Clip attachment mechanism for fastening a single clip or two clips simultaneously
AssigneeDelaware Capital Formation, Inc.
InventorsWilliam M. Poteat, Thomas E. Whittlesey, Kim L. Poling, Edward P. Brinson, Bryan E. Wilkins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clipper apparatus is provided which is convertible between single and dual punch operation and includes a single pneumatic cylinder for driving both punches. One of the punches is driven directly by the cylinder. The second punch is connected to the first punch by means of a pin and key assembly which enables coupling or decoupling of the second punch to the first punch. Thereby the punches can be made to operate simultaneously. Alternatively, only the first punch will be driven by the pneumatic cylinder.
Claims12
In apparatus for attachment of generally U-shaped metal clips about gathered material, said apparatus including a body, a first clip channel in the body, means for feeding a clip into the first channel, an anvil supported by the body at one end of the first channel for forming a clip driven in the first channel about gathered material adjacent the anvil in the pathway of the clip driven in the first channel, a first punch reciprocally mounted in the first channel and movable therein for engaging and driving a clip in the first channel, and fluid drive means supported on the body and connected to the first punch for driving the first punch in the first channel, the improvement comprising, in combination:
- a second punch parallel to the first punch, means on the body defining a second clip channel parallel to the first clip channel, and a second anvil;
- and
- means for releasably attaching the first punch to the second punch for movement therewith and for coaction with a second U-shaped metal clip driven in the second clip channel against the second anvil to thereby attach substantially simultaneously a first clip and a second clip about gathered material adjacent the respective anvils in the pathway of clips in each of the respective channels, said means for releasable attaching including
- (a) a block member having a through passage for the second punch, the block member connected to the first punch, the second punch including a punch retaining pin,
- (b) a catch mounted on the body, pivotal between a retaining pin engaging position and a second non-engaging position;
- (c) said block member further including a retaining pin slot opening into the through passage, the slot defining an end in the direction of punch travel to engage the pin and limit free movement of the pin therethrough the slot,
- (d) said block further including a transverse passage extending into the through passage,
- (e) a second punch engaging key slidable in the transverse passage between a first position limiting movement of the second punch in the through passage, and a second position of non-interference with the through passage;
- and
- (f) means for sliding the key between the first position and the second position and for pivoting the catch between non-engaged position and the engaged position, to thereby operate both punches simultaneously when the key is in the first position limiting movement of the second punch relative to the block member and the catch is in the non-engaged position.
In apparatus for attachment of fasteners to workpieces, said apparatus including a body, a first fastener pathway in the body, means for feeding a fastener into the first fastener pathway, an anvil supported by the body at one end of the first fastener pathway for forming a fastener driven in the first fastener pathway to attach the fastener to a workpiece located adjacent the anvil in the first fastener pathway, a first punch means mounted to the body for movement for engaging and driving a fastener along the first fastener pathway, and drive means supported on the body and connected to the first punch means for driving the first punch, the improvement comprising, in combination:
- a second punch means substantially parallel to the first punch means;
- means on the body defining a second fastener pathway;
- and a second anvil;
- and
- means for connecting and releasing the second punch means to and from the first punch means, for simultaneous movement of the second punch means with the first punch means when the second punch means is connected to the first punch means;
- and
- actuator means for actuating the connecting and releasing means.
Apparatus for attachment of generally U-shaped metal clips about gathered material, said apparatus comprising:
- a body, defining a first clip channel in the body and a second clip channel in the body substantially parallel to the first clip channel;
- means for feeding clips seriatim into the first clip channel;
- means for feeding clips seriatim into the second clip channel;
- a first anvil supported by the body at one end of the first clip channel for forming a clip driven in the first clip channel about gathered material adjacent the anvil in the pathway of the clip driven in the first clip channel;
- a second anvil supported by the body at one end of the second channel for forming a clip driven in the second channel about the gathered material adjacent the second anvil in the pathway of the gathered material driven in the second channel;
- a first punch reciprocally mounted in the first clip channel and movable therein for engaging and driving a clip in the first clip channel;
- a second punch reciprocally mounted in the second clip channel and movable therein for engaging and driving a clip in the second clip channel, the second punch including a punch retaining pin;
- fluid drive means supported on the body and connected to the first punch for driving the first punch in the first clip channel and connected to the second punch for driving the second punch in the second clip channel;
- a block member having a through passage for the second punch, the block member connected to the first punch;
- a catch mounted on the body, pivotal between a retaining pin engaging position and a second non-engaging position, said block member further including a retaining pin slot opening into the through passage, the slot defining an end in the direction of punch travel to engage the pin and limit free movement of the pin therethrough the slot, said block further including a transverse passage extending into the through passage;
- a second punch engaging key slidable in the transverse passage between a first position limiting movement of the second punch in the through passage, and a second position of non-interference with the through passage;
- a linear actuator for sliding the key between the first position and the second position and for pivoting the catch between non-engaged position and the engaged position;
- and
- a guiding member on the linear actuator and a cooperative guided member on the key, the guided member docking against the guiding member when the second punch means is retracted, whereby the guided member is guided while docked;
- whereby both punches operate simultaneously when the key is in the first position limiting movement of the second punch relative to the block member and the catch is in the non-engaged position, and whereby the first punch operates while the second punch is inoperative when the key is in the second position and the catch is in the engaged position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.