US708798A - Can-soldering machine. - Google Patents

Description

Patente'djSept'. 9, |902.

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

B. BULL; CAN SLDEBING MACHINE.

(Application med Nov. 22, 1901.1

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, Patented Sept. 9, |902. B. com..`- GAN soLnE'nmG MACHINE.

\Applicatian filed Novi 22, 1901.

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(No Model.)

No. 708,798. Patented sept. 9,1902.

s. coLL. CANSOLDERING MACHINE.

(Application led Nov. 22, 1901.)

3 lSheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

@www j UNiTED STATES PAT-ENT OFFICE.

BERNARD COLL, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

Q A'N-fSOLDERING MACHINEQ SPECIFICATION formngpart of Letters Patent No. 708,798, dated September 9, 1902. Application filed November Z2, 19017. Serial No. 83.254. (No model.)

ed certain new and useful Improvements in,

Can-Soldering Machines; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and'to the gures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to can-soldering machines; and its object is to improve the mechanism and cheapen the cost of such machines, wherein the cans are caught and held between sets of clamps on carriers adapted to transport the cans, and means are provided for tilting thercans in alternate directions, first soldering one end and then the other, and finally depositing` each soldered can, after it has cooled suitably, in a trough or runway, from which they are removed to'be tested and shipped. i j

Each constituent element of my invention is described in detail, and its individual office, together with the mode of operation of the whole, fully explained hereinbelow.

Of the accompanying drawings, throughout which like numerals designate likeparts, Figure 1 is a side view of the two end portions ofmy invention, a portion of the middle being omitted, as it is identical with partsv shown. Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of the machine on the lineoc of the first ligure. Fig. 3 shows a side view o f the belt-guide and one of the carriers. Fig.,4=`shows a plan view of the machine near one end and exhibits the means employed for spreading the pinions apart to discharge or receive a can from or between the clamps. Fig. 5`shows one method of jointing the carrier-frame; and Fig. 6 shows a side For guides, (referred to by the numbers l0 and 11.)

These belt-guides areelongated troughs, of iron, having the depth of the thickness of the belt and their sides turned upwardly over the edges of the belt. The ofiice of the guides is Vto compel the belt to run truly in a direct line between the vmain pulleys or belt-wheels 6 and 7. and one below, extending between the beltwheels. The guides are supported upon or by cross-pieces 12, that are in turn upheld by standards 13, of which there mayobviously be any number placed as may be desired. I do not restrict myself to these standards orthe like to support the belt-guides and may use any chosen frame construction for that purpose. Fig. 2 shows the cross-section of the guides and the form in which they bend at the sides over the edges of the carrier-belt. In order that the carriers maybe adjusted eX- actly over one another, means for their independent adjustment is provided. (See Fig. 2.) Upon each cross-piece l2 is a bar or plate 14, and the guides are riveted or screwed to the bars. Bolt-rods 15 pass through holes in the ends of the bars and through slots 16 in the cross-pieces. It will thus be understood that both-topv and bottom guides may be moved Y simultaneously sidewise to bring them to the holds the can during the operations of dipping it into the acid and solder baths common to machines of this nature. In Fig. 3 a part of belt-guide 10 is broken away to clear the There are two'belt-guidespne above' IOO view of the feet of the posts 17 and 1S, which are riveted or bolted to belt 9, as shown. At equal distances above the belt are the threaded orifices 19 and 20, one in each post. These orices receive the threaded ends of thepins 2l and 22, the outer ends of the pins passing through brackets and 24, secured to the posts. Pivotally supported by the pins 2l and 22 is the carrier-frame 25. The pins pass through the middle points of the sides of the carrier-frame, (see also Fig. 4,) and it will be observed that there is a certain space allowed between these sides and each bracket and post. In Fig. 3 the sides of the carrierframe are shown supported midway between the brackets and the posts, and this is the normal. attitude when the belt is passing level through the top guide. The carrier-frame 25 is usually a rectangular parallelogratn, as shown. Each end of the carrier-frame consists of two portions. As shown in Fig. 5, a joint or knuckle is formed by giving the meeting extremities of the end portions cylindrical heads and recessing one head 25, whereby it may receive the relatively thinner and flattened head 25" of the other portion, securing them together by passing through both heads the pinion-shaft 26. Head 25b has a projecting lug 25C, which meets the neck of head 25a and prevents the end of the carrier-frame from bendingdownwardlyin the middle, While permitting it to bend upwardly in the middle. In Fig. Llthe bifurcated head 25 is best shown, and between its sides is introduced the single fiat head 25D. Viewed from the side the form of the head 25 is circular. In Fig. 5 the side of the bifurcated head 25L nearest the observer has been cut away to show the entering head 25h, which, as stated, is inserted between the sides of the head 25a and held in place by the pinionshaft 26 passingcentrally through both heads 25 and 25. At the top of the head 25" (see Fig. 5) is formed a projecting lug or finger 251 When the ends of the carrier-frame are horizontal, the lug 25c meets the neck of the head 25L between the sides of that head as drawn. It will be now understood that the ends of the carrier-frame may break upwardly in the middle, but cannot break downwardly, by reason of the meeting of lug 25C and the neck of head 25a. I provide the joint or knuckle in each end of the frame 25 to enable the carrier mechanisms to adapt themselves to certain changes ofthe relative positions of the parts when passing around the pulleys. At such times the carrier-posts project radially and are no longer parallel with each other, and the axes of the pivot-pins 2l and 22 no longer fallin the same straight line, butintersect at a higher point. This point of intersection will be seen to lie in the axis ofthe pinion-shafts, and it will be noted that the jointed ends of the carrier-frame are bent upwardly, conforming practically to the peripheral curve of the pulley. Coincidently as the tops of posts 17 and 18 separate the pins 21 and 22 are drawn through the holes in the sides of frame 25 somewhat as shown, and this fact explains the length of the pivot-pins and the interval left between the posts and brackets 23 24. The jointing of the ends of frame 25 could be avoided by making the openings to the pivot-pin holes divergently, as shown in Fig. 8 and marked 21 and 22, thus permitting .the pins to slant with respect to the sides of the carrier-frame. This construction may be used when the belt-pulleys are of relatively large size. All the carriers and their appurtenances are alike in every respect. I do not limit myself to the particular means shown for jointing the carrier-frame, the devices illustrated being only the preferred form for the purpose.

Number 26 refers to each o f the pinionshafts, and number 27 marks the pinions. Fig. 6 shows the preferred form for the pinions, which are fashioned thicker toward the center and thinner toward the periphery or teeth in order that the pinions may take the spreader more easily, as hereinafter described. The inner ends of shafts 26 are threaded, (see Fig..4,) and circular clampingplates 28 are screwed thereon. These clamping-plates may be of any size to suit the can, and, as they are removable, several sizes may be provided and used at will.

Number 29 refers to the trough, located between the carrier posts 17 and 18, which catches the cans as they fall from the serving-chute 30 (see Fig. l) and centers them for the action of the clamping-plates. Trough 29 is centrally and pivotaliy supported on the pin 3l, that passes through the block 32, which block is secured to the under side ot' the trough at its middle point. The pivotpin 3l is in turn supported by the yoke 33, and this yoke has a threaded stem or base 34., that engages the adjusting-screw 35. This adjusting-screw effects the vertical adjustment of the trough or of another trough of different size desired to be substituted for it. It is my practice to make the carriers to take a can of relatively large size for example, a three-pound canand to so construct the machine that other clamping-plates and other troughs to fit either a two-pound or onepound can may be substituted, and the machine thus equipped for soldering either of those sizes. The acid and solder baths under these circumstances would be suitably raised to the proper positions to receive the rotating can, whatever its size. The lower end of the adjusting-screw 35 is let into a block 36, which is riveted to belt 9, as shown, midway between the posts. Let it be assumed that the parts of the machine are to be changed and one-pound cans are to be soldered instead of the larger three-pound cans. A one-pound can is less in diameter than the three-pound. Consequentlyitsspecial trough must be supported at a higher point than the three-pound-can trough in order to bring the axis of the smaller can to coincide with that IIO of the pinion-shaft and carrier-frame. To accomplish this adjustment, the screw 35 is oppositely threaded near its ends, and by turning it in one direction the trough will be raised farther from the belt and lowered by turning the screw reversely.

Numbers 37 and 38 are bands each having one end secured to one side of the carrierframe and the other end adjustably attached to the opposite side of the carrier-frame, whereby that part of the band depending within the carrier-frame may be lengthened or shortened. support the outer ends ot' the trough 29, maintaining the bottom of the trough always parallel with the carrier-frame. As the trough is attached to the belt by 'means of a pivot located 4below the pivots or axial line of the carrier-frame 25, when the clamps grasp a can lying in the trough and the frame tilts to dip the end of the can in acid and solder there will be a movement of can and trough with relation to each other. (See Fig. 2.) As the bands 37 and 38 are attached beneath the ends of the trough by rivets or staples 39 and 40, or otherwise, there is a twisting or bending of the bands with each rocking movement of the frame. Vhen the trough is also connected with the belt, therefore, the bands are necessarily flexible. The carriers are placed closely following each other on the belt 9, and the pinions engage the racks 41 and 4.2, extending along the sides of the top ofthe machine. (See Figs. 1 and 4.)

At certain points on both sides of the top of the machine are located the vessels containing acid or molten solder. The acid vessels are numbered 43 and the solder-baths numbered 44. As each pair or series of vessels 43 44 is approached the rack on the opposite side of the machine rises, (see Fig'. 1,) the construction being the same in each instance, and the rack on the same side as the vessels drops below the normal level, thus tilting the carrier-frame, trough 29, and clamped can into first the acid and then the molten solder. It will be noted that thevcan is continuallyrotating, and the parts `are usually proportioned to permit the can to turn twice or more in each bath. I do not limit myself to the form of the vessels holding acid or solder, nor to the method illustrated, consisting of brackets 45, angle-irons 46, and bolts 47, by which the vessels can be adjusted in higher or lower positions. After being dipped into the acid vessel the can must of necessity be caused to rise and pass over the end of the first vessel, descending again into the solderbath. This intermediary oscillation is accomplished by suitably raising andlowering portions of the racks at the properpoints. As

The office of the bands is to nthereof and upon those sections.

permit the solder caught in the usual circular spaces between the tops and sides of the cans to harden. Cans are received by way of a chute 30, having a mou th 4S, through which one can falls at a time into a trough 29. While the carriers pass beneath mouth 48 the clamping- Vplates 2S are held apart by the sliding and rolling contact'between the inclined faces of the pinions 27 and the spreaders 49. These spreaders are pieces bent into the form of an are of a circle and having one long inclined side. (See Fig. 4.) A'pair of spreaders is placed above each of the large belt-pulleys. Those above pulley 6 spread the clampingplates apart to receive a can from mouth 48` and immediately allow the plates to close in and clamp the can, while the pair of spreaders above pulley 7 open the clamps and permit the can to drop out into any receptacle or runway arranged -to receive it. The clamping-plates are forced inwardly by coil-springs 50, and when the carriers are returning empty (see lower part of Fig. 2) they are limited in their inward spring-forced movement by contact of pinions 27 and the ends of the carrierframe. Circular grooves 51 are formed in the outer surfaces of the hubs or center pieces of clamping-plates 28, and like circular grooves 52 are cut in the inner surfaces of heads 25 of the jointed ends of the carrier-frames, and in these grooves the end coils of springs 50 rest. The plates, shafts 26, and pinions may thus revolve independently of the springs, yet under their inuence, as stated. The grooves and spring elements are best shown in Fig. 4. It is essential that the pinions squarely engage the teeth of the racks both upon the level approaches to the rising and falling sections The racks as they rise or fall curve inwardly, and the teeth are inclined in correspondence with the tilt of the axis of the pinion-shaft. (See Fig. 2.) I iind it convenient to have some means for adjusting the racks, which though cast in pieces of certain length and having as nearly as practicable the curve and twist required often need slight modifications of form to bring them into exactly the necessary shape. To accomplish the adjustment of the racks, one series of devices applicable consists of the joint-chair 53, having the raised sides 54 54, between which the meeting ends of two sections of the rack are placed and secured by screws 55. As ordinarily arranged the jointsl of the racks rest upon the supports. Each chair 53 is given a rounded bottom 56 and rests in a grooved seat 57, that has a transverse slot 58, through which passes the set-screw 59. It will now be understood that,the rack may be loo,4

twisted either way to a slight extent and held i so by fixing the chair in its seat. To raise or lower the rack and adjust it toward or from the median longitudinal line of the machine, I employ the vslotted plates 60, having the chair-seats at their upper ends, and length- Wise vslots 61, through which bolts 62 pass into angle or knee irons 62, The foot of each angle-iron has a slot 63, and through the slot a bolt 64 passes into the cross-piece 12, as shown. Plates and the vertical portions of the angle-irons vary in length in accordance with the predetermined rise or fall of the rack. On a level any suitable support 65 replaces the adjustable supports just detailed.

Having thus described the construction and explained the operation of my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a belt, belt-pulleys, a belt-guide, the said belt passing along the guide and around the pulleys, the said guide being arranged tangentially to the pulleys and constructed to maintain and guide the belt atwise horizontally between the pulleys, can carrier mechanism adapted to be rotated and tilted, and devices fashioned and disposed to rotate and tilt the said can-carrier mechanism, the said can-carrier mechanism being borne by the belt, the said guide being adjustable laterally whereby the said belt and can-carrier mechanism are correspondingly moved, and means for supporting the guide and for clamping it in position.

2. In acari-soldering machine, the combination of a belt, belt-pulleys, and can-carrier mechanism comprising twin posts secured to the belt, a carrier-frame having jointed ends, pivot-pins projecting from the posts, the said frame being pivotallysupported and movable laterally on the said pins, a trough arranged to receive a can, the said trough being adjustably connected to the carrier-frame, springclamps adapted to hold a can within the said frame, revoluble and longitudinally-movable shafts attached to the said clamps, and means for rotating the shafts and tilting the can-carrier mechanism, su bstantially as described.

3. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of the belt, upper and lower belt-guides consisting of plates having their sides bent upwardly and inwardly to cover the edges of the belt leaving a space lengthwise in the middle of the belt uncovered, belt-pulleys, the said guides being arranged flatwise and tangentially between the tops and bottoms of the pulleys, devices adapted for adjusting the guides laterally, can-carrier mechanism secured to the middle of the belt, and means for rotating and tilting the can-carriers, substantially as described.

LL. In a can-soldering machine, geared racks arranged at the sides of the machine, devices for supporting the said racks and constructed to effect the adjustment of the racks vertically and horizontally, and means carried by the vertical support whereby the said racks may be adjusted rotatively, substantially as described.

5. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a belt, belt-pulleys, and can-carrier mechanism comprising twin posts secured to the belt, a carrier-frame, pivot-pins projecting from the posts, the said frame being pivotally supported and movable laterally on the said pins, a trough arranged to receive a can, the said trough being adj ustably connected to the carrier-frame, vertically-adjustable devices secured to the belt beneath the said trough and attached pivotally to the trough, springoperated clamping plates, revoluble andlongitudinally-movable shafts secured to the clamping-plates, and means for rotating the shafts and tilting the carrier mechanism, substantially as described.

6. Inacan-solderingmachine, the combination of a belt, belt-pulleys, and can-carrier mechanism comprising twin posts secured to the belt, a carrier-frame having jointed ends, pivot-pins projecting from the posts, the said frame being pivotallysupported and movable laterally on the said pins, an adjustable trough arranged to receive a can, the said trough being adjustably connected to the carrier-frame, spring-operated clamping-plates, revoluble and longitudinally-movable shafts secured to the clamping-plates, pinions fixed upon the shafts, geared racks arranged at the sides of the machine, the racks being oppositely elevated and depressed Wherebythe engagement of the pinions rotates the clamping-plates and tilts the carriers, and spreaders adapted to separate the pinions for the purpose of receiving and discharging cans, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I al'lix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BERNARD COLL.

lWitnesses:

LEE COLL, FRANCIS L. IERUNE.

IOO

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