US1751568A - Machine for cutting sheet material - Google Patents

Description

-March 25, 193( E. E. WINKLEY 1,751,568

MACHINE FOR CUTTING SHEET MATERIAL Filed July 30, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1.

March 25, 1930. E. E. WIN'KLEYY' 1,751,568

MACHINE FOR CUTTING SHEET MATERIAL Filed July 30, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 25, 1930 UNITED: TATE ERASTUS n. WINKLEY, or LYNN, ranssncnusnrrs, essrenonro UNITED. snot:

MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERSON, NE\V JERSEY, CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY MACHINE non cU'rrrNGsHEnr ATERIAL Application filed July at), 1926.. Serial No. 125,987.

This invention relates to machines for cutting sheet material, and is herein illustrated cut from strips to a size approximating that of the desired blanks and corresponding to the size of the die for producing the blanks. This practice frequently. necessitates the maintenance of a large quantity of cut sections zit-hand, especially where the demandfor blanks of different sizes varies considerably. Where a single machine of the type referred to is used for producing blanks-of different sizes (considerable diiiiculty has been .experiencedin properly locating such sections in respect to the dies. Also,- it frequently happens that some of the sections supplied to the machine, such as waste pieces occurring at the ends ofstrips, are not'long enough to produce full size blanks or are 7 otherwise imperfect, resulting in thedieingout of incomplete blanks which are mixed in with the perfect blanks. v

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved machine 1 for economically producing from sheet material perfect blanks over a range of sizes by the use of which the above-named and other difficulties will be obviated.

lVith this object in view, one feature of the invention comprisesfthe provision, in a machine for operating upon sheet materiahof a d e, means for cutting sheet materialinto sections approximating the size of the die, a member positioned between the die and the cutting means for receiving the sections as Such sections,'in order to avoid excessive waste of materlal, are customarily they are cut, and means foi'rfeeding the mateaccurately with respect to the die.

rial to the cutting means and the sectionsto 5 the die and .locatmg the successlve s ecti ons in the provision of improved means for so supporting sections ofsheetmaterial with relation to the cutting edgesofia die as to facilitate the feeding of the sections to the die and the location of the sections one at a time upon the .die. i

To this and, in the illustrated machine the section-receiving member- 'above referred to comprises an extensible table located adjacent to adie and adjustable with respect to the edges of the'die. The construction'of the table is such that it can be properly located with respect to'a given die which may be any one of a number of diesof diflerent sizes.

Means associated withthetable is-provided for moving sections over the die to locateeach section longitudinally with respect to the cutting edgesthereof, Preferably, the means referred to comprises a feed finger vmounted on the table in such manner'as to be efiective .in locating sections uponthe die ir-. respective of the position of adjustment of the table. I

Still another feature ofthe invention resides in improved mechanism for insuring that the waste pieces which are apt to occur at the rear ends of strips of stock will not be fed to the die; To this end theillustrated machine isjprovided with detecting means WillCll, upon the exhaust on of a strip to a predetermined extent, operates to prevent any more stock from that strip being fed to the die, means being provided for disposing of the waste end remaining. Preferably, and as shown, the detecting means comprises a feeler which,'upon exhaustion of the stock contains less than an amount of material sufficient to produce a complete section, operto the extent that the remainder of a sheet fresh stock to the table until the front end of the stock, whichv is usually uneven or otherwise unsuitable, has been cut off and removed from the line of feed. To this end the illustrated machine comprises means for retain ing the table in its displaced position with re spect to theline of feed of the material while newly-inserted material is fed to the cutting -means and the waste end is cut off. Means associated with the cutting means is provided for detecting the presence of the fresh material, and is effective to initiate mechanism for returning the table to its normal position.

Other objects of the invention, and the feature's of construction by which they are attained, will beset forth in connection with the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section taken longitudinally of the illustrated machine;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing some of the operating elements of the machine; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing in detail a portion of the section feeding mechanism.

The machine constituting a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the .drawings comprises a die 10 (Fig. 1) mounted on a base 12 supported in the frame ofthe machine, and a cutting block 14 arranged for reciprocation toward and from the die 10 by means of a pitman 16 eccentrically mounted on a power shaft 18 carried in the upper portion of the frame. In the construction shown the die 10 is an upstanding hollow heel die adapted to co-operate with the cutting block 14 in producing heel parts from sections or blanks, such as sections or blanks 20, which have previously been severed, by means of a knife 22 from a strip of sheet stock 24, preferably composed-of several thicknesses of leather, leather-board or other sheet material.

A stationary support 26 is provided for supporting the sheet material 24 while it is being fed to the knife 22 by means of feed rolls 28 and 30, a movable table 32 being positioned between the die '10 and the support 26 to receive and support sections 20 cut from the material 24.

The feed rolls 28 and 30 are driven by a gear 34 through the pinions 36 and 38, in such manner as to advance the material 24 over the table 26, between operations of the knife 22,by a distance equal to the length of a section to be cut. For operating the feed rolls a gear 40, keyed to the shaft 18, is arranged in mesh with a gear 42. Eccentrically mounted on the gear 42 is a stud 43 to which is attached one end of a connecting rod 44, the other end of which is pivotally cennected to a plate 46 mounted for reciprocation on a bearing 48. On the under side of the plate 46 is a rack 50 in mesh with the driving element 52 of a clutch mechanism which is constructed to cause rotation of the gear 34 in a clockwise direction each time the rack 50 is moved to the right, but which is disconnected from the gear 34 during the return movements of the rack. In this wayintermittent feeding movements of the feed rolls 28 and 30, in one direction of rotation only, are effected. The clutch mechanism above mentioned is of the type disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 1,291,728, granted January 21, 1919, upon an application filed by W. C. Baxter, which may be referred to for a detailed description of the parts and operation of the clutch.

It will be apparent that the distance the stock 24 is advanced during any one feeding movement of the rolls 28 and 30 is dependent upon the distance the rack 50 is moved to the right by the rod 44. Accordingly, the feeding of the stock, and consequently the length of a blank 20 to be cut from the stock, may be varied by changing the throw of the connecting rod 44. This may be r adily accon plished by adjusting the stud 43 toward or away from the center of the gear 42.

The mechanism for effecting operations of the knife 22 comprises a cam 54, rotatable with the shaft 18, and having a cam track 56 which receives a roll 58 carried at one end of a lever 60 pivotally mounted at 62 on a portion of the frame. A link 64 forms a connection between the other end of the lever 60 and the knife The cam 54 is designed to effect movements of the knife 22 downwardly only at such times as the feed rolls 28 and 30 are stationary, thusaveiding cutting operations of the knife during the feeding of the stock. After sections 20 are severed from the stock 24, subsequent advancement of the stock by the feed rolls will force the sections across the table 32 by steps corresponding to the length of a section, the section nearest the die at the beginning of a feeding movement being pushed on to the die, which is so supported that its cutting edges lie in a plane below the plane of the table.

It is desirable that the first operation of the knife upon a fresh supplyoof stock be effective to trim the forward end thereof in order to prevent the inclusion in the first section cut of roughened, curled, or ragged, portions usually occurring at the ends of a strip of material. If, however, the stock were advanced a full feed step for the first operation of the knife, considerably more material would be severed than necessary. Accordingly, a finger 66, pivoted at 68 on a portion of the frame,'is provided for limiting the inward movement of fresh stock until such time as the feed rolls have nearly completed a feeding movement. The finger 66 has an upturned end portion which, by the action of a spring 70, is moved upwardly through an opening 72 (Fig. 2) in the'support 26' into contact'with the stock being advanced over the support. When there is nostock in position over the opening 72, the end of the finger 66 extends above the surface of the support and acts as a; stop for fresh stock inserted by the operator. The mechanism provided for lowering the finger 66 so that the stock may be fed at the proper time com prises a shaft 74 adapted to be driven by a link chain 7 6 operatively connected to the shaft 18. Fixedly secured to the shaft 74is a cam 78 upon which rides a roll 80 carried by a lever 82 pivoted to the frame at 84 and connected to the finger 66 by means of a link operations of the feed rolls will advance the stock beyond the knife the requisite distance forthe cutting of full length blanks.

Provision is made for accurately locating a blank on the'die 10. To thisen'd, a finger 88 is arranged for contact with that portion of a blank which extends below the table 32, when a blank has been fed part way on to the die, and operates to push such blank over the die until its farther e'dge is in contact with a gage'90 mounted on the base 12. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the finger 88 is carried by a lever 92 pivotally mounted on a pin '94 secured to a lug 96 extending from'the lower surface of the table 32. On oneend of the lever 92 is a roll 98 arranged for contact with a plate 100 carried by a pin 102 loosely mounted in the frame. The plate 100 is arranged for positive movement upwardly by means of a lever 104 pivoted at 84 and having a roll 106 which rides on a cam 108 mounted on the shaft 74. A spring 110 is arranged consequently to elevate the plate 102. This efiects'a counterclockwise movement of" the lever 92 resulting in the engagement of'the to drop by gravity, and the springllO opits most extended position.

section by the finger 88 whichforces the blank over the die into position with its farther edge in contact with'the gage 90, where it is held during an operation of the cutting block 14 Fig. 1 shows the finger- 88 in advanced position just after an operation of thecutting block. After such operation takes place the plate 100 is allowed erates to return the finger 88 to its original position beneath the table 32. 1

The table 32 is designed for supporting a plurality of sections, preferably two, in such manner thatone of the sections is supported with its advanced edge in proximity to'the die, but out of the path of movement of the cutting block. In order to provide for the positioning of the table 32 for dies of different sizes, the table is composed of two interlocking sections 114 and'116. The section 114 is supported by. a rod 118 slidably mounted in anextension 120 of the machine frame. Extending from the lower surface of the section 114'is a lug 122 in which is mounted a plunger 124 attached to the lug 96 fwhich: projects from the section 116. By means of the plunger 124 and interlocking fingers 126' and Y128 the section 116 is supported in the plane of the section 114, but is capable of movement in a longitudinal direction. At;-v

spring- 130 tends to move the section 116 to The arrange-: ment just described thus provides means whereby the table maybe extended as required to form a support for one or more sections of asize corresponding to the size of the die positioned in the machine.

For limitingthe extension of the table sec tion 116 under the action of the-spring 130 there is provided a rod or gage 132 secured to thelug 96 and adapted to contact with an. inclined lug 134 projecting from the base 12 of the die. Preferably, each die 10 to be used in the illustrated'machine isprovided'with a lug, similar to that shown at 134 and so located according to the size of the die carried by the base that'the g'age132 will be effectivein positioning the table with its forward edge at the requisite distance from the die. I Means is provided for moving the table 3 out of the path of the advancing stock 24 in order that waste ends of stock cut from the rear ends of strips will not be fed on to the table, thus further avoidingthe possibility ofdieing out incomplete heel parts and the feeding of waste pieces to the die. To this end, in the illustrated machine, a plurality of fingers 136 are provided for detecting the exhaustion of stock on the table 26, and are arranged to effect operation of mechanism to raise the table 32 when the stock remaining on the table is insuflicient for producing a complete section. The fingers 136 are pivoted at 138 on an arm 140 extending from a the edge of the table 26.

vertical plate'142 which is slidably supported in a guide 144 mounted on the frame. Mounted at 146 on the rod 118 is a lever 148 arranged for actuation about the center 146 by means of a cam 150 secured to the shaft 74 and making contact with a roll 152 on the lever 148. At one end of the lever 148 is a roll 154 which contacts with the lower surface of a plate 156 mounted for oscillating movement about the pivot 158 on the arm 140. The fingers 136 are so shaped that their lower ends 160 normally extend above the plate 156, and their upper portions project above the plane of the table 24 through a slot 162. hen, however, material is positioned over the slot 162, the fingers are rotated counterclockwise around the pivot 138 into such position that their lower ends 160 are positioned over an opening 164 in the plate 156. Consequently, as long as there 1s sufiicient stock to hold down the fingers, rotation of the cam 150 willproduce oscillatory movements of the lever 148 about the pivot 146 and of the plate 156 about the pivot 158. NVhen,

however, the stock has been advanced over the table 26 to the extent that the rear edges thereof lie beyond one or more of the fingers 136, one or more of the latter, as the case may be, will be rotated by gravity into such position over the plate 156 as to hold the plate stationary. cause rotation of the lever 148 about the roll In this case the cam 150 will 154 as a center, thus forcing the rod 118 and the table 32 upwardly. The remainder of the guided by the extension will not only be raised but will be moved laterally away from In'this manner contact of the knife 22 with the section 114, while in raised position, is avoided. The table section 116 rises with the section 114, lateral movement being rendered possible by reason of the inclined surface of the lug 134. However, .ince this surface is arranged in parallel relation to the axis of the rod 118, the relative positions of the table sections 114 and 116 and the gage 96 are not changed, and consequently the length of the table 32 is not varied during its movement.

I In order to insure that the waste pieces shall be removed during such time as the table is raised, means is preferably provided in addition to the feed rolls 28 and 30 for ejectinn; such waste material. Accordingly, a

plurality of feelers 166 is provided. These remaining is at or beyond the line of contact with the feed rolls 28 and 30, the feelers will drop down on to the table and will execute a movement longitudinally of the table to push the waste piece over the edge thereof. The feeler-actuating mechanism, preferably and as shown, comprises a system of links operable by means of the slidable plate 46. during movement thereof to the right. To this end, the feelers 166 are supported by links 168 and 170, and levers 1-7 2 pivoted at 174. At the upper end of each lever 172 is a link 176 which carries a pawl 178. The pawls 1 8 are held in inoperative position above racks 180 on the plate 46, during such time as stock is positioned, below the feelers, by means of rods 182 pivoted on the feelers 166 and having forked ends for receiving pins 184 of the links 176. When one of the feelers 166 drops upon the table 26, the link 182 is depressed permitting the pawl 178 to engage with the rack 180. As the latter moves to the right the link 176 then causes rotation of the link 172 the lower end of which forces the feeler 166 to the left along the table to eject the waste piece. Movement of the feelers 166 is terminated by contact of the links 168 with a stop 186, further movement of the racks 180' to the right resulting in the raising of the links 176 and the pawls 178 which are withdrawn from engagement with the racks by means of a spring 188. The feelers are normally held in contact with the upper surface of the stock by means of springs which act on the levers 172 to tilt the feelers downwardly. Excessive movement of the link system to the right is prevented by a stop 192.

Mechanism is provided for holding or locking the table 32 in its raised position during such time as a waste piece of stock is being ejected and until after fresh stock has been inserted in the machine. As illustrated, this mechanism comprises a dog 194, mounted on the lower end of the rod 118, adapted to cooperate witha latch 196 on a bell-crank lever 198 rotatably mounted at 200 on the frame. Pivotally connected to one end of the lever 198 is a vertically extending rod 202 which i provided with a fixed collar 204 arranged for contact with an arm 206 forming an extension of the lever 148. A spring 208 is attached to the lever 198 in such manner as to continually force the rod upwardly so that the collar 204 is maintained in contact with the arm 206. As long as the lever 148 oscillates about the point 146, relatively small movements of the rod 202 and the lever 198 will take place, the parts being maintained substantially in the relation shown in Fig. 1. However, when the exhaustion of stock results in a movement of lever 148 about the roll 154 as a pivot to raise the table 32 as previously described, the arm 206 will be raised, the rod 202 will be elevatedyand the latch 196 rotated into a position of engagement with the dog 194, thus locking the table 32 in its raised position.

The timing of thecam 150 is such thatthe mechanism for raising table 32 begins to operate just after a downward stroke of the knife 22. As the table rises the waste end of stock is ejected and there will be no stock for the knife to operate upon until fresh stock is supplied to the machine. sirable to trim the forward end of such fresh stock, thus necessitating ejection of a waste piece, the table is maintained in raised position until the completion of the first opera tion of the knife on the stock, afterwhich the table is lowered to its-normal position.

For detecting the presence of stock newly presented to the knife, in order that the mechanism for holding the table out of its normal position may be released, a plate 210 is slidably mounted on the knife 22. ,Pivoted to the knife at 212 is a lever214, one end of which is connected to a slide 216 positioned on the rod 202-. The other end of the lever 214 is providedwith a nose .218 with which the plate 210 is held in contact by means of a relatively weak spring 220, the arrangement being such that the plate and lever are moved up and down with the knife during operation of the latter. When the rod 202 is elevated. in looking the table 32 in its raised position,

a collar 222 secured to the rod is broughtinto the path of movement of the slide 216. Consequently, when thelever'214 descends with the knife, the slide contacts with the collar causing rotation of the lever in a clockwise direction resultingin depression of" the nose 218 and a movement of the plate 210 down-' wardly with respect to the-knife. This operation of theplate is repeated upon eachdowne ward stroke of the knife as long asfth'ere'is no material positioned adjacent to'the; knife beneath the plate 210. 'However, when stock has been fed underneath the knife,-upon-the next operation of the latterj the plate 210 will strike the upper surface-of the stock and will be held stationary asthe knife passes through the material. Theleveris then rotated in a counterclockwise direction due to contactof vthenose 218 with the top .of the plate, thus causing the slide, 216 to move the collar 222 with the rod-202 downwardly.

This results in rotation of the lever 198 to 're-r lease .the latch 196, and the table32 is returned by gravity to its normal position.

In order that the feelers136 may be rendered effective for determining the exhaustion of stock for the cutting of blanks of various sizes,-the slide supporting the fingers is arranged for adjusting movements by means of agage 224 which is'slidably'mounted' at 226 in the frame. The gage 224 contacts at,

one end with a projection 228'onthe die base 12, and at the other end with a portion of an arm' 230 which is loosely mounted on the shaft 74. The arm230 is arranged for con- Since it is de' tact with a projection 232 extending from the arm 140 on the slide 142.; The length of the projection 228 is so'relate'd to the size 7 of the shaft 18 effects simultaneous reciproca-oction of the cutting block 14 and of the knife 22, and rotation of the. feed rolls 28 and 30 between successive downward movements of the knife. Assuming that the table 32 is locked by the latch 196 in aplane above that "of the table 26, to initiate'op'erations of the machine, the operator places stock on the table 26 and forces it against the stop 66 which extends above the surface of the table. Near the-end of the subsequent rotation of thefeed rolls, the stop 66 is permitted to drop and the operator may force the material-into contact-with the rolls. The stock is then fed a short distance under the knife: 22=which trims the forward end of the stock, the waste piece falling into a chute (not shown). As the knife descends, 'theplate 210 contacts with the surface of thestocfk, effecting a rota tion of the lever 214, depressing the rod 202 I to release the latch 196 from contact with the lower end of the support 118 of the table 32. The table is then lowered through action of'the' cam 150 to its normal positionin alignment with the table 26. Subsequent opera tions 'ofthe feed rolls result in the feedingcof the stock 24 beneath the knife by a distance equalto the length of asection 20 necessary for the production of a heel part of the size;

desired, furtheroperations of the knife sever} ing sections 20 from the stock.- The sections 20 are forced over the table-32 and drop one at a. time upon the dienlO where they are located in a longitudinal direction by means -of a finger 88which pushes the blank "into contact with the gage 90. Upon .theoperation ofthe cutting block upon theifirst section fed to the die, the section is-cut part way through, a second section is positioned upon the first, and the next operation of the block serves to completely sever the first sec-.

tion to form a heel part, thesecond sectiongat; the same time being cut part-way through.

In this way each section provides a cuttingsurface for the next precedingsection.

The blank cutting and dieing operations". continue until the stock rema ningion the,

table 36 is lessthanthe amount necessary for a complete blank, at which timethe' fingers 136 are efiective to initiate the mechanism for raising the table 32. Asth'e rear edge of the remaining piece ofstock on the table 26 approaches the line of contact of the feed rolls withthe surfaces oft-he stock, one,

or more of the feelers 166 drop from the upper surface and are operated in such manner as to push the waste piece of stock over the edge of the table. I i f Having described my claim as new and desire to secure by'Letters Patent of the United States is 2- 1. In a machine for operating upon sheet material, a die, means for cutting sheet material into sections approximating the size of the die, a member positioned between the die and-the cutting means for receiving the sections as they are cut, and means for feeding the material to the cutting means and the sections to the die. I

2. In a machinefor operating upon sheet material, a support for the material, die, means for cutting the sheet material into sections approximating the size of the die, a support for receiving the sections as they are cut, and means for feeding the material to the cutting means and the sections to the die.

3. In a machine of the character described, a die, a support for sheet material, a table positioned between the die and the sup-port to receive stock from the support, means for severing from the sheet tiat portionof the sheet positioned upon the table, and means for feeding the material part way on to the tableand for feeding the severed portion to the die.

4. In a machine of the character described, a die, a support for strips of sheet material, a' table positioned between the die and the support, means for feeding a strip over the table through a distance equal to the length of'a section to be severed from the strip, and means for severing from the strip that portion of the strip positioned upon the table, said feeding means being operative to feed the severed section to the die.

' In a machine of the character described, a die,'a support for strips of sheet material, a table positioned between the (LI@ and the support, means for feeding a strip over the table until the portion of the strip positioned upon the table is sufficient to produce a section of the size to be operated upon by the die, and

means for severing from the s rip that por tion of the strio iositioned on the table, said l l I feedln means beln further 0 erative for c b J c 1 1 feeding the severed section to tne are. i

i 6. Ina machine of the character described,

a cutter for severin sections from sheet ma terial a die for reducin blanks-from the a O L n p SBOt-lOIlS,"EL movable support positioned bee tween the cutter and the die for receiving and s'u ortin the sections, and feed mechanism for feeding material to the cutter and for feeding sections to the die.

7. In a machine of the character described, a cutter for severing sections from sheet material, a die for cutting blanks from the sections, a table positioned between the cutter and the die forsupporting sections adjacent invention, what 7 I to the die, feed mechanism for advancing the sections one at a time on to the die, and means associated with the table for locating the sections upon the die.

8. In a machine of the character described, a die for cutting out blanks from sections of sheet material, a table for supporting sections of sheet material adjacent to the die, means for adjusting the position of the table with respect to the die in accordance with the size of the die, means for feeding the sections to the die, and means associated with the table for locating the sections upon the die.

9. In a machine of the character described, a die for cutting out blanks from sections of sheet material, a table for supporting the sections adjacent to the die, means for feeding the sections one at a time part way on the die, and means for aligning longitudinally with respect to the cutting edges of the die sections which have been fed part Way on the die.

10. In a machine of the characterdescribed, a die for cutting out blanks from sections of sheet material, a table for supporting the sections adjacent to the die and movable toward and from the die, means for feeding sections to the die, and a finger mounted on the tab-1e for aligning the sections with respect to the cutting edges of the die, irrespective, of the position of the table.

11. In a machine of the character described, die, a cutting block co-operating with the die for producing blanks from sections of sheet material, an'extensible table positionet adjacent to the die for receiving and supporting sections of material to be o ierated upon by the die and block, and means bearing a fixed relation to the size of the die for adjusting the position of the tablewith respect to the edges of the die.

, 12. In a machine of the character described, a die for operating upon sheet material, a table arranged adjacent tothe die for supporting sheet material. means for feeding the material to the die and means for-locating the table in position with its edge a predetermined distance from the edges of the die.

13. In a machine of the character describe-d,

support for sheet material, means for cutting the material into sections, a table for receiving the sections severed, a die positioned adjacent to the table, mechanism for feeding the material to the cutting means and for moving the sections over the table to the die, and meansfor adjusting; the position of the table with respect to the edges of the die.

14. In a machine of thecharacter described, a die positioned with its cutting edges extending upwardly. a cutting block co-operating with the die for producing heel lifts from sections of sheet material, an extensible table adjacent'the die for receiving and supporting sections of sheet material to be operated upon, means for feeding the sections from the table on to the die, and means bearing a fixed relation to the size of the die for positioning the table with its edge a predetermmcd distance from the edges of the die.

15. In a machine of the character described,

a support for sheet'stoch, means for advancing the stock over the support, a cutter forl' severing sections from the stock, a member positioned to receive the severed sections, and means for moving the member out of receiving position when less than an amount of stock for a'complete section remains on the support. v

16. In a machine of the character described, a stock support, means for cutting the stock into sections, means for feeding the stock to the cutting means, a table in alignment with the stock support for receiving'thesections,

plete section remains on the support, and

means operative to feed the remainder of the stock over the edge of the support.

18. In a machine of the character described, a die, a stock support, means forcutting the stock into sections, a tablealigned with the stock support for receiving the sections,

means for feeding the stock to the cutting means and the sections to the die, and means for moving the table out of alignment with the stock support when less than an amount of stock sufficient to produce one complete section remains on the support.

19. In a machine of the character described, a support for sheet material, means for cutting the material into sections, a die for cutting blanks from the sections, a table positioned between the cutting means and the die for receiving and supportingthe sections, means for feeding the materialto the cutting means and the sections to the die, and means for moving the table and the sections supported thereon out of the line of feed of the material when less than an amount of material sufficient tojproduce a complete section remains on the sup-port.

. 20. In a machine of thecharacter described,

a support for sheet stock, a'cutter for severing sections from-the stock, means for feeding the stock to the cutter, a table for receiving the severedsections, a feeler for detecting exhaustion of the stock to the extent that less than an amount sufficient for a complete section remains on the support, and means operi able inresponse to'adetecting operation of said feeler for moving the table out sition for receiving sections. I

21. Ina machine of the character described, a Support for sheet material, means for cut ting sections fromthe-material, means for feeding thematerial to the cutting means, a feeler operable to detect exhaustion of the material to the extent that the material remaining on the support is less than an amount I sufficient to produce a complete sectionfand means for adjusting the feeler longitudinally of the support in order that the feeler may be adjusted for detecting the exhaustion'of material for blanks of different sizes.

22. In a machine of the character described,

of its po- 1 a die for dieing-out heel parts from sections, 7

of sheet material, means for severing sections from sheet material supplied to the machine, means for feeding the sections to the die, a feeler for detecting exhaustion of the sheet material to the extent that less than the 'amountof material sutficient to form a complete heel part remains, means responsive to the actuation of the feeler for rendering the feeding mechanism inoperative to feed sections to the die, and means co-operating with the die for moving the feeler into position to be effective for a section of the size tobe operated upon by the die. v

'23. In a machine of the character described, a support for sheet stock, a reciprocating knife for severing sections from the stock, a'

table normally positioned for receiving the severed sections, means for detecting exhaustion of the stock, means for elevatingthe table upon such exhaustion, a latch forlocking the table in its elevated position, means.

for feeding the waste end ofthe stock over the edge of thesupport, a member mounted on the knife-for detecting the presence of fresh stock on the support, and means operated by said member for tripping the latch to effect the return of the table to its normal position. 1 I

24. In a machine of the class described, means for cutting sheet material into sections, a table normallypositioned for receiv ing the sections as they are out, continuously acting normally inefiective means formoving 1 the table out of-its section-receiving position, and means for'rendering the table-moving r w 1 means effective. 5

25. Ina mach-ineof the class described, a I

support for sheet material, means for cutting the material into sections, a table normally positionedfor receiving the sections,'means for displacing the table from its section-rematerial for a complete section remains upon the support, means for locking thetable in displaced position, and means for detecting the presence of a fresh supplyof materialope erable to release the locking means. 1 ,26. In a machine for operating upon sheet material, means for cutting the material into ceiving position when less than an amount of v sections, a table norinally positioned for receiving the sections as they are out, a rod connected to'the table, a cam, a lever pivotally connected at one end to the rod, the free end of the lever being arranged for oscillation about its point of connection with the red by v means of said 0am, and means for limiting the movement of the free end of the lever for effecting an oscillation of the lever about its free end as a pivot to move the table out of its section-receiving position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ERASTUS E. VVINKLEY;

vsnses

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