US1095699A - Folding-machine. - Google Patents

Description

Q. W. & I. E. BOOTH & L. W. G. FLYNT.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.7, 1904.

8 $HEETSSHEET 1.

E-BOQ Patented May 5, 1914.

Imeww-nsz v Quezpfim 60. B0 0170. 15 0237359 .Zozuis 60.66

Q. W. & I. E. BOOTH & L. W. G. PLYNT.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION TILED JAN. 7, 1904.

Patnted May 5, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Q. W. & I. B. BOOTH & L. W. G. PLYNT.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.7, 1904.

Patented May 5, 1914.

'8 SHEETS-S'HEET 3.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON. D. 45.

' Q. W. & 1. E. BOOTH & L. W. FLYNT.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.7, 1904.

1,095,699, Patented May 5, 1914.

8 SHEETSSEEET 4.

CDLUMBIA PMNQGRAPH co.. WASHINGTON, D. 5.

Q. W. & I. E. BOOTH & L. W.-G. PLYNT. FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION TILED JAN.7, 1904.

1,095,699, I Patented May 5, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

maes- 15150870237 5.

)LUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co WASHINGTON, D. t

Q. W. & I. E. BOOTH & L. W. G. PLYNT.

. FOLDING MACHINE.

, APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7, 1904.

Patented May 5, 1914.

8 SHEETS-sin 6.

Q. W. & I. E. BOOTH & L. W. G. FLYNT.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APBLIOATION FILED JAN.7, 1904.

Patented May 5, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET '7.

Q. W. & 1. E. BOOTH & L. W. G. PLYNTB FOLDING MACHINE. I APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7, 1904.

1,095,699, Patented May 5, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

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1; wi t ulllIUlI Milli-Ill 1 MI mmumnmumumm lllllllllllflll-lllll illlllllllmnh miiiig iilllllliil! r mm Iii Que/Kim ZUBOOZY'U, :[rvj EEOC/67% A UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

QUENTIN W. BOOTH, IRVING E. BOOTH, AND LOUIS W. G. FLYNT, OF ROCHESTER, NEW

YORK, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO BOSTON MACHINE WORKS COM- PANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

FOLDIN G-MAGHIN E.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 5, 1914.

Application filed January 7, 1964. Serial No. 188,063.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, QUENTIN W. Boo'rn, IRVING E. Boone, and LOUIS 7. G. FLYNT, citizens of the United States, and residents of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Folding-Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to that class of folding machines which is described and claimed in United States Patent No. 695438, granted March 18, 1902, to Quentin W. and Irving E. Booth, and has for its object to provide a device which can be applied to folding machines of this class, and which operates to slit the concaved portion of the curved edge of the material which is to be folded so as to permit the fold to be made without wrinkling or stretching the material.

Another object of the invention is to improve generally the folding machine illus trated in said patent.

The folding machine is adapted for folding leather, cloth and any other material, though it is intended primarily for use in folding the edges of shoe uppers, tips, quarters and the like.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of our improved folding machine; Fig. 2 is a side View looking at the machine from the opposite direction; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section showing various parts of the machine; Fig. l is a section on substan tially the line 01-40, Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the former; Fig. 6 is a detail of the former and holder; Fig. 7 is a section through the former and holder; Fig. 8 is a detail of the slitting mechanism; Figs. 9 and 10 show a form of the invention especially applicable for holding the edges of foxing; Fig. 11 is a section on the line 'yy, Fig. 10; Fig. 12 shows the various sizes of foXings; Fig. 13 is a front view of the toggle lever for operating the folding mechanism; Figs.

'14 to 19 are diagrams showing the various steps of the folding operation; Fig. 20 illus trates an upper blank such as the machine illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 is adapted to fold. Fig. 21 is a top plan view of our improved folding machine with the slitter omitted; Fig. 22 is a rear elevation; Fig. 23 is a detail of the clutch; Fig. 24 is a detail of the means for moving the folder forward; Fig. 25 1s a perspective view showing the slitting knife and the slots in which the blades of the knife work.

The main parts of the folding and slitting machine are a table for supporting the work,

herein shown at A, a device for holding the. work on the table and for defining thefshape of the folded edge, which device comprises a work clamp B in the form of a plurality of holding members adapted to engage the work at separated points, and a former plate C over which the edge of the work is folded and which also engages the work and consti tutes a holding means; a folder D which operates to fold the edge of the work over the former plate; a gage E by which the work is properly positioned for the folding operation; and a slitting device F which operates to slit the edge of the work prior to the folding operation.

In this class of folding machines the fold is made substantially as shown in Figs. 14

The parts of the machine are normally in the position shown in Fig. 14, and the material 3 is placed upon the table A with its edge against the gage E, which is carried by the folder or folding jaw D, the edge of the material which is to be folded havin been previously moistened with some suitable adhesive. The first movement of the machine brings the work-holding means,

.including the holding member B and former C, against the material, as shown in Fig.

15, thereby to clamp the latter in place. The folder D is then elevated, as shown in Fig. 16, thereby turning the edge of the leather upward at right angles to the table A, and during this movement the edge of the former C determines the line of the fold.

The folder is then moved forwardly, as

The above are the various steps performed during the operation of making a fold on 1 pin or projection 17 1 which occupies a re machines of this class. In our improved machine we add to the elements illustrated in Figs. 1-1 to 19, a slitting device which is brought into operation to slit the concaved portion of the edge of the material between the steps illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16, that is just after the holder has been brought against the work or material and prior to the elevation of the folder. T he particular construction of this slitting device will be more fully hereinafter described.

All of the parts above enumerated are mounted on a suitable frame 1 which has journaled therein a cam-shaft 5 and a powershaft 6, said latter shaft having applied there to a driving pulley 7. The cam-shaft 5 has mounted thereon a series of cams which cooperate with levers and other devices to give the various parts of the device the sequence of movements illustrated in Figs. 14-19.

The table A is similar in many respects to that illustrated in the above mentioned patent, and is detachably supported upon the frame 4 so that it can be removed and an other table having a different shape substituted therefor. The table has a book 8 depending therefrom which partially embraces the locking cam 9 all as more fully described in said patent. By turning said cam, by neans of a handle 10, the eccentric portion thereof is carried out of engagement with the book 8, and thereafter the table A may be withdrawn from the frame.

Starting n760/Lcmls1n-.-The machine is started by means of a foot or hand treadle, not shown, which is connected through the link 11 to a lever 12-, mounted on a stud 13 carried by the frame. Said lever is normally held in its elevated position by means of a suitable spring 14;; the lower end of said lever bears against a set screw 15 carried by an elbow lever 16 also mounted on the stud 13; the opposite or left hand end of said lever controls the clutch mechanism for clutching the driving pulley 7, which is loosely mounted on the driving shaft (3, to said shaft. -While any suitable clutch may be employed, we have herein illustrated one comprising an arm 1'? carried by the shaft 6 and adapted to be engaged by a pin 19 projecting from the driving pulley 7. The arm 17 is pivoted to a collar 1T1 fast on the shaft 6 and therefore said arm rotates with the shaft. The manner of mounting the arm is such that it turns about an axis at right angles to the shaft and can. therefore, swing toward and from the pulley 7. When the clutch is disengaged the arm 17 is held out of the path of movement of the pin 19 by the end 18 of the lever 16, said lever 16 being provided at its inner face with a cam surface 17 2 which engages the outer face of the arm 17 and holds said arm in its inoperative position. Said arm has integral therewith a cess in the collar and is acted upon. by a spring 170 within said recess. The wall of the recess acts as a stop to limit the swinging movement of the arm toward the right, Fig. 22, and the spring allows said arm to swing toward the left when it is to be disengaged by the pin 19. Then the clutch is disengaged the lever 16 is in its elevated position as shown in Figs. 2 and 22 of the drawing, and it holds the arm 17 out of the path of movement of the pin 19 so that the pulley can be freely rotated in the direction of the arrow (0. Whenever the foot treadle is operated, however, the point 18 of the lever 16 is swung downward and out of engagement of the arm 17, and when this occurs said arm is moved to the right. Fig. 22, under the influence of the spring 170 and into the path of the stud 19. Said stud then engages the lever or arm and causes the shaft 6 to rotate. Said shaft 6 has thereon a gear-wheel 20 meshing with a gear 21 on the cam shaft- 5 whereby said cam-shaft is driven. The relative size of the gears 20 and 9 1 is such that the power-shaft makes a plurality of revolutions during each revolution of the cam-shaft. The cycle of opera tions performed by the machine and illustrated in Figs. 14-19 is completed during one rotation of the cam-shaft, and the stop-- ping and starting mechanism is so arranged that when this shaft has made one complete revolution to thus perform one cycle of op erations the clutch is disengaged.

As herein shown the camshaft has thereon a clutch-controlling cam 22 which cooperates with a projection or pin 23 on the lever 16. \Vhen the machine is at rest said projection occupies a depression in the camsurface, but as soon as the treadle is operated and the machine starts the movement of the shaft in the direction of the arrow :5 carries the rise of said cam over the projection 23, whereby the lever 16 is held depressed and out of the path of movement of the arm 17 until the shaft has made one complete revolution and the depression in the cam comes into register with said projection. At this time a spring 2-1, connected at one end to said lever 16, raises said lever and brings the cam surface 172 on the inner side of the lever at its point 18 into the path of the arm 17 so that as the shaft 6 rotates the outer face of the arm engages said cam surface. Obviously the result of this is gradually to swing the arm to the left, Fig. and out of the path of movement of the stud 19 thus disengaging the clutch and allowing the pul ley 7 to rotate freely upon the shaft 6.

Holder or means for holding and clamping the material on the tal le.-ln this embodiment of our invention the work is held against the table during the folding operation by work-holding means which includes a work clamp and also a member hereinafter referred to as a former, about which the edge of the work is folded. In order to distinguish between these elements, we have referred to the work-clamping member as a holder and to the other member about which the work is folded as the former, but, as will be more fully hereinafter seen. both of these members engage the work and constitute means for holding the work in position. The device which we have termed the holder B comprises a plurality of inde pendent yieldingly sustained plungers or feet which are carried by a supporting member 25 and are adapted to engage the work at a plurality of separated points. These holding members or plungers B are shown as operating through slots formed in the former plate C, said members normally projecting below the plate C so that when the work-holding means comprising the holding members B and the former plate C are brought against the work the holding members first engage the work and then yield in .an upward direction until the former plate C also engages the work. The slots in the former plate are to permit the latter to move backwardly relative to the holding members B during the folding operation, as will be presently set forth. Each of the plungers or holding members B is received in a suitable socket in the supporting member 25 and has a stem 26 which projects through said memher, a suitable spring 27 for each plunger operating to hold it normally depressed. The member 25 is held in position by pins 28, depending from tubular arms 29, which project forwardly from and are adjustably secured to a head 30, fast on a shaft 31 journaled in the frame. The head 30 has pivoted thereto a plate 32 carrying an adjusting screw 33, and said latter bears against the head of a yieldably mounted stud 3a carried by a lever 35 mounted toturn freely on the shaft 31, said lever also having one arm 36 which bears'against a cam 37 on the cam shaft 5. The stud or pin 34: is slidably mounted in the lever 35 and is acted upon and normally held in its forward position by a spring 39, a collar 38 fast thereon limiting its forward movement.

Fast to the shaft 31 is a slotted arm 40 through the slot of which projects a link 41 pivotally secured to the lever 16, as at 4:2. Said link has a yielding connection with the arm 40 through a suitable spring 43. WVith this construction it will be seen that when the treadle is depressed and the lever 16 turned, the shaft 31 will be rocked through the arm 4-0 and link 41, and the tubular arms 29 depressed to bring the holder against the material upon the table A. As soon as the cam-shaft is started, as above described, the rise on the cam 37 rocks the lever 36, which through the spring 39 and stud 34 acts against the pin 33 and further depresses the holder against the material and holds it tightly against the same until the parts have reached the position shown in Fig. 19, at which time the arm 36 passes off from the rise of the cam 37, whereby the pressure on the holder is relieved.

The object in making each of the individual feet or holders B independently yieldable is to permit the holder-mechanism to accommodate itself to material which varies in thickness at various points, and the object of having a yieldingly supported stud or pin 3% is to afford the necessary yielding connection between the cam and the holder to accommodate different thicknesses of material.

With this construction the manual operation of depressing the treadle brings the holder against the material to be folded, so that before the machine is actually started the work is held in place.

The holder is made detachable from the machine, as are the other principal parts thereof, so that it can be readily removed and another holder having a different shape substituted therefor as occasion may require. The construction by which it is made detachable will be described farther on.

SZitt'in-g m-echcmism.-After the holder has been brought against the work, as above described and as illustrated in Fig. 15, the slitting device is brought into operation and the concaved edge of the material to be folded is slit or cut at a plurality of places at substantially right angles to such edge. The slitting device will have various shapes or contours according to the contour of the edge which is to be folded. In the form of the invention herein illustrated the folder and former are of a shape which is adapted to fold uppers, and the slitting device is arranged to slit the concaved portion of the edge, as shown in Fig. 20. In this form of the invention the slitting device F is mounted on the folder D and has a plurality of blades 44, which are situated over and are adapted to enter slots 450 in said folder as the slitting device is rocked about its pivot. Said slitting device has the arm l5, connected by a link 46, with a rock-lever 4L7 loosely mounted on a shaft 48 which connects the two parts of the folding-frame together, as will be presently described. The rocking lever l? is turned about its pivot by means of an actuator pin 50 which extends radially from the power-shaft 6 and is guided in its movement by a guide-member 51 pivotally mounted on said shaft. Said pin 50 is recipro-cated by a cam 52 mounted on the power shaft, said cam being shaped to give the pin a quick outward thrust and to let the pin drop back almost immediately. During its outward movement said pin engages an adjustable projection 53 carried by the rocklever 47, and thereby through said lever and link 16 rocks the slitting device and carries the blades into the slots in the folder, this movement of course cutting the desired slits in the edge of the material. Since the cam mounted on the power-shaft which rotates a plurality of times during each rotation of the cam-shaft, and since only one movement of the slitting-device is required, we have provided means whereby after the pin has made its effective reciprocation and the slits are out said pin is carried out of alinement with the projection 53, as shown by dotted lines in F 3. For convenience we have termed the full line position of the pin in Fig. 3, or that position in which it is in alinement with the projection 53 its operative position, and the dotted line position of said pin 50 its inoperative posi tion. F or thus shifting the pin from its operative to its inoperative position, we have provided the member 51 with an arm 54- carrying at its end a roll which cooperates with a cam 55 upon the cam-shaft. Said cam has a t epression in which the roll is received when the pin is in its operative position, and as the machine begins its operation and after the cam 52 has rotated to give the pin its effective reciprocation the rise of the cam 55 raises the arm 54 into the dotted line position and carries the member 51 and pin 50 into the inoperative position, when in such position the continued reciprocation of the pin 50 does not give any movement to the rock-lever 4-7, nor to the slitting device. The arm is held against the cam by means of a spring connected to a projection 57 integral with the member 51, said spring being also connected to an arm on the rock-lever 47 and thus operating to hold the slitting device elevated.

The means for giving the slitting device its movement we have termed in the claims an actuator, and although we have shown one particular form of actuator we do not wish to be limited to this construction as other forms may be employed.

It will be seen that our invention broadly includes a slitting-device, an actuator therefor, and means to move the actuator into and out of operative position. It will also be noted that the cutting movement of the slitting device is independent of the mov ment of the folding mechanism. Another important feature is that the actuator is so shaped as to give the blades of the slitting knife a quick cutting movement.

Although we have illustrated the folder as having slots into which the blades enter yet it would be within our invention to omit the slots and make the surface of the folder beneath the knives of some suitable material, suchas raw-hide or rubber.

Folding mer-iimii sm.llhe folder D and its mounting is similar in. a general way to the folder shown in the above mentioned patent,

that is said folder is detachably secured to a frame 58 which is pivoted to the upper end of a link or frame by means of the pin or pivotal shaft 18 above referred to. Said link 59 is formed with legs 159 and 160, one of which, 159, is pivotally mounted on ashaft 60 carried by the frame of the machine and the other of which, 160, is fast on a shaft 161 which is mounted in turn in said frame. Said shaft 161 has fast thereon an arm 162 carrying a pin 163 to which pin the springs 14: and are connected as plainly seen in Figs. 2 and 22. Since the arm 162, shaft 161 and frame 59 are rigidly secured together, the springs 14: and 2st operate to maintain the folding frame in its rearmost position. Said frame 55) is forked at its upper end to receive between its branches the guide member 51 for the actuating pin 50.

The means of securing the folder to the frame 58 is the same as that illustrated in the above mentioned patent, and further description there-of is not necessary here.

The folder is operated through a toggle lever comprising two members 61, 62, the former of which is pivoted to the frame 58 and the latter to a rock-shaft 63 carried by the frame of the machine. Said latter memher is an elbow lever, one arm 64E of which has engagement with an operating lever 65 pivoted to the frame at some suitable point, as at 66, and operated by a cam 67 upon the cam-shaft. The toggle lever and its operating mechanism is organized so that the initial downward movement of the operating lever 65 straightens the toggle-lever and raises the folder, and the continued movement of said lever carries the toggle lever past the dead center and buckles it on the right side, thereby lowering the folder again to set the fold, all as more fullly described in said patent. During the time that the folder is elevated and the toggle-joint straightened, said folder is projected forwardly, as shown in Fig. 17 to curve or fold the edge of the material over the former C. To accomplish this the frame 58 is provided with an arm 68, see Fig. 24, which is acted upon at the proper time by a cam 69 fast upon the cam shaft 5. It will be noted that we have provided one mechanism, (the cam 69,) to project the folder forward, the folder frame during its forward movement swinging about the shafts 60 and 161, and another mechanism, (the folder lever 61-62,) for raising and lowering the folder frame 58, the up and down movement of this frame being; about the shaft d8 as an axis. After the folder has been moved forwardly about the shafts 60 and 161 as an axis the folder frame comprising the frames 58 and is retracted by the action of the springs 14 and 24k acting through the crank arm 162 as above described. The cam 67 acts positively to give the togglclever its movement collar 71, as best shown in Fig. 13.

- ing the arm. Said arm in one direction. To move said lever in its opposite direction we have provided a spring 70 which is fast at one end to the hinge of the toggle-lever, and is coiled about the shaft 63 and secured at its other end to a The collar can be adjusted about the shaft 63 and is held in its adjusted position by a pin 72 which can be inserted in any one of a number of holes 73.

To vary the length of the toggle to accommodate different thicknesses 0 material the upper member 61 of said toggle is mount ed on an eccentric 72 to which is attached an arm 7 3 for the purpose of adjusting the eccentric, and thus lengthening or shorten- 73 is made of some suitable resilient material, and has a pin 7a which can be set into any one of a number of notches 7 5 in a fixed plate 76. By this means the eccentric can be adjusted into any desired position and there locked.

, The vertical swinging movement of the folder is about the shaft 418, and the back ward and forward movement about the shafts 60 and 161, the same as in the above mentioned patent.

Formerr-The former C, which also constitutes a holding means for holding the work on the table A and about which the edge of the material is curved in making the fold and which by its contour defines the edge of the fold, is carried by one or more plungers 77, mounted in heads 78 at the ends of rods 79. These rods are slidably mounted in the tubular arms 29, and at their ends are connected to a cross-head 80. Said head 80 is acted upon by a lever 81 suitably pivoted on the frame, and which is in turn actuated by a cam 82 upon the cam shaft 5. The rods 79 are normally held retracted, or in the position shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 6, in which position of said rods the former occupies the position shown in Figs. 14 to 17, by springs 83 which engage the head 80 at one end and collars 841 on said rods at the other. The cam 82 is so shaped that when the cycle of folding operations has proceeded to the point indicated in Fig. 17, and the folder is about to descend to set the fold, said cam acts on the lever 81 to press the latter forward or to the left Fig. 3, and said lever acting against the head 80 move the rods 79 forward and carries the former out of the way of the folder, as seen in Fig. 18. After the rise of the cam 82 has passed out of engagement with the lever 81, the former is retracted to its normal position by the springs 83.

85 designates a spring which serves to hold the lever 81 against its cam.

As stated above, the means for holding and clamping the work against the table which includes the holding members B and the former C are made removable from the machine, as well as the folder and the table A, so that any one of a number of formers and holders of different shapes can be substituted according to the character of the material which is to be folded. As herein illustrated, the former C is provided with slots 86 through which are adapted to project heads 87 on the plungers 77 Said plungers are mounted for rotation and longitudinal movement in the heads 78, and each has projecting therefrom a pin 88 which eX- tends through a slot 89 in the head. At the upper end of each plunger is a cap 90 to which one end of a coiled spring 91 is secured, the other end of said spring being made fast to the head 78. Normally each head 87 stands across the corresponding slot 86, as shown in Fig. 5, and thus positively holds the former in place. To remove the former the pin 88 of each plunger is turned in the slot 89 until the head. 87 stands in alinement with the slot 86, the plungers being held in this position by the pins 88 engaging the locking notches 92. When in this position the former can be readily removed and with it the head 25 in which the holders are mounted. These two parts, the head and the former, are secured together by means of screws 93 which enter the head 25 and play in slots in the former. As stated above, the former has a slot through which each holder passes so as to permit said former to have the requisite movement parallel to the table to withdraw it from the folder independent from the holder, which it is necessary should remain stationary. The former and the holder, however, are removable from the machine as one piece.

In placing a former and holder upon the machine the pins 28 are caused to enter the sockets in the head 25, and at the same time the heads 87 are inserted through the slots 86 in the former. Thereafter the plungers are depressed to release the pins 88 from the locking notches when the spring 91 gives the plunger the requisite turning movement to return it to the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Inorder to facilitate the removal of the former and holder the head 30 is constructed so that it can be swung about the shaft 31 into the dotted lines position Fig. 3, by simply swinging the pivoted plate 32 into the dotted line position Fig. 1- and withdrawing the link 41 fro-m the slot in the arm 40. A suitable spring 941, which is fast at one end to a fixed portion of the frame, and at the other end to a collar fast on the shaft 31 serves to automatically turn the shaft and raise the head into the dotted line position Fig. 3 when the latter is released, as above described. When in the position shown in dotted lines Fig. 3 the former and holder can be readily removed.

The folder is removably or detachably secured to the frame 58 in the same manner as described in the above mentioned patent. The slitting device, as above stated, is mounted on the folder, and hence is removable with the folder. To facilitate this the link 16 is connected to the arm 45 of said slitting device by means of a removable pin 95, said pin being provided with a head for ease in handling. Nith this construction the removal of the table A, the folder D and the slitting device F and the former C and holder B and the replacing of said parts by other corresponding parts with different shapes is but the work of a moment.

0pemt0n.-Briefiy described the operation of the machine is as follows :Upon depressing the treadle the clutch-lever 16 is withdrawn from the path of the clutch arm 17 to permit the latter to swing into the path of the stud 19 on the driving pulley. This movement of the clutch-lever 16 operates through the link 11 to bring the holder against the work. As soon as the cam-shaft starts in operation the cam 37 operates through the lever 36 and pins 33 and 34 to press the head 30 and thus firmly press the holder against the material, as shown in Fig. 15. At this point the cam 52, through the actuator 50, operates to give the slitting device its cutting movement, and immediately thereafter the cam 55 carries the actuator into its inoperative position. The cam 67 then comes in operation and acts through the toggle lever, above described, to first elevate the folder D and then to depress the same for setting the fold. During the time when the folder is elevated and before it is depressed the cam 69 acts on the arm 68 to project the folder forwardly, as shown in Fig. 17 and immediately thereafter the cam 82 acts on the lever 81 to carry the former out of the way of the folder. At this time the toggle levers have been entirely straightened and begin to buckle on the opposite side, thereby causing the folder to descend and set the fold, as shown in Fig. 19. The further rotation of the cam-shaft allows the parts to resume their normal position again. When the cam-shaft has made one complete revolution the clutch-mechanism becomes disengaged as above stated.

G designates a stop which is yieldingly supported beneath the folder and serves to hold the fold in its correct position while it is being set, as fully set forth in said patent.

In Figs. 9 to 11 we have illustrated a form of table which is especially designed for use in folding the edges of the foxing of shoes. The foXing is made from blanks such as shown in 12, which vary in size according to the size of the shoe to which they are applied. The curved edge 96 of the foxing which is to be folded is the same for all sizes, and the variation in the differ- 1 ent sizes occurs at both ends, as best seen in .Fig. 12. The former employed in folding these shapes will of course have the proper shape to give the folded edge the contour of the edge 96 in Fig. 12, but in Order that the different sizes may be properly folded it is essential that each size be specially placed and positioned on the table. It is our in tention to do the folding after the two blanks of any pair are sewed together, shown in Fig. 10, each member of the pair being folded separately. For this purpose the folder and other parts are made symmetrical, one half being adapted to fold each member of the pair. From Fig. 12 it will be seen that the seam uniting the members of each pair must be placed at different distances from the center of the former in folding the different sizes in order that the curved edge 96 may be given the right shape. To accomplish this we provide the table A with a rotatable guide-plate 97 which is provided at its periphery with a flange having a. plurality of radially-arranged recesses 98, 99,

100, 101 and 102, adapted to receive the seam during the folding operation. The recess is comparatively narrow, 99 wider, 100 still wider and 101 and 102 placed so that the outer walls are still farther separated than the walls of recess 100. The plate 97 can be turned so as to bring either recess opposite the center of the folder and former. In Fig. 10 the plate is in position for use in folding the smallest size. In this position the sewed together members of the pair are placed with the seam occupying the recess 102, said recess being so positioned that the member comes opposite the proper portion of the folder to give the proper curvature 90. During the first operation of the machine the right hand member is folded. The foxing is then shifted so as to place the seam in groove 101, which will place the other half or member in proper position to be folded by the other half of the folder. For the next larger sized foxing the plate 97 is turned to bring the groove 100 into operative position, and for the largest size it is turned to bring the groove 98 in operative position. Said blade may be held in its operative position in any suitable way as by a pin 103. It will be noticed that if desired the slitting device may be used in connection with this form of table, as well as with the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to *1.

hile in order to describe the invention it has been necessary to illustrate one form thereof yet we do not wish to be limited to the construction shown, as many changes in the shape and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention which is expressed in the appended claims.

Having described our invention what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 15 1. In a foldin and slittin machine fold ing mechanism including a table to support the material while it is being folded, a pivotally-mounted slitting knife, and actuating means to move the slitting knife toward the table to slit the material, such movement of the slitting knife being separate in point of time from the movement of the folding mechanism.

2. In a folding and slitting machine, the combination with folding mechanism to fold at one operation the entire edge of the material and including a table to support the material while it is being folded, of a pivotally-mounted slit-ting knife constructed to make a plurality of slits simultaneously in the edge of the material, and actuating means to move the slitting knife toward the table to slit the material, such movement of the slitting knife being separate in point of time from the movement of the folding mechanism.

3. In a slittin and folding machine, the combination with a folder, of a slitting knife pivotally mounted on the folder, means for swinging the slitting knife to move the cutting edge thereof toward the folder to cut the work and then away from the folder, and means for moving the folder across the path of the slitting knife for folding the work.

d. In a slitting and folding machine, the combination with means for holding the work, of a folder for folding the edge of the work over said holding means and pressing the folded edge against the work, a slitting knife pivotally mounted on the folder, and means to swing said knife about its axis to slit the edge of the work prior to the operation of the folder.

5. In a slitting and folding machine, the combination with a former, of a folder arranged to lift the edge portion of the work and fold it over the former and then to press the edge portion on the body of the work, a slitting knife pivotally mounted on the folder, means to swing the slitting knife to slit the edge of the work prior to the operation of the folder, and means to withdraw the former after the edge is slitted and before the folded edge is pressed.

6. In a slitting and folding machine, the combination with a folder, of a slitting knife pivotally mounted on the folder, means to swing the knife to slit the edge of the work and then retire, means for causing the folder to fold at one operation the entire portion of said edge presented to the machine, and means for supporting the body of the work in one position during said operations.

7. In a slitting and folding machine, the combination wit-h a combined folder and cutting bed provided with slots, of a slitting knife pivotally mounted on said combined folder and cutting bed, the latter having provision to permit the cutting edges of the knife to pass below its work-supporting surface, means to oscillate the slit-ting knife to cut the work, and means for moving the folder first perpendicularly to the work and then parallel therewith to fold the slitted edge of the latter.

8. In a folding machine, folding mechanism, a slitting knife, a continuously reciprocating member to actuate the same, and means to shift the position of said member to bring it into or out of operative position for actuating the knife. 7

9. In a folding machine, folding mecha nism, a swinging knife, a rocking member operatively connected thereto, areciprocating actuator to engage said member and thus operate the knife, and means to bring said actuator into or out of operative position.

10. In a folding machine, folding mechanism, a slitter, an actuator therefor, and means to shift the position of the actuator to carry it into or out of operative position.

11. In a folding machine, folding mechanism, a slitter, a rocking member operatively connected to said slitter, an actuating pin, means to reciprocate the same, and means to carry the pin into and out of position to engage said member at the proper time during the cycle of operations of the folding mechanism.

12. In a folding machine, folding mechanism, a slitting knife, a rocking member operatively connected to said knife, an actuator pin to engage said member, means to reciprocate the pin, and a cam to carry said pin into or out of operative position.

13. In a. folding machine, folding mechanism, a slitting knife, means for operating said knife including a reciprocating actuator pin, and a cam to control the position of said pin to carry it into or out of operative posi tion.

1a. In a folding machi -e, folding mechanism, a slitter, means for operating the slitter, said means including a reciprocating actuator pin, a cam for continuously reciprocating said pin, and means to carry the latter into and out of operative position.

15. In a folding machine, folding mecha nism, a slitting knife, a shaft, a radially arranged actuating pin, a cam on said shaft to engage and reciprocate said pin, a member interposed between the slitting knife and the pin, and means to carry the pin into and out of position to engage said member.

16. In a folding machine, folding mechanism, a slitting knife, a shaft, a radially ar ranged actuating pin, a cam on said shaft to operate said pin, a member interposed between the slitting knife and the pin, and

means to move said pin angularly with relation to the of the shaft whereby it is carried into and out of operative position.

17. In a folding machine, folding mechanism, a slitting-knife, a shaft having a cam thereon, a radially arranged actuating pin operated by said cam, a guide for said pin, and means to give the guide an angular movement about the shaft whereby the pin is carried into and out of operative position.

18. In a folding and slitting machine, the combination with a table to support the work, of a folder situated normally with its upper face in the plane of the top of the table and adapted to receive the edge of the work, a slitter pivotally mounted on the folder, means to oscillate the slitter to cause it to slit the edge of the work, and means to elevate the folder and to move the latter over the top of the table and then to move said folder toward the table thereby to fold the slitted edge of the work.

19. In a slitting and folding machine,the combination with a folder provided with an upper face to support the edge of the work, of a slitting knife pivotally mounted on the folder, means to oscillate said knife thereby to slit the edge of the work, and means for actuating the folder first to lift the edge of the work and then to fold the edge over on the body of the work.

20. In a folding machine, a table, a folding jaw cooperating therewith to make a fold, and a swinging knife mounted on the folding jaw.

21. In a folding machine, a table, a folding jaw cotipcrating therewith to make a fold, a swinging knife mounted on the folding jaw, and means to operate said swinging knife, the cutting movement of said knife being independent from the folding movement of the jaw.

In a folding machine, the combination with a table, of a folder, a slitter pivotally mounted on the folder, said slitter and folder being removably carried by the machine so that they can be removed therefrom, and means to give the slitter a movement toward the folder to make a slit in the work and then away from the folder.

23. In a folding machine, a table, a removable folder cooperating therewith to make a fold, a swinging slitting knife mounted on the folder and removable therewith, and means to actuate the slitting knife independently of the folder.

24. In a slitting and folding machine, the combination with means for holding the work, of a folder, a slitting knife pivotally mounted on the folder, means for swinging said knife relative to the folder to slit the edge of the work, means for operating the folder to fold the slitted edge of the work over the holding means, said holding means being stationary relative to the work during the folding operation, and means for withdrawing the holdin means.

In a folding machine, a folder, and a swinging knife carried thereby, said knife having a plurality of blades.

26. In a folding machine, a folder having a plurality of slots, a slitting device having a plurality of blades to enter the slots, means to operate the folder, and separate means to operate the slitting device.

27. In a slitting and folding machine, the combination with a work-supporting table having an upper face to support the body of the work, of a folder, a slitting knife pivotally mounted on the folder and having provision for slitting an extended portion of the edge of the work, means to swing the slitting knife relative to the folder to slit the edge of the work, and means to secure a relative movement between the folder and the table to cause said slitted edge to be folded over onto the work supported on said upper face of the table and to be pressed against the body of the work.

28. In a folding machine, a folder, it pivoted slitting knife carried thereby, and means to give said knife a quick cutting movement.

29. In a folding machine, a folder having a plurality of slots, a slitting device mounted on the folder and having blades to enter said slots, and means to give the slitting device a quick cutting movement.

30. In a folding machine, a folder having slots, a swinging knife pivotally mounted on said folder, said knife having blades to enter the slots, and means to give the knife quick turning movement to carry the blades toward and into the slots.

81. In a folding machine, the combination with a table, of a former having a holder-receiving aperture, a yieldingly-sustained holder operating through said aperture and adapted to clamp the material against the table, a folder, means to move the former and holder simultaneously toward the table and to give the former a movement parallel to the face of the table independently of the holder, and means to operate the folder to make a fold in the edge of the work.

32. In a folding machine, a table, a yielding holder, manually operated means to bring the holder against the work, and power operated means to press said holder against the work and clamp the latter to the table.

33. In a folding machine, a table, a former about which the edge of the work is folded, means to bring said former into clamping engagement with the work, a folder to fold the edge of the work about the former while it is clamped against the work, and a plurality of separate yieldinglysustained holding and clamping members operating on that part of the work which is engaged by the former.

34. In a folding machine, a table, a plurally slotted former, supporting member, a plurality of independent holding members yieldingly sustained by said supporting member and operating through the slots in the former, power-operated means to move said supporting member toward the table to press the holding members against the work and clamp the latter against the table, and means to fold the edge of the material about the former while said material is thus held against the table.

35. In a folding machine, a table, a plurally slotted former, a holder comprising a plurality of independent yielding holding members operating in the slots of the former, and means to move the holder toward and from the table.

36. In a folding machine, a table, a detachable holder, comprising a plurality of independent yielding holding members, means to move the holder toward and from the table, and a detachable former movable with the holder, said former and holder being connected together to be removed as one piece.

37. In a folding machine, a table, a pivoted head having arms, a holder carried thereby, automatically operative means tending normally to swing said arms into inoperative position, a movable member carried by said head, and actuating means cooperating with said member to bring the holder against the work on the table, said automatically operative means operating to carry the arms into inoperative position when the movable member is thrown out of cooperation with the actuating means.

38. In a folding machine, a table to support the work being folded, a pivoted head having arms, a holder removably carried thereby, a movable member mounted on the head, actuating means coacting with said member when it is in its operative position to bring the holder against the work, and automatically operated means to swing the arms into inoperative position when the movable member is thrown out of cooperation with the actuating means.

39. In a folding machine, a table, a. folder, a pivoted head having arms, a former sup ported by the arms, a movable member carried by the head, actuating means coacting with said member when it is in its operative position to carry the former against the work on the table, and automatically operative means to throw the arms and former into inoperative position when said movable member is thrown out of cooperation with the actuating means. 7 40. In a folding machine, a table, a folder,

a pivoted head having arms, a former carried by said arms but removable therefrom,

a movable member carried by the head, actuating means cooperating therewith to throw the former against the work, and au tomatically operative means to carry the arms and former into inoperative position when said movable member is thrown out of cooperation with its actuating means.

ll. In a folding machine, a table, a folder, at pivoted head having arms, a former and holder supported by the arms, a movable member carried by the head, actuating means co-acting with said member when it is in its operative position to carry the former and holder against the work on the table, and automatically operative means to throw the arms and former into inoperative position when said movable member is thrown out of cooperation with the actuating means.

42. In a folding machine, a table, a folder, a pivoted head having arms, a former and a holder carried by said arms but removable therefrom, a movable member carried by the head, actuating means cooperating therewith to throw the former and holder against the work, and automatically operative means to carry the arms and former into inoperative position when said movable member is thrown out of cooperation with its actuating means.

e 3.- In a folding machine, awork-suppo-rting table, a head having arms, a holder carried by said arms, a plate pivoted to the head, an actuating lever carrying a thrust pin to engage said plate and operate the holder, and automatically operative means to elevate the arms when the pivoted plate is thrown out of cooperation with the thrust pin.

44. In a folding machine, awvork-supporting table, swinging tubular arms, a holder carried by said arms, rods slidably mounted in the arms, a former connected to the rods, and cam-operating means to depress the holder and former simultaneously and subsequently to advance the former.

4-5. In a folding machine, a work-supporting table, swinging tubular arms, means to support the latter, a holder carried by said arms, rods slidably mounted in the arms, a former connected to the rods, and cam-operating means to depress the holder and former simultaneously and subsequently to advance the former, said former and holder being removable from the machine as one piece.

46. In a folding machine, awork-supporting table, pivoted tubular arms, means to support said arms, a rod slidably mounted in each arm, each rod having at its end a head, a holder, and a former detachably secured to said heads, said holder being positioned by the tubular arms and the former being operated by the rods.

47. In a folding machine, a work-supporting table, tubular arms, means for pivotally supporting said arms, rods slidably mounted in said arms, a former detachably secured to said rods, a holder, and means connecting the holder to the former, which means permits the latter to move relative to the holder, said arms having means to maintain the holder in proper position.

L9. in a folding machine, a work-supporting table, tubular arms, means for pi'votallv supporting said arms, rods slidably mounted Within the arms, each rod having at its end a head, a plunger in each head, a former detachably secured to said pliingers, a holder, means connecting the holder to the former, which means permits the latter to move relative to the holder, and means carried by the arms to maintain the holder in position.

50. In a folding machine, a Work-supporting table having a movable member provided with a plurality of positioning re eesses of diilerent Widths for positioning different sizes of blanks to be folded, and folding mechanism to fold the edge of the blank.

In a folding machine, a \JPdlOSUPpOlt' ing table having a rotatable positioning plate provided in its face with a plurality of recesses of different Width, each adapted to receive the seam of sewed-together blanks, each recess being so arranged as to properly position a certain sir Jed blank.

59'. In a foldin machine, a folder, and a Workreceiving table having a movable member provided with a plurality of radial positioning recesses to receive the seam of sewed-together blanks, the movability of said member permitting any one of the recesses to be brought into operative position according to the size of the blank which is folded.

In a. folding machine, a folder, and a workreceiving table having a rotatable plate provided with a plurality oi radial positioning recesses so placed that in ditl erent positions'ot the plate the ditl'erent recesses are in correct position to receive the seam of a sewed blank which is to be folded.

In testimony whereof, We have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

QUENTIN W. BOG H. IRVING E. BOOTH. LOUIS UV. G. FLYNT.

lVitnesses to the signature of Quentin lV. Booth:

Gnonon lineman, J. G. Mossm.

lVitnesses to the signatures of Irving E. Booth and Louis V. G. Flynt:

FRANK L. PIEHLER, JoriN T. Woon.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of IEatents,

Washington, I). C.

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