US2346336A - Folding machine - Google Patents

Description

April l1, 1944. J, STUART, 2D,y ET AL 2,346,336

FOLDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 25, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet l lil! Roscoe B. Syn/'M F I G. l A INVENTORS BY @NANA 6b. Qwmmg ATTORNEY April 11, 1944. J, STUART, 2D., ET AL 2,346,336

FOLDING MACHINE l Filed Jan. 23, 1942 5 sheets-sheet 2 ATTORNEY April 11, 1944.

J. STUART, 2D., ET A1.

FOLDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 23, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 m |HH. l mf Il I Il Mun" H/.lmmwm 11mm ununuuunhu 4 W Mummulh INVENTORS cham, @5. mamm.

ATTORNEY April 11, 1944- v v J. sTUARI'n 2D., ET AL 2,346,336

`FOLDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 23, 1942 l 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 El I s F G. I4

Roscoe B. Sm/' INVENTORS ATTORNEY April 11, 1944 J. STUART, 2D., ET A1. 2,346,336

FOLDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 25, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l Y" gl Il togli 409 FIG' I8 l I "ENTORS I BY A 5- NAM@ ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 11, 1944 Smith, Wilmington, Del., assignors to Hercules Powder Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application January 23, 1942, Serial No. 427,932

2l Claims.

This invention relates to a device for folding wire and more particularly to a machine for automatically folding, crushing a portion of the insulation, cutting, and tying the leg wires for electric blasting caps.

Electric blasting caps are provided with leg wires varying in length from four feet on up to any desired length. In the manufacturing of these caps, it is customary to cut the leg wires to length, crush or burn a portion of the insulation adjacent each end and remove the insulation. A blasting cap consisting of a ne platinum wire bridge imbedded in an ignition charge is fitted to one end of the leg wires and the other end is provided with a suitable shunt which is removed when the blasting cap is to be used' vide a machine which automatically, expeditious-- ly, and efficiently accomplishes the folding of a wire or a plurality of Wires.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine Which automatically, continuously, and simultaneously removes individual Wires fro-m spools or other source of supply, folds the wires into a series of longitudinal folds, crushes a portion of the insulation for subsequent removal, cuts the wires into specified lengths, encircles the wires with a tie wire to form a bundle, and then discharges the bundle into any suitable receptacle or on a conveyor belt. f

A further object of this invention is to provide means for properly tensioning the wires as they arebeing fed to the folding mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to providenovel means for continuously folding Wire into a plurality of folds, conveying the folded wire,

cutting the conveyed Wire into a length corresponding to a plurality of folds and discharging the plurality of folds to a bundling device.

A further. object of this invention is to provide Y an improved cutting device which shears the wire.

A further object of this invention is theprovision of mechanism for gatheringthel plurality of folds into a compact bundle and encircling v the bundle with a tie wire,to facilitate subse' i quent handling and to prevent entanglement with other bundles, and then ejecting the individual bundles.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism in amachine of the character described.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combinations being set forth in the appended claims.

Generally described, the present invention comprises an automatic mechanism for processing insulated wire .whichincludes feedingyfolding, modified crushing, cutting, bundling and ejecting the bundled wire. More specifically, the invention is directed toward the manufacture of leg wires for electric blasting caps wherein means are provided for: properly tensioning the wire as it is being fed; placing the wire automatically on spaced, oppositely positioned mandrels and folding the wire in alternate directions, :whereby the continuous alternate folds define a figure eight; conveying theA folded wire longitudinally on the mandrels to 'a position where the insulation is suitably crushed, and cutting the wire to a length predetermined by the number of folds conveyed between cuts; conveying the wire further to disengage the mandrels and engage glide rods afxed to said mandrels, whereby the glide rods guide the folded wire into the nest of a bundling device; compressing and tying the folded wire into a bundle; and ejecting the bundle into a receptacle or on a conveyor belt.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the uaccompanying drawings forming a part of the specification wherein reference symbols refer to like parts wherever they occur; n

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the wire tensioning mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1. The wire being fed is not shown for purpose of clarity.

Fig. 3 is an -enlarged side elevational view, partly in section of the feeding unit land the forming, crushing and cutting unit.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the spider members that feed the leg wire to theformin unit as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 vis an `enlarged side elevational 'view of Y pins and push off Fig. 8 is a -side elevational View partly in section showing the interior of the forming, crusl ing and cutting assembly; l

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 9-9 oflig. 8..

Fig. 10 isa fragmen-tary yplan view. showingthe folded wire on the mandrels, the conveying screws, and the crushing and cutting assembly.

Fig. 11 is an end view of the mandrels and conveying screws as shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a side elevational ,View ofthe bundle. tying and ejecting mechanism.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged front elevational viewof-l the tie wire feed wheels and lower tie wire former.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged sectional elevational view of the lower former and the shear pin for cutting the tie wire.

Fig. 15 is a plan view looking upwardly into the upper former.

Fig. 16 is a plan view looking downwardly `Iinto; the` lower former.

Fig. 17- is a front elevational view..of the meclr-n anism for ejecting the .bundledlegrwires Fig. 18 isa side elevational View. ofaamodied form of cutter.

Fig. 19 is a sectional view taken: on line.: |9-1|9- of Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is afragmentary plan .view| of. the man- A drel shown in Fig. 18and Fig.;19.

In Fig. 1 and, Fig.. 2.; as motor, represented ,by .I through appurtenant driving means,v represented by 3; drivesadrivewheel 5; havingza transverse drivezshaft 1 securedthereto. The:drive shaft '1 is journaled to a;bodyimember 9 lofV afeeding -asseIn-z l bly which is affixed to a-bench ,Il I.V A spiral gear1|3 secured to-the'l shaft 1 engages a.spira1,gear.|5,v secured to a longitudinaldrive shaft I1 which at one end is journaledl tothe body member r9 and` at the other end is` journaled `to,-the benchv I I. The longitudinal drive. shaft I1 has -aspllr gear I9 secured thereto which engagesa spur gear2| journaled to a body member 23A of a folding as-v sembly which is ,axed tothe bench The spur gear 2| engages a spur gear 25 having a multiple drive shaft 21 secured thereto and journaled to the body member 23.. The function and' appurtenant members of the multiple drive shaft will be described; infra.

A wire 25J-anda wire 3|; from a suitable source of supply (not-shown); respectively engages a sheave 33 and-a sheave A'35 'which are affixed toA a support member'31 -which is mounted `oirbody member Sof the feeding assembly. The wires^29f and 3| engage a sheave-39 and pass downwardly to engage a multiple groove drive -sheave 4| secured to a shaft 43 which is journaled to a body member 45 of a wire equalizing vand tensioning assembly. A spiral gear 41 secured to the shaf-t" 43 engages ay spiral .gearAS `which -is securedfto the drive` shaft .I1 thereby 1` driving the dr-ive sheave 4|.` The -wires 291and l3| pass fromA the l drive sheavefl to `a-'multiple groove idler sheave Llla, which .is journaled to the body member-45, thence back to the drive `sheave 4| `and thence back to1thelidler `sheave ,el Ia-from which the wires 29 and, 3| fpass :upwardly ,to engagea tension.. sheave 5| which is aixed to alever arm 53 :which is pivotally: axedto thegsupport'member 31.1' A tension springz ihas one; end. connected 5to :the lever arm 53 and the otherend-.adjustably.secured to th'eysupportmemloerg31. The..wires;29 and 3| pass from,the;tension^sheaVe-5| down,- wardly to a sheave 51 which is ailxed to sup-f. port member 31v and thence to an equalizersheave 59 whichis aixedtoan equalizer lever 6| which: is pivotallyyaffixed to-thel 'support -member 131. The equalzerrleverl hasgasconnectorrodi G3i which has one end universally;connected-,to-Lthe3";

20., Referring now more particularly tother fold-- lever 6| and the other end universally connected toa` cam. follower leverl 65. which ispivotally affixed to body member |55 The cam; follower lever has a cam roller 61 which engages the cam 69 and thereby imparts a reciprocating movement to the push rod 63 which in conjunctiontwithequalizer sheave 59 properly tensions the . wires 29 and,3| in synchronized movement with .thefolding. mechanism which will be describedginfra.. The wires 29 and 3| pass from equalizersheave 59 upwardly to sheave 1 I, thence downwardly to sheave 13, both of which are afxedfitosupport member 31, and thence between guide members 15 which are rigidly affixed to the support member 31. A guide wire 11 is afxedtto the guide members 15. andserves to mainta-inn the. wires 291 and'f3I in a vertically aligned plane,v as; theyoscillate due to engagement :with the folding-.assembly described, infra.

ing.V assembly .illustrated in Figs.v 4, 5, 6.'.and 7,

the wires-29-zand 3| :engagea `plurality of pins, 19 l and 8.I,-.respectively,r which are rigidly-secured to-rotating Aspiders 33 and 85, respectivelyA The-` direction offrotati'on of ythespidersis suchthat thef-wiressll andSIare foldedinwardly and'.

downwardly in. one direction `when lengaged Aby pins;.19 and inwardly and downwardly in theother directionwhen engagedrby pins 8 I, thereby gol .forming -.a..continuous incurvate yconfiguration -or figure eight.

thereto.. Th'espiral gears 9|Y and-93lengage :amating 'pinions 95 and 91, respectively, which are secured 'to transverse drive shaft 1 fands driven thereby. Adouble `carn- 99 secured to drive shaft 1 fengages a-camroller IGI and a cam rollerl |03" which'. are.vv affixed 'tol cam levers |95and |91 re .sspectively- The cam-levers `|95 andv|91 are joinnale'd iat .theirlowenends tothe body rnemberl andhave.pivotallysconnected to their upper ends a push rod |09 and a push rod I l I, respectively,

which Lpush rodsI extend through and are supaflixedto fa' pluralityof 'sleeve pins ||1 and' I I9, respectively The :sleeve pins |I1-andr ||9"a1ve -slidalol-yfsecureditothe4 spidersand 85, re:

spectively.; The sleeve; pins II1 and |I9 have slidable-push' ,offfsleeves I 2| "and |23,vv respectively connected thereto, ,and` thejpush olf 'sleevess |2| I and- 23 have springs 25 ;;and.. 21., respectively,

engaged therewith.v Thegsprings. |25 andlI21' are'secured to the spiders 83`and 85,'respectively, at one end while at, the othergend they .engage ther push olf sleeves l I 2| 'and` |23,` respectively, to..re

turn 'theipushpoffsleeves totheir inoperative po- 0 sition, whenii-not .actuated Aby the push-rods .(Fig.

4 and/Fig. 5);. Thefwires129 and 3| havingen.- gaged oneof the'pins 19'are.folded:downwardly the push .rod I I,: which when actuated bythe camI 99 advances. theI sleeve pin. roller I I5 f and,

in association therewith the push off sleeve |23.:

`is .advanced rand the wires `29 Vand 3 I are pushed ol'thQ'. Din: 3

The spiders -Il3l`-and Iivare secured` to: drive: shafts 81 Aand S89, respectively, which have `spiral'gears 9| -and 93, respectively, secured iportedzjb'yzaportion ofthe-body member 9. The

pushfrodsLI I I and |99 engagea plurality of sleeves pin rollers ||3 and ||5,i respectively, which are- Similarly; as the spider83lrotates,fthe.elements I3; |2| assume the .position indicatedfbyj I |3"and,|2|', respectively; and the ;wires-29 -and--3| rarev pushed foff as Aindicated .byAA

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 8, 9,.`-

and 11, the wires 29 and 3| are folded'over the mandrels |33 and |35 by the pins 19 and 8| respectively, as described, supra. Guide elements |31 and |39 are affixed to the ends of mandrels |33 and |35, respectively, to eliminate any possibility of the wires 29 and 3| slipping. from the mandrels. The guide elements |31 and |39 have curved surfaces congruous with the radius of spiders 83 and 85, respectively, so that the protrusions ||l| and |43 (Figs. 3 and 5) on sleeves |2| and |23, respectively, straddle the guide elements when the sleeves are in their advanced push off position. The wires 29 and 3| having been folded on the mandrels |33 and |35 are engaged by threadlike grooves |95 and |91 on righthand and left-hand screw conveyors |99 and |5|, respectively, whereupon the wires 29 andv3| are advanced along the mandrels |33, |35 in frictional engagement therewith. The pickup end of conveyors |49 and |5| is supported byV body member 9 and the discharge end is journaled to body member 23. A spiral gear |53 and a spiral gear |55 are secured to conveyors |99 and |5|, respectively, and engage a spiral gear |51 and a spiral gear |59 secured to a transverse drive shaft IBI. The drive shaft |9| has a spiral gear |63 secured thereto which engages a spiral gear |95 which issecured to the multiple drive shaft 21 thereby driving the conveyors |99 and |5|. The mandrels |33 and |35 are maintained in alignment and positioning by the conveyorsv |99 and |5|, in the former instance, and by atop retainer |91 and a bottom retainer |99 for mandrel |33 and a top retainer |1| and a bottom retainer |13 for mandrel |35, in the latter instance.

These retainers have bearing surfaces and oblique engaging surfaces |11 which engage concavities |19 in the top and bottom sides of mandrels |33 and |35, thereby maintaining the mandrels in their respective positions. The retainers also have threadlike groovesl |8| adapted tobypass the wires 29 and 3| as they are being conveyed along the mandrels |33 and |35. A pair of spiral gears |83 Aanda pair of spiral gears |85 are secured to the top retatiners |31, |1| and the bottom retainers |99, |13, respectively, and engagea pair of top spiral gears |81 .and a pair of bottom spiral gears |39, respectively, which are secured to drive shafts |9l and |93, respectively..

Drive shafts |91 and |93 have gears |95 and |91, respectively, secured thereto, which gears engage a gear |99 secured to the multiple driveshaft 21 thereby driving the retainers |91, |99, |1| and |13 in synchronized movement to by-pass the Wires 29 and 3| as they are being advanced by the conveyors|9 and |5l. The wires 29 and 3l are further advanced along the mandrels |33 and |35 by the conveyorsk |59 and |5| into the crushing and cutting Zone, wherein upper rotating Crushers 29|, 293 and upper rotating vcutter 295 and lower rotating anvils 291, 299 and lower rotating cutter 2|| are operating. 'Theupper crushers 29|, 293 and upper cutter 295 andY thelower anvils Y291,

cutters.

shafts 2|3 and2 I5, respectively, which have gears 2|1 and 2|9 secured thereto, which gears engage a Worm gear 22| secured to the multiple drive shaft 21 thereby driving said Crushers, anvils and Upper crushers 29|, 293 and upper cutter 295 have crushing blades 223, 225 adjustably affixed thereto and cutting blade 221 adjustably affixed thereto, respectively. Likewise, lower anvils 291, 299 and lower cutter 2|| has anvil blades 229, 23| adjustably affixed thereto and cuttingblade 233, adjustably affixed thereto,

' tating crushing blades 223, 225 withthe rotating 209 and lower cutter 2|| are secured' to drive '75 anvil blades 229, 23| striking simultaneously the mandrels |35, |33, respectively, thereby giving support to the mandrels, concurrently, the rotating cutter blades 221, 233 cut the wires top and bottom on the mandrel |33 (Figs. 8 and 10). The length of leg wire being predetermined by the number of folds conveyed through the crushing and cutting zone between cutting and crushing f cycles. The small arcuate portions of the wires formed by the double cutting operation is con-y veyed from the mandrel |33by the conveyor' |99 ,I from whence they drop on the machine bench or into a suitable receptacle. The folded wires 29, 3| after crushing and cutting are conveyed until they slip off the mandrels and descend on glide rods 235 and 231 which are afliXed to the mandrels |33, |35, respectively.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. l, 12, 13, le, 15, 16 and 17. descend on the glide wires 235, 231 from which ,The folded wires 29 and 3| they drop into a lower former 239 which has forked members 29| affixed thereto on each side. Immediately (Fig. l2), a valve cam 293, secured to upper tool shaft 2|3, actuates valve lever295 which controls a motive fluid valve 291, which-in turn operates a fluid cylinder 299. 249 has a piston rod 25| pivotally connected to a rocker lever 253 which is secured to rocker shaft 255 which shaft is journaled in support members 251 and 259 which are integral with the bench l|.

A compound cam 26| secured to rocker shaft The cylinder 255 has a tie wire advance lever 293 and a bundle lever 295 engaged therewith, said levers being pivotally aflixed to support member 251.

wire lever 293 is universally connected to ratchet.. shaft 291 which is journaled in lower former support 259 and support member 21| which is affixed to the bench The ratchet shaft 291 actuates ratchet 213 which in turn actuates a plurality of' i gears 215 which through feed shaft 211, journaled r to members 299, 21|, actuates feed gea'rs'219` which have feed wheels 23|. connected thereto.

A tie wire 233 supplied from a suitable source (not shown) passes up through straightener as-fr sembly 285 to engage feed wheels 29| which wheels maintain uniform compression on the tie l The tie wire 283 passes from the feed wheels 28| into a split slide member 299 which is held together witl'lf screws 29| and the wire passes from the slide" member into a guide tube 293 which is secured in the lower former 239. ably connects to lower crosshead 295 which has The 'bundle lever "295' slidslide rods 291 affixed thereto which rods pass v through and extend from sleeves 299 mounted in lower former support 269. An upper cross head- 3|l| which supports upper former r393 is" afxed to the slide rods 291. The upper-former 303 has forked' members .33aixed- ,thereto onfeach side,- whichumembersware sospaced.' that the :upper forked members .3 -slidev past the lower forked' 309 .is ali'xed to cross headf30|g` said lift hook beingn maintained in position'zto engage ax trip 3l by torsion spring. 3|3; ejector shaft i3 Siwhich vis .supported by 1 bearing members 31| 'l which f arefafxed to lower: former E'jectors 3 l 9; adjacent each" end of their original position when1 the trip 1 3| is" released.'

When the piston rod25| rotates the com-pound cam 26|` a. certain distance, bundle lever 265 moves .tothe'position 255i and, accordingly; in association'- therewith the upper; former 353 i de-Y scends totight-ly.compactithe-felded -wires 29"and 3|. When thefcornp'ound'camoZGi-I rotates afurther distance-:tie Lwire i lever f 253 moves to the posi-- tion 2|3-'."'and,'v accordingly; in association therewith the` tie wire- 283i is advanced a1measured distance inengagement withlagroove- 325 -in the upper former-'303 and a lgroovef' 321'- ini-Lthelower former 239, thereby' curling the tielwire` 283 about theflded wires 29 and 3|. Whenthe compound cam 26| attains substantially'fits full stroke, a hammer block 329 aixedto said cam strikes a striker rod 33|, which operates a lever 333, which strikes'av shear pin '335, whereby the-tie wire 283-is cut; and the' lengthoftiewire encircling the wires2ll,y 3| 'is slightly in excess oi one completev turn. A spring 33'l`extending`into lower former 239`is1provided'tohold the tie -wire 283 securelyk against the shearing surface of said 'lower former so that apositive cut is obtained. A compression spring 339 returns the shear pin 335 to its normal position and a compression spring 34| returns theI strikerrod 33| to its normal position. Tension springs 343`assist in lightening the weight of the cross head 'assembly asl transmitted "to the .bundle lever 265. When the compound'cam makes its return stroke the.` lever'arms 253 and 265 arevv returned to their-normal position but in -soV doing. thelift'hook 309engages thetrip 3| whereupon the ejectors 3|9 eject the bundle of leg wire as represented by 3|9 in Fig.12. When the hook 309.3hasfcleared .the trip-3| l, the tension" spring 323 causes theejectorsf3l9 to return to their respective seats and the-cam243, in` synchronized associationV with the other mechanism, is ready to .initiate another cycle.

IniFigs. 18, 19 and-20 a modied form ofthe. cutters 205'. and 2li is illustrated. Inthis embodiment the upper cutter bladeAUl and the lower cutter blade' 433 rotatethroughl concavities` 405-- The. trip@4 35| il is secured .to

and"4|1'|, respectively, Whichoare; provided in a.

mandrel'd, which is similar. tomandrel |33'de. scribed;` supra; An aperture `4H is. provided through the-mandrelV 409 andthecutting edges .-V

specialutility inconnection `with the. folding ofl leg; wires-.fori blasting 3 caps, this. particular em: bodiment 'has been' selectedftordescrib'e itsy many advantages.

itsipractical.'application; In .this connection, '.men-

tion will. bemade of vthe possibility "0f .using 'the 1 same folding mechanism for the foldingoifwireor` other materials" forir purposes other `than; those particularly directed .toithezmanufacture .of blast-f.

ing caps;

It `is evident that there are" numerous i factors which- Willinfluenceconditionsfor the'most satisfactory" operation of the invention, the-factual limits of' whichvcannot bel established except by detailed.` studyA of :each set" of. materials, andi-,the intermediateandiinished products involved'.

It is'seen that'thesmachine ofthe presentinvention is-readily adaptabletoz impart any;prede= terminednumber of folds" to: obtain' a desired length' of -folded material. This may lbe accoms plished, within certain lmits;:by;utilizing a stand'- ard chassisand having alternatesetso gear.-l ingtherefor in synchronized association with the- .-cuttingY and crushing tools and' the tying 'mechanismso that'a desiredllengthoffolded material .isobtained and adequate-tyingo thexfoldedfmatef rialis'eflected'.

What we claim and desireto-protect by Lettersy :Patent is:

1. Inafoldingmachine havingfja synchronized mechanism,4 means for continuously folding; inf-- sulated strandsl of material. in angure con figuration, guide and. supporting./meansor` the folded strands,V conveying. means for. progressing the folledstrands, meanscfo'rsevering. the progrossing` strand-s. to form .arpredetermined length'.. andmeans for 4crushing a..portion of theinsulation adjacent -theendsthus' :formed,..furtherfpro gressingthe severed... lengthy lotstrands .to` dis.-y

charge...

2. In a .folding machine =h`aving..a synchronizedmechanism, means .for continuously fand. variably. tensioning insulated A.strands of material,1 .means for continuously. folding theetensioned. strandsv in van incurvate. configuration, guide .and supporting. means.. for.. the. folded"v strands. conveyingmeansfor progressmgthefldd strands', means for severingthe progressing strandsto .form a predeterminedllength and. means for crushing.. a. portionof the..insulation.adjacent Athe-ends thus. formed.' furtherprogressingthe .severedlngth of.

strands to discharge., means for. bundling. the

discharged strands,..and .means for. ej ecting. the

bundled strands..A

3.` In a folding.machine'having'a. synchronized mechanism, means for continuously andvariably` tensioning strandsof material, meansv foricontinu:

ously vfoldingthetensioned strands in aguret* conguratiomguide and. supporting'means for the folded strands, conveyingjmeansfor progressing the foldedstrands, means for severingthe pro'- -gressingY strands to forma predetermined length,

further progressing thesevered length of strandsV to discharge, means for bundlingthe discharged strands, and means for ejecting the 'bundled' strands, wherein the strands'ofimaterial aretensioned by,'single groove sheaves for the individual strands, a plurality; of" multiple groove sheaves to` accommodatethe adjacent 'individual strands,- said 'plurality' havingJ at leasta drive sheavega:

tensioning. sheave, and a "reciprocating"sheavegfr uniformlytensioningf the strands in. synchronized' movement with'themeans for cotinuous1y"fold' ing the tensionedfstrand'siv It will. be. understood; however, that t. this :particular use. isfnot necessarilyfthe limitof 4.A In a folding machine having a synchronized mechanism, means for continuously. and variably tensioning strands of material, means for continuously folding the tensfoned strands'in a ligure B configuration, guide and supporting means for the folded strands, conveying means for progressing the folded strands, means for severiner the progressing strands to form a predetermined length, further progressing the' severed length of strands to discharge, means forbundlin'gthe discharged strands, and means for ej'ecting the bundled strands, wherein, the tensionedstrands of material are folded by two rotating spiders having strand engaging elements afilxed'thereto said spiders alternately engaging'and folding the. strands of material inwardly and downwardly, and reciprocating sleeves for the engaging elements,

associated with the folding mechanism, adapted to push off the engaged strands sequentially.

5. In a'foldin'g machine having a synchronized mechanism, means for continuously and varia-bly tensioning strands of material, means foi` continuously folding the tensoned strands in a figure -material are guided and supported vby two mandrels having a pair of rotating retainers, respectively, which en-gage concavities in the top and bottom surfaces of the mandrels, said retainers` associated with the folding mechanism and having threadlike grooves adapted to by-pass the strands being conveyed on the mandrels.

6. In a folding machine having a synchronized mechanism, means for'continuously and variably`- tensioning strands of material, means for continuously folding the tensioned strands in a ligure 8 configuration, guide and supportingmeans mechanism, means for continuously and variably tensioning strands of material, means for confor the folded strands, conveying means for pro- V gressing the folded strands, means for ,severingl the progressing strands to form a predetermined length, further progressing the severed lengthof strands to discharge, means for bundling the discharged strands, and means for, ejecting they bundled strands, wherein, theI foldedstrands of material are conveyed by screws in juxtaposition adapted to engage the folded strands and progress them ,along said guide and supporting means. ,L

7. 1n a folding machine having a synchronize'dv mechanism, means for continuously and variably gressing the folded strands, means for severing the progressing strands to form a predetermined length, further progressing the severed' length l of strands to discharge, means for bundling the discharged strands, and means for ejecting the'` bundled strands, wherein, .the progressing strands to the guide and supporting means, said screws e of materialare severed by a rotating cutter, rassociated with the conveying means, and adapted` to sever the progressing strands of material to form a predetermined length said rotating cutter having a concave cutting surface and rotating through a concavity in the guide and supporting n tinuously folding the tensioned strands in a gure 8 configuration, guideand supporting means for the folded strands, conveying means for progressing thefolded strands,` means fornsevering the progressing strands to form a predetermined length, further progressing the severed length of strands to dischargameans for bundling the discharged strands, and means for ejecting the bundled strands, wherein; the discharged strands ar'e bundled by an'upper former and alower former said upper former adapted to descend and engage the lower former and compressth'e discharged strands, a curling cavity in the upper and lower formers adapted to curl tie wire about the -compressed folded strands, and a shear pin adapt- -ed to shear the tie wire after the `curling operation.

9. Inra folding mechanism, means for continuously and variably tensioning insulated strands of material, means for continuously folding the'tensionedstrands in a figure 8 conguration; guide and supporting means for the folded. strands, conveying kmeans for progressing4 the folded strands, vmeans for" severing the progressing' insulatedy strands to form a predetermined'length and means for crushing a portion of the insulation adjacent the ends thus formed, furtherprogressing the severed length of strands to discharge, meansV for Abundlin-g the; discharged strands, and means for ejecting the bundled 10. A folding machine for leg wires having in combination: single :groove sheaves 'for the individualwires; a plurality of multiple Agroove sheaves to accommodate adjacentindividual wires, said plurality having at least a drive sheave, a tensioning sheave, and a reciprocatingsheave for-uniformly tensioning the wires in synchrospiders having engaging elements aiied-thereto,v said spiders alternately engaging and folding .the wires inwardly and downwardly; reciprocating sleeves for the engaging elements, asso-ciated -,with the folding mechanism, andadapted-to-push olf the engaged wires sequentially; guide and supporting means for the folded wires; conveying means for progressing the folded wires; means-for severing the progressing wires to form a predetermined length; further progressing. the severed length of wires to discharge; means for bundling `therdischarged wires, and-means for ejecting the bundled wires..

. 11.,A v folding machine for leg wires -having in combination: vsingle groove sheaves for the individual wires; a plurality'of multiple groove vvsheaves kto accommodate adjacent `individual wires, said plurality having at least a drive-sheave, a tensioningsheave, and a reciprocating-sheave for` uniformly tensioning the wires in synchro- ,'nized movement with means forv continuously foldingjthe tensioned wires;A two rotating spiders having engaging elements ,affixed thereto,. said .1. spiders alternatelyengaging and folding the wires A inwardly and downwardly; reciprocating-sleeves yfor, the engaging elements, associated with the folding,mechanism, adapted to push off the engaged wires sequentially; two mandrels adapted `Y to; support the pushed off wires, vhaving a pair of rotating retainers, ,-respectively, whichv engage concavities in the top and bottom surfaces ofthe mandrels, said retainers associated with the folding mechanism, having threadlike grooves adapt- .ed. to byfpass the Wiresbeing .conveyed onf `the rmandrels; .conveying :screws in juxtaposition to --themandrels :said: screws; adaptedgto engage Y,the

folded wires-and progress them. .alongthe mandrels; means forfsevering-the progressing wires .to .-iorm .pa predetermined length; f. further ;;pro-

.gressing. the severed, lengtlrof wires A.tofrlischarg means for i bundling: the discharged wires; :and

rmeans for eiecting the hundledwires.

, l2. In :ap formingfmechanism 'lfor :continuously .folding strands of .material; in .the :formqof a figure: 8, a pair '10i imandrel members imparallel relationship, f a.- .support :for Yeach 4of the. mandrel members comprising. aspair of. supportedrotatabi e. members :inF engaged .relationshipwithzazpair.

of `opposed ,f concavities in each :of sa-idf mandrel -members, and foon-volute surfaces on :said iroable members 'in engaged. relationship .wi h 1a pair of.' opposed; concavitiesi infeach: of said/.mandrell `members;means L in juxtaposition with l. the mandrel .'members to uniformly advanoelthe strands of lmaterial alongthe mandrel'amembers, and :convolute surfaces fon -said vrotatable cmembers adapted to bypass=the v--strands of material uniformly Iadvancedalong the mandrel members. 14. In a forming mechanism for continuously folding-strands :of material `inathe form of a relationshipya:support fiore-each of v.the mandrel members comprising vat'least-af-pa'ir of supported rotatable members 1 in engaged- `relationshir) Ywith tion 'with l the mandrel members :to uniformly advance the strands'-of-material1along'the man- Vdrel members, l`and Ico2-evolute surfaces on said rotatable members adapted tovfby-'pass the-strands of material uniform-ly'advanced --a`long lfthe-iri-'a-n- 15. In a 'f forming mechanism for -continuously 'folding strands-ol ymaterial vin Athe fformof -a figurcl, a--pair of Amandrel membersfl-inparallel relationship,A a support lfor' Yeaclrfo'f*theA Amandrel members rcomprisingl La pair Aof supported -rotatable-'membersin engaged `relationship with a pair rif-opposed -concavitiesfin 'each of saidimanstrands ofV material 4and uniformly iconveythem along saidmandrel members, and convoluteisurfares on said rotatable niembersvadaptedvtobypass the strands of material uniformly, conveyed along the mandrel members.

16. In a` forming mechanism for continuously folding strands vof material in the `form of Aa ligure 3, 4two rotatingy members, each having radially disposedlngers with engaging elements to alternately engage ,and fold the ,strands of material inwardly and downwardly. meansassociated with the rotatingl members adapted, to actuate the engaging elements` to ldislgfge strands of material sequentially, l and means adapted .to .support vsaid disengaged strands and maintainthem'imaguret.

drei members,` conveying screws in Ajnxtaposition to the mandrel members adaptedtoen-gagethev Y assenso 5 .affixed thereto, isaid rotating members adapted to alternately Iengage and fold the strands of `material inwardly ,and downwardly, 4reciprocatingsleevesfor theyengaging elements associated .with the .rotating members ,and iadapted. to push ofi the engaged strandsof material sequentially, and .two mandrels adapted to support the-pushed olf strandsA of'material. and maintain them in a iigure 8.

1-8.fIn-a forming mechanism for continuously folding :strands of material in the form of a Afigure 8, two rotating members, each having at least one: radially disposed finger with an engag- .ing element aiixed thereto, said rotating ,mem-

bers adapted to alternately engage andfold the strands of material inwardly and downwardly, means .associated with the vrotating members adapted to actuate the engaging elementsto disengage strands of material sequentially, and means adapted to support said disengaged strands and maintain them infa Yligure 8.

19.!In al forming mechanism for continuously folding `strands of 4material in the form of `a ligure v8,.tworotating members, each having at least-one radially disposed linger with an engagingelement-affixed thereto, said rotating membershadapted to alternately engagefand fold the 'strands 4of material inwardly and downwardly, reciprocating sleeves for the engaging elements Vassociated with the rotating members and adapted to push oli the engaged strands ofmate- `rial sequentially, and two mandrels adapted to support'the pushed on strands of material and maintainfthem in a gure 8.

Y"20. YIn a `forming Ymechanism for continuously `lfolding' strands of material in the form of a .gure and-progressing said strands of material `along-a pair of mandrel members, a rotating cutteradapted'to sever the progressing strands of material-to forma predetermined length, said .rotatingcutter rotating through a concavity in ,oneof the mandrel members to sever said progressing strands of material yby transverse shear, and an aperture through the mandrel member 501m communication withsaid concavity to permit residual particles of the severed strands to 'discharge therethrough. `21.` In a forming mechanism for continuously folding strands of material in Athe form of a .gure and progressing .said strandsof material ...along a pair of mandrel members, a pair of rotating cutters in opposed relationship adapted to v`sever the progressing strands of material to' form .apredetermined length, each of said rotating nolcutters having a concave cutting surface, a pair of. concavities. in opposed relationship in one of the..mandrel members adapted to receive the concave cutting surfaces of the opposed rotating Ycutters', .and in conjunction with said rotating a 6 cutterssever said progressing strands or"A mateaixedgthereto, .said rotatingmembers adapted v.rialby transverse shear, and an aperturethrough themandrel member in communication with the `OIlIl'osed concavities to permit residual particles .of. the. severedstrands to discharge therethrough.

JOSEPH STUART, II. -KURT W. JAPPE.

-ROSCOE B. SMITH.

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