US2102031A - Method and apparatus for the production of fastener elements - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 14, 1937.; B, RElTER 2,102,031

METHOD AND .\P}.RA'.|',Sv FOR. THE IVRODUCTIO 0F FASTENER ELEMENTS v Filed June 22, 1954 80 INPE/V700 y a, ha, Hthr ey, Jn?

4Patent-ed Dec. 14, 193;?

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 2,102,031

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOB. TH PRO- DUCTION 0F FASTENEB ELEMENTS Bruno Reiter.' London, England, assigner to -lngeniuxnv Aktiengesellschaft, Chur, Switzerland y Application June 22, 1934, Serial No. '131,818 In Germany June 23, 1933 12 Claims.

and more particularly to a method and appa.-Y

ratus for the production of said elements from a metal strip, whichis advanced in its longitudinal direction. l

The elements or teeth of sliding clasp fasteners must, as is known, befplaced in position on the fabric strips or tapes with spread prongs or limbs Vwhich are then pressed together. It has up to now been usual to stamp the elements vwith spread prongs. An element-with spread prongs is, however, wider `between the extreme edges of the spread prongs. than at its front part.Y It therefore seemed that'a relatively considerable loss.

in material was absolutely unavoidable, if a plu- 'rality of elements was stamped.` It has already lbeen suggested to stamp the elements with closed prongs and to spread them subsequently before placing'them on the fabric-strips or tapes. The

inventor has now found that if the prongs are'` spread subsequently it is possible to produce the A elements without any waste. There arose, howbe overcome.

' with closed prongs or limbs out of a single metal Y iinished elements, the longitudinal edges-of which ever,` a particular diflculty which had likewise to which would correspond to the width of the singie element with closed prongs through the apparatus for the manufactureof the elements the advantage .gained by the saving of material would One othe objects of -my invention istoupro- A vide a method and apparatus, which permit an economical production of fastener elements from a metal strip Vbeing advanced inits longitudinal direction. v

Another object of my invention is to provide a method and apparatus, which permit the punching of several adjacent rows of-.elements strip and spreading the limbs of the elements apart at the end ofthe strip, whereby an interference of the limbs of adjacent elements with eachother is avoided.

In order-to carry out my invention. into practice, advancea metal strip of a Width equal substantially to the sum of the widths of several being in contact with each other along their entire length, slit the leading end of the strip to form several branch strips each of which having substantially the widthv of a finished element, displace the branch strips to disengage their lateral edges from each other, preform the elements and their limbs -in each of said branch strips, spread the limbs of the elements apart at the ends of the If one would pass a metal strip apparatus is provided with a lstamp for` the pro- Theabove mentioned objects and duction of indentations, the wedge of which is obtuse for the greater part, whereas the shorter part is more acute. The obtuse part effects in- 10 denting and pushing aside of the material for rendering the punching of this part with the subsequent punch possible, whilst .the acute part preforms the ends of the limbs which later on grip the tape-or fabric strip. A further row 15 of stamps produces the'recesses and projections forming the interengaging parts, which characterize the elements. A final row of stamps separates the nished elements from the divisions so that the indentation of the following part can 20 be engaged by a .stamp projection which is constructed as a mandrel at its front end andv which spreads the preformed limbs apart. The appalratus therefore consists of .several rows of stamps anda support for guiding the Vseparate divisions 25 set apart. The rows of stamps may naturally be combined with one another so thatone row of stamps may also consist of fewer stamps. This is also true for the series of stamps so that the .number of stamps.

advantages .as well as 'other objects and advantages will be 5 more fully disclosed in the following specification reference being had to the accompanying draw- 35- ing `forming part of this specification in which: Fig. 1 is a .diagrammatical side view of the end of the apparatus, which forms the elements,

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing the metal stripin i0` a top plan view,

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view'tak-en on line V3--3 of Fig. 1 illustrating the guiding of the 'branch strips in different levels, t

Fig. 4 is a top plan view `of a finished `element 45 with closed limbsgripping a tape", the latter be- .ing shown in a sectional view, v -1 tus, and 55 Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. '7.

Referring to Figs. 1 to-6, I designates a metal strip, which is fed into the apparatus by a suitable feeding device and is intermittently advanced in the apparatus in its longitudinal direction in the direction of the arrow 40. The metal strip I has a width A (Fig. 2) equal substantially to the sum of the widths a (Fig. 5) of three finished elements 4I, the longitudinal edges 42 of which being in contact with each other along their entire length (see Fig. 2), or in other words, the width of the metal strip I is equal substantially to the sum of the widths of three juxtaposed nished elements 4| the limbs 43 of which being closed. The apparatus is provided with a guide 2 on which the metal strip I is advanced. At 28 the guide 2 branches into three channels 3, 3', 3". The inner channel 3 is arranged at a level lower than the level of the outer channels 3 and 3", as shown in Fig. 3, and is connected with the guide 2 by means of an inclination 30. A punch 4 arranged above the inclination 30 slits the strip I in three branch strips 5, 5', 5" of a width a, a', a" equal substantially to the width of a finished element and presses the inner branch strip 5 downwards to the'inclination 30, if moved downwardly. A row of three stamps 8, 8', 8" (Figs. 1, 2 and 6) and counterstamps cooperating with them (only the counterstamp 80 cooperating with the stamp 8 is shown in Figs. 1 and 6) is positioned above the channels 3, 3', 3" at a point, where the inner channel 3 is again par allel to the outer channels although at a level set apart from the level of the latter, for a` distance `at least equal to the thickness ofthe metal strip. -As best shown in Fig. 6 illustrating the stamp 8 yand its counterstamp 80 as an example for all stamps and counter-stamps, each of the stamps 8, 8', 8" and their counter-stamps are provided with V-shaped ends. The smaller parts 8a and 80a of said ends have an acute angle, while the greater parts 8b and 80h of said ends are provided with an obtuse or almost obtuse angle. If, for example, the stamp 8 reaches its lowest position, a small space s remains between the edges of the ends of the stamp 8 and the counter-stamp 80. Therefore, the stamps 8, 8', 8" and their counter-stamps produce indentations in the upper and lower faces of the branch strips 5, 5', 5", whereby the depths of the indentations aresomewhat less thanI half.of the thickness. of the strip, so that a very thin membrane remains between the upper and lower indentations. The obtuse angled parts 8b and 80h of the stamp 8 and counter-stamp displace the material of the branch strip 5 to some extent and facilitate a clean punching of the branch strip by the punch 9. The acute angled parts 8a, 8b, however, produce a small indentation 44 preforming the ends of the limbs 43 between the punch 8 and the stamp I0, as shown in Fig. 2. The obtuse angled parts of the stamps 8', 8" and their' counter-stamps cooperate likewise with each other to facilitate a clean punching of the branch strips 5' and 5" by the punches 8' and 9" and to produce the small indentations 44' and 44" preforming the ends of the limbs between the punches 9' and 8" and the stamps I0 and I0". The stamps I0, I0', I0" provided with depressions and their projecting counter-stamps |00, I 00', |00" produce projections 20, 20', 20" and recesses 2|, 2|', 2|" respectively, which form the interlocking parts of theelements. Another row of punches II, II', II" is provided with projections I2, I2', I2" which serve to remove the very thin membrane still existing between the ends of the limbs 43 and to spread the latter apart at the ends of the branch strips, if the punches or spreaders II, II', II" are moved downwards. It is possible to spread the limbs apart, although the metal strip has only the width of the sum of the Widths of three adjacent finished elements, as the level of the inner branch strip 3 is set apart from the level of the outer branch strips 3', 3" for a 'distance at least equal to the thickness of the metal strip, so that the lateral edges of the branch strips are disengaged from each other. 'I'he-elements with opened limbs 43 are successively severed from the branch strips by means of suitable separating means. In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus, the punches I I, II', I" sever the leading elements, which are advanced below said punches, and spread almost simultaneously the limbs 43 of the subsequent elements, now being at the ends of the branch strips, apart by means of the projections I2, I2',

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The metal strip I is intermittently advanced step by step. During each standstill of the strip, the punches and stamps are moved downwards, whereby the punch 4 slits the strip I in branch strips .5, 5', 5" and presses the inner branch strip 5 to the inclination 30, the stamps 8, 8', 8" and their counter-stamps form the indentations, the punches 9, 9', 9" produce the apertures 22, 22', 22", the stamps I0, I0', I0" -and counter-stamps |00, |00', |00" make the projections and recesses forming the interlocking parts of the elements, and the punches II, II', II" sever the leading elements from the branch strips and spread the limbs 43 of the subsequent elements apart. The finished element 4I with opened limbs 43 has the form as shown in Fig. 4, when it is delivered from the apparatus. The finished elements may be attached to a tape 45 by closing the limbs 43, which grip the tape and attach the element to the laty tel.

tained the nature of my invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare 4ments and their limbs in each of said branch strips, spreading the limbs of the elements apart at the ends of the branch strips, and severing the elements successively from the branch strips.

2. A method for the production of metal elelments for sliding clasp fasteners, which consists in advancing a metal strip of a width equal substantially to the sum of the widths of several nfinished elements, the longitudinal edges of which are in contact with each other alo-g their entire 1ength,'slitting the leading end of the strip to form several branch strips each of which has substantially the width of a finished element,-

placing the branch strips in different levels set apart from each other for a distance at least equal to the. thickness of the strip, preforming the elements and their limbs in each of said branch strips, spreading the limbs of the elements apart at the ends of thebranch strips and 'severingthe elements successively from the branch strips.

3. A method for the production of metal elements for sliding clasp fasteners, which consists in advancing a metal strip of a width equal substantially to the sum of the widths of several finished elements, the longitudinal edges of which are in contact with each other along their entire length, slitting `the leading end of the strip to form several branch strips each of which has substantially the width of a -finished element, spreading the branch strips apart from each other to provide a distance between their lateral edges, preforming the elements and their limbs in each of said branch strips, spreading the limbs of the elements apart at the ends of the branch strips, i

and severing the elements successively from the branch strips.

4. A method for the production of metal elements for sliding clasp fasteners, which consists in advancing a metal strip of a width equal substantially to the sum of the widths of several are in contact with each other along their entire i length, 4slitting the leading end of the strip to form severallbranch strips each of which has substantially the width of a'. finished element, relatively displacing the branch strips to disengage their lateral edges from each other, providing indentations in the branch strips at spaced intervals, punching the indented material to formy the limbs of the elements, producing recesses and projections on the branch strips to form the interlocking parts of the elements, spreading the limbs of the elements apart at the ends of the vbranch strips, and severing the elements successively from the branch strips.

5. A method for the production of metal elements for sliding clasp fasteners. which consists in advancing a metal strip of a width equal substantially to the sum of the widths of several finished elements, the longitudinal edges of which are in contact with each other along their entire length, slitting the leading end of the strip to form several branch strips each of which has substantially the width of a finished element, relatively displacing the branch strips to disengage their lateral edges from eachother, providing indentations in the upper and lower faces of the branch strips at spaced intervals, punching the indented material to form the limbs of the elements, producing recesses and projections on the vbranch -strips to form the interlocking parts of the elements, spreading the limbs of the elements apart at the ends of the branch strips, and severing the elements successivelyy from the branch strips.

6. A method for the production of metal elements for sliding clasp fasteners, which consists i in advancing a metal strip of a width equaljsubstantially to the sum of the widths of several finished elements, the longitudinal edges of which are in contact with each other along their entire length-slitting the leading end of the strip to form several branch strips each of which has substantially the width of a nished element, relaindentations in the branch strips at spaced inter: vals, partially punching the indented material to form apertures between the limbs of the elements, producing recesses and projections on the branch strips to form the interlockingvparts of the elements, removingl the remainder of the material between the ends of the limbs and spreading the latter apart at the ends of the branch strips, and severing the elements 'successively from the branch strips.

, '7. In an apparatus for the production of metal elements for sliding clasp fasteners, the combination of means for intermittently advancing a metal strip, means for slitting the leading' end of the strip into several branch strips, means for 8. In an apparatus for the production of metal elements for sliding clasp fasteners, the combina.-k

tlon of means for intermittently advancing a metal strip, means for slitting the leading end of the strip into several branch strips, means for relatively displacing the branch strips in different levels, lguiding means adapted to lead the branch strips in said different levels, means adapted to preform the elements and their limbs in each of said branch strips, spreaders adapted vto open the limbs of the elements at the ends of the branch strips, and means adapted to Sever the elements successively from thebranch strips.

9. In an apparatus for the production of metal elements for sliding clasp fasteners, the combination of means lfor intermittentlyy advancing a metal strip, means for slitting the leading end of the strip into several branch strips, means for spreading the branch strips apart from each other, guiding means adapted to lead said branch strips spread apart from each other, means adapted to preform the elements and their limbs in each of said branch strips, spreaders adapted to open the limbs of the elements at the ends of the branch strips, and means adapted to sever the elements successively from the branch strips.

10. In an apparatus for the production of metal elements for sliding clasp fasteners, the combination of means for intermittently advancing a strips, and means adapted to sever the elements successively from the branch strips.

11. In an apparatus for the production of metal elements for sliding clasp fasteners, the combination of means for intermittently. advancing a metal strip, means for slitting the leading end of the strip into sever'al branch strips, means for displacing the branch strips and disengaging their lateral edges from each other, stamps provided 55 metal strip, means for slitting theV leading end v with V-shaped ends for producing indentations in the branch strips, said ends having a smaller part with an acute angle and a greater part with an angle of greater degree than the angle of the smaller part, punches for removing the material indented by the greater parts of said ends to form apertures between the limbs of the elements, stamps and counter-stamps for producing rev cesses and projections on the branch strips to form the interlocking parts of the elements, spreaders adapted to remove the remainder of the material between the limbs and to open the latter at the ends of the branch strips, and means adapted to sever the elements successively from the branch strips.

12. In an apparatus for the production of metal elements for sliding clasp fasteners, the combination of means for intermittently advancing a me'tal strip, means for slitting the leading end of the strip into several branch strips, means for displacing the branch strips and disengaging their lateral edges from each other, stamps provided with V-shaped ends for producing indentations in the branch strips, said ends having a smaller part with an acute angle' and a greater part with an angle of greater degree than the angle of the smaller part, counter-stamps provided with V- shaped ends having angles corresponding to said angles of the stamps, said stamps and counter stamps producing the indentations in the upper and lower faces of the branch strips at spaced intervalsv approximately to the middle of the branch strips, punches for removing the material indented by the greater parts of said ends to form apertures between the limbs of the elements, stamps and counter-stamps for producing recesses and projections on the branch strips to form the interlocking parts of the elements, spreaders adapted to remove the remainder of the material between the limbs and to open the latter at the ends of the branch strips, and means adapted to sever the elements successively from the branch strips. i

BRUNO REITER.

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