US1419489A - Button-blank-grinding machine - Google Patents

Description

E. c. CARRIS. BUTTON BLANK GRINDING MACHINE.

'APPLICATION FILED MAB. 9,1921

LMQASQL Patentedlune 13,1922.

'5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

E. C. CARRIS.

BUTTON BLANK GRINDING MACHINE. v APPLICATION FILED MIAR. 9, 1921. 1 419,489, Patented 31111613, 11.922.

, 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I f/ZUZIZZQP 'awara 6' 4/7215 E. c. CARRIS.

BUTTON BLANK GRINDING MACHINE- APPLICAT ION FILED MAR. 9, 1921- 1,4 19A89u Patented June 113, 11922.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

E c. C ARRIS.

BUTTON BLANK GRINDING MACHINE.

- APPLICATION FILED'MAR. 9, I921.

w WW M: n T m a P E. c. CARRIS.

BUTTON BLANK GRINDING MACHINE.

APPLICATIONHLED MAR. 9; I921- Patented June 113, 1922.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

EDWARD C. GABRIEL OF WASHINGTON, IOWA, ASSIGNOB TO CARRIS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OE WASI-ZING-TGN, IOWA.

BUTTON-BLANK-GRINDING- IKACHINE.

Specification of Letters T'atent. Pa tern-tad J ng 13 jggg Application filed March 9, 1921. Serial No. 450,868.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD O. Cannrs, a citizen of the United States,.and. a resident of l Vashington, in the county of Washington and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Button-Blank- Grinding Machine, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has to do with a machine for grinding button blanks of irregular outline for forming them into discs circular in form and of proper diameter.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine of the type mentioned, whereby such angular button blanks made of shell or similar fragile or brittle material may be subjected to a grinding element by moving the blank in a direction parallel. with the axis of rotation of the grinding member for subjecting the portion of the blank outside the outline of the disc to be finished to a grinding action in the direction of the thickness of the blank.

Still a further object is to provide in such a machine, means for automatically feeding the blanks and successively subjectingthem to the grinding operation.

S" ill a further object is to provide a machine, having simple means for adjustment, for thereby determining the diameter of the completed button blank.

Still a further object is to provide insuch a machine, means for successively gripping the button blanks and subjecting them to a grinding operation and for releasing and discharging the button blanks at the proper time, after the grinding operation has been completed.

lVith these and other objects, which will appear further from the description of my machine and its operation and advantages, my invention consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a plan view of my machine, the suction dust removing pipe being shown in section, taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a detailed, sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figural, and illustrating -the position in which my machine stands with its axis of rotation arranged substantially at fortydivedegrees with relation to horizontal.

Figure 3 shows a front elevation of the machine viewed from the direction, as indicated by the arrow A in Figure 1.

Figure 4- shows a detail, sectional taken on the line l- 1- of Figure 3.

Figure 5 shows a detail, sectional taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 shows a detail, sectional taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 shows a detail, sectional taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 2.

Figure 8 shows a detail, sectional taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 shows a detail, sectional view taken on the line SP-9 of Figure 3, part of the button feeding mechanism being omitted.

Figure 10 shows a detail, sectional view taken on the line 10-1O of Figure 9; and

F i 'ure 11 shows a detail view of a modified form of the blank feeding mechanism.

By way of general explanation of the con struction of my machine and in order to make the following detailed explanation clearer, it may be mentioned that my machine consists generally of a drum mounted for rotation and having operative parts thereon, the drum being arranged with its axis of rotation at an angle of about forty jive degrees to horizontal. The arrangement such inclination is of special importance for feeding the button blanks to the members which grip and hold the blanks for the grinding operation.

lvly improved machine comprises a horizontal base 10. The machine, of course, can be mounted on any suitable support. Mount ed on the horizontal base 10 by means of legs or the like 11 is a base 12 inclined at an angle of substantially forty-five degrees from the horizontal.

On the base 12 is a supporting bracket or the like 13 inclined upwardly and arranged perpendicularly with relation to the base 12, as shown in Figure 2. The bracket 13 has at its upper end a journal or bearing 14 in which is fixed a shaft 15, which is arranged at an angle of about forty-five degrees with relation to horizontal.

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The shaft 15 is fixed in the bearing 14 by means of a set screw 16 or in any suitable way.

A hollow drum 17 has a sleeve 18 mounted on the upper end of the shaft 15, as shown in Figure 2. The sleeve 18. has in its outer surface near its lower end a rabbet 19. Splined on the sleeve 18 between the bearing 14 and the shoulder of the rabbet 19 is a worm Wheel 20.

On the upper end of the shaft 15 is a washer 21 held in position by a nut 22, which is screwed onto the screw-threaded upper end 23 of the shaft 15.

It will be seen that the nut 22 and washer 21 prevent the drum 17 from sliding upwardly on the shaft 15. The sleeve 18 and drum 17 rotate on the shaft 15. The outer surface of the drum 17 is provided with a central, annular groove or the like 2%.

7 It is noted that the drum 17 projects upwardly a substantial distance beyond the shaft 15 in the line of the extended axis of the said shaft.

In the base 12 near the upper part thereof is an elongated slot 25. Supported on the upper part of the base 12 is a bracket 26 having an upper housing 27 and a lower sleeve-like. housing 28 spaced from each other and aligned with each other.

Mounted in the housings 27 and 28 is a shaft 29. At the upper and lower ends of the shaft 29 adjacent to the respective housings 27 and 28 are ball bearing devices 30 and 31 of any suitable approved construction.

On the shaft 29 between the housings 27 and 28 is fixed a pulley 32 or other suitable gearing device for transmitting power to the shaft 29. On the lower end of the shaft 29 between suitable large washers 33 and 34: is mounted a grinding Wheel 35.

The lower end of the shaft 29 is screwthreaded as at 10 to receive a nut 41. The shaft 29 has suitable shoulders adjacent to the respective ball bearing devices 30 and 81.

Between the upper washer and the ball bearing device 31 is a spacer sleeve or washer 36. Fixed on the upper end of the shaft 29 by means of a screw bolt 4-2 or the like 'is a pulley 43.

Supported on the drum 17 is a plurality of What I shall call spindle supports for supporting pairs of aligned spindles, whereby button blanks are engaged and successively moved to position to be ground by engagement with the grinding wheel These spindlesupports will be more fully described hereafter.

Motion is transmitted to the pulley 32 by means of a belt 1 1 or the like. Motion is transmitted from the pulley 43 to the worm wheel 20 and the drum 17 by the following means:

Supported on brackets 45 and 16 alongside the machine is a shaft 47, On one end of the shaft 17 is a pulley 18 aligned with the pulley 4.3. A belt 41-9 travels on the pulleys 43 and 418 fortransmitting rotation from the pulley 13 to the pulley 18.

Below the worm wheel 20 is a transverse shaft 50. On one end of the shaft 17, as shown in Figure 1, is a bevelled gear 51, which meshes with a bevelled gear 52 on the shaft 50. On the shaft 50 is a worm 53, as shown for instance in Figure 2, meshing with the worm wheel 20. V

Extending laterally and upwardly from the base 12 are bracket arms 5 1 and 55, shown in Figures 1, 3, 5, and 6, at the outer ends of which are journals or bearings 56 and 57 for a shaft 58 arranged preferably parallel with the shaft 15.

On the lower end of the shaft 58 is a worm wheel 59 which meshes with a worm 60 on the shaft 50.

Mounted in the bearing 57 and fixed thereto by means of a set screw 61 is a short sleeve or hub 62, which has radially inclined arms 63, which support an annular flat ring 6 1-.

The shaft 58 is arranged to rotate freely in the hub 62.

Fixed on the upper end of the shaft 58 by means of a set screw 65 is a disc 66 arranged within the annular ring 6 1-, as shown in Figure 5.

Mounted on the disc 66 is a fiat annular plate 67, the edges of which overlap a portion of the ring 6 1, as shown in Figure 5.

It will be seen that when the shaft 58 is rotated the disc 66 and plate 67 will be rotated.

In Figure 6, I have shown the ring 64- and the disc 66 with the plate 67 removed. Secured to the lower edge of the ring'6a and extending around the edge thereof farthest removed from the drum 17 is a shell or the like 68, forming a hopper member, the lower portion of which at the lower forward edge of the ring 641- is practically vertical, as illustrated for instance in Figure 5. i

The general shape and location of the shell or blank retaining member 68 is illus trated in Figures 1, 3, 5, and 6.

In the periphery of the plate 67, there is provided a series of recesses or notches 69. The plate 67 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 3. The

forward edges or walls of the recesses 69 are 7 bevelled, as illustrated at 70 in Figure 4.

For a portion of its length in its periphery at the part thereof nearest the drum 17, the ring 64 is provided with an elongated notch 71, shown for instance in Figure 6. The edge of the ring 64 adjacent to one end of the notch 70 as at 72 is bevelled as shown for instance in Figures 1 and 6. Inclined downwardly and toward the drum 17 from the bevelled edge 72 is a slide or trough device 73, the lower forward edge of which is curved upwardly, as at 74, said trough being lllllSJltllJCd in Figures 1, 3 and 6.

Before completing the description of the other part of the machine, it may be stated that the parts just described comprises a feeding device, which operates as follows:

Squared button blanks, angular in outline, are supplied to the receptacle formed by the member 68 and the plate 67, the receptacle being indicated in Figures 1 and 3 by the reference character 75.

As the plate 67 rotates the blanks will be selected and will be dropped into the notches or recesses 69, and will he slid along the ring 64: by the movement of the plate 67.

it may be mentioned that the lower partof the wall 68, as illusrated in Figure 5, is preferably inclined slightly toward the plate 6'7 from the vertical, instead of being exactly vertical. On this account, it is seen that the button blanks which rest against the member 68 on the inside thereof will tend to drop over toward the plate 67, so that they easily and readily drop into the recess 69 as the plate 67 rotates.

If another blank happens to rest upon one of the blanks, which is received in one of the recesses 69, the upper blank will slide off the bevelled edge 70, as the lower blank is moved upwardly with the movement of the plate 67.

The blanks in the notches 69 are carried upwardly around the upper portion of the ring 64, until they reach the bevelled edge 72, whereupon they drop through the recess 69 and slide down the trough 73 to the rereiving plate which will hereinafter be described.

There is provided a plurality of spindle supports, which are preferably made of castings of peculiar shape, and are mounted on the drum 1'7. One ofthese spindle supports, '76 comprises a lower substantially straight portion 76, a central portion 76", which when the spindle support is mounted on the drum extends inwardly slightly, and has in its outer portion a recess 76 shown for instance in Figure 2. Extending upward] from the upper part of the portion 76" is another substantially straight portion 76 in which is formed a longitudinally extended passage 7 7 extending from the upper part of the portion 76 The passage 77, as illustrated in Figures 2 and G particularly, is open at its lower end in the inner side, and at the advancing side of the spindle support 76, and the openings are covered with a screen or the like 78. Extending inwardly from the upper end of each opening 77 is a take-off tube 79.

For clearness sake, it may be explained that the passage 77 and takeoff tube 7 9 are for taking away shell dust and their relations to the other parts will be hereinafter more fully referred to.

Extending laterally from the portion '76 of each spindle support on the advancing side thereof, it being understood the drum rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 6, are lugs 80 in which are formed bearings for spindles 82. (See Figure l). The spindles 82 are slidably and rotatably mounted in their bearings.

Extending in the same direction from the upper portions 76 of the spindle supports 76 are lugs 88, shown in Figures 1 and 6, in which are formed angular bearings for spindles 84-, which are angular in outline.

Secured to the lugs 88 by screws or the like are plates 85 which prevent the removal of the square spindles 84 from the lugs 83.

Extending inwardly from the lower end of each spindle 8% is an arm 86, having at its lower portion, a short conical-head 87 aligned with one of the spindles 82.

The but-ton blank is engaged between the upper ends of the spindles 82, which are preferably corrugated as at 88 and the adjacent conical-head 87 and are held for the grinding operation.

In the lower end of each spindle 82 is mounted a rotatable ball 89, shown for instance in Figure 1, for providing an antifriction roller connection between the lower end of the spindle and the cam, which will now be described.

There is ,brovided a cam for raising the spindles 82 at the proper time. This cam comprises a curved ring or the like 90, shown in Figures 1 and 2. This cam extends from position above the drum at the lower end therefor around the end in the direction of its rotation to a point below the drum about thirty degrees past the vertical center thereof.

Extending inwardly from the curved supporting member 90 is the cam track 91. shown by dotted lines in l igure 1 and in full lines in l igure 2, the shape of which will be again referred to.

A brace 92 is secured to the sleeve 14:, as shown in Figure 2, and supports the upper portion of the member 90 and extends upwardly and forwardly beyond said member. as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The other end of the cam is supported. by means of a bracket arm 93 shown in Figure 2.

T will now describe the means for adjustably mounting the spindle supports 76 on the drum 17. Referring particularly to Figure 2, it will be seen that each of the spindle supports 76 has a pair of spaced transverse screw-threaded openings 94:, in which are mounted externally screwthread ed sleeves 95, having angular heads 96.

The sleeves 95 are tubular and receive bolts 97, whichv are screwed into the drums 17. Between the heads 96 and the spindle sup- Cir ports 'ZG are look nuts orthe like 98. 'The sleeves 953 are adjusted to position for sup porting the spindle in proper position for grinding a particular size 01 blank and. the screw bolts 97 are then screwed tight.

It will be seen that by loosening these bolts 97, the sleeves may be adjusted inwardly and outwardly for adjusting the spindle su ngorts and the spindles inwardly and outwardly with relation to the axis ot the drum.

Upon each spindle support '76 are pairs of spaced arms 99, shown in Figures 1 and 2. The arms of each pair are designed to extend to positions on opposite sides of a spindle 82. Between the respective pairs of arms, there is mounted on each spindle, a sprocket wheel 100, provided with a lug or 'key to slide in a keyway 101, so that the sgrocket wheel is slidably but non-rotatably mounted on the spindle.

For imparting rotation to the spindles 82, as they travel something more than hall the rotation of: the drum 17, l have provided a sprocket chain 102, which is secured to the brace 92 and by means of a spring or springs 103 to fixed portions of the trains. The chain is so arranged that during the grinding operation, it engages the sprocket wheels for imparting slow rotation to the spindles 82, whereas during that period of operation from the time when the blanks are discharged from the spindles until a new blank is picked up, the chain 102 is clear of the sprocket wheels and the spindles 82 do not rotate.

bupported on the bracket arm 55 is a frame 10% on which is mounted a plate inclined at an angle of substantially fortyfive degrees from the horizontal and ar ranged near the series of spindle supports 76, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and G.

The plate 105 is arranged at the lower end of the trough '73, so that the blanks sliding down through the trough member will be discharged upon the plate 105.

Secured to the respective spindle supports 76 just above the recesses 76 are lingers 100, shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, (3, and 8 ada nied to engage the blanks as they slide downwardly on the plate 105 (see F igure (3) and carry them upwardly around the drum toward the point where the blanks are picked up by the spindles.

The upper end of the plate 105 has an elongated slot 107, open at one end, as shown in Figure 6.

The cam track 91, above referred to, is so arranged that its first rise occurs at such a point as to raise the spindles 82 when the button blank 108 is carried by the finger 106 to position where the button blank is above the slot 107.

At the inner end of the plate 105 is an upwardly extending flange 109, which serves as uide tor the button blanks, and is shown istance in Figure 0. I lszlounted in the shanks oi' the respective spindles 84 are laterally extending spindles 110, extending radially out rardly with relation to the drum, and having on their outer ends rollers 111.

Supported by the member 92 and by the bracket 112 (Figure 3) is a cam 113, shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9. The cam 113 extends from below the drum and about twenty degrees past the vertical, around the drum in the direction of its rotation to a point above the drum, as shown for instance in Figure The parts are so arranged that a blank dropped t'rorn the notches or slots 69 through thetrough 73 upon the plate 105 is engaged by a linger 106 and carried upwardly.

11s the linger 106 moves toward the upper part of the machine, the blank slides downwardly against the flange 109. The blank is thus engaged on one edge by the flange 109 and on another edge by the linger 100, as shown for instance in l igure 6, and slides on the plate 105, which supports the blank on the side surface of the blank.

The cams are so arranged that the point 87 of the upper spindle is permitted to move downwardly and the corresponding lower spindle 82 is moved upwardly when the button blank 108 is sliding over the slot 10?.

The blank 108 is thereupon engaged between. the head spindle 82 and the point 87.

The sprocket chain 102 is so arranged that shortly thereafter, slow rotation is imparted to the lower spindles 82, through the chain 102 and the sprocket wheels 1100.

A further rise of the lower cam track 91 brings the upper face of the button blank 108 into contact with the lower face of the grinding elenient The parts are so adjusted that the grindin g elen out 35 projects over the button blank a sullieieut distance to cause the blank to be ground to the proper diameter.

The contiiuied rise ot the lower cam 91 finally brings the blank 10S held between the point 8? and spindle S2 u nvardly to a position with relation to the grinding elenient 85 so that through the operation of said grinding element and the rotation of said blank, all the material of said blank outside the circle of its finished diameter will have been ground oil.

The position of the machine parts at the finish ot' the grinding operation is illustrated in Figure 8.

I will now explain the means for removingthe shell dust during the grinding operation.

The dust formed by the engagement of the button blanks 108 with the grinding element is drawn into the opening or passage 77 through the screens 78. Rotatably mounted on the sleeve or bearing 28 is a hub 120 formed on which is a disc 121, shown clearly in Figure 2.

At the outer edge of the disc 121 is an annular flange 122 into which the inner ends of the dust carrying tubes 79 project slidably. Fixed on the sleeve 28 by means of a set screw 123 is a hub 124, shown in Figure 2. On the hub 124 is a disc 125, the outer edge of which fits against the flange 122.

The disc 125 has an inwardly and downwardly projecting flange 126 overlapping the hub 120. It will be seen that a compartment C is formed by the flange 126, the discs 121 and 125, and the flange 122.

A. dust take-off pipe 127 has its intake end mounted in the disc 125 and communicating with the compartment C. The take off pipe 127 is connected with any suitable suction means, so that the shell dust may be drawn through the opening 78, the pipe 79,

. the compartment, indicated at C, and above described, and the dust takeoff pipe 127.

It is noted that the pipe 127 and the disc 125 are fixed against rotation while the disc 121 rotates with the drum 17 and the spindle supports 76.

The tube 79 may be slid inwardly or outwardly with relation to the compartment 0 when the spindle supports are adjusted inwardly and outwardly.

The disc 125 has partition members 135, shown in Figure 7 so located as to shut ofl the compartment C from that portion of the space between the discs 121 and 125 with which the pipes 79 communicate during that part of the rotation of the machine in which no grinding takes place.

I will now describe in greater detail the practical operation of my improved button blank grinding machine and in connection with the description of the operation will snore fully refer to the construction of the parts and will describe certain features of construction not heretofore mentioned.

A supply of angular blanks 108 is poured into the space between the disc 67 and the member 68, such space being indicated generally by the reference character 75.

The button blanks may be supplied through a chute, and the supply may be automatically controlled, if desired.

The machine is then started by means of the belt 44, which travels on the pulley 32. (See Figures 2 and The rotation of the pulley 32 imparts rotation to the shaft 29, and the grinding element 35 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 6.

Rotation is imparted from the shaft 29 through the pulley 43 and belt 49 and pulley 48 to the shaft 47. (See Figures 1, 2 and Rotation of the shaft 47 imparts rotation to the shaft 50 through the media of the bevelled gears 51 and 52.

The worm 53 on the shaft 50 imparts rotation to the worm wheel 20 and therethrough to the sleeve or hub 18 and the drum 17, the rotation of the drum being relatively slow and being in the opposite direction to that of the grinding element 35.

The worm on the shaft 50 imparts rotation'to the shaft 58. (See Figures 1 and 5). Rotation of the shaft 58 causes rotation of the disc 66 and the plate 67 thereon. (See Figure 5).

As the plate 67 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 3, the notches 69 will receive button blanks 108, carrying them upwardly round the upper portion of the blank selecting device and sliding them along the ring 64, (see Figures 3 and 5), until the chute '73 is reached.

It will be remembered that the ring 64 has an opening above the upper end of the chute 73 through which the blanks may drop downwardly to the chute 73. The blanks are discharged by the chute 73 upon the plate 105. (Figure 6).

In this connection, attention is called to the inclination of the plate 105, which is such as to tend to cause the blanks to drop toward the right of the plate 105, as shown in Figure 6.

The momentum acquired by the blanks as they slide dowmvardly through the chute '73, also tends to cause the blanks to travel toward the flange 109. Each blank is then engaged by one of the fingers 106 and carried upwardly around the upper part of the main machine.

It will. be noted that the flange 109 forms a guide for the blank and that the blank is also engaged by a finger 106. Thus the blank is engaged and held on two edges, as it moves upwardly towards its position, where it is engaged and gripped by the spindles.

When the blank reaches the position above the slot 107 in the plate 105 (see Figure 6), one of the spindles 82 reaches a position where there is a rise in the cam 91 (see Figure 2), and one of the spindles 84 reaches position where it slides downwardly on the cam 113 and as the aligned spindle members 82 and 87, shown especially in Figure approach each other, they pick up the blank 108 and grip it between them.

After the drum travels a little farther, the chain 102 engages the sprockets 100 for imparting rotation to the spindles 82.

As the spindles with the blank between them continue in their travel, there is a further steady and continued rise of the cam 91, which brings the upper face of the button blank against the lower face of the grinding element 35. This rise of the cam 91 continues gradually until the button blank is ground through from top to bottom and the peripheries of the grinding element and the button blank are then adacent to each other as shown in F igure 8.

The dust caused by the grinding is drawn off in the manner hereinbefore described, through the compartment C and the takeoff pipe 127.

An annular ring or plate 128, shown in Figures 1, 2, 6 and 8, is made in sections and is projected into the recesses 76 The spindles 82 are projected through the sections of the plate 128 for holding them in position. The plate 128 prevents the broken blanks, splinters and pieces too small to engage from dropping down into the operative parts of the machinery.

After the blank being operated upon has traveled more than half way round the path taken by the spindles, the roller 111 of the upper spindle reaches the cam 113, as shown for instance in Figure 3, whereupon the upper spindle is raised away from the blank 10.8, as shown for instance in Figure 8, and the button blank will be thrown off by the engagement with the grinding element into a discharge chute 129, shown in Figures 3 and 8. The discharge chute is mounted on a fixed portion of the frame of the machine and has in its walls slots 130 to permit the passage of the fingers 106. Immediately thereafter the cam 91 drops.

In order to insure the lowering of the spindle 82 at this step in the operation of the machine, there may be mounted upon each spindle 82 a. disc or the like 131 (see Figures 1, 2 and 9).

Mounted on the frame is a cam 132 so arranged as to engage the upper surface of the discs 131 for forcing the spindles 82 downwardly to their lower limit of movement.

It may be mentioned in this connection that coil springs 132- are mounted on the spindles 81- between the upper bearings 'thereof and the spindles 110 to provide pressure at the point 87 upon the blank 108, so as 'to grip and hold the blank against the end of the spindle 82 and also for making certain the downward movement of the spindles 8 1 when the rollers 111 leave the cam 113.

The shaft 29 and the parts mounted thereon may be adjusted for slightly varying the position of the grinding element 35 by adjusting the bolt 1341 in the slot 25. The bolt 13-1 holds the bracket 26 in position. By such adjustment, it is possible to determine how much of the peripl'iery of the grinding element 35 shall be used for grinding the blanks. I

The machine may be adjusted for making button blanks of different sizes by adjusting the sleeves 95 and thereby adjusting the spindles radially of the machine.

Attention is called to the advantages of the structure herein described, particularly in the construction of the automatic feeding mechanism, and to such mechanism in combination with the automatic means for engaging the blanks and grinding them by bringing their flat faces into engagement with the flat face of the grinding element, whereby the engagement with the grinding element is steady and continuous instead of being accomplished by a series of blows struck on the corners of the blanks.

The arrangement of the feeding mechanism and of the main portion of the machine, inclined at an angle of substantially forty-live degrees, is believed to be of great importance in making possible the automatic feeding of the blanks and the bringing of the blanks to proper position for engagement by the spindles.

On account of the inclination of the plate 105, the button blanks will slide downwardly, to posit-ion for proper engagement by the fingers 106, and will slide inwardly against tl e flange 109 so that they are engaged on two edges and one face as they travel toward the engaging spindles.

In Figure 11, I have shown a slightly modified form of the feeding mechanism in which the ring 61 has secured thereto at its upper portion a curved guard or guide 1 10, arranged just outside the disc 67 and projecting above the ring 64.

In the form of the device shown in Figure 11, the chute 73 is done away with and the guide 1410 extends around the upper portion of the disc 67 and downwardly on the side thereof adjacent to the main body of the machine to position near the fingers 106.

The blanks 108 are carried in the notches 69 until they pass unwardly around the upper part of the ring 6 1 and thence downwardly to the side thereof near the main body of the machine, until they clear the lawer end of the guide 1 10, whereupon the are dropped by gravity from the notches 69 and slide downwardly on the plate 105 until they are engaged by the fingers 106.

Other advantages of my improved construction will appear from the foregoing description.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a button blank grinding machine, a rotary grinding element arranged with its axis of rotation inclined from the vertical and having a flat fa e, a pair of aligned blank holding devices inclined from the vertical and arranged parallel with the axis of rotation of said grinding element, an inclined plate on which button blanks may slide freely into position to be engaged by said blank holding devices in a plane to which said axis of rotation is perpendicular.

2. In a button blank grinding machine, inclined spindles adapted to engage between them a button blank, an inclined plate on whichv such blanks may slidefreely to position to be engaged by said. spindles, and means for moving a button blank on said inclined plate to position for such engagement.

3. In a button blank grinding machine, a. rotating grinding member, inclined spindles, means for moving said spindles to position for engaging a button blank and moving it to contact with said grinding member, an inclined plate on which blanks may slide to position to be engaged by said spindles, means for engaging blanks on said plate and moving them to position for engagement by said spindles, and means for successively feeding blanks to said plate.

*l. In a button blank grinding machine, a blank grinding mechanism including inclined blank engaging and holding spindles, an inclined plate adjacent thereto on which blanks may slide to position to be engaged by said spindles, said mechanism including means adapted to engage blanks on said plate for advancing them to said position, a hop per device, means therein for selecting blanks and discharging them upon said plate.

5. In a button blank grinding machine, a rotating grinding member, inclined spindles having blank engaging ends, means 'lor moving said spindles to position for engaging a button blank and moving it to contact with said grinding member, an inclined which blanks may be slid to position with the planes of said ends for engagement by said spindles, means for engaging blanks on said plate and moving them to position for engagement by said spindles, means for successively feeding blanks to said plate.

6. In a button blank grinding machine, a blank grinding mechanism, an inclined plate, a hopper device, a rotating member in said hopper device, having slots, said rotating member being arranged in a plane at an angle with relation to the horizontal, an inclined plate arranged to receive blanks discharged from said rotating member, pairs oi inclined spindles mounted on a rotating member and means for moving blanks on said plate to position between the respective pairs of spindles.

7. in a button blank grinding machine, a rotary grinding element arranged at an angle with relation to the horizontal, a rotary element arranged at the same angle, pairs of inclined blank engaging spindles mounted on said rotary element, means for causing movement of said spindles for causing them to engage a button blank and bringing its fiat faceinto engagement with the fiat face of the grinding element for reducing the blank from angular outline to circular outline, an inclined plate supported adjacent to said rotary element and to the path of said spindles having a guide wall, means for feeding blanks successively to said inclined plate so that the blanks may slide to position adjacent to said wall, and means for engaging blanks on said plate and moving them to position for engagement by said spindles.

8. In a button blank grinding machine, a rotary grinder arranged with its axis inclined "from the horizontal, a rotary element with its axis similarly inclined, blank engaging devices on said element adapted tor movement to grip blanks and bring them into engagement with the grinder, an inclined plate adjacent to said devices on which blanks may slide to position to be seized by said engaging devices, a blank feeder for successively selecting blanks and delivering them to said plate, the inclination of said inclined parts from vertical being the same.

9, In a button blank grindin machine, a rotary grinder arranged with its axis inclined from the horizontal, a rotary element with its axis similarly inclined, blank engaging devices on said element mounted for movement for engaging blanks and bringing them into engagement with said grinder, an inclined plate adjacent to said devices on which blanks mayslide to position for engagemcnt thereby, a blank :teeder adapted to successively seect blanks and deliver them to said plate, and means on said element for engaging; blanks on said plate and moving them to position for engagement by said devices.

10. in a button blank grinding machine, a rotary grinding element arranged at an angle with relation to the horizontal, means for imparting rotation to said grinding element, a rotary member, spindle supports on said rotary member, means for mounting spindles on said spindle supports for sliding movement for bringing button blanks held by said spindles into contact with the grinding element, an inclined plate adjacent to the path of movement of said spindles, having a flange at its inner edge, means supported on said rotary member for engaging button blanks on said inclined plate for moving them to position for engagement by the spindles the inclination of the inclined pants from vertical being the same.

1.1. In a button blank grinding machine, a rotary grinding element arranged at an an gle with relation to the horizontal, means for imparting rotation to said grinding element. rotary member, spindle supports on said rotary member, means for mounting spindles on said spindle supports for sliding movement for bringing button blanks held by said spindles into contact with the grinding element, an inclined plate adjacent to the path of movement of said spindles, having a flange at its inner edge, means supported on said rotary member for engaging button blan on said inclined plate for moving them to position for engagement by the spindles, and means for successively feeding button blanks to said inclined plate, the inclination of the inclined parts from vertical being the same.

12. In a button blank grinding machine, a rotary grinding element inclined at an a; gle from the horizontal, a rotary member inclined at a similar angle, spindle supports on said rotary member, lower spindles rotatably and slidably mounted on said supports, upper spindles having engaging portions aligned with the respective lower spindles, said upper spindles being slidably mounted on said spindle supports, a feed plate fixed adjacent to the path or said spindles, means for engaging blanks on said plate and moving them to position for engagement by the spindles, means for causing said spindles to move to position for engaging said blanks and to position for causing the blanks to engage said grinding element and to position for releasing said blanks, the inclined parts being inclined at the same angle from the vertical.

13. In a grinding machine, a series of aligned pairs of blank holding spindles mounted for movement around a common center, means for imparting relative movement toward and from each other to the spindles of the respective pairs, a blank supporting member comprising a converging plate and wall, said plate being arranged so that it is between the members of the pairs of spindles when they are separated during part of their movement, said plate having a slot in one end, said means being arranged to bring the spindles of the pairs together for gripping blanks above said slot.

1. 1.1111 a grinding machine, a series of aligned pairs of blank holding spindles mounted for movement around a common center, means for imparting relative movement toward and from each other to the spindles oi the respective pairs, a blank supporting member comprising a converging plate and wall, said plate being arranged so that it is between the members 01 the pairs of spindles when they are separated during part of their movement, said plate having a slot in one end, said means being arranged to bring the spindles of the pairs together for gripping blanks above said slot, and means for successively moving blanks to position above the slot.

15. In a button blank grinding machine, a rotary grinder, a rotary device, blank engaging members carried by said rotary device, means for moving said members for bringing the blanks held thereby to position for causing the Hat face of the grinder to engage the fiat face of the blank with the periphery of the grinder projecting over the blank the desired distance for producing a blank of proper diameter, means for rotating said grinder, and means for rotating the blank during the grinding operation more slowly than the grinder and with the adjacent iaces of the grinder and blank moving in general opposite directions.

16. In a button blank grinding machine, a rotary grinder, a rotary device, blank engaging members carried by said rotary device, means for moving said members for bringing the blanks held thereby to position for causing the flat face of the grinder to engage the flat face of the blank with the periphery of the grinder projecting over the blank the desired distance for producing a blank of proper diameter, means for rotating said grinder, and means for rotating the blank during the grinding operation more slowly than the grinder and with the adjacent faces of the grinder and blank moving in general opposite directions, and means for operating said rotary member for carrying the blank around the grinder, whereby the grinding operation is accomplished with minimum shock.

17. In a button blank grinding machine, a rotary device, an inclined plate adjacent thereto, a hopper device, an inclined rotating member in said hopper device, having slots, said rotating member being arranged in a plane at an angle with relation to the horizontal, an adjustable flange on said hopper device to retain blanks in said slots after they have passed the zenith of rotation and until they have reached the discharge point below the horizontal, arranged to discharge blanks directly upon said inclinedplate in a plane parallel to and slightly below the plane of said hopper rotating member, a flange at the inner edge of said inclined plate to hold and gauge the blank on the bottom edge, an adjustable feed finger on said rotary element arranged at the same angle as said inclined plate to hold the blank and gauge it on one side and to move it to the point for engagement by the spindles, the position of the blank being gauged by said inclined plate, the said flange on its inner edge and the said feeding finger.

Des Moines, Iowa, January 24, 1921.

' EDNABD C. CARRIS.

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