunger which are movable relative to
each other. The anvil and the plunger are cooperable to
hold a tag and merchandise in a bent orientation so that
a pin can be driven through both the tag and the merchandise.
A movable member which is movable relative to the plunger and
the anvil, is repeatedly moved during the time a pin is
driven through the tag and the merchandise to assist in
guiding and bending the pin firstly through the tag, secondly
through the merchandise, thirdly again through the merchandise,
fourthly again through the tag and fifthly again through the tag.
The movable member is also effective to crimp the pin which
has been completely inserted or almost completely inserted
through the tag and merchandise. The crimping operation bends
the leading marginal end of the pin so that the point of the
pin is inclined toward the underside of the tag and away
from the merchandise. Thus, crimping is that action which
relates to a final bending of the pin primarily to make it
difficult to remove and reinsert through the tag and merchandise.
According to a specific embodiment of the method, merchandise
is positioned at a pinning zone between the anvil and the
plunger, a tag is fed along a path to the pinning zone while
a movable pin guiding and crimping member is spaced from the
path. The pin guiding and crimping method is now moved
for the first time toward the plunger. Thereafter, the plunger
is moved toward the anvil to hold the tag and the merchandise in
a bent orientation at the pinning zone. Thereupon, a pin is
~ - 2 - ~
.
,
" ~' ` ~ ' ' ' ,
~ 5
Docket M-326
driven through both the tag and the merchandise once and
thereafter the pin driving and crimping member is moved a
second time away from the plunger to allow the pin to be
driven through both the tag and the merchandi~e again. The
S pin guiding and crimping member moves a third time toward the
plunger while the pin is being driven to bend the pin toward
the tag to enable the pin to be driven through the tag again.
When this has been accomplished, the pin guiding and crimping
member is moved the fourth time away from the plunger. There-
after, the pin guiding and crimping member is moved a fifth
time toward the plunger but to a greater extent than during
the first and third times while supporting a leading end
portion of the pin to crimp the pin. There is also provided
apparatus for carrying out the method. ~n improved apparatus
relates primarily to the mechanism for controlling the oper-
ation of the movable member which serves the dual function
of guiding the pin and crimping the pin. According to a
specific embodiment of the invention, a cam shaft drives
an actuator which is coupled to the movable pin guiding
and crimping member, to the pin driver and to the paper strip
feeding mechanism. The actuator drives the movable member
through an arrangement of cams which cause the movable member
to undergo repeated movements as characterized above with
respect to the method. Accordingly, a pin which is originally
straight, is driven through both the tag and the merchandise
and the bending of the pin and the subsequent crimping of the
pin is under the control of the movable member.
- 2a -
ocket M-326
~0~;~5V9
Background of the Invention
; Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of tag attaching
apparatus and methods, and particularly pinning machines and
methods.
. Brief Description of the Prior Art
. The following U.S. patents relate primarily to
pinning machines:
Patent No. Patentee Issued
. 10 1,954,287 Flood April 10, 1934
1,971,963 Kohnle August 28, 1934
2,023,045 Flood December 3, 1935
2,914,768 Flood December 1, 1959
3,025,054 Clemens et al March 13, 1962
3,285,604 Parker November 15, 1966
- 3,357,618 Parker December 12, 1967
. 3,527,396 Dudley September 8, 1970
"
3,709,420 Grushon January 9, 1973
, 3,837,554 Grushon September 24, 1974
The following U.S. patents relate primarily to
sheet feeders:
Patent No. Patentee Issued
998,012 Keyes et al July 18, 1911
1,034,972 Brown August 6, 1912
. 25 1,643,646 Swift September 27, 1927
2,265,007 Ryan December 2, 1941
2,902,279 Spiatto September 1, 1959
3,019,017 3rownsey January 30, 1962
3,029,726 Hampton et al April 17, 1962
- 3 -
~,
,
--~cket M-326-C-l
iZ50~
Brief Description of the Drawings
. FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view showing
major components of a pinning machine for carrying out the
inventi.on;
FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view on a larger
scale than FIGURE 1, showing major components of the tag
feeding mechanism:
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the gate structure
shown in exploded form in FIGURE 2
~ FIGURE 4 iS a perspective view of the gate structure
;: from a different viewing angle;
.~ FIGURE 5 iS an elevational view taken generally
along line 5--5 of FIGURE 33;
i, FIGURE 6 is a view showing a fragmentary portion
~,
of the mechanism shown in FIGURE 5, but in a different position:
` FIGURE 7 is a view showing a fragmentary portion
. of the mechanism shown in FIGURE 5, in yet a different
position;
FIGURE 8 is a view showing a fragmentary portion of :
: the mechanism shown in FIGURE 5 in still a different position; -~
i:",
;,~ FIGURE 9 appearing on sheet 4 is an exploded perspective
view of a fragmentary portion of the mechanism shown in
j FIGURE 5;
,' FIGUR~ 10 iS a fragmentary front elevational view
~ .
,~t, showing a plunger, an anvil, and a pin driver in their initial
. or home positions, with merchandise positioned between the
plunger and the anvil, and with a tag moving toward its
final position at the pinning zone between the anvil and the
plunger:
, .
,, .
,, .
~....
. ~ -4-
., .
. ~cket M-326-C 1 .108~S~
FIGURE lOA appearing on sheet 4 is an enlarged
sectional view taken along line lOA--lOA of FIGURE 10;
FIGURE lOB appearing on sheet 4 is an enlarged
sectional view taken along line lOB--lOB of FIGURE 10;
FIGUR~ 11 is a view similar to FIGURE 10, but
showing the pin guiding and crimping member as having moved
downwardly into contact with the tag, the plunger as moving
upwardly toward the anvil, and the pin driver as starting
to drive a pin;
PIGURE 12 is a view similar to FIGURE 11, but
showing the plunger cooperating with the anvil;
.. 1 FIGURE 13 is a view similar to FIGURE 12, but
~ showing the pin as having been driven through both the tag
and the merchandise once;
FIGURE 14 is a view showing the pin as having been
driven through both the tag and the merchandise twice and
showing the pin guiding and crimping member as having moved
: upwardly;
FIGURE 15 is a view showing the pin penetrating the
tag for the third time and showing the pin guiding and
.-' crimping member as having moved downwardly again
FIGURE 16 is a view showing the pin as having been
driven through the tag for the third time and showing the pin
.: guiding and crimping member as having moved upwardly again;
~: FIGURE 17 is a view showing the pin yuiding and
:....... crimping member as moving toward the plunger to crimp the
pin, the leading end portion of which is supported by a guide
or support;
~ ~ .
~ -5-
. :
,
Docket M-326-C-1 108~5~9
.
. .~
~' FIGURE 18 iS an exploded perspective view showing
mainly the anvil and the pin guiding and crimping member;
FIGURE 19 appearing on sheet 5 is an elevational view
~,~ partly in section showing a brake mounted by the anvil;
FIGURE 20 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the
, manner in which merchandise is manually inserted between the
; anvil and the plunger and the manner in which the user's hands
. contact actuators to initiate a cycle of operation;
:` FIGURE 21 lS a sectional view taken along line
21--21 of FIGURE 29;
` FIGURE 22 appearing on sheet 1 is a view similar
. to FIGURE 21 but showing operative follower parts in positions in
~, which the plunger encounters undue resistance;
;. FIGURE 23 is a sectional view taken along line
... .
;,.
23--23 of FIGURE 29;
FIGURE 24 i8 a side elevational fragmentary view
, .. .
~ showing the manner in which the trailing marginal ends of the
.. ~ tags in the hopper are supported and showing a yieldable
~ .
~i~: handle member; - - . . .
.,: . . ~ ,.
. FIGURE 25 is a top plan view of the pinning machine;
. FIGURE 26 iS a left side elevational view of the
'r.', pinning machine;
FIGURE 27 is a fraont elevational view of the pinning
.I machine;
FIGURE 82 is a right side elevational view of the
pinning machine;
~':.. , FIGURE 29 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational
'~ view showing a portion of the drive train for the pinning
... machine and the relationship of the feeding mechanism with
.:. . .
` respect thereto;
,- .
., .
.,, '
--6--
,,, .` ~k . . ~
~ i,; . ~ . . ..
.. ~-- , ~ , .
- . ..
. Docket M- 3 2 6-C- 1
~ 5~
FIGURE 30 appearing on sheet 1 is a top plan view
: showing follower parts in a position in which the pin driver
encoun1:ers undue resistance;
FIGUR~ 31 is an enlarged sectional view taken
generally along the line 31--31 of FIGURE 29;
FIGURE 32 is an enlarged sectional view taken
generally along line 32--32 of FIGURE 29;
FIGURE 33 is an enlarged top plan view of the
frontal portion of the pinning machine showing the relationship
. of certain operative components;
FIGURE 34 is an enlarged front elevational view
: showing the frontal portion of the machine; :~
FIGURE 35 is a view taken along line 35--35 of
FIGURE 29 showing operative follower parts in both solid
. and phantom line positions; :
PIGURE 36 is a view similar to FIGURE 35 showing .
the follower parts moved relatively apart due to undue
. resistance encountered by the tag feeding mechanism;
FIGURE 37 is a perspective view of one of the
actuators used to initiate a machine cycle;
FIGURE 38 is a front elevational view of a tag
.: '
. feeding assembly of the tag feeding mechanism;
FIGURE 39 is a top plan view of the tag feeding
~ assembly shown in FIGURE 38;
., FIGURE 40 is a sectional view taken generally along
.;
' line 40--40 of FIGURE 39;
. FIGURE 41 is a sectional view taken generally along
.
;. line 41--41 of FIGURE 39;
,:-~
., -
7-
. ..
,~
' ~ . ., . : -
~08~5vg
; ?Cket M-326-C-l
FIGURE 42 is a view similar to FIGURE 41 but showing
, a slide of the assembly as moving away from the home or initial
position shown in FIGURE 38 through 40;
: FIGURE 43 is a view similar to FIGURES 41 and 42,
wherein the latches have been tripped but the needles of the
assembly being held out of impaling relationship with respect
to the bottom tag in the stack;
FIGURE 44 is a view similar to FIGURES 41 through 43,
~` but showing the needle as having moved the bottom tag forward
and partially through the gate structure; :
` FIGURE 45 appearing on sheet 2 is a fragmentary
,,~. perspective exploded view showing the manner in which the needles
"
`~` are removably mounted to the assembly: .
. FIGURE 46 is a circuit diagram for the apparatus;
FIGURE 47 is a circuit diagram showing an
' alternative embodiment; and
,: FIGURE 48 is a timing diagram for the pinning
machine;
:;' Description of the Preferred Embodiments
ith reference initially to FIGURE 1 in which there
is shown a fragmentary portion of a pinning machine generally
.. ..
1 indicated at 50, there is shown an electric motor 51 which
:~ drives a speed reducer 52. A sprocket 53 is keyed to output
.. `~ shaft 54 of the speed reducer 52 by a key 55. A roller chain
.j~ 56 is drivingly engaged with the sprocket 53 and a sprocket 57.
,....
.~ A connector generally indicated at 58 has a shaft portion 59
, which extends through a bore 60 in a bearing 61. The shaft
! portion 59 is suitably secured to sprocket 57. The connector 58
: ' .
,' ''
--8--
..''..,: ~
.. ..
,~.
... .
Docket M-326 .~ 509
also has a shaft portion 62 which is suitably secured to the :
input side 63 of a single revolution wrapped-spring clutch
64. The clutch 64 is engaged by the action of an electromagnet
or solenoid 65. Output side 66 of the clutch 64 is secured
to cam shaft 67. The cam shaft 67 is thus rotatably supported
: by the bearing 61 and in a bearing 70 mounted in a bracket 71 :
(FIGURES 23 and 29). Cams 72 through 76 and a crank 77 are
secured to and rotate as a unit with the cam shaft 67.
The speed reducer 52, the bearing 61, and the
bracket 71 are secured to a generally horizontal.base plate 78
(FIGURE 29) of a frame generally indicated at 79. The frame
79 also includes a generally horizontal frame plate 80
(FIGURE 29) disposed above the base plate 78. The base plate
78 mounts a bearing 81 and the frame plate 80 mounts a bearing
~ 82 disposed vertically above the bearing 81, Referring again
to FIGURE 1, there is shown a generally vertical shaft
83, which is rotatable in the bearings 81 and 82. An arm
84 is secured to the shaft 83 by a set screw 85. An actuator
86 is spaced from the arm 84 by a washer 87. The shaft 83
extends through a hole 88 in the actuator 86 and through a
hole 88' in the arm 84. The arm 84 and the actuator 86 have
. respective flanges 89 and 90 which anchor the ends of a tension
.: spring 91. The arm 84 and the actuator 86 also have respective
. flanges 92 and 93. A screw 94 is threadably received by the
.,:,
`. 25 flange 92 and is held in its adjusted position by a lock nut 95.
Free end 96 of the screw 94 is normally in contact with the
: flange 93 due to the action of the tension spring 91, and
in this position the arm 84 and the actuator 86 rotate as
m~ a unit together with the shaft 83.
g
, ;i
.~- ~ . . . . . .
~ Docket M-326 :l~B~5~3
. The shaft 83 carries a bracket 97. The bracket97 i.ncludes aligned posts 98 and 99 (FIGURE 29) for rotatably
mounting respective roller followers 100 and 101. The followers
. 100 and 101 are driven by respective cams 72 and 73 to rock
the shaft 83 in opposite directions about the generally
vertical axis A as indicated by double-headed arrow 102 in
:. FIGURE 1. One complete revolution of the cam shaft 67 will cause
: the actuator 86 to be driven in the clockwise direction as
viewed in FIGURE 1 to move a pin driver 103 generally to
the left and will thereafter cause the actuator 86 to be
driven in the counterclockwise direction to move the pin
driver 103 generally to the right.
A bracket 104 is secured to the base plate 78 by
fasteners 105 (FI~URE 29). The bracket 104 has aligned holes
106 which rotatably mount end portions 107 of a shaft 108.
A lever or bell.crank generally indicated at 109 has arms ~.
~ 110 and 111. The arm 110 rotatably mounts a roller follower
,~ 112 and the arm 111 rotatably mounts a roller follower 113.
;.: The followers 112 and 113 cooperate with respective cams
:: 20 75 and 74. A lever or bell crank 114 is movably mounted on
. and with respect to the shaft 108. A tension spring 115 is
. anchored at one end to a pin 116 carried by the arm 111 and
'.......... is anchored at its other end to the lever 114, as better shown
in FIGURE 21. The arm 110 has a flange 117 which threadably
: 25 receives a set screw 118. The bell crank 114 has an arm 119
.. , having a flange 120. The screw 118 normally abuts the flange
.
. 120 as shown in FIGURE 21 due to the force exerted by the spring
.~ 115, and accordingly, the bell cranks 111 and 114 rotate
.
"~
.' .
-- 10 --
Docket M-326 ~08~509
together as a unit. The lever 114 has a bifurcated end 121
which receives a pin 122 which extends through bifurcated end
123 of a plunger 124. The plunger 124 is suitably guided
for generally vertical movement along a vertical axis Al
- 5 in a guide 125 (FIGURE 21). The guide 125 is secured to a
frame member or plate 126 which also consititutes part of the
frame 79. The upper end of the plunger 124 has a pin guide
groove 127. The plunger 124 is cooperable with an anvil
generally indicated at 128. The anvil 182 is shown dia-
grammatically in FIGURE 1 and in detail in FIGURE 18.
Movably mounted to the anvil is a movable member 129 (FIGURE 18)
which serves the dual function of guiding and crimping the pin.
As seen in FIGURE 1, the crank 77 includes a pin
130. Rotation of the cam shaft 67 causes the pin 130 to be
driven in a circ~lar path. The pin 130 drives a follower
generally indicated at 131. The follower 131 inclu*es a
pair of follower members or sections 132 and 133. A bracket
134 is suitably secured to the base plate 78. The bracket
134 mounts a shaft 135. The follower sections 132 and 133
~`20 are generally flat plates. The follower section 132 is
, ............ .
` secured to a bushing 136 rotatably mounted on the shaft
135 and the follower section 133 is secured to a bushing 137
rotatably mounted on the shaft 135.
.. ~....... . .
The follower section 132 bears against a post 138
in the position shown in FIGURE 1. Springs 139 and 140 urge
~.
,'. , .
-- 11 --
.. . .
"
'~.'
: , .
B;~S~)~3
Docket M-326
.
a face 141 (FIGURE 36) of follower section 132 against the
post 138. As shown in FIGURES 35 and 36 springs 139
and :L40 are connected at their respective ends to posts
142 and 143 on the respective follower sections 132
and 133. In the position of the follower 131 shown in
FIGURES 1 and 35, the follower sections 32 and 133 provide
an elongated slot 144 in which the pin 130, which includes
a roller 145, is received. In that the pin 130 is eccentric
with respect to the cam shaft 67 and because slot 144 is
positioned between the shaft 135 and a pivot 146 secured to
the follower section 133, the pivot 146 travels through a
considerable distance. This movement through a considerable
distance is accomplished using the follower 131 which is
relatively inexpensive to manufacture. With reference to
; 15 ' FIGURE 1, a rod 147 has a hole 148 in which the pivot 146
is received. The other end of the rod 147 passes freely
through a hole in a connector 149. Nuts 150 (FIGURE 2)
threadably received by the rod 147 securely connect the
connector 149 to the rod 147 at a selected position. With
reference to FIGURE 2, the connector 149 has a hole 151 in
which a post or pivot 152 is received. The pivot 152 is
secured to a block or slide 153. The slide 153 has bearings
154 (FIGURE 23). A rod or guide 155, which is shown to be
annular, extends through and slidably mounts the bearings 154.
The rod 155 is secured at one end to the frame plate 126
~ and at its other end to a frame plate 156 which constitutes
:'
.~:
- 12 -
: .
Docket M-326 108~5~9
part of the frame 79. The rod 155 extends generally hori-
zontally and is disposed below the frame plate 80 which is
connected to the frame plates 126 and 156. The slide 153
has four upstanding posts 157, 158, 159 and 160 (FIGURE 2)
and respective aligned holes 161 and 162 for receiving res-
pective pivot pins 163 and 164 carried by respective
feed fingers 165 and 166. The posts 157 and 159 have
respective threaded bores 167 and 168 which receive
respective set screws 169 and 170 which can be locked into
position by means of nuts 171 and 172. The set screws 169
and 170 bear against inclined shoulders 173 and 174 of the
respective feed fingers 165 and 166. The set screws 169
and 170 enable individual annular adjustment of the res-
pective feed fingers 165 and 166 with respect to the horizontal.
The feed fingers 165 and 166 are free to move in respective
. slots 175 and-176 in the frame plate 80. The feed fingers 165
and 166 have respective drive faces 177 and 178 which are dis-
posed below respective overhanging abutments or faces 179 and 180.
It is apparent that the initial and final positions of travel
. .,~ : . . .
. 20 of the feed fingers 165 and 166 can be adjusted by loosening the
nuts 150 and moving the connector 149 to a different position
with respect to the rod 147 and when the connector 149 is
, in the selected adjusted position the nuts 150 can be re-
.~ tightened.
.,~.
;. 25 With reference to FIGURE 2, the feed fingers 165
: and 166 and the slide 153 constitute one feed assembly or
device generally indicated at l81. The tag feeding or tag
separating device 181 and a tag feeding or tag positioning
- 13 -
..
., ~ .
:: .
Docket M-326 ~ 509
assembly or device generally indicated 182 constitute
a tag feeding mechanism 183 of the apparatus 50. The
tag feeding device 182 is used to separate the bottom tag
T in a stack S held in a hopper generally indicated at
184. The tag feeding device 182 separates the bottom tag T
from the stack S by feeding the bottom tag a predetermined
distance toward a tag attaching or specifically a pinning zone
Z (FIGURE 1) between the plunger 124 and the anvil 128,
and the feed fingers 165 and 166 engage a separated tag T
and feed the separated tag T to the proper position in the
pinning zone Z. The tag feeding device ?82 will be described
.
; in greater detail in connection with FIGURES 24 and 38 through
: 44.
The hopper 184 is constructed to accept tags of
: 15 various lengths and widths. The hopper 184 includes a
; generally vertical side plate 18$ which is secured to the
generally horizontal frame plate 80. A generally vertical
front plate 186 is secured to the frame plate 80 and to the side
., plate 185. The plates 185 and 186 provide reference planes
, .
,.. ;20 for side edges Sl and leading edges Ll of the tags T, res-
~" pectively. A plate or guide 187 is positioned against trailing
~; edges Tl of the tags T, as best shown in FIGURE 26. The guide
.~ 187 is secured to a bracket generally indicated at 188 by
. . .
screws 189. The bracket has aligned pivots 190 which pivotally
''"
`''
'
'
; :,
: - 14 -
'`"
.,
.
Docket M-326 ~ 509
mount a support 191 having support fingers or members 192.
The support 191 has a hole 193. A handle 194 is coupled to
a connector generally indicated at 195 secured to the tag
feeding device 182. With reference to FIGURES 2 and 24, the
connector 195 is shown to have a body 196, an annular
flange 197, a shoulder 198, and a screw 199 projecting
from the shoulder. The connector 195 is shown to be of
one-piece construction. The handle 194 and the connector 195
are coupled by a jaw clutch generally indicated at 200.
The jaw clutch 200 i comprised in part by three e~ually
annularly spaced teeth 201 and in remainder by three equally
annularly spaced teeth 202 on the connector 195. The jaw clutch
200 enables the handle 194 to be rotated in opposite directions
to tighten or loosen screw 199. Rotation of the handle 194
so as to tighten screw 199 and cause the support 191 to pivot
counterclockwise (FIGURE 24) due to the action of the flange
197 bearing on the support 191. When the handle 194 is
rotated so as to loosen the screw 199 the support 191 will
pivot clockwise (FIGURE 24) due to gravity. In the position
shown in FIGURE 24, the trailing marginal ends of the tags
T are raised above the plate 80 on which the tags T are
supported. The trailing marginal ends of the tags T rest
.-:
on ledges 203 of the respective support fingers 192 and are
~ thus spaced from the plate 80 that supports the remainder of
- 25 the tags T. In order to prevent the user from breaking the handle 194 by pushing or pulling on it, there are gaps
between the teeth 201 of the handle and the teeth 202 of the
.''
''`, .
- 15 -
: ,.
5V9
Docket M-326
.
connector 195. A tension spring 204' is connected at one end
to a post 20S' mounted inside the handle 194 and to a post
206' mounted inside the connector 195. Construction of the jaw
: clutch 200 will enable the handle to be deflected with
respect to the connector 195 and the spring 204 will return
the handle 104 to the upright position shown in FIGURES 2
- and 24. The screw 199 is received in a threaded bore 204
~ in frame or body 205 of the device 182. Upon tightening of
:~ the screw 199, the flange 197 bears against the support 191
and the body 205 is drawn up against the underside of the
.,
plate 80 to prevent movement of the support 191, the
associated bracket 188, the plate 187, and the tag feeding
device 182. The screw 199 and a pin 206 secured to the body
: 205 extend through elongated slot 207 in the plate 80.
,:,:
. 15 The pin 206 and upper shank of the screw 199 fit in the
slot 207 with a minimum of clearance so that the tag feeding
:. device 182, the bracket 188, the support 191, and the
guide 187 can be slid for guided movement toward and away
. from the pinning zone Z upon loosening the screw 199. There-
after, upon tightening the screw 199 by rotating the handle
194, the device 182, the bracket 188, the support 191, and
: the plate 187 can be clamped in position. The hopper 184
also includes a side guide generally indicated at 208.
With reference to FIG~RES 2 and 34, side guide 208 is shown to
be movable into guided contact with side edges S2 of the
tags T. The lower edge of the side guide 208 contacts the
upper surface of the plate 80. A generally U-shaped bracket
`. 209 is welded to the side guide 208. Screw 210 extends through
arms 211 and 212 of the bracket 209. A washer 213 bears
, . .
'"'"
: - 16 -
~: .
Docket M-326 ~8~509
against the underside of the plate 80 and a nut 214 thread-
ably received by the screw 210 bears against the underside
of the washer 213. A spring 215 bears against the arm 211
and against the C-ring 216 secured to shank 217 of the
screw 210. The arm 211 has a depending flange 218 which
bears against the upper surface of the plate 80. The
forces exerted on the plate 80 by the guide 208 and the
flange 218 and the opposite force exerted on the plate 80
..~
by the washer 213 frictionally hold the side guide 208
in any desired lateral position. The frictional forces
can be changed by loosening or tightening the nut 214
relative to the screw 210. The side guide 208 can be
shifted laterally manually.
The side guide 185 (FIGURE 2) has a vertically
extending undercut groove 219 for receiving mating pins
220 of a weight 221. The weight 221 exerts a d~wnward
force at the leading marginal edge of the top tag T of the
stack S. The guide 187 has an undercut groove 222 for
receiving mating rollers 223 mounted to a weight 224.
By unthreading a handle 225 from the weight 224, the weight
; 224 can be oriented so that the rollers 226 fit into the
groove 222 for tags of narrower width. A gate mechanism
` generally indicated at 227 includes a body 227' having a
bore 228 for receiving annular shank 229 of a pivot screw
' 25 230, a threaded portion 231 of which is received in a
threaded bore 232 in a mounting member 233 connected to
the plate 80. A plate 234 is secured to the body 227'
` by screws 235 received in threaded bores 236. A gate
,
- 17 -
, .
., `'
Docket M-326 1~8~S~9
memb,er generally indicated at 237 is secured to the body
227' by screws 238 also received in the threaded bores
236. The threaded portion 231 extends freely through an
oversized hole 239 in the gate member 237. The gate member
237 has an upstanding portion 240 joined to a generally
horizontal laterally extending portion 241. A gate element
generally indicated at 242 is connected to the portion
241.
Another gate member generally indicated at 243
has a gate element 244 which is spaced from the gate element
. 242 to provide a gate opening or throat T'. The gate element
243 has a pin 245 received in an elongated slot 246 in the
plate 234. An eccentric 248 received in the hole 247 is
secured to a shaft 249 which extends through a hole 250 in
;15 the plate 234. The shaft 249 is secured to a knob 251.
The plate 234 has a plurality of depressions 252. A ball 253
: acted on by a spring 254 disposed in the knob 251 can co-
operate with the depressions 252 to hold the knob 251,
. the shaft 249 and the eccentric 248 in a selected position.
Rotation of the knob 251 will rotate the eccentric 248 and
raise or lower the gate member 243 in accordance with the
;
direction in which the knob 251 is rotated, thereby changing
: the gate opening or throat T'. In the assembled condition
. of the gate mechanism 227 illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4,
~25 the body 227', the plate 234, the gate members 237 and 243
and the associated hardware rotate as a unit about the shank
229 of the pivot screw 230. The gate mechanism 227 is
urged clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 2 by a compression
. . .
- 18 -
'
Docket M-326 ~ S~9
:: .
spri.ng 255, a portion of which is received in a depression
256 in the body 227. The spring 255 bears against the surface
:: of the side guide 185. The spring 255 causes the gate element
242 to contact the leading marginal edge of the bottom tag
T in the stack S.
FIGURES 1 and 2 show the pin driver 103 carried by --
a slide 258. The slide 258 has a socket 260 for receiving a
ball-shaped end portion 261 of an extension 262 threadably
secured to a flange 263 of the arm 86 and held in adjusted
position by lock nuts 264. The slide 258 and the pin driver
'~ 103 are received in a guideway generally indicated at 265
: (FIGURE 34) provided by upper and lower plates 266 and 267
. . and front and rear plates 268 and 269. The plates 266, 267,
268 and 269 are considered to be part of the frame 79.
When the arm 86 pivots clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 1, the
pin driver 103 is driven to the left and when the arm 86
; pivots counterclockwise, the pin driver 103 is driven to
the right. With reference to FIGURE 5, the rear plate
269 mounts a lever 270 for pivotal movement about an adjust-
. 20 able eccentric pivot 271. The one end of the lever 270
.. ` on one side of the pivot 271 is bifurcated as indicated
. at 272 and receives a pin 273 carried by the movable member
;,.,
.. 129. With reference also to FIGURE 9, the lever 270 has
: a threaded bore 274, a one-way drive connection 275 including
a plate 276 having a hole 277 and a pair of posts 278 and 2?9.
. .
An eccentric 280 received in the hole 277 pivotally mounts
;,~ the plate 276. A screw 282 extends through the collar 281,
: the eccentric 280, and an elongated slot 283 in a cam plate
284 and is received in the threaded bore 274. A tension
.,,,, . - 19 -
.,
'..',
~;.
f"
Docket M-326 1~ 8 Z ~V 9
spring 285 is connected at one end to the post 279 and
at its other end to a post 279' connected to the plate
269. The tension spring 285 normally urges the plate 276
clockwise as viewed in FIGURE S to a position in which the
post 278 rests against the cam plate 284. The cam plate
284 has cam lobes 284a and 284b. The cam lobe 284a is
considered to be an extension of a cam face or surface
286 on the lever 270. The cam face 286 is adapted to be
contacted by a roller 262' on the actuator 86 to pivot the
- 10 lever 270 counterclockwise as the roller 262 moves to the
,.,
left as viewed in FIGURE 10. Counterclockwise pivoting of
the lever 270 will drive the movable member 129 toward the
plunger 124 and the tag T. The member 129 will thus be
driven from the position shown in FIGURE 10 to the position
shown in FIGURE 11. In the position shown in FIGURE 11,
the lever 270 has pivoted counterclockwise and bears against
the lobe 284a. In the position shown in FIGURE 11, the
member 129 preferably just touches a tag T at the pinning
zone Z without bending that tag T. As the cam shaft 67
continues to rotate, the plunger 124 continues to move
upwardly to the position shown in FIGURE 12. It should be
noticed that because of dwell in cams 72 and 73, the roll
;."
262' is in the same position in FIGURES 11 and 12 and the
same is true for the pin driver in 103. However, in
FIGURE 12 the plunger 124 has moved upwardly to its fullest
extent and has bent the tag T which is supported by a guide
185', by edge 314' of an anvil member 311 (FIGURE 18),
.~ by concave surface 315 of an anvil member 309, by movable
''
.
- 20 -
~ - \
.
: . Docket M-326 .~8~5~
member 129 and by a guide or support 185". As the roller
262' continues to move toward the left to the position shown
in FIGURE 13 it encounters a drive face~287 on the plate
276, thereby causing the plate 276 to be rotated clockwise
against the light force exerted by the spring 285.
In the position of FIGURE 13, pin P has passed through
. the tag T and the merchandise M once and is in guided
relationship by a guide groove 129' in member 129. The
.- pin P is inclined downwardly slightly with respect to the
horizontal as shown but remains straight. When the cam-
shaft 67 has rotated so that the roll 262' is in the position
sho~n in FIGURE 14, the lever 270 has rotated clockwise
under the urging of the spring 285, thus raising the member
:: 129 or~ stated another way, moving the member away from the
.15 tag T, the pin P, and the plunger 124. The pin driver 103
:. has driven the pin P to a position in which its leading end
.~ is contacting groove 129". While the roll 262' moves from
the position shown in FIGURE 14 to the position shown in
FIGURE 15, the lever 270 rotates counterclockwise thus
. 20 driving the member 129 toward the plunger 124, the tag T
and the pin P. This movement of the member 129 causes
the pin P to be guided or bent toward the tag T as best
shown in FIGURE 15. As the roll 262' continues to move to
the left the roll 262' moves off the lobe 284b and the lever
: 25 270 is thus urged clockwise by the spring 285, thus raising
. the member 129 away from the pin P, the tag T and the plunger
124. In the position shown in FIGURE 16, the pin P has
,,'
',.,~
_ 21 -
,,
..... .
Docket M-326 lV 8~ 5V g
pas~;ed through the tag T for the third time and the leading
.:,
marginal end P' of the pin P is guided or supported by
the pin guide or support 185". Due to the inclination of
- the face of the support 185" and the angle of approach of
'ii~ .
. 5 the pin P, the leading marginal end P' of the pin P is
;: driven upwardly as the pin P continues to be pushed to the
left by the pin driver 103. After the roll 262' has moved
to the left to the end of its travel, it begins to move to the
right. When the roll 262' encounters the cam lobe 284b
. 10 the lever 270 pivots counterclockwise to drive the member
129 downwardly, however, when the roll 262' encounters a
cam face 288 on the plate 276 the member 129 is driven
further toward the plunger 124, the tag T and the pin P
into the position illustrated in FIGURE 17 in which the
. 15 pin P is crimped. During crimping the plunger 124 is
momentarily urged downwardly against the action of the spring
. 115. The member 129 is in its maximum downward position
when the lower tip 289 of the cam face 288 is immediately
above the high point of the roll 262'. In the position
.. 20 shown in FIGURE 17, the member 129 has been driven
; downwardly to a greater extent than in the embodiments
:; .
-. of FIGURES 11, 12, 13 and 15. After the drive member 129 has
. cleared the cam face 288, the spring 285 pivots the lever
~:;
270 clockwise and the roll 262' rides along the lobe 284a
and cam face 286 until the drive member 262 has returned to
the position shown in FIGURE 10. As shown the cam surfaces
~: 284a and 284b lie along a straight line passing through
the axis of rotation of the lever 270 so that the member
... .
~ 129 is in the same position in FIGURES 11, 12, 13 and 15,
:~ '
- 22 -
.
Docket M-326
S~9
name:Ly just touching the tag T without bending it as is
pref~rred.
Referring to FIGURE 5, the slide 258 carries a pin
258' which is used to actuate the pin strip actuating mechanism
generally indicated at 288. Referring briefly to FIGURE 10, the
pins P are carried in the paper strip PS. The paper strip
PS is folded as shown in FIGURE 10 and passes in the folded
` condition under the bottom guide 267 and from there it passes
between the nip of respective idler roll 290 and feed wheel
290'. The feed wheel 290' contains a one-way clutch 291.
The clutch 291 is operated by an arm 292 having a pin 293.
Links 294 and 295 are pivotally connected by a pin 296.
The link 294 is pivotally connected to the pin 293 and the
link 295 is pivotally mounted on a pin 297 mounted to the
plate 269. The drive pin 258' con~acts the link 295
as the slide 258 moves to the left (FIGURE 5) thereby
causing the arm 292 to pivot clockwise and rotating the
feed wheel 290' clockwise as shown in FIGURE 8. A tension
.. spring 298 is connected at one end to the pin 293 and
at its other end to the pin 297. When the slide 258
is moved to the right during the next operating cycle of the
' machine, the drive pin 258' is moved to the right and the
.. ~ spring 298 moves the links 294 and 295 to a position
(FIGURE 5) in which the adajcent ends of the links 294
and 295 abut an outturned flange 299 of an adjustable
slotted stop 300 held in position by screw 301. Adjustment
~ .
. of the stop 300 will adjust the counterclockwise travel
,:. of the arm 292 and consequently the angle of rotation of
the one-way clutch 291 and the travel of the feed wheel
290.
. . .
- 23 -
,
-
~ Docket ~-326 ~08~509
.
With reference to FIGURE 18, the anvil 128 is
shown to include anvil members 307, 308 and 309. The members
307, 308 and 309 can be considered to be anvil members in that
they individually absorb some of the force exerted by the
s plunger 124. The anvil member 308 is generally plate-
like but has guide members 310 and 311 which provide a
guide groove 312 in which plate-like movable member 129
-~ is received. The anvil member 309 is also plate-like and
serves as a retainer for retaining and guiding the movable
member 129 for straight line movement and more particularly
vertical movement in the groove 312. The anvil member 307
is formed integrally with the plate 269. The anvil member
307, 308 and 309 have respective concave surfaces 313, 314,
and 315 which are shown to face downwardly. The curvature
of the concave s~rface 315 is offset from the curvature of
surfaces 313 or 314 as best shown in FIGURES 10 through 17.
The anvil members 307, 308 and 309 are shown to be held in
assembled relationship by screws 316 and 317 which extend
through respective holes 318, 319, and 321 and 322 and are
threadably received in respective threaded holes 320 and
323. The movable member 129 carries the post or pin 273
; which extends through aligned elongated slots 325 and 326
j in respective anvil members 307 and 308, and is received by
; bifurcated end 272 of the actuator 270. The anvil 128
mounts a pivotal brake generally indicated at 327.
;.
The brake 327 exerts a braking force against the tag T
a~ it is fed to the pinning zone Z. The brake 327 includes
; a brake member 328 having a hole 329 at its one end
portion 330. The end portion 330 is received in guided
~`' relationship in a slot 331 in the anvil member 3Q7. A
- 24 -
. .
- : :.:
,
8~S09
Docket M-326
pivot screw 332 passes through portion 333 of the anvil member
307 and is threaded into threaded hole 334. A compression
spring 335 is received in a bore 336 (FIGURE 19) in the anvil
member 309 and bears against the other end portion 336
of the brake member 328. The force that the spring 335
exerts on the brake member 328 is adjustable by means of a
movable abutment 337 carried by an arm 338. A screw 339
received in a threaded bore 340 in the anvil member 309
holds the arm 338 and its abutment 337 in the adjusted
position. The brake member 328 is also guided in slot 341
in the anvil member 309.
, .
: With reference to FIGURE 20, there are shown two
, .; . .
....
manually operable actuators 342 and 343 also shown in FIGURES
1, 26, 27, 28 and 34 for example for operating respective
.. 15 switches 344 and 345 shown in FIGURE 46. In accordance with
the invention, the machine S0 can only be operated by manual
opera~ion of both actuators and not either one of the actuators
342 or 343 alone. According to FIGURE 20, the merchandise M
~: is shown as having been inserted to a position between the
,
~ 20 plunger 124 and the anvil 128 in which the user's index
:.
. fingers are shown to be in contact with the actuators 342
.. i and 343. The actuators 342 and 343 are spaced on opposite
.;
~,. sides of the plunger 124. The anvil 128 is shown in outline
. only in FIGURE 20. The spacing of the acutator 342 from the
plunger 124 and the anvil 128 and the spacing of the actuator
'^i:
8: 343 from the plunger 124 and the anvil 128 is such that the
~ hands of the user are free from the pinning zone Z where the
.,,: .
tag T is clamped between the plunger 124 and the anvil 128
; and where the pin P is driven through the tag T and the
,
.
- 25 -
: .
,
'`''"
',
. . ~ .
Docket M-326 ~25~9
merchandise M. In that two-hand manual actuation is required
to initiate a cycle of machine operation, both hands of the
user must be free of the pinning zone, and yet the merchandise
can be grasped at spaced-apart locations as shown in FIGURE 20,
S so that the plunger 124 and the anvil 128 can cooperate with
the tag T and the merchandise M. The circuit diagram
shown in FIGURE 46 will be explained in connection
- with the overall operation of the machine.
The actuators 342 and 343 and their associated
lQ mounting means are identical and accordingly only one actuator
342 and its associated mounting means and switch is shown
in FIGURE 37. The mounting assembly generally indicated
at 346 is shown to include a bracket 347 for mounting a pin
348. The pin 348 pivotally mounts the actuator 342. The bracket
347 also mounts the switch 344 which has an actuating spring-
urged plunger 349. Straps 350 secured to the actuator 342
and to the pin 348 enable the actuator 342 and the pin 348
to pivot as a unit. A post 351 secured to the pin 348
anchors one end of a tension spring 352. The other
end of the spring 352 is anchored to a flange 353 of the
; bracket 347 and normally urges the actuator 342 clockwise
as viewed in FIGUREi 37, thereby depressing the plunger 349.
Manual actuation of the actuator 342 causes the actuator
342 to pivot counterclockwise, thereby causing the plunger
349 to move outwardly to close the switch 344. Release of
.''
!.
j - 26 -
- -
~8;~ 9
Docket M-326
.:
the actuator 342 will enable the spring 352 to pivot the
act~lator 342 clockwise, thereby depressing the plunger 349
and opening the switch 344. The position of the actuator 344
can be adjusted by means of set screw 354, the free end of which
; 5 abuts the bracket 347 due to the action of the spring 352
., .
when the acutator 342 is released. Accordingly, the amount of
movement of the actuator 342 can be adjusted by adjusting the
set screw 354. The position of the mounting assembly 346
`:. and the actuator 342 can be adjusted toward and away from the
front of the machine 50 by means of screws 355 passing through
slots 356 in the flange 353 and threadably received in the
. base plate 78.
With reference to FIGURE 39, plates 357 and 359
are secured to the plate 358 by threaded fasteners 360.
A bracket 361 spaced from the plate 358 is connected to the
. plates 357 and 359 by fasteners 362. A plate 363 is secured
,. `to the top of the plate 358 by fasteners 364. The plate 358
. has holes 365 for receiving generally hat-shaped members
.' 366 which are retained by flanges 366'. The plates 357,
.~ 20 358, 359, and 363, the bracket 361, and the members
,,~ ....
;;f 366 are considered to be part of the body or frame 205.
,.: ..
A slide 367 is slidably mounted on a post or guide 368
' threadably received in the plata 358. Springs 369 and 370
. are equidistantly spaced on opposite sides of the post
~, 25 368 so that the slide 367 is normally urged toward the right
, as shown in FIGURE 39, for example, that is, toward the pinning
:. zone Z between the plunger 124 and the anvil 128 at the front
of the machine. The slide 367 is capable of being moved in
. the opposite direction, that is, away from the pinning zone Z
.,.
~.
- 27 -
"~
~0~5~)9
Docket M-326
by the action of a cam-controlled lever 371 in the form of
a bell crank. The lever 371 has arms 372, 372', and 373
secured to a shaft 374. The outer ends of arms 372, 372',
and 373 rotatably mount respective rollers 375, 375' and 376
which are equidistantly spaced from the guide 368. Referring
to FIGURE 23, for example, the cam 76 drives a roller follower
377 carried by a bell crank generally indicated at 378. The
bell crank 378 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 108. The
bell crank 378 carries a roller 381 which drives a slide
382. The slide 382 is guided for vertical movement by pins
383 received in slots 384 in the slide 382. Retainers 385
prevent horizontal movement of slide 382. The slide 382 is
movable from the lowered or solid line position shown in
FIGURE 23 to the raised or phantom-line position shown in
FIGURE 23. As the slide 382 moves ,from the home or fully
lowered position shown in FIGURE 41, to the position shown in
FIGURE 42, bell crank 371 pivots counterclockwise driving
the slide 367 to the left. Lowering of the slide 382 as
shown in FIGURE 44 enables springs 369 and 370 to drive
the slide 367 to the right. Roller 376 can ride on the
; horizontal upper surface of the slide 382 and cause movement
; of needles 411, 412 and 413 in any selected position of the
device 182 relative to the pinning zone Z.
The slide 367 comprises a plate 386 to which plates
387 and 388 are connected by fasteners 390. The plates 387
and 388 have horizontally elongated guide slots 387a and 388a
in which respective guide pins 387b and 388b, mounted by plates
357 and 359, are received. The plate 386 has three slots 391,
392, 393. A pin or shaft 395 extends through a bore in the
- 28 -
.
sv~
Docket M-326
plate 386 and all of the slots 391, 392 and 393. Therefore,
identical latches 396, 397 and 398 disposed in respective
slots 391, 392 and 393 are pivotally mounted on the shaft 395.
A pin or shaft 395' is mounted at its end portions in plates
387 and 388. Independently movable needle mounting members
396', 397' and 398' are pivotally mounted on the shaft
395'. Spacers 401 and 402 are disposed on opposite sides
of the member 396'. The spacer 402 and a spacer 403 are
; disposed on opposite sides of the member 397'. The spacer
403 and a spacer 404 are disposed on opposite sides of the
member 398'. The mounting members 396', 397' and 398' are
identical so that only one, namely the mounting member 396',
is shown in detail in FIGURE 45. The respective needle
mounting members 396', 397', and 398' are urged counter-
clockwise by respective spiral springs 405', 406' and 407'
as viewed in FIGURE 41, for example. In that the latches
396, 397 and 398 operate substantially in unison, the operation
, .
~ of these latches and their respective needle mounting members
" .
396', 397' and 398' will be described with reference only
; 20 to latch 396 and its respective needle mounting member 396'.
In FIGURE 41, for example, the needle mounting member 396'
.,
~; is latched in its clockwise position by the latch 396.
In particular, latching is accomplished by a shoulder 396a
of the latch 396 bearing against a pin 396b carried by the
member 396'.
As the slide 367 moves to the left as viewed in
..: .
FIGURE 42, the latches 396, 397 and 398 eventually contact
; abutments or stop screws 396c, 397c and 398c.
In the position shown in FIGURE 42, the needle
mounting members 396', 397' and 398' are still latched by
- 29 -
,,'
.;, . . , , -, ~ , . .
, . . .
Docket M-326 ~ 8 ~ 5V 9
:'
respective latches 396, 397 and 398. As the slide 367
cont:inues to move toward the left to the position shown in
FIGIJRE 43, the stop screws 396c, 397c, and 398c cause the
latches 396, 397 and 398 to pivot counterclockwise in
the direction of arrow A2. The needle mounting members
396l, 397' and 398l are prevented from rotating counter-
clockwise because their respective abutment portions 405,
406 and 407 contact respective stop screws or abutments
- 408, 409, and 410. Depe~ding upon the relative adiustments of
screws 396c, 397c and 398c and related stop screws 408,
409 and 410, the abutment portions 405, 406 and 407 may contact
stop screws 408, 409 and 410 before the slide 367 has moved
to the end of its travel to the left to its ful}y retracted
position. In this event, the needle mounting members 396',
397', and 398' will actually pivot clockwise. On the
other hand, if the latches 396, 39i and 398 are tripped
before abutment portions 405, 406 and 407 contact stop
screws 408, 409 and 410, then tripping of the latches 396,
397 and 398 will cause the needle mounting members 396',
~Z0 397' and 398' to pivot counterclockwise until their respective
abutment portions 405, 406 and 407 contact respective stop
screws 408, 409 and 410. In any event, needles 411, 412
and 413 mounted by respective members 396', 397' and 398'
remain below the bottom tag T in the stack S. As the slide
382 is lowered, the follower 371 pivots clockwise and the springs
369 and 370 drive the slide 367 to the right. As the slide
367 moves to the right, the needle mounting members 396', 397'
and 398' pivot counter clockwise until pins 396b, 397b and 398b
'
..
."` .
. .
Docket M-326 ~ 5~
contact respective abutment faces 396d, 397d, and 398d
during pivotal movement of the needle mounting members
396', 397' and 398' from the position shown in FIGURE 43
to the position shown in FIGURE 44. The abutment faces
396cl, 397d and 398d latch the respective needle mounting
member 396', 397' and 398' in respective positions so that
penetration of the needles 411, 412, and 413 is limited~
; The needles 411, 412, and 413, thus, pivot into impaling
engagement with the bottom tag T. The needles 411, 412
and 413 penetrate or pierce the bottom tag without passing
through the bottom tag T. As the slide 367 continues to move
to the right, the bottom tag T passes through the gate
mechanism 227 to the phantom line position shown in FIGURE 44.
; At the end of travel of the slide 367, namely its fully
extended position shown in FIGURE 44, stop screws or
abutments 414, 415, and 416 abut the needle mounting members
396', 397' and 398' to cause their pivotal movement in a
clockwise direction about shaft 395' so that the latches
396, 397 and 398 can be pivoted clockwise by respective
springs 396e, 397e, and 398e as shown in FIGURE 40.
FIGURE 40 shows the components in the home position as in
FIGURES 38, 39 and 41. It is noted in FIGURE 40 that the
rod 155 passes through a hole 418 in the plate 358 with
adequate clearance so that no part of the tag feeding assembly
182 contacts a rod 155.
With reference to FIGURE 45, the needle mounting
member 396' is shown as having an elongated through-slot
419. The needle 411 is received in the slot 419 and a
, .
., .
- 31 -
.: .
... .
~ 5
Docket M-326
flexible resilient plate 420 contacts the needle 411 and
frictionally and removably holds the needle 411 in the slot
419. The plate 420 has a ~ab 421 against which blunt end
422 of the needle 411 is seated. Two screws 423 passing through
respective holes 424 in the plate 420 are received in
threaded holes 425 in the member 396'. An end portion 426
of the plate 420 adjacent the slot 419 is bent outwardly.
A worn needle 411 can be readily removed as by grasping the
exposed end portion with pliers and pulling the needle 411
out of the groove 419. A new needle having a sharp end
can be inserted into the groove 419 using pliers which can
be used to push the needle into the groove until end 422
~ ,.
is seated against the tab 421. The other mounting members
397' and 398' and associated latch components are identical
to those shown in FIGURE 45.
Referring now to FIGURE 46, the switches 344 and 345
include mechanically connected switches 430 and 431 and 432
;~ and 433, respectively. When the switch 344 is closed, the
switches 430 and 431 are closed, and vice versa. When the
switch 345 is closed, the switches 432 and 433 are closed,
and vice versa. The clutch solenoid 65 is connected to a
normally closed switch 434. The switch 430 is connected to
a lead 435 and the switch 434 is connected to a lead 436.
The switches 430 and 432, the clutch solenoid 65, and the
switch 434 are connected in series. The seitches 431 and 433
are connected to the lead 435 and to a node 437'. A coil 438'
of a relay 438 is connected to the node 437' and to a node
` 439. A normally open switch 440 and a normally open switch
.' ,
- 32 -
.
,.,'
' , . , ' ~
1~8~5~)~
Docket M- 3 2 6
,
441 in parallel with each other are connected to a node
439 and to the lead 436. The switch 440 is controlled
by Zl cam 437 secured to the cam shaft 67. When the cam
; sha~t 67 is in the home position the cam 437 holds the switch
440 open. The electric motor 51 is connected to the leads
435 and 436 through a switch 438a. The motor 51 operates
whenever the switch 438a is closed. When one of the switches
344 or 345 is closed and the other one is open, neither the
clutch coil nor the relay coil 438' can be energized. It
is apparent that manual actuation of the actuator 342
or the actuator 343 without actuation of the other is
ineffective. It is only when the switches 344 and 345 are
~' simtlltaneously in the closed position, that the clutch coil
65 is energized through the switches 430 and 432 and the
normally closed switch 343. Energization of the clutch
,. . .
coil 65 will cause the clutch 64 to be engaged, thereby
causing the cam shaft 67 to rotate. Rotation of the cam
shaft 67 will cause the cam 437 to rotate, thereby closing
the switch 440. When the switch 440 is closed and assuming
,: .
that at least one of the switch elements 431 and 433 is still
in the closed condition, the relay 438 will be energized,
thereby opening the switch 434 and closing the switch 441.
The switches 434 and 441 are part of the relay 438 and are
mechanically coupled to the relay coil 438' as indicated
by respective broken lines 442 and 443. Opening of the switch
434 causes the clutch solenoid to be deenergized thereby
` causing disengagement of the clutch at the end of one complete
;;: ..
~ rotation of the cam shaft 67. Energization of the relay
'~:
- 33 -
''' .
:.
.,
, ", ~. i , . . .
~ .
Docket M-326 1'~08 ~fS~ 9
coil 438' so long as at least one of the switches 431 or 433
is closed, prevents the switch 434 from closing and consequently
prevents energization of the clutch solenoid 65. If both
of t:he actuators 342 and 343 are released, then both the
switches 344 and 345 will be open and consequently the
switches 431 and 433 fail to complete a circuit through
the relay coil 438', thereby causing the switch 434 to close
and the switch 441 to open. Accordingly, the clutch can
only be operated again by actuating both actuators 342 and
343 so that the switches 344 and 345 are simultaneously
in the closed condition. It is apparent that the switch
344 can be closed before the switch 345 is closed, or vice
versa, but it is only when both the switches 344 and
345 are in the closed condition that the clutch solenoid 65
;15 is operated and the clutch solenoid 65 cannot again be
; operated until after both the switches 344 and 345 are
released.
With reference to an al~ernative embodiment
shown in FIGURE 47, there are shown leads 444 and 445. The
lead 445 is connected to a node 446 through a switch 447.
The electric motor 51 is connected to the node 446 and to a
node 448 which is connected to the lead 444. Switches 449 and
450 and the clutch solenoid 65 are connected in series
:~ with each other and in turn to respective nodes 446 and
:"f
448. The switches 449 and 450 are positioned to be acutated
by actuators 342 and 343 and are disposed in the same
positions relative to the actuators 342 and 343 as are the
switches 344 and 345 in the other embodiment. The switches
`~ 449, 450 and 447' are required to be in the closed condition
.'~
- 34 -
.... .
.~
, . ~ . ,~ . .
.. . .
1~8ZS(19
Docket M- 3 2 6
before the clutch solenoid 65 can be operated. During
operation of the machine, the switch 447 is closed to operate
the motor 51 and consequently actuation of the actuators 342
and 343 such that the switches 449 and 450 are both in
the closed condition at the same time will cause energization
of the clutch coil 65'.
With reference to FIGURE 48, there is shown a
timing diagram showing the movement of the pin driver 103,
the plunger 124, the feed fingers 165 and 166 and the feed
.
~ 10 assembly slide 367, with respect to degrees of cam shaft
; rotation. It is apparent that the device 182 which separates
. . .
the tag T from the stack S moves through an operational
sequence which overlaps the operational sequence of the
tag feeding device 181 which advances the tag T to the
~15 pinning zone. It is to be noted that the movement of the
feed is completed relatively early in the machine cycle to
position a tag T at the pinning zone Z which was separated
from the stock S by the device 181 in the previous machine
cycle. It is apparent that in each machine cycle, a tag
T is positioned at the pinning zone Z and later in the same
cycle a tag T is separated from the stack S.
;~ Other embodiments and modifications of this
, ~
;'~ invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the
art, and all such of these as come within the spirit of
.-
` 25 this invention are included within its scope as best defined
by the appended claims.
. :.. '
",
. . .
",":
.. ~ .
''
.~.,,
;
, ~ .
- 35 -
':~
"~'
