US2633881A - Pattern controlled duplicating machine - Google Patents

Description

April 7,1953 P. c. HOUGHAM PATTERN coN'rRoLLED DUPLICATING MACHINE 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Filed Feb. 14, 194.9.

April 7, 1953 P. c. HOUGHAM PATTERN coNTRoLLED DUPLICATING MACHINE 2 slamaTs-fsHEIaT 2 T m. vv -ILMWWHIWWWWWWNWWWWWMWWNW Xrn m s Nw m Filed Feb. 14, 1949 Patented Apr. 7, 1953 OFFICE e .PATTERN coNTRoLLED DSUPLICA'ima MACHINE ramo. Brougham, Visalia, Calif. Application February 14, 1949, Serial No. 76,348 7 claims. (cl. 14A- 144) My invention relates to a duplicating machine for making bow staves.

One of the principal objects of this invention Vis to provide a duplicating machine of thisv class l Ywhich. is so designed that it will accurately duplicate not only the different length limbs of -a vbow stave but also staves of different lengths and shapes.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a machine which may be quickly and easily adjusted vfor making staves of various lengths, and also a machine which may be readily v operated. i

-An important object of this invention also is to provide novel and simple means for flexibly holding eitheror both the pattern and bow stave, or other element, during fabrication of the latter.

A novel feature of this invention is to provide a movable carriage for supporting one end Of the pattern or element to be fabricated, or both, for feeding the same longitudinally, and roller means for supporting the opposite end or ends of the' pattern, or element, or Y both during such movement.

Still another important object of this invention isthe provision of a roller for supporting thefree end of thel bow stave, or other element, which maybe readily adjusted transversely with respect to the guiding face of a pattern Yso that the thickness of the stave, or other element, may

be readily varied.

A further important object of this invention is to provide a novelly constructed and operable vhead carrying a cutter movable directly responsive to the contour of the desired pattern. Another important object of this invention is to provide a novel and-- simple tiller or bow pattern, for a machine of this class, which may be z easily Vand quickly adjusted.

.with these and other objects in View, as will .appear hereinafter, I have devised a duplicating machine having certainnovel-features of 1 construction, combination, and arrangement of i parts and portions, as

will be hereinafter described in detail, and particularly.setv forth in ythe appended claims,referenceA being had to the yaccompanyingdrawings and to the characters Y ofreferencethereon, which form a part of this application, in which: Y

Figyl is a `plan view of my duplicating ma V -I chine; i Fig.` 2 is a side elevational View of theV same;

Figs. 3,4, and 5 arecross-sectional views, re-

Fig. 6 is a plan View of the side guides for the free end of the bow stave; i

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side view `of the adjustable pattern or tiller, showing it adjusted for fabricating the top portion or limb of the bow stave;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. '7, showing the pattern 'adjusted for cutting the bottom limb of thebowstave; and, l f

Fig. 9` is a cross-sectional view, taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 7. l

Referring to the drawings in detai1,my improved duplicating machine comprises a bed IIJ constructed from channel irons II and provided with an extension I2 at its `rearward end. Mounted in cross-members I3 and I4 ofthe bed I0 are forward and rearward antifriction 'bearings I5 and I6 which rotatably suppOrt a longitudinal feed screw I1. The forward projecting end of the screw I'I carries a gear I8 by which the s-crew can be driven at a relatively slow speed from any suitable prime mover, such as an electric motor, not herein shown.

- Secured to the extension I2 are support brackets I9 which carry transverse pins 20,for pivotally supporting a tiltable head 22. Mounted on the head 22 is an electric motor 23 having a pulley 24 connected to its shaft. The tiltable head 22 has depending bearing ears 26 at its forward end, thev ears carrying "antifriction bearings 2l for rotatably support- 'ing a cutter mandrel 28. As'shown inFig. 3,

"the mandrel 28 is retained axially in place by a collar 29l at one end and byaV-belt pulley 30 at the other end, the pulley being adapted -to be driven from the pulley. by means of a belt 3l.

The mandrel 28 carries a rotary` cutter element 33 substantially midway` between the. ears 26, and rollers :i4 and 35 disposed at the sides of the cutter element.

The rotary cutter element 3,3 is adapted to cut the upper edge or back side ofa long strip S `of wood to form,^for example, an archers y r bow. As is well known, an archers bow consists of a long strip of highly viiexible wood provided with a substantially central handle portion or grip, the strip taperingv from the grip portion toward the ends of the bow, that portion of the bow' which extends upwardly from the grip being termed the top limb and that portion below the grip being called the bottom limb of rthe bow. Since the arrow is shot from above i the midpoint of the bow, the supporting hand of the archer must be disposed partially below the center ofthe bow. Consequently, in some instances, it is necessary to arrange the widened a carriage fill which, as shown in Fig. 5, is provided with lateral grooves for receiving longitudinal guides 4I of the bed lll so as to adapt the carriage to slide longitudinally thereof. The carriage 4l! has jaws 42 which are adapted to embrace the feed screw I7 to be fed thereby longitudinally along the bed, the jaws being drawn together to engage the screw by handleoperated means indicated at 43. Carried by the slidable carriage 4l) is a holder 455, between the upright sides of which is pivotally mounted, on adjustable studs 4S, a U-shaped frame di' upon which the midportion of the strip S rests (Fig.

.Clamps 48 are pivotally mounted on the studs G6 and are adapted to be moved toward each other to grip the strip Sv therebetween. By this mounting means the strip s is held longitudinally, but permitted to pivot on the aligned studs 46 for the purpose to be hereinafter explained.

During the cutting operation, the strip S underlies the cutter element 33 and is cut or planed thereby as the strip is drawn longitudinally therebeneath. During this movement the strip S is held centrally of the bed l5 and cutter element 33 by means to be next described. Disposed just forwardly of the cutter element 33 is a cross-member 48 to which is pivoted a pair of arms 49 carrying rollers 5!! at their free ends. A slide element 5| is slidable longitudinally of the cross-member d8, and pivotally connected between the slide element and the free ends of the arms 49 are links 52. A spring 53 compressed between a lug on the cross-element i8 and the slide element 5| normally slides the latter in a direction to cause the links 52 to draw the rollers 50 toward each other to grip the sides of the wooden strip S which, as shown in Fig. 1, may taper toward its ends. Thus, the strip is retained centrally of the cutter element 33, see Figs. 4 and 5.

Extending between the sides of the bed extension l2 is a support 55 which is provided with a vertical bearing 56 disposed beneath the cutter element 33. Adjustable vertically in the bearing 5S is a post 57. Between the sides of its upper forked end is rotatably mounted, on a cross-pin 58, a roller 65 which supports the free end of the .strip S and maintains it in position to be engaged by the cutter element 33. The roller 60 can be adjusted vertically by moving the post 51 in the bearing 56 and retaining the post in adjusted position by a Aset screw 5I (Fig. 3), the post being moved vertically .by means of a manuallyoperated screw '60 and held against rotation by a key 6l. As shown in Fig. 2, the head 22 is normally pivoted by gravity in counterclockwise direction to maintain the cutter element 33 in position to perform the cutting operation and this action may be augmented by a spring 52 connected between the head and the extension i2. However, the head 22 can be tilted upwardly, as Vindicated by dash lines in Fig. 2, to facilitate placing the strip S in the machine.

It is also desirable to press the work-piece S downwardly against the supporting roller 65 `so as to prevent chattering of the strip being cut, and this is accomplished by means of a roller 65 'rotatably mounted at the lower square end ofv a 4 spindle 66. The spindle 66 is slidable vertically on a transverse holder 61 whose ends are connected to upright brackets t8 mounted on the bed extension l2 by pins 69. A pair of rods 10 project upwardly from the holder G1 and carry a cross-bar H at their upper ends, the spindle 66 projecting upwardly through a hole in the crossbar. A spring l2 is compressed between the cross-bar H and a collar i3 on the spindle and functions to force the spindle downwardly to maintain the roller 55 in engagement with the upper edge of the strip S. By moving the crossbar il vertically, the strength of the spring 'l2 can be readily adjusted, see Figs. 2 and 4. A cam disc 'i4 is eccentrically mounted on the spindle 66 and is adapted to engage the cross-bar 1i, when rotated, so as to vdr-aw the spindle upwardly against the action of the spring 12 so as to elevate the roller S5 to facilitate placing the work-piece 5 therebeneath.

As previously pointed out, the strip S may be employed as an archers bow, and when so formed in this machine it is provided with a central, relatively deep hand-grip portion and tapering end portions, the grip portion having curved edges connecting with the corresponding edges of the free end portions of the bow stave. To cause the rotary cutting element 33 to cut the strip S to the coniguration just described, a pair of patterns i5 and 16 are employed. As shown in Figs. 2, 7, and 8, the patterns 'l5 and 16 each comprise an upper element i1 and a lower element 18. The upper element 'H consists of a substantially rectangular bar having a curved surface 19 at one end, which corresponds to the curved shape to be produced at the ends of the grip portion of the bow stave.

The lower edge of the upper element 11 is reduced in width to provide a tongue which is adapted to be received in a longitudinal groove 8| of the lower element '18. The element 'i8 is .provided with a series of transverse holes 82 which are adapted to align with similar holes in the tongue 80 of the element 17, and removable pins 83 inserted through aligned holes retain the two elements'in selected longitudinally adjusted positions. The holes 82 are spaced apart in increments of, say, one-inch, and alongside each hole is a scale-marking so that the element 18 resembles a yardstick. The holes are adapted to be selectively aligned with index marks 85 or 85A on the upper element 71, these marks representing the center points of the various bow staves to be produced. An indicator finger 86 on the upper lelement 'H is adapted to register with a center mark inscribed at the center of the strip S, when the patterns 15 and 'IG are mounted on the machine, as next explained.

Each upper element 11 has an l.aperture 81 for receiving a mounting pin 88 which is receivable in a hole in a projection of the holder 45 so las to connect the patterns 15 and 'IB to the slidable carriagev for longitudinal .movement therewith. The free end of each pattern 15 and I6 is supported by a grooved roller 90 (Fig. 3) mounted for rotation beneath one of the rollers 35 which rests upon the upper edge of a pattern. As will be apparent from the foregoing, the rollers 34 and 35, which rest upon the patterns 'l5 and T6, serve to raise and lower the head 22 'and the cutter element 33 so as to cause the latter to cut the upper edge of the strip .YS to a shape corresponding 'to that of the patterns during longitudinal sliding movement of the carriage 40 from right to left, as viewed in Figs. 1

-spondin-g to only one-half the bow stave. vthis arrangement, the machine need be made edges 19 and thus cause the cutter element to `cut a corresponding curved portion at an end of the grip portion. Further movement of the carriage` under the feeding action of the screw I1 causes the cutter element 33 to cut the upper edge ofthe free end of the stave S on a slope corresponding to that of the patterns.

While the patterns 15 and 16 might be made Vto conform to the shape of the entire bow stave `to be fabricated, they are herein shown as made substantially equal to and of a shape correonly substantially equal to one-half the total length of the bow stave S. Assuming that the bow stave is to have a top limb which is onehalf of 5*-10" from the center of the `stave to its nock, the lower element 18 of each pattern -15 and 16 is adjusted longitudinally of the upper element 11 until the hole marked 5'10" registers with the index mark 85 on the upper element 11, as shown in Fig. "l, whereafter pins 83 are inserted in appropriate aligned holes 62 .to retain these parts in adjusted position. The w-ooden strip S is then placed in the machine Vand clamped in position between the clamps 48 -on the carriage 40, the center of the proposed .hand-grip of the stave being aligned with the indicator finger 86. The stave is inserted in the machine while the head 22 is in raised position,

and after clamping the stave in place the head 22 is lowered 4until the rollers 34 and 35 rest j upon the upper edges of the patterns 15 and 16.

Atthe lstart of the cutting operation, the point 90 (Figs. 2, 7, and 8) of the patterns are disposed beneath the rollers 34 and 35. To start the duplicating operation, the motor 23 is started to cause rotation of the cutter element 33, and the 'clamping means 43 is operated to operatively connect the carriagev 40 to' the rotating feed screw l1. 4By thi-s mean-s, the carriage is fed at a slowrate toward the left to draw the patterns 15` and 16 and the wooden strip S in the same direction. Thus, as the rollers 34 and '3-5 ride down the curved slopingedges 19` of the patterns,

the cutter element 33 is caused to cut the strip S with a like curve, this curve forming an end of the grip portion. As the cutting operation progresses, the cutter element 33 planes the upper edge of the strip S along a line which corresponds to the gradual slope of the upper edges of the pattern-s. f

At the completion of the `shaping of the upper limb of the bow stave S, the stave is -unclamped and -reversed in the machine. When the bottom limb of the bow stave is to be shorter than the upper limb, as is quite common, the pins 83 are removed and the lower elements 18 Islid to the left (Fi-g. 8) until the bottom 5'10 hole 82 align-s with the index mark B5, after which the pins are reinserted, the center line of the stave S being aligned with the indicator :linger 86, as before explained. Such relative adjustment of the parts 11 and 18 of the patterns automatically compensates for the difference in the length of the upper and lower limbs of the bow to be produced, if -duplication of a bow of unequal limb length is the case, and thus the set- -ting up of the machine is greatly simpliedand expedited. Likewise, if a bow having limbs of equal length is to be duplicated, the indicator arrow A is aligned with the hole indicating the proper length in the upper row of holes B2 Iso that both ends of the stave can be shaped without altering the pattern. During the cutting operation, the stave S can pivot on the studs 46. When the front side of a bow stave S is irregular, as is the case when the cut follows the grain of the wood, the back side cut in the present machine also follows this contour and yet is tapered in accordance with the patterns 15 and 16. To facilitate the placing of bow stave strips S having curved tips, the holder '61 can be pivoted upwardly on one of the pins 69 by first removing the other pin 69. Y

While the duplicating machine has lbeen herein shown and described as embodied in a preferred form of construction, by way of example, it will be apparent that various modications might be made in the construction without departing from the spirit of the invention. Consequently, I do notwish to be limited `in this respect, but desire to be afforded the full Iscope of the following claims.

I claim:

l. In a duplicating machine of the class described, a bed, a carriage mounted to move longitudinally thereon, a pattern having one end only pivotally connected to the carriage, a readily releasable clamp means on the carriage including a pair of transversely adjustable studs having clamps pivoted on their inner ends and engageable against opposite sides of one end of the article to be duplicated for pivotally holding said end, a cutter head adjustably mounted on the bed and provided with a cutter rotatably mounted on an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bed, vertically adjustable roller means for supporting the free end of the article pivotally held by the clamp means, the roller means being positioned on the bed below the cutter, a second roller means disposed below said cutter head for supporting the free end of the pattern, means in connection with the bed and the head for lowering the cutter on the article, and roller means on the head adapted to roll upon the pattern during longitudinal movement thereof so `as to jthereof, a pivoted clamp means on the carriage between the patterns for pivotally holding one end of the article to be duplicated, a cutter head adjustably mounted on the bed and provided with a cutter rotatably mounted on an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bed, a rst roller means for supporting the opposite free end of the article held by the clamp means, the first roller means being positioned on the bed below the cutter, a second roller means for supporting the free end of each pivoted pattern, means in connection with the bed and the head for lowering the cutter on the article, and roller means on the head adapted :to roll upon the pattern during longitudinal movement thereof so as to cause said cutter to follow the contour of the pattern.

3. In a duplicating machine of the class described, a bed, a carriage mounted to move lonjpattern.

gitudinally thereon, a pattern having one end pivotally connected to the carriage, a pivoted clamp means on the carriage alongside the pattern for lpivotally holding one end of the article to -bc duplicated, a cutter head adjustably mounted on the bed and provided with a cutter rotatably mounted on an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bed, roller means for supporting the free ends of both the pattern and the article,

article. said roller resting upon the pattern to cause the cutter to follow the contour of the 4. In a duplicating machine of the class described, a bed, a carriage mounted to move lon- 'gitudinally thereon, a pattern having one end pivotally connected to the carriage, a clamp means on the carriage, said clamp means having spaced pivotal jaws mounted to be adjusted to- 'ward and away from each other on an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bed for 'pivotally holding one end of the article to be duplicated, a cutter head adjustably mounted on the bed and provided with a cutter rotatably mounted on an axis also transverse to the lon- "gitudinal aXis of the bed, a first roller means Vfor supporting the opposite free end of the arti- A cle held by the clamp means, the iii-st roller means being positioned on the bed below the cutter, means in connection with the bed and the head for lowering the cutter on the article, and a second roller means on the head disposed coaxially of said cutter and adapted to roll along the pattern during longitudinal movement thereof so as to cause said cutter to follow the contour of the pattern.

5. In a duplicating machine of the class described, a bed, a carriage mounted to move longitudinally thereon, -a pattern having one end Vpivotally connected to the carriage, a pivoted clamp means on the carriage alongside the pattern for pivotally holding one end of the article to be duplicated, a cutter head adjustably mounted on the bed and provided with a cutter rotatably mounted on an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bed, a pair of rollers mounted on axes also transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bed, both rollers being positioned substantially below the cutter, the free ends of both the pivoted pattern and the pivoted article scribed, a bed, a carriage mounted to move longitudinally thereon, a pattern pivotally connected to the carriage, a pivoted clamp means on the carriage for pivotally holding one end of a ilexible article to be duplicated, a cutter head adjustably mounted on the bed and provided with a cutter rotatably mounted on an axis transverse tol the longitudinal axis of the bed, a first roller means for supporting the free end of the article held by the clamp means, the first roller means being positioned on the bed below the cutter, yield-able means for centering said opposite end of the flexible article on the roller means, means in connection with the bed and the head for lowering the cutter on the article, and a second roller means on the head adapted to roll along the pattern during longitudinal movement thereof so as to cause said cutter to follow the contour of the pattern.

7. In a duplicating machine of the class described, a bed, a carriage mounted to move 1ongitudinally thereon, a pattern having one end pivotally connected to the carriage, a pivoted clamp means on the carriage alongside the pattern for pivotally holding one end of the article to Vbe duplicated, a cutter head adjustably mounted on the bed and provided with a cutter rotatably mounted on an axis ytransverse to the longitudinal axis of the bed, a pair of rollers mounted on axes also transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bed, both rollers being positioned substantially below the cutter, the free ends of both the pattern and the article each riding upon one of the rollers of said pair of rollers, means for adjusting one of the rollers vertically with respect to the other, means in connection with the bed and the head for lowering the cutter on the article, and roller means on vthe head adapted to roll along the pattern directly above said roller which supports the pattern during longitudinal movement thereof so as to cause said cutter to follow the contour of .the pattern.

PAUL C. HOUGHAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 304,873 Tavener Sept. 9, 1884 385,125 Lee June 26, 1888 469,459 Wright Feb. 23, 1892 487,889 Martin Dec. 13, 1892 492,338 Ream Feb. 21, 1893 1,356,726 Lundquist Oct. 26, 1920 2,265,064 Day Dec. 2, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 156,867 Great Britain Jan. 20, 1921

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