US2088865A - Button threading machine - Google Patents

Description

'lill E. L. McRosKEY BUTTON THREADING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1e, 1955 8 sheets-sheet 2 IIHIII A T TORNEYS.

E. L. MGROSKEY BUTTON THREADING MACHINE Aug. 3, 193 7.,

Filed Aug. 1e, 1935V 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. EDWARD L Mc Ros/EY E. L. McRosKEY 2,088,865 BUTTON THREADING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 16, 1955 lmmgllm IN VEN TOR. En WA RD L. Mc IPOs/EY A T TORNEYS.

Aug. 3i, 1937. E. L. McRosKEY 2,088,865

' v l BUTTON THREADING MACHINE I Filed Aug. 16, 1935 a sheets-sheets rf: mi; f U] u 2 f TH A l n EH 0 Ul $0 Cb a |l m *p' g? Q Ee l o lq h a 'n S gi) l?) s u .gn l\l t0 ow u,

`INVENTOR. IEP' EDWA R0 L. Mc Ras/FY BYM, $964? A T TORNE YS.

Aug. 3, 1937. E. L. McRosKEY 2,088,865'

BUT-TON THREADING MACHINE Filed Aug. 16, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. EDWARD L. Mcos/EY f2@ BY )7%. Meeuw ATTORNEYS. 7

Aug. 3, 1937. E. n.. McRosKEY BUTTON THREADING MACHINE Filed Aug. 16, 1955 s-` sheets-sheet' 7 IN V EN TOR` Eo WARD L. /YCPOSKEY BY 4 ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 3, 1937.. E. L. McRosKEY BUTTON THREADING MACHINE Filed Aug. 16, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 R. n mw. n No #N Wc, T 1M. m@ .L

Patented Aug. 3, 1937 UNITED STA'ES` PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for making mattress tufts, and more particularly to a machine for forming a tuft characterized byv an elongated loop of thread having a tufting button correlated thereto as a part thereof.

The objects will appear more fully in the accompanying specification, and include the following:

(1) To provide a mechanism the action of which is reliable and entirely automatic;

(2) To provide mechanism by means of which the length of the finished product may be predetermined to meet given requirements;

(3) To provide means for synchronizing the 35 operation of respective mechanisms and insure rapid fabrication of a merchantable product;

(4) To provide a mechanism which; in spite of its automatic features, will be of simple construction, hence more reliable in action over long x periods oi time;

(5) To provide means by which thread can be pulled through a needle and quickly converted into a closed loop in which will be contained a tufting button;

(6) To provide improved means for co-ordinating knotting and severing mechanisms to complete formation of the loop and enable the thread tolbe cut in a manner to insureretention of-a surplusor predetermined length of thread at the needle after each loop forming operation, which surplus will be available for use in the next looping operation;

(7) To provide a machine, the operation of which will insure against waste of the raw materials used in fabricating the product;

(8) To provide improved means for accurately feeding buttons to positions where the eyes thereof `will be always alined with the needle as the latter is in continuous operation;

(9) To provide a hopperof novel `form and construction that will insure free passage therefrom of buttons and which has embodied thereinimeans for controlling delivery of the buttons to a mechanism for actingV upon or handling same singly and translating them to the needle;

(10) To provide novel co-ordinated automatic mechanisms, all of which can be driven from a common `power' plant;

(11) To provide an organization of mecha- `nisms which is compact, relatively light of weight and freely portable;

(12): To provide a machine for manufacturing tufts which will be complete -in every respect except for a single button, Wad of cotton, leather or thelike which can be readily applied tothe loop` after the latter has been threaded through the mattress in a manner common in the art of mattress making;

(13) To provide novel means for holding a button while the loop isbeing formed and forreleasing the button in operative time with movement of the needle and pulling the thread to form the loop; Y

' (14) To provide novel means for securely holding the aforementioned surplus length of thread 10 while pulling the thread to form the loop;

(15) 'To provide improved means for uniformly supporting thel loops as they are made; for preventing entanglement of one with another and gradually feeding them from the machine. l5

My invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which- Figure 1 is a front 'elevation of the device;

Figure 2 is a top plan View; 20

Figure 3 is a section along the line 3--3 of Figure 1;

Figure "4 is a section along the line 4-4 oi' Figure 5is' ahorizontal section along the line 25 5--5 of Figure 43;

Figure A6 is a front elevation of the button feeding mechanism similar to Figure 3, but showing the parts in a different position;

Figure 7 is a section along the line 1--1 of 30 Figure l; Y

Figure 8 is an isometric illustration 'of the loop-forming mechanism;

Figure 9 is a section along the line 9-9 of Figure 10 is a. section along the line Illl0 of Figure l;

Figure 11 is a front elevation or Figure 10 shovving the parts in different position;

fFigure 12v is a plan view of the knotter; 40

Figure 13` is'v an end view of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 12, but showing the-jaws of the knetter open;

Figures 15, 16 and 17 are isometric views show- 'ing the loop-forming, threading and knotting 45 mechanisms; y

Figures 18 t`o` 22 inclusive"are'schematicside views of the threading' operation;

Figures 23 to 25 inclusive are schematic `plan views of the threading operation; and Y 50 Figure 26 is a view of the completeproduct.

vI'n carrying" out my invention" I will rst describe the diagrammatic Figures'18' to 25 inclusive since these 'gures will show the steps in Vsuccession of threading thebutton eyelet, 'form- 55 thread 6.

.ures 1 to 6 inclusive.

ing the loop, tying the knot in the ends of the loop, and in finally cutting the closed loop from the remaining string or thread.

In Figure 18 a button I is shown with its eyelet 2 disposed in line with a needle 3. The mechanism for moving the button into this position will be described hereinafter. A button holder 4 prevents movement of the button during the threading operation.

The needle 3 is carried` by a. needle arm 5 and the thread orstring6 is fed through an opening 8', see Figure 15, in the foot 8 of the arm, and the thread is then passed through the tubular needle 3. A thread arrester 9 clamps the thread down upon the foot 8 during the downward movement of the arm 5.

Figure 19 shows loop-forming hooks I0 moved into a position to be in alignment with the needle 3, and the eyelet 2. Figure 20 shows thearm 5 lowered, and shows the needle 3 passing through the eyelet 2,' and the'hooks I0. The figure further shows the portion of the thread 6 extending below the needle as being clamped between a gripper II and a`plate I2.

During the retracting of the needle 3 from the eyelet 2 the gripper II still holds the end of the The button holder 4 is lifted free of the button I, and the thread arrester 9 isxlifted free of the foot 8. VThis permits the needle 3 to move with respect to the thread 6.

An open loop I3 is now formed, and this is accomplished by the hooks I0 moving to the right in Figure 22 by means hereinafter described. The button I is carried with the hooks, and it will be noted that the thread 6 passes through the eyelet 2 of the button. The thread is pulled from the needle 3 to form the loop I3. The hooks IUare moved a predetermined distance, and this determines the length of the loop I3.

In Figure 23 a thread tightener I4 is shown pulling the two portions o-f the loop I3 over a knotter I5. The hooks II) are shown in ,plan view, and so is likewise the gripper II.V The knotter I5 is now actuated for tying a' knot in the loop I3, and thus closes the loop.` Figure 24 shows a diagrammatic plan view of this operation, and it will be noted that the thread tightener I4 is moved clearof the loop I3.

In the final operation the `knotter I5 grasps the loop ends and the thread tightener I4 is again moved against the loop I3 for removing a portion of the string from the knotter I5, this portion forming the knot I6. A cutting knife I1 is now moved for severing the closed mem.- ber I3 from the string 6. `The loop is now fed to the exit end of the machine as will be hereinafter described, and the gripper II is moved away from the plate I2 ready for the next operation. At` thestart of the next operation the various partswill assume the position shown in Figure 18. Y

Button feeding mechanism I t is now best to describe the button feeding mechanism. This mechanism is shown in Fig- A button receptacle I8,

see Figure 4, is supported by a bracket I9, which in turn is secured to the frame 2D of the machine.

The receptacle I8 yhas a tubular Aportion 2| for rotatably receiving a rod 22. Figures 2 and 4 show the rod 22 as carrying a disc 23 andan agitator 24. The` receptacle I8 has an exit opening 25 for buttons and an inwardly extending ange 26 for permitting only those buttons resting on their heads to pass beneath the flange.

30, rotates a cam shaft are mounted on the shaft, and each will be de- Ythe arm 50 to the left.

The flange has openings 21 through which the eyelets of the buttons pass. 'Ihe rod 22 is rocked by means hereinafter described and the agitator 24 will agitate the buttons in the receptacle I8, and those buttons that are turned on their backs or heads will gravitate toward the exit end of the receptacle due to the inclination of the disc 23. These buttons will be fed one at a time into a. gravity chute 28 toward the button positioning mechanism. l

Before describing this mechanism it is best to briefly set forth the mechanism for rocking the rod 22. In Figure- 1 I show the frame 20 as carrying a motor 29. rI'his motor, through speed reducing belts and pulleys indicated generally at 3I. A number of cams scribed in turn. On the cam shaft 3I I mount an 'eccentric 32, see Figure 3, and this eccentric through a rod 33 oscillates an arm 34. The swinging of the arm 34 can be varied by adjusting'the end 35 of the rod 33 in av slot 36. The arm 34 has a link 31 connectedto its free end, and'this link in turn is pivotally connected to a bracket 38. The bracket 38 is attached to a slide 39, and this slidecarries an upright 49.

VA link 4I has one end attached to the upright 40, and has its other end connected to an arm 42 which is integral with a collar 43 that is rigidly secured to the rod 22. It will be seen that a rotation of the cam shaft 3I will operate the eccentric 32 and, through the mechanism just described, will rock the rod 22. In this way the buttons in the receptacle are kept agitated, and there will be a continuous flow of buttonsarranged in the proper position to the gravity chute 28.

In Figures 4 and 5 I show the chute 28 in detail. In Figure 4 the underplate 44 is shown provided with a hump 44a which will prevent the feeding of the buttons thereby. The chute 28 is in the form of a channel with inwardly extending top flanges and the eyelets of the buttons project through the space between the two anges. The lowermost button in the chute is held against movement by the hump 44a bearing thereagainst. A rearwardly projecting extension 45, see Figure 4, has a pin 46 and a spring 4'I exerts a force on the pin tending to move the hump 44 of the rear plate to the left in the figure.' At the proper moment the extension 45 is moved to the right for freeing the button.

This mechanism is shown in Figures 3 and 6. An upright 48 pivotally carries at 49 an arm 50. This arm has a cam member 5I for engaging a pin 52, see Figure 4. The arm also has a hook 53 for engaging with the next to the bottom button, and this hook will prevent the feeding of the buttons through the chute when the extension 45 is retracted. Figurey 4 shows the cam 5I as moving Vin back of the chute 28 and the hook 53 as moving in front of the chute. The cam and the hook are swung with the arm 56, and

Figure 3 shows the arm carrying a projection 54,

' with a pin 59 carried by the bracket 51.

During the initial movement of the slide 39 to the left in Figure 3 the triangular projection 55 will Contact with the projection 54 to swing When the projection 54 558. Before this movement rides to the top of the triangular projection 55 a spring `(ill will quickly snap the arm .58:in a

counter-clockwise direction. This will cause the cam to open the outlet end of the chute 28 5 by-flexing the plate 444 and the lowermost button in the chute 28 will drop into a. groove 8| formed in a table top 62 of the frame 28. A fork `(i3 carried by the` arm 58 will swing down upon the eyelet of the button, and cause this eyelet to be moved vinto a plane -paralleling the top of the table 82. It should also be noted at this point that the arm ,58 comes to an abrupt stop at the endo-f its swing, and a resulting jar will keep the buttons in a loosened condition in` the chute 28 .and prevent them from jamming. y

Themovement .of theslide 3 9 to the right will `carry with it the shoe 64, and this. shoe will move the button along `the groove 6| into the position shown in Figure A5. When the button is in this position the eyelet is -in registration with the needle 3.

It is best now todescribe themeans for holding .the button and for clamping the thread. rI'he holder 4 is shown in Figure 18, and so is like- Wise the thread arrester. The mechanism for accomplishing this is shown in Figures 10 and 11. The cam shaft 3| carries a thread and button arresting cam 85 of the shape shown in Figure 10. A rod 88 has a fork 8,1 straddling the shaft 3| and this fork carries a cam roller 88 that rides on the cam 85. The rod has its upper end connected to the .button holding lever 89, and this lever is pivoted at |8 to a bracket '|I which in turn is supported by the table tcp 82. At the proper instant the lever 88 will be in the position Ashown in Figure 11, and will hold the button holding end 4 down on the button. l as shown in Figure 18. A spring 'l2 exerts an upward force on the right-hand end of the lever 69, andcauses the button holding end 4 to yieldingly engage with the button I.

An arm 3 is also pivoted at 'I8 to the brackets 1| and carries the thread arrester 9 at its free end. This thread arrester is held down upon the foot 8 of the arm 5 by a spring '|4. The parts y.4 and 9 bear against the button I, and the foot 8, Aduring the operations shown in Figures y18, 19,` and 20. In the operation shown in Figure 21 thecam 6 5 has rotated a sufficient distance to lift the cam roller 68, and this will raise the holder end 4 off the button. A pin 'I5 carried by the arm 'I3 is engaged by the lever 89, and an upward swing of the lever will move the pin and lift the arm 1 3 for freeing the thread arrester 8 from the foot takes place, however, the needle 3 will have carried the thread 8 through the eyelet 2 and `the gripper I I will have engaged `with the lower end ofthe thread in the manner shown in Figure 21.

It is best, therefore,

the

.60 to describe at this time Thread feeding mechanism 1 .75` 111ete11n-ir1.edrlwlerlel` for .carrying out the-venous Vlustrates the mechanism for moving operations shown in Figures :1 8 to 2,5 inclusive. The means for actuating the needle is shown in Figure 9. The cam shaft 3| carries a large cam wheel88 and this wheel has a cam edge` 8| against which a cam roller 82 is held. The roller is carried by a cam f o11ower88, and'Figure 1 shows the follower 83v connected to a lever 84 which is pivoted at 85 to an upright 86 of the device. A clip 81 is connected to the needle arm 5 and to the lever, and a rocking of the lever will raise and lower the arm 5 and with it the needle 3. Figure 9 shows the cam edge 8| of a predetermined shape for causing the needle arm 5 to be raised and lowered to carry out the various operations already mentioned.

After the needle is moved downwardly the gripper engages with the portion of thread eX- tending below the needle and clamps this portion to the plate I2 before the needle starts on its upward movement. The mechanism for actuating the thread gripper is shown in Figure 3. A cam 88 is mounted on the cam shaft 3|, and a bell crank lever 88, 93, pivoted at 98 carries a roller 9| in line with the cam 88. The bell crank lever 89 is carried by a bracket 92 which, in turn, is secured tothe table topg, 82. The thread gripper is pivotally carried-by the other end 83 of the bell crankleverA 88, and the place of pivot is indicated at 94. A spring urges the gripper in a counter-clockwise direction so that the gripper will slide along the undersurface of the table top` 82,. The cam 88 will rock the bell crank lever 89 for moving the gripper I I away from the plate I2 during a portionof the cycle of the machine, and a long coiled `tension spring 89 hooked to the bell-crank 88 moves the gripper resiliently but tightly against plate I2 during the time the gripper II holds the free end of the string 8.

Loop forming mechanism The hooks I8 are used for forming a loop I3 in the string 6. Figure 8 lshows the hooks I8 as being carried by a slide 86. Figure '7 shows the two positions of the slide 98, and further il-` the slide. A cam 91 is mounted on the cam shaft 3|, and a cam follower 98 has a roller 98 which rides on the cam. A spring-pressed plunger |88 urges the roller 99 against the cam. The cam follower 98,

is mounted on a shaft |81, and a second arm |82 is also mounted on the same shaft. The free end of the arm |82 has a link. |83 connected thereto, and the other end of the link is adjustably secured to an arm |84. comprises a bolt |85 slidable in a slot |88 in the arm |84. It is the adjustment of this bolt in the slot which varies the swing of the arm |84 with respect to the swing of the cam follower 88.

The free end of the arm |84 has a link |81l connected thereto, and this link is pivotally secured to a bracket |88 which is attached to the slide 98. The shape of the cam 91 and its position on the` cam` shaft 3| is such as to move the slide 98 and the hooks |8 in the manner indicatedV in Figures 18 to 25 inclusive. Figure 19 shows the hooks |8 moved into operative relation with respect to the button I prior to the moving of the needle 3 downwardly.

Knot tying mechanism hooks I8 are moved to the right in Figure 22 and form 151191009 '3- The .Sizefihe 19er can be,

The adjustment,

adjusted by movingv the bolt I see Figure 7, into the desired position in the slot |06. The ends of the loop I3 are now tied, and this'mechanism is shown in Figures 12 to'14 inclusive. A 5 shaft |09 is rotatably mounted in a bracket I I0 which is carried by the table top 62, as shown in Figures 8, and 16. The left-hand end of the shaft |09 carries a pinion III, and Figures 1 and 9 show this pinion disposed adjacent to the pelo riphery of the large cam 80. This cam has an arcuate rackv |I2 in its periphery which meshes with the pinion I I I duringeach revolution of the cam. The position of the rack II2 is such as to rotate the pinion III and shaft I 09 after the 15 hooks I0 have formed the loop I3.

Just prior to the rotation of the shaft |09 the two strands of the loop I3 are moved against the knot forming end of the shaft |09 by a thread tightening arm- II3, see Figure 15. This arm is carried by a pinion I I4 which is rotatably supported by the upright 86. l A yrackquadrant |I5 meshes with the pinion II4 and the rack is carried at the end of a lever II6 which is pivoted at III to the upright 86, see Figure 1. Figure 9 shows the lever I I6 connected to a cam follower II8, and this follower has a cam roller II 9 riding on a cam edge Y|20 formed in the cam 80. A spring-pressed arm I2I keeps the roller I I9 down upon the cam edge |20. The shape of the cam edge |20 is such as to move the thread tightening arm II3 which carries the thread tightener I4 against the two strands of the loop I3 as shown in Figure 23. This vwill cause the two strands to be pulled against the knot tying end I5 of the After this movement the rack II2 reaches the pinion III, and rotates the shaft |09 through one complete revolution. It should be noted at I -this point that the knot tying end I 5 is composed of two jaws.' The shaft :|09 carries a jaw |22, while the shaft slidably carries a rod |23, which in turn carries the other jaw |24 of the knotter I5. The bracket I|0 carries a cam |25, and the rod |23 carries acam follower |26.

At the start of the rotation of the knotter the two jaws |22 and I 24 abut each other as shown in Figure 12. The shaft |09 is nowrotated, and during the rotation of the shaft the jaw |24 will A be moved away from the jaw I22and the knot will be formed in the ends of the loop I3 as indicated in Figures 16 and 24. Further rotation of `the shaft |09 willnow permit the spring |2'I to move the jaw |24 toward the jaw |22 and to grip 1 the thread as shown in Figure 25. The cam edge v |20 will now again actuate the arm II3, and the string tightener I4 will again move against the loop I3. It should be noted that during the actual tying of the knot the string or thread tightener I4 is moved away from the loop I3 as shown in Figure 24. The second time the thread tightener I4 is moved against the loop I3 it will pull the knot off from the end of the knotter I5 and the knot shown at III-in Figure 25 will be pulled tight due to the fact that the jaws |22 and |24 grip the ends ofthe loop I3, while the thread tightener I4 moves against the loop.

Thread cutter 'I'he thread cutter is shown in Figure 1, and

70 it will be seen from this figure that a cutter cam |28 is mounted on the cam shaft 3|, and the cutter cam carries a projection |29 on its face that is designed to swing a bell crank lever |30. The

bell crank lever carries a roller I3 I, and a springpressed pusher rod |32 yieldingly holds the roller I3I against the face ofthe cam. The lever |30 is pivoted at |33 to the plate I2 and the upper portion of the lever |30 carries the string cutting knife II. Figure 16 shows the knife I'I in the .act of cutting the string, and the knife passes a stationary blade |34, and the two cooperate to perform the cutting operation. The enlargement |29 on the face of the cam |28 is positioned to cause the string to be cut after the two jaws of the knotter I5 clamp the string'ends as shown in Figure 25.

Y After the knot has been tied, and the string cut as shown in Figure 25, the completed loop I3 carrying with it the button I, is transferred to an exit slot |35 formed in the plate |36, see Figure 1. It will be seen from Figure 1, and also from Figures 15 and 16 that a rod |31 is carried by the arm |I3, and swings with the arm. This rod cooperates with the thread tightener I4 for moving the loop into the slot |35. The knot I6 of the loop I3 is disposed on the inner surface of the plate |36 and prevents the loop from falling out of the slot |35. The hooks I0 are moved inwardly and free the other end of the loop I3 so that the loop with its button I will hang from the slot |35 as shown in Figure 1. In Figure 26 I show the completed article. The loop I3 is shown threaded through the eyelet 2 of the button I, and the loop is closed by the knot I6. As the completed loops are fed into the slot |35 they are moved along the slot. From time to time the operator can remove the completed loops and buttons from the slot |35. The machine will continue to form the loops, and to thread the buttons thereon so long as the machine operates. As already stated, the length Vof the loops I3 can be predetermined.

Figure 25 shows a small portion of the string 6 still gripped by the member II and the plate I2 after the knife the string. The moving of the gripper II away from the plate I2 will free this small portion of string. In order to prevent this portion from remaining near the needle and other operating parts, and from possibly interfering with the operation of the machine, I provide a conduit |40, see Figure 17, for conveying air to a point adjacent to the gripper II and plate I2. The conduit |40 leads to an air pump |38, see Figure 2, and

this pump is actuated by a crank arm |39, see.l

Figure 1, that in turn is connected tol the cam shaft 3|. During the operation of the machine the pump |38 is continually operated and will deliver a stream of air through the conduit |40 to keep the area adjacent to the button threading part of the device clear of all foreign substances.

By arranging all of the cams on a single cam shaft 3| I provide a simple timing mechanism for causing all of the various parts to function in their proper order. The machine is automatic in operation and will feed the buttons one by one into the threading position, and then will thread the buttons on a closed loop and will finally deliver the closed loop to the exit end of the machine.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for making mattress tufts comprising a reciprocal needle formed to enable thread tobe drawn therethrough; means for successively feeding buttons to the needle and for ldisposing the eye of the button for passage of the needle therethrough; a fixed member, means arranged and adapted Afor gripping an end of the thread and holding it against said fixed member beyond the needle after passage of the needlel.

I 'I has severed the loop I3 from like head having an eye at one through the eye to thus enable the needle while being retracted from the eye to move independently of the thread and for allowing the thread to be pulled laterally of the needle; means engaging and pulling the thread and the button laterally from and while said end of the thread is gripped at said fixed member as aforestated and for converting the pulled portion of the thread into an open loop with the button disposed at the bight thereof; means for tying a knot in the loop to confine the button to the loop; and means for severing the loop from the thread at the needle.

2. In mechanism of the class described, a horizontally dispo-sed member with a guide groove in its upper surface for edgewise reception therein of a button characterized by a substantially disklike head having an eye at one side; threading mechanism including a reciprocably supported needle aligned over said guide groove; means for singly feeding buttons to the guide groove at a point laterally spaced from the needle; means for moving a button laterally along said guide groove to a position in the guide to register the eye thereof with the needle; and means for synchronizing operation of the needle with the button moving means to effect an operative threading of a button at each operation of said button moving means.

3. In mechanism of the class described, a hori- Zontally disposed member with a guide groove in its upper surface for edgewise reception therein of a button characterized by a substantially diskside; threading mechanism including a reciprocably supported needle aligned over said guide groove; means for singly feeding buttons to the guide groove at aV point laterally spaced from the needle; means for moving a button laterally along said guide groove to a position in the guide to register the eye thereof with the needle; and means for synchronizing operation of the needle with the but-V ton moving means to effect an operative threading of a button at each operation of said button moving means; said means for singly feeding buttons to said guide groove comprising a hopper elevated above the guide groove arranged for gravity discharge of buttons therefrom; means for singly transferring buttons from the hopper directly to said guide groove.

4. In mechanism of the class described, a hollow reciprocal needle through which thread can be pulled and an end thereof advanced beyond one end of the needle; means including a slot in which the button rides for aligning the eye of a button with the needle to enable the needle to pass through the eye; means clamping the button in position; a Xed member, means for gripping said advanced end of the thread and holding it against said Xed member after the needle has been passed through the eye; means releasing the button clamping means; means arranged and adapted for engaging the thread at both sides of the button for pulling the thread and the button from and while said advanced end of the thread is gripped and held at said fixed member to thereby effect withdrawal from the needle of a predeter- Y mined length of the thread in which two stretches thereof are disposed in open loop formation with the button at the closed end of the loop;.-means for tying the stretches together to close the loop; and means for severing the loop from a conjoined length of thread at the needle.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with means for converting a length of thread into an open elongated loop with a button threaded thereon; means for tying a knot in the ends of the thread to close the loop; means for cutting the closed loop from the supply thread; a plate extending laterally from the machine having a slot therein, means arranged for transferring the closed loops to said slot and advancing them therealong with the knot on one side and button on the other side of the plate.

6. In a button threading machine of the character described in claim 4, the means for gripping the advanced end of the thread comprising a pivotally mounted lever, a xed plate, means for swinging the lever, means at one end of said lever arranged to impinge against said plate for clamping the thread thereagainst, and means for applying a yielding force to move said lever.

'7. In a button threading machine of the character described in claim 4, the means for gripping the advanced end of the thread comprising a pivotally mounted lever, a iiXed plate, an automatic means normally swinging one end of the lever toward said fixed plate, a finger pivoted to said one end of the lever arranged to impinge said xed plate for clamping the thread, and cam-operated means for releasing the lever against the action of said automatic means.

EDWARD L. MCROSKEY.

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