Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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A MECHANISM FOR CONVERGING UNCUT
FASTENER CHAIN
Background of the Invention
_
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for
assembling sliders on an uncut fastener chain.
An uncut fastener chain refers to a continuous length
of fastener chain comprising a pair of interlocking stringers
having rows of fastening elements provided on the opposing
edges of the stringers alternating with gaps free of fastening
elements, with a bottom stop being attached to one end of each
group of interlocking fastening elements~ The continuous
length of fastener chain having slidPrs assembled thereon is
cut at each of the gaps, or when necessary is cut at said
gaps after a top stop is attached, to provide a fastener chain
as a finished product~
2. Description of the Prior Art
Illustrative examples of methods and apparatus for
feeding sliders are to be found in the specifications of
Japanese Patent Public Disclosure No. 25854/75, U.S.P. 2,949,666,
U.S.P. 3,078,558, U.S.P 3,127,670, and U.S.P. 3,234,637. All
2D of these disclosures rely upon systems wherein sliders are
fed directly into a slider pocket from a slider chute. Regard-
less of the system chosen, certain disadvantages are evident:
(I) In an arrangement where the sliders are arrayed in
parallel within the chute in a side-by-side relation with
their ~houlder portions contacting one another, the sliders
are guided solely at the portion adjacent the rear opening
thereof and, hence, tend to jump out of the chute. Moreover,
depending upon the shape of the sliders, this method cf guiding
the sliders arranged in a parallel side-by-side relation cannot
always be employed.
(II) In an alternative arrangement where the sliders
are arranged in the chute longitudinally rather than side-
by-side, the sliders can be guided more stably and the shape
of the sliders is not a factor. Nevertheless, there are
3~ instances where the slider pocket cannot seize and retain
sliders because of differences in the shape of the pull tab
attached to the sldiers.
Summary of the Invention
Accordingly, an object of the present invention for
feeding sliders to slider pocket for assembling sliders on
uncllt fastener chain is to eliminate the abovementioned
shortcomings encountered in the conventional method and
apparatus.
A more specific object of the present invention for
feeding slidexs is to provide a method and apparatus for
feeding sliders to a slider pocket in a system for assembling
sliders on an uncut fastener chain.
Illustrative examples of methods for successively
threading sliders onto fastening element sections for
assembling sliders on an uncut fastener chain are to be
found in the specifications of Japanese Patent Publication
No. 25854/75 and Japanese Patent Public Disclosure No.
109601/81. Both of these disclosures rely upon a member
having a plurality of elements for spreading a couple of
stringers.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to
provide a method for successivly threading sliders onto
fastening element sections for assembling sliders on an
uncut fastener chain using a single spreading rod comprising
an arrow shaped portion, a large width portion and a small
width portion formed from the upper end thereof.
Illustrative examples of apparatus for assem~ling
sliders are to be found in the specifications of Japanese
Patent Publications Nos. 26466/73 and 25854/75, and
Japanese Patent Public Disclosure No. 109~1/81. All of
these disclosures rely upon a spreading member for an uncut
fastener chain which is constructed from a plurality of
elements, and therefor the construction is complex.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention
for assembling sliders is to provide an apparatus having
a compact construction using a spreading rod which comprises
an arrow shaped portion, a large width portion and a small
width portion formed from the upper end thereof~ and being
operable with a high degree of efficiency.
When a slider is assembled on an uncut fastener chain,
a gap space of the uncut fastener is opened by a spreading
rod and i5 held at the predetermined position, then one side
of the opened gap space is closed by a converging mechanism
and a fastening elements section is introduced into and
through side channels of the slider.
Illustrative example of mechanism for converging
an uncut fastener chain is to be found in the specification
of U.S.P. No. 2,732,000. The disclosure relies upon a
mechanism driven by a different power source from that for
a spreading mechanism and a slider feeding apparatus.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to
provide a very simple mechanism for converging an uncut
fastener chain which cooperates with the up-and-down motion
lS of a slider feeding apparatus and does not depend on any
other power source.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following description taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings in which like reference
numerals and designate the same or similar parts.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figs. l(a) through l(e) are diagrammatic views detailing
the various stages for assembling a slider on an uncut fastener
chain;
25Fig. 2 is a front view showing the distal end of a
spreading rod;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an overall system
suitable for practicing the method depicted in Fig. l;
Fig. 4 is a plan view illustrating an embodiment of a
slider feeding apparatus according to the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a view showing the apparatus of Fig. 4 as
seen from the back thereof;
Figs. 6 and 7 are partially sectional side and front
views. respectively, and Fig. 8 is a plan view of a principal
portion, illustrating an apparatus for assembling the sliders
on an uncut fastener chain;
Figs. 9(a) and 9~b) are views useful in describing a
centering mechanism; and
Fig. lO(a) and Fig. lO(b) are diagramatic cross-
sectional views showing the operation of the apparatus
according to the present invention.
Detailed Descxi~t-on_of the_Preferred Embodiment
An apparatus for assembling sliders on an uncut fastener
chain according to the present invention will be described with
reference to the ~ccompanying drawings.
Referring first to the plan view of Fig. l(a), an uncut
fastener chain C, transferred from left to right with the rows
of fastening elements facing downward, is shown stopped with
a gap space B thereof positioned above a slider assembly stationO
The uncut fastener chain C has sec~ions A provided with fasteninc
elements, and bottom stops E, of which one is shown, at one
end of each fastening element section. Fig. l~b) is a plan view
showing the pair of stringers spread apart at the gap space
B of the fastener chain for the purpose of positioning a slider
S between the stringer portions. To spread the stringers as
shown, a spreading rod 1 having large and small width portions
3, 4 (of widths Wl, W2, respectively) as illustrated in the
front view of Fig. 2, is inserted in the slit between the
stringers at the gap space B as far as the width portion Wl.
Next~ in order to facilitate the later engagement between the
slider S and the fastening element section A of the fastener
chain, the spreading rod 1 is raised to a higher level to
situate the small width portion 4 (W2) thereof between the
stringers, as ~hown in Fig. l~c). ~t this time, rocking guides
401, 402 (indicated by the phantom lines and described in
further detail below) function to close the s~ringers adjacent
the rear opening of the slider~ thereby assuring that th~ later
introduction of the fastening element section A into the
slider S from the rear opening thereof will take place smoothly.
Fig. l(d) shows the uncut fastener chain C shortly after it
has been transferred further to the right to just introduce
the fastening element section A into and through the side
channels of the slider. ~t such ime the spreading rod 1
is lowered again so that the large width portion 3 thereof
separates and spreads the rows of fastening elemen~s of the
fastening element section that has just emerged from the
~/
side channels of the slider. Specifically, the large width
portion 3 serves to forcibly spread the stringers widely
apart so that the separated rows of fastening elements attached
thereto may be extracted from the side channels of the slider
more easily. Finally, the spreading rod 1 is lowered and
withdrawn completely from between the rows of fastening
elements, after which the uncut fastener chain, along with
the slider S assembled thereon, is transferred from left to
right, as depicted in Fig. l(e).
With the method described above, the uncut fastener
chain is prevented from experiencing so-called chain splitting
prior to its introduction into the rear opening of the slider.
The foregoing method also prevents clashing between the slider
and the leading end portions of the fastening element rows
following their introduction in o the slider, and reduces
fxictional resistance ~s a result.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a convenient
system for practicing the method outlined above. The system
is composed of an uncut fastener chain transfer device 100
for intermittent transfer of the uncut fastener chain, a
slider feed apparatus 200 in accordance with the present
invention, a slider assembly device 300 which includes the
spreading rod 1 and a slider pocket block 310, and a rocking
guide mechanism 400 for closing the stringers adjacent the
back.
The construction, operation and function of the uncut
fastener chain transfer device 100 will now be described with
reference to Fig. 3. An uncut fastener chain, whose center
line follows the course indicated by the elongate broken
line, travels in the direction of the arrows along a transfer
path 101. The transfer device 100 includes a support block
110 the upper surface of which has an element guide channel
111. A guide block 112 whose lower surface is provided with
an element guide channel 113 is placed on the support block
110 with its guide channel 113 in registration with the guide
channel 111. The guide block 112 is provided with a slit
114 which receives a sensing roller 115 rotatably retained
at one end of a sensing lever 116 supported by a pin 117.
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The sensing xoller 115, whose outer cixcumference protrudes
into the guide channel 113, rolls while contacting the uncut
fastener chain conveyed through the element guide channels
111, 113. When a gap space on the uncut fastener chain reaches
the sensing roller 115, the latter begins riding the fastener
chain at a slightly lower level because of the absence of the
fastening elements. The sensing lever 116 responds to this
change in the level of the sensing roller 115 by producing
a stop signal.
Designated at 118 is a shoe for stopping the bottom
stops attached to the uncut fastener chain. The piston of a
first air cylinder 119 is raised in response to the stop
signal produced by the sensing lever 116, whereby the shoe
118 is elevated to press the uncut fastener chain against a
plate 120 to halt the transfex of the chain. The shoe 118
includes a slot 121 for engaging with a bottom stop. A drive
roller 122 and a pinch roller 123 cooperate to drive the
uncut fastener chain.
Turning now to a description of the construction and
operation of the slider feeding apparatus 200 of the present
invention, the apparatus includes a slider chute 201, feed
pawls 202, 203, a feed pawl holder 204, a slider holder 205,
a rocking lever 206, a receiving plate 207, a second air
cylinder 208, a slide block 209, and a guide rail 210. A
multiplicity of sliders S are fed into the apparatus from
the slider chute 201 in which the sliders are aligned and
guided longitudinally thereof. More specifically, the pair
of feed pawls 202, 203 are supported by the feed pawl holder
204 which is reciprocated longitudinally of the chute 201 in
conjunction with the repetitive stop-and-go transfer of the
uncut fastener chain. The sliders S are fed to the receiving
plate 207 one at a time by the pair of feed pawls 202, 203
as the latter are reciprocated by the feed pawl holder 204.
Though two feed pawls are described here, it goes without
saying that only one will suffice. The recelving plate 207
is so located as to enter the clearance between the flanges
of the upper and lower wings of the slide S, thereby
guiding the slider in a stable manner. The rocking lever
.1 ~1 A~
206 is urged inwardly toward one side of the receiving plate
207 to prevent the slider S from slipping out of said one
side. When the slider S is received and held by the slider
holder 205 via the receiving plate 207 and rocking lever
206, the second cylinder 208 transports the slider holder
205 in the direction of the arrow along the guide rail 210,
which is affixed to an immovable base that is not shown.
The purpose of this operation will be described below along
with the function of the slide block 209 which, depending
from the slider holder 205, moves together therewith.
Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5 showing an embodiment of
the slider feeding apparatus according to the invention, in
which Fig. 4 is a plan view and Fig. 5 is a view depicting
the back of the apparatus, portions corresponding to those
shown in Fig. 3 are designated by like reference numerals.
Unlike the arrangement of Fig. 3, the guide rail 210 is
affixed to the slider holder 205 and is guided *hrough the
bore of an immovable base 213 to which the second air cylinder
208 is secured. It may be appreciated, however, that the
embodiment of Fig. 4 functions in exactly the same way as the
arrangement shown in Fig. 3, notwithstanding the slight
structural difference. In Fig. 4, numeral 211 denotes a
third air cylinder which is not visible in Fig. 3. This
air cylinder serves to reciprocate the feed pawl h~lder 204
along a guide rail 212 affixed to the base 213. Shown in
part at the bottom of Fig. 4 is a plan view of the slider
assembling device 300, indicated by the dot-and-dash line.
The construction and operation of the slider assembling
device 300 will be described hereinbelow, along with which
the arrangement of Fig. 4 will be discussed in greater detail.
Figs. 6 and 7 are a side view and front view, respec-
tively, with portions partially shown in section, illustrating
the slider assembling device. Fig. 7 is as seen from the
upstream side of the uncut fastener chain transfer path.
Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the principal portion of the
slider assembling device. Further, Figs. 9(a) and 9(b) are
useful in describing the structure and operation of the
rocking guide mechanism.
3~
In the figures, the slider assembling device 300 includes
the slider pocket block 310, a fourth air cylinder 311, an
immovable base 312, a slider holder case 313, a locking lever
314, a hook portion 315 at the top end of the locking lever 314,
a shoulder portion 316 on the slider pocket blOck 310, a com-
pression spring 317, a pull tab res~raining lever 318, a roller
319 at the lower end of the pull tab restraining lever 318,
a cam 320 having a flat portion 321, a finger 322 on the pull
tab restraining leverr and a fifth air cylinder 323. The side
surface of the slider pocket block 310 has a slot 331 for
directly receiving from the side thereof the pull tab P
depending from the slider S. Numerals 401 and 402 (Fig. 9)
denote L-shaped rocking guides~ 403 a support shaft, and 404
a coil spring for biasing the rocking guides 401, 402 open,
that is, away from each other.
The operation of the slider assembling device will now
be described mainly with reference to Figs. 9 and 10, but
referring also to Fig. 1.
(I) Initially, the slider holder case 313, which is
capable of being driven up and down relative to the stationary
base 312 by means of the air cylinder 311, is located at bottom
dead center. The locking lever 314, as shown by the solid
lines in Fig. 7, brings the hook portion 315 at the top end
thereof in engagement with the shoulder portion 316 protruding
forwardly of the slider pocket block 310 and locks the slider
pocket block 310 at the lower position against the upwardly
directed elastic force applied by ~he spring 317. At this
time, the roller 319, which is attached to the lower end of
the pull tab restraining lever 318 pivotally supported on
the slider pocket block 310, is riding on the flat portion
321 of the cam 320, so that the finger 322 at the upper end
of the lever 318 is retracted. Further, the spreading rod
1, which is capable of belng driven up and down relative to
the slider holder case 313 by the fifth air cylinder 323,
also is at bottom dead center. The rocking guide mechanism
400 is in the open state, and the uncut fastener chain is
travelling in the direction of the arrow.
(II) A slider S is delivered to the slider holder 205
3 ~ 3
g
via the slider chute 201 and then is transferred to the slider
pocket 330 by the slidex holder guided by the guide rail 210.
As this is done the slide block 209 (Fig. 5) depending from
the slider holaer 205 strikes the roller 324 at the upper end
of the locking levzr 314~ whereby the locking lever 314 is
disengaged fr~ the shoulder portion 316 on the front side
of the slider pocket block 310. This allows the compressed
spring 317 to elevate the slider pocket block 310. As a
result, the roller 319 at the lower end of the pull tab
restraining lever 318 is shifted to a posi.tion where it
engages with an oblique portion of the cam 320, so that the
finger 322 at the upper end of the lever 318 is swung toward
the pull tab P of the slider S to press and retain the pull
tab against a portion of the slider pocket block 310. When
the slider holder 205 is returned toward the slider chute,
therefore, the rocking lever 206 is opened by pressing against
the firmly retained slider S, whereby said slider remains
behind within the sliaer pocket 330. During this step no
particular problem is encountered even if the uncut fastener
chain is still advancing in the direction of the arrow.
(III) Next, the sensing lever 116 produces the stop
signal upon sensing a gap in the uncut fastener chain, whereby
the transfer of the fastener chain is halted owing to the
interaction of the bottom stop engaging shoe 118 and the plate
120. Since the arrangement is so adjusted that the blank
space will be positioned above the slider pocket 330 at this
time, the fifth air cylinder 323 is now actuated to elevate
the spreading rod 1 whose arrow-shaped distal end 2 spreads
the pair of stringers apart as the spreading rod rises. With
further elevation of the spreading rod 1, the large width
portion 3 thereof opens the slit between the stringers to the
maximum extent. The fourth air cylinder 311 then raises the
slider holder case 313, wi-th the slider pocket block 310
stopping after coming into abutting contact with an overhead
plate 410. However, the upper ends 325, 326 of legs provided
on the slider holder case 313 continue to rise to eventually
close the L-shaped rocking guides 401, 402 against the force
of the coil spring 404. This corresponds to the step
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illustrated in Fig. l(b).
(IV) W~en the slider holder case 313 reaches top dead
center, the roller 319 rides up and beyond the 1at portion
321 of the cam 320 and is seated in a comparatively deeply
recessed portion of the cam, whereby the pull tab pressing
lever 318, which was pivoted to the left in step (III), is
pivoted to the right, or clockwise direction, to again press
the pull tab P of the slider S against the wall of the slider
pocket block 310. At the same time, the upper ends 325,
325 of the legs of slider holder case 313 press upwardly
against the pair of L-shaped rocking guides 401, 402, whereby
the rocking guides are closed completely, as shown in Fig.
9(b). Meanwhile, the spreading rod 1 continues to be elevated
to bring the small width portion 4 thereof into position
within the slit between the pair of stringers. This places
the uncut fastener chain in the condition shown in step (c)
of Fig. 1. Thereafter, the shoe 118 for stopping the bottom
stop is lowered and drive roller 122 is rotated to begin
advancing the fastener chain, whereby the fastening element
section of the chain is led into the slider. After the leading
fastening elements of the fastening element section penetrate
the slider, only the spreading rod 1 i5 lowered by the fifth
air cylinder 323, so that the large width portion 3 of the
spreading rod 1 may cause the rows of interlocked fastening
elements to separate. The fastener chain continues to be
passed through the slider S as it is being separated, until
the position of the chain relative to the slider is that
shown in Fig. l(e). At this point, rotation of the drive
roller 122 is suspended to halt the advance of the fastener
chain.
(V) Next, the slider holder case 313 begins to be
lowered to retract the upper ends 325, 326 of the legs thereof
from the rocking guide mec~anism 400, so that the guide members
401, 402 are returned to the condition shown in Fig. 9(a)~
Although the slider holder case 313 is retracted from the
slider S, the fastening element rows have already been led
into the back opening of the slider S and have emerged from
the side channels thereof, as shown in step (e) of Fig. 1.
3 ~ 3 ~
Therefore the slider S will not fall despite the descent of
the upper ends 325, 326 of the slider holder case 313.
(VI) The slider holder case 313 and spreading rod 1
are lowered further to return them to the condition shown in
tI) of Fig. 10. When the slider S is freed completely from
the slider pocket block 310 during the descent of the slider
bolder case 313, the uncut fastener chain is again advanced,
-carrying the slider S with it~ as illustrated in step (e) of
Fig. 1.
Owing to the method and apparatus of the present
invention having the construction and operation described
as illustrated hereinabove, sliders can be fed to the slider
pocket and can successibly be threaded onto fastening element
sections with a high degree of efficiency, and an uncut
-fastener chain can be converged to cooperate with the up-
and-down motion of a slider feeding apparatus and does not
depend on any other power source.
Many widely different embodiments of the present
invention may be made without departing from the spirit
and scope thereof, so it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited to the specific embodiments thereof
except as defined in the appended claims.
