US2803455A - Slide feed with spring loaded gripper - Google Patents

Description

Aug. zo,` 1957 Filed May 5, 1955 W. P. POWERS SLIDE FEED WITH SPRING LOADED GRIPPER 5 Sheets-Sheet l BY B ' rr/f/yfy Aug. 210, 1957 w. P. POWERS 2,803,455

SLIDE FEED WITH SPRING LOADED GRIPPER Filed Hay 5, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 MIU 1N V EN TOR. W41 rfa? PF4/riffs BY Y Aug. 20, 1957 w. P. POWERS 2,803,455

SLIDE FEED WITH SPRING LOADED GRIPPER Filed May 5.' 1955 5 sheets-sheet 3 W//l/ A l N VEN TOR. M94 75;? /Q/Damf-ws Aug. 20, 1957 w. P. POWERS 2,803,455

SLIDE FEED WITH SPRING LOADED GRIFPER Filed May 5, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Q ll'lll lNVENToR. ffl/w75@ Pfau/Rs Aug 20, 1957 w. P. POWERS 2,803,455

SLIDE FEED WITH SPRING LOADED GRIPPER Filed Hay 5, 1955 5 sheets-sheet 5 Q Tg5.

United States Patent Office 2,803,455 Patented Aug. 20, 1957 SLIDE FEED Wim sPniNG Leanne Qumran Walter P. Powers, Spring Lake, N. J., assignor to C. Todd, Rutherford, N. J., as trustee Application May 5, 1955, Serial N o. 506,141

26 Claims. (Cl. 271-25) The invention herein disclosed relates to slide feeds and more particularly to the stock gripping mechanism of such feeds.

Objects of the invention are to effect rm, full grip of the stock, to assure positive, accurate, uniform feed and to obtain this without the use of excessive pressure such as might mark or indent the stock.

These results are attained by the provision of a novel form of spring closed gripper making surface engagement with the stock, as distinguished from the line engagement effected by the usual rocking form of gripper employed in slide feeds of conventional design.

Further improvements are present in the control and operating mechanism for the gripper and the correlation of the same with the stock check.

ln particular, novelty is present in the manner of operating the parts with a toggle which is actuated to substantially or fully straightened condition and then slightly beyond dead center, thus providing a slight time interval when the slide block is at rest for correlated operations of gripper and check.

Another special feature of the invention is a control operable at will for locking the gripper in'open relation, enabling the slide block to be freely reciprocated without feeding stock.

A further special feature ofthe invention is that the slide block and gripper are so actuated and controlled that no brakes or drags on the slide block such as heretofore considered necessary, are required, eliminating friction, use of power and assuring freer action and less wear on parts.

Other novel features and further desirable results attained by the invention are set forth and will appear in the course of the following specification.

The drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification illustrate a present commercial embodiment of the invention, but structure may be modified and changed as regards the immediate illustration, all within the true intent and broad scope of the invention as hereinafter defined and claimed.

Fig. l in the drawings is a broken part sectional front elevation of the slide feed showing the slide block advanced by the toggle into engagement with the front stop, the toggle having reached substantially straightened condition but not having passed over dead center. In this view the mechanically lifted, spring lowered gripper plunger is still closed against the stock and the spring lifted mechanically closed check is still open;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the toggle advanced slightly past dead center and raising the lever which lifts the gripper plunger and tensioning the spring which shifts a slide plate in the nature of a chock beneath the uplifted trigger end of the lever. This View also shows a cam projection on the toggle lifting the lever which closes the check;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the toggle started. on its return movement and in dead center position with the lever Supporting the gripper in open position, the end of said lever supported on the slide plate and the catch on the rocker set to support the check closing lever;

Fig. 3a is a similar view of the same parts at the end of the recovery stroke, with the slide block in engagement with the back stop and the gripper lifting lever still holding the gripper in open position;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing how with slightly further retractive movement of the toggle and the block in engagement with the back stop, the pin at the forward end of the toggle will lift the gripper lever slightly to take the load of this lever off the slide plate and thus permit the spring to shift the plate forwardly from beneath the end of the lever;

Fig. 5 is a broken cross-sectional detail of the gripper plunger and associated parts, as taken on substantially the plane of line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view like Fig. 4, showing the rocker movement reversed, shifting the cross-pin from supporting engagement beneath the gripper lifting lever, permitting the gripper to close and the catch as having let go the check closing lever, permitting the check to open, all in readiness for the next feed stroke;

Fig. 7 is a broken horizontal sectional view as on substantially the plane of line 7 7 of Fig. l;

Fig. 8 is a broken side elevation illustrating relation of the toggle pin in the slots in the slide block and gripper plunger.

Basically the invention comprises a slide block 10 operating on guide rods 11, 12 between front and back stops 13, 14 and carrying a vertically operating gripper plunger 1S cooperative with the bottom plate 16 supporting the stock 17.

This plunger, as shown in Fig. 5, is of large diameter, in this case practically as wide as the stock, to gain maximum gripping surface and thus obtain positive grip on the stock without marking or injuring the stock and with minimum required pressure.

The plunger is shown as hollow except for the solid lower end which grips the stock, to contain the gripper closing spring 18.

At the upper end spring 1S has a bearing against the cross-pin 19 which connects the forward toggle links 20, 21 and which as shown in Figs. l and 5, extends freely through slots or enlarged openings 22, 23 in the sides of the block and in the sides of the plunger, respectively.

These oversize openings in lblock and plunger permit the cross-pin 19 to have slight additional toggle movement while the slide block is up against the back stop.

The gripper opening lever is designated 24 and it is shown as a ilat piece extending through slots 25, 26 in opposite sides of the hollow plunger, over the cross-pin 19, said lever having support at the front on a pivot pin 27 carried by the block and having a dependent foot portion 2S at the back to rest at times on slide plate 29.

The latter, as shown in Fig. 7, is mounted to slide in a guideway 30 in the top of the block from a position forward and clear of the foot 2S, as in Figs. l, 4 and 6, to a position rearward and in supporting relation beneath the foot, as in Figs. 2, 3 and 3a.

Shifting of the slide or chock plate 29 is accomplished in the illustration by a spring 31 fixed in the top of the lifting lever at 32, Fig. 1, and extended downward through an opening 33 in the plate.

A pin 34 connecting the forward toggle links 20, 21 is located beneath the plate shifting spring 31 in position to act at the top of the toggle stroke, Fig. 2, to cause the spring to thrust the plate to the left inFig. 2, beneath the upraised end 28 of the plunger lifting lever.

The normal tension of this' spring, free of pressure of the pin 34 as in Figs. 1, 4 and 6, is to slide plate 29 to the right, clear of the dependent lug or foot 28 of the gripper lifting lever, and this spring so acts to shift the Yspring at the top of the toggle stroke, has the important g,

function of lifting lever 24 in movement of the toggle i" from the Fig. l to the Fig. 2 position, where it is shown engaging a hook-like shoulder or abutment 35 on the upper edge of the lever.

The lifting engagement between the lever and gripper plunger is shown as effected by a set screw 36 adjustably fixed in the upper end of the plunger in position to be engaged by the upper edge of the lever as in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5.

The slight additional movement permitted the toggle at the end of the back stroke by movement of cross-pin 1-9 in slots 22, 23 from the Fig. 3a'to the Fig. 4 position, is utilized to lift the lever 24 suiciently to take the pressure of the same off the plate 29 so as to permit spring 31 then to shift the plate forwardly to the right, out of supporting relation with the lever.

This action is effected by causingV the cross-pin 19 in this slight lateral movement to engage inclined cam shoulder 37 on the lower edge of lever 24.

Thus after the slide block is up againstback stop 14 as in Fig. 3a, the slight additional movement of the toggle shifts cross-pin 19 to the left so as to lift lever.24 and take the pressure of same off plate 29, permitting spring 31 to shift the plate forwardly as in Fig. 4.V Y'

Then, upon reversal of toggle movement, with the Y supporting plate out of the way as in Fig. 4, the lever will be lowered to permit spring 18 to close the gripper as in.

Fig. 6 and then motion of the toggle will be imparted to the block, with the gripper firmly closed on the stock.

The toggle movement is effected in the illustration by a rocker 38 of conventionalbell crank design connected by link 39 usually with an actuating crank on the cam shaftwof the press or other machine with which the slide feed is used. Y

The lower arm 40 of this rocker constitutes the live toggle lever, being pivotally connected at its free end at 41 with the companion paired toggle links 20, 21. VTo permit free operation of the slide block without gripping the stock, it is only necessary in the present invention to secure the slide plate 29 in the lever supportposition shown in Figs. 3 and 3a, and this is accomplished in the illustration by provision of a hand lever 42 pivoted Y on the slide block at 43 in back of the plate shifting spring 31 where it can Vbe lifted up by handle 44 and shifted to the other side of the button shown at 45 in Fig. 7, to where it will hold spring 31 thrust outward to the left with the plate in position beneath the end of the gripper lifting lever.

Then with the gripper lifting lever locked in the uplifted position shown in Figs. 3 and 3a, the slide block may be operated idly back and forth Without affecting the stock.

The stock check is illustrated as similar to that disclosed in copending patentapplication Serial No. 442,699, filed July 12,V 1954, now Patent No. 2,721,649 issued October 25, 1955, comprising a plunger 46 lifted in respect to anvil 47 by spring 48 and adapted to be lowered by lever 49 pivoted at 50, carrying cams 51, 52 which can be reversibly secured on the lever for engagement one or the other by a cam projection 53 on the toggle link 21.

VThe reversible cams 51, 52, as fully explained in theV companion patent, are used selectively for pilotless or for pilot feeding operation of the press orrother machine with which the feed slide is associated.

Fig; 1 shows the slide block up against the front stop with the check open, vand Fig. 2 shows howtheY toggle with the further straightening movement past dead cen- .4. ter forming a feature of this invention, the cam projection 53 of the toggle will engage cam 51 to lift the check lever 49, thus to locate lug 54 on the end of that lever above the lug 55 on the lower end of member 56 which is frictionally clamped at 57 on the hub 58 of rocker 38.

This construction willthen operate as an automatic catch to hold the lever in the upper, check closed position, for as the rocker starts movement past dead center in the reverse direction the dependent member 56 endeavoring to follow rotation of the rocker in clockwise direction, will carry lug 55 into supporting position-beneath lug 54, as in Figs. 3, 3a and 4, where it will remain until motion of the rocker is reversed, as in Fig. 6, whereupon the catch turning left-handedly with the rocker, will drop the lever, permitting spring 48 to again open the check.

This counter-clockwise movement of the catch 56 is limited by engagement of the same with a stop pin 59 on lever 49 and which, as shown in Fig. 6, also in Fig. l, restrains and holds the catch in position where when lug 54 is lifted only a slight movement in the opposite direction will accomplishl the positioning of supporting lug 55 beneath lug 54.

Figs. l and 6 show the dependent catch 56 as carrying a rubber bumper 60 beneath stop pin 59 to cushion and limit the falling movement of lever 49 when released from the supporting shoulder 55.

The gripper opening lever 24 is indicated as having a slot 61 extending vertically therethrough for free passage of the plate shifting spring 31, and the latter is shown in Fig. 3 as extending downwardly through the plate far enough to engage a stop shoulder 62, thus` to limit outward shifting movement of the plate in the guide groove 30. Y Y

The construction of the gripper as a plungeroperating at a right angle to the plane of the stock and the large diameter of this plunger assures maximum possible grip on the stock without using excessive unit pressure. This is an advantage for handling particularly thin, fragile, soft or impressionable stock. Because of this rectangular relation the gripper mayhandle stock of various crosssectional shapes other than at strip, the companion gripping faces of plunger and bottom plate being shaped correspondingly.

` If desired, the gripper plunger may be utilized further as a stamp to imprint or impress identifying or other marks on or in the stock.

The extended surface gripping engagement contributes to the uniformly accurate feeding action and this action is further assured by the timing `attained in carrying the toggle to the fully straightened, extended-position and then beyond dead center and returrithis providing a momentary dwell in which the slide block is at rest against the front stop and a time in which the check may be closed on thestock when or even before the gripper is opened. This, together with the overtravel `at the end of the back stroke in which the gripper is closed when or before the check isopened, assures the continuously accurate feeding action.

Operation Fig. 1 shows the parts at the eective end of the mfeed stroke, with the toggle links `or levers 40 and 20, 21 substantially straightened and the feed block 1G up againstV in this i'inal movement cam projection 53 on outer toggle link 21 engages camY 51 on check closing lever`49, causing it to close check 46 to secure the stock in the yadvanced position. Y

Also in ,this final incrementV of movement, Vpin 34 forces A I.spring 31 to the left to shift plate 29 beneath the foot 2,8 `of the gripper opening lever, as in Fig. 2.

With the slide block still up against the front stop, as in Fig. 3, the toggle starts to break and as it goes back over dead center, pin 34 leaves shoulder 35 on the lift lever 24, permitting this lever to come to supported engagement Iat 28 on the slide plate 29. The gripper is thus locked open for the return stroke.

In this movement over dead center also the dependent catch 56 frictionally held on the hub 58 of rocker 33, is shifted to the left, positioning the supporting shoulder S5 beneath shoulder 54 of the check closing lever 49, then still held supported by 'cam extension S3 still in engagement with cam 51.

Continued movement of the rocker clockwise carries the slide block back into engagement with back stop i4 as in Fig. 3a, lever 49 being held during this return stroke in supported check closed relation.

Further slight continued clockwise movement of the rocker from the Fig. 8 and Pig. 3a position to the Fig. 4 position retracts the toggle cross-pin 19 in slots or enlarged openings 22 and 23 in the block and plunger, respectively, causing pin 19 to engage cam 37 on the lower edge of the gripper lifting lever 24, thus taking pressure of that lever oi slide plate 29 and permitting spring 31 to shift this plate forward from beneath the extended foot g portion 2S of that lever.

Then upon reverse movement of the rocker, with the block still up against the back stop 14, the toggle pin 19 by slight forward movement in slots 22, 23, will lower gripper lifting lever 24 as in Fig. 6, and the latter, unsupported by plate 29, will permit plunger to close against the stock.

ln this slight interim of movement reversal the shoulder 55 on the catch 56 will shift with the rocker out of supporting engagement with lug 54 to drop the check closing lever 49 and permit check plunger 46 to open.

Thus while the slide block is still engaged with the back stop the gripper may close on the stock and the check open, ready for the forward stock feeding stroke then imparted to the block by straightening movement of the toggle from the Fig. 6 to the Fig. l position.

The reversely faced cams 51, S2 are shown as removably Secured on the check closing lever 49 by screws 63 So that the piece carrying these cams may be quickly reversed whenever necessary to convert the machine from pilotless to pilot operation, or vice versa, as fully described in the companion application above identied, Patent No. 2,721,649.

The stock releasing or gripper opening movement of the plunger is relatively slight and the leverage applied by the toggle and' lifting lever 24 is quite powerful so a short, heavy, powerful spring may be employed for gripper closing purposes 'and this spring yet be small enough to be Wholly contained within the hollow plunger. lf desired, more than one spring may be employed, the parts then being designed to accommodate the number of springs used.

The cross-pin 19 inthe laterally extended slot or oversize opening 22 in the block, engaged `by the gripper closing spring, forms a slight yielding lost motion ycoupling or connection permitting further toggle movement after the block has engaged the back stop in the retractive or recovery stroke of the mechanism.

This yielding, lost motion action thus provides the slight further toggle movement at the end of the back stroke required to lift the load of the gripper opening lever 24 off the supportingl plate 29 to enable that plate to slide out from under the lifting lever.

The lateral extent of the slots or oversize openings 2.2 limits the amount of lost motion. To prevent the lost motion travel of pin 19 applying 'any binding tendency on the gripper plunger, the slot or opening 23 in the plunger may be, made lof ample size to prevent pin 19 from actually contacting the plunger.

The upper edges of laterally extended slots 22 in the block, engaged by the pin 19 `constitute `abutments for this pin and for spring 18 engaging the pin. These edges may be curved or inclined as cams to control or assist in the correlated action of the parts.

Thus, as shown in Fig. 8, these slots may be inclined downward toward the left so that as pressure of the toggle holding the block up against the back stop is released, the pressure of spring 1S forcing pin 19 upwardly against the cam incline of these slots will have the effect of shifting this pin forwardly against the front ends of the slots as in this gure.

The gripper may be set for diierent thicknesses of material by adjustment 'of screw 36 in the upper end of the spring plunger and which determines the point of lifting effectiveness of lever 24.

By reason of the fact that the stock is gripped and held at all times alternately by gripper and check and even with a slight overlap so that the stock is never at any time really let go, the feeding action is accurate and uniform and there is never any feeding of half blanks such as occurs with conventional slide feeds which are connected with single revolution presses when such presses stop at an uncompleted cycle.

Because of such positive action or control no brakes or drags on the slide block are required. This means a freer running, smoother action with reduced friction, less power required and less wear on parts.

What is claimed is:

l. Slide feed comprising a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger mounted on said block, pivotally connected oscillating toggle levers connected to reciprocate said block and having a stroke sufficient to carry said toggle levers to an approximately vfully straightened toggle condition, a lever for opening said plunger against spring pressure and means carried by said toggle levers for actuating said plunger opening lever in the movement of the toggle levers to said wholly straightened position of the same.

2. Slide feed comprising a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger mounted on said block, pivotally connected oscillating toggle levers connected to reciprocate said block and having a stroke sufficient to carry said toggle levers to an approximately fully straightened toggle condition, a lever for lopening said plunger against spring pressure, means carried by said toggle levers for actuating said plunger opening lever in the movement of the toggle levers to said wholly straightened position of the same and means releasably supporting said lever in the gripper open position during reverse movement of the toggle levers.

3. Slide feed comprising a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger mounted on said block, pivotally connected oscillating toggle levers connected to reciprocate said block and having a stroke sufcient to carry said toggle levers to an approximately fully straightened toggle condition, a lever for opening said plunger against spring pressure, means carried by said toggle levers for actuating said plunger opening lever in the movement of the toggle levers to said wholly straightened position of the same, means releasably supporting said lever in the gripper open position during reverse movement of the toggle levers and means effective at the end of said reverse movement of the toggle mechanism for effecting release of said plunger opening lever.

4. Slide feed comprising the combination of a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger on said block, a lever fulcrumed on said block and arranged to effect opening movement of said spring closed stock gripping plunger, a member shiftable on said block from a position supporting said lever in the gripping plunger open position to a non-supporting position leaving the lever in the plunger closed stock gripping position, an oscillating toggle connected to reciprocate said block and means operated by said toggle for actuating ascensoL said lever in the gripping plunger opening direction and for'shifting'said member from said non-supporting position intothe lever supporting position.

5. Slide feed comprising the combination of a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger on said block, a lever fulcrumed on said block and' arranged to effect opening movement of said spring closed stock. gripping plunger, a member shiftable on said block from a position supporting said lever in the gripping plunger open position to a non-supporting position leaving the lever inthe plunger closed stock gripping position, an oscillating Vtoggle connected to reciprocate said block and means operated by said toggle for actuating said lever in the gripping plunger opening direction and for shifting said member from said nonsupporting position into the lever supporting position, includingY companion abutments yon the toggle and lever engaging in movement of the slide block in the stock feeding direction and an element powered to shift said member from non-supporting to lever supporting position.

6. ASlide feedcomprising the combination of a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger on said block, a lever fulcrumed on said block and arranged to effect opening movement of said spring closed stock gripping plunger, a member shiftable on said block from a position supporting said lever in the gripping plunger open position to a non-supporting position leaving the lever in the plunger closed stock gripping position, an oscillating toggle connected Yto reciprocate said block and means operated by said toggle for actuating said leverin the gripping plunger opening direction and for shifting said member from said non-supporting position into the lever supporting position, said toggle arranged to complete feed stroke of the slide block upon reaching substantially straightened condition and having movement past the dead center straightened position and said meansV for actuating said lever and for shifting said member into lever supporting position arranged to become elective in said overtravel movement of the toggle past dead-center.

7. Slide feed comprising the combination of a reciprocating slide-block, a spring closed stock gripping plung- -er on said block, a lever fulcrumed on said block and arranged to effect opening movement of said spring closed stock Vgripping plunger, a member shiftable on said block from a position supporting said lever in the gripping plunger open position to a non-supporting position leaving the lever in the plunger closed stock gripping position, an oscillating toggle connected to reciprocate said block and meansoperated by said toggle for actuating said lever in the gripping plunger opening direction and for shifting said member from said non-supporting position into the lever supporting position, said toggle ar- .ranged to complete feed stroke of the slide block upon reaching substantially straightened condition and having movement past the dead center straightened position and said means for actuating said lever and for shifting said member into lever supporting position arranged to become eiective in said overtravel movement of the toggle past dead center, and means effective at the end of the opposite, recovery stroke of the slide block for effecting release of said member for supporting said lever.

8. `Slide feed comprising the combination of a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger on said block, a lever fulcrumed on said block Vand arranged to effect opening movement of said spring closed stock gripping plunger, a member shiftable on said block from a` position supporting said lever in the gripping plunger open position to a non-supporting position leaving the lever in the plunger closed stock gripping position, an oscillating-toggle connected to reciprocate Asaid block and means operated by said toggle for actuating said lever in the gripping plunger opening direction Y and for shifting said member from said non-supporting position into the lever supporting position, including abut- Y 8 ments on the toggle and lever engaging in movement of the slide block in the stock feeding direction and means engaging in the opposite, slide block recovery movement for eifecting release of `said member from supportingsaid lever. Y

9. Slide feed comprising the combination of a reciproeating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger on said block, a lever fulcrumed on said block and arranged to effect opening movement of said spring closed stock gripping plunger, a member shiftable on said block from a position supporting said lever in the gripping plunger open position to a non-supporting position leaving the lever in the plunger closed stock gripping position, an oscillating toggle connected to reciprocate said block and means operated by said toggle for actuating said lever in the grippingplunger opening direction and for shifting said member from said non-supporting position into the lever supporting position, including cornpanion abutments on the toggle and lever and an element connected with said member and positioned to be engaged by the abutment on the toggle. l

10. Slide feed comprising the combination of a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger on said block, a lever fulcrumed on said block and arranged to eiect opening movement of said spring closed stock gripping plunger, a member shiftable on said block from a position supporting said lever in the gripping plunger open position to a non-supporting position leaving the lever in the plunger closed stock gripping position, an oscillating toggle connected to reciprocate said block and means operated by said togglefor actuating said lever inY the gripping plunger opening directionrand for shifting said member into the lever supporting position, including a pin on the toggle, a shoulder on the lever engageable thereby and a spring tensioned to shift the member into lever non-supporting position but positioned to'be shifted by said pin in the opposite direction.

1l. Slide feed comprising the combination of a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger on said block, a lever fulcrumed onsaid block and arranged to effect opening movement of said spring closed stock gripping plunger, a member shiftable on said block from av position supporting said lever in the gripping plunger open position to a non-supporting posi,- tion leaving the lever in the plunger closed stock gripping position, an oscillating toggle connected to reciprocate said block and means operated by said toggleV for actuating said lever in the gripping plunger opening direction and for shifting said member into the lever supporting position, said plunger having an opening therethrough and said lever extending through said opening, the lever being fulcrumed at one side of said plunger and said member being located at the opposite side of the plunger, the intermediate portion of the lever extending through said opening having engagement with said plunger. 12. Slide feed comprising the combination of a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger on said block, a lever fulcrumed on said block and arranged to effect opening movement of said spring closed stock gripping plunger, a member shiftable on said block from a position supporting said lever in the gripping plunger open position to a non-supporting position leaving the lever in the plunger closed stock gripping position, an oscillating toggle connected to reciprocate said Y block and means operated by said toggle for actuating said intermediate portion of the lever extending through saidY opening having engagement with said plunger and said n -.9 member being inthe form of a lever supporting plate slidably mounted on the block.

13. Slide feed comprising the combination of a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger on said block, a lever fulcrumed on said block and arranged to eect opening movement of said spring closed stock gripping plunger, a member shiftable on said block from a position supporting said lever in the gripping plunger open position to a non-supporting position leaving the lever in the plunger closed stock gripping position, an oscillating toggle connected to reciprocate said block and means operated by said toggle for actuating said lever in the gripping plunger opening direction and for shifting said member from said non-supporting position into the lever supporting position, said member being in the form of a plate slidably mounted on the block to clear or to be engaged by the lever.

14. Slide feed comprising the combination of a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger on said block, a lever fulcrumed on said block and arranged to effect opening movement of said spring closed stock gripping plunger, a member shiftable on said block from a position supporting said lever in the gripping plunger open position to a non-supporting position leaving the lever in the plunger closed stock gripping position, an oscillating toggle connected to reciprocate said block and means operated by said toggle for actuating Said lever in the gripping plunger opening direction and for shifting said member from said non-supporting position into the lever supporting position, said toggle having yielding lost motion connection with the block and stop means positively limiting travel of the block.

15. Slide feed comprising the combination of a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger on said block, a lever fulcrumed on said block and arranged to eiiect opening movement of said spring closed stock gripping plunger, a member shiftable on said block from a position supporting said lever in the gripping plunger open position to a non-supporting position leaving the lever in the plunger closed stock gripping position, an oscillating toggle connected to reciprocate said block and means operated by said toggle for actuating Said lever in the gripping plunger operating direction and for shifting said member from said non-supporting position into the lever supporting position, said toggle having yielding lost motion connection with the block and stop means positively limiting travel of the block, the toggle having a stroke to carry the block into engagement with said stop means and take up lost motion and spring means for yieldingly holding said lost motion connection normally in one position.

16. Slide feed comprising the combination of a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger on said block, a lever fulcrumed on said block and arranged to eiect opening movement of said spring closed stock gripping plunger, a member shiftable on said block from a position supporting said lever in the gripping plunger open position to a non-supporting position leaving the lever in the plunger closed stock gripping position, an oscillating toggle connected to reciprocate said block and means operated by said toggle for actuating said lever in the gripping plunger opening direction and for shifting said member from said non-supporting position into the lever supporting position, said toggle having a. pin at the free end of the same and the block having an oversize opening receiving said pin and providing a lost motion connection between toggle and block.

17. Slide feed comprising the combination of a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stoel; gripping plunger on said block, a lever fulcrumed on said block and arranged to effect opening movement of said spring closed stock gripping plunger, a member shiftable on said block from a position supporting said lever in the gripping plunger open position to a non-supporting position leaving the lever in the plunger closed stock gripping position,

an oscillating toggle connected to reciprocate said block and means operated by said toggle for actuating said lever in the gripping plunger opening direction and for shifting said member into the lever supporting position, said toggle having a pin at the free end of the same and the block having an oversize opening receiving said pin and providing a lost motion connection between toggle and block, the plunger being hollow and having an oversize opening through which the pin extends and a spring in said hollow plunger bearing on said pin.

18. Slide feed comprising the combination of a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger on said block, a lever fulcrumed on said block and arranged to eiect opening movement of said spring closed stock gripping plunger, a member shiftable on said block rom position supporting said lever in the gripping plunger open position to a non-supporting positionleaving the lever in the plunger closed stock gripping position, an oscillating toggle connected to reciprocate said block and means operated by said toggle for actuating said lever in the gripping plunger opening direction and for shifting said member from said non-supporting position into the lever supporting position, said toggle having a yielding lost motion connection with the block.

19. Slide feed comprising the combination of a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger on said block, a lever fulcrumed on said block and arranged to eiect opening movement of said spring closed stock gripping plunger, a member shiftable on said block from a position supporting said lever in the gripping plunger open position to a non-supporting position leaving the lever in the plunger closed stock gripping position, an oscillating toggle connected to reciprocate said block and means operated by said toggle for actuating said lever in the gripping plunger opening direction and for shifting said member from said non-supporting position into the lever supporting position, said toggle having a yielding lost motion connection with the block and including a cross-pin on the free end of the toggle, the block having a laterally extended opening receiving said cross-pin and spring means for yieldingly holding said cross-pin positioned at one end of said opening.

20. Slide feed comprising the combination of a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger on said block, a lever fulcrumed on said block and arranged to effect opening movement of said spring closed stock gripping plunger, a member shittable on said block from a position supporting said lever in the gripping plunger open position to a non-supporting position leaving the lever in the plunger closed stock gripping position, an oscillating toggle connected to reciprocate said block and means operated by said toggle for actuating said lever in the gripping plunger opening direction and for shifting said member from said non-supporting position into the lever supporting position, said toggle having a yielding lost motion connection with the block and including a cross-pin on the free end of the toggle, the block having a laterally extended opening receiving said cross-pin and spring means for yieldingly holding said cross-pin in one position in said opening, and including a spring within the plunger for shifting said plunger into gripping engagement with the stock.

2l. Slide feed comprising the combination of a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger on said block, a lever fulcrumed on said block and arranged to effect opening movement of said spring closed stock gripping plunger, a member shiftable on said block from a position supporting said lever in the gripping plunger open position to a non-supporting position leaving the lever in the plunger closed stock gripping position, an oscillating toggle connected to reciprocate said block and means operated by said toggle for actuating said lever in the gripping plunger opening direction and for shifting said member from said non-supporting position into the lever supporting position, said toggle having a yielding lost motion connection with the block,

and means actuated by said yielding lost motion connection at the end of the recovery stroke for releasing said member from,V supporting relation with said lever.

22. Slide feed comprising the combination of a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger on said block, a lever fulcrumed on said block and arranged to effect opening movement of said spring closed stock gripping plunger, a member shiftable on said block from a position supporting said lever in the gripping plunger open position to a non-supporting position leaving the lever in the plunger closed stockV gripping position, an oscillating toggle connected to reciprocate said block and means operated by said toggle for actuating said lever in the gripping plungerl opening vdirection and for shifting said member from said nonsupporting position into the lever supporting position and means for temporarily securing said member in the lever supporting position for enabling the slide block to be reciprocated without feeding stock.

23. Slide feed comprising the combination of a reciprocating slide block, a spring closed stock gripping plunger on said block, a lever fulcrumed on said block. and arranged to'effect opening movement of said spring closed stock gripping plunger, a member shiftable on said block from a position supporting said lever in the gripping plunger open position to a non-supporting position leaving the lever in the plunger closed stock gripping position, an oscillating toggle connected to reciprocate said block and means operated by said toggle for actuating said lever in the gripping plunger opening direction and for shifting said member from said non-supporting position into the lever supporting position and means for temporarily securing said member in the lever supporting position for enabling the slide block to be reciprocated without feeding stock, said last mentioned means including a detent shiftably mounted on said slide block in position to engage said means for shifting the member into the lever supporting position.

24. Slide feed comprising a reciprocating slide block having laterally extended openings in the sides of the same,

an oscillating toggleY having a cross-pin engaged in said laterally extended, openings, a springbearing against said 'cross-pin, and a tubular'stock engaging gripper plunger containing ,and` acted on by .saidV spring, theV upper edges of said openings being engaged byY said pin and forming control abutments for saidpin and spring. Y

25. Slide feed comprising a reciprocating slide block having aV stock supporting surfacefa gripper plunger Y operable in the slide block toward and away from said stock supporting surface,'a spring urging said plunger toward said stock supporting surface, a set-screw in the outer end of said plunger, a plunger lifting lever extending through said plunger and engageable with the inner en d 'of said screw, said set-screw being adjustable in the plunger 5 to determine the point in the angular travel of said lever in engagement with said set-screw, an oscillating toggle connected to reciprocate'said slide block and Vmeans for effecting actuation of said lifting lever in the oscillating movement of said toggle. v

26. Slide feed comprising a Areciprocating slide block,

a spring pressed stock engaging gripper on said slideblock,

a lever for lifting said gripper from engagement Withthe stock, an oscillating toggle connected to reciprocate said Vslide block, means foreffecting actuation of said lifting lever by said toggle, a movable support arranged in one position to hold the lifting lever in the gripper open relation, a spring connected with said support and tensioned to hold said support in one position and means on said Vtoggle engageable with said spring to tension the same to hold said support in the opposite, non-supporting position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain ,Nov.,r3, 1913 Great Britain -Apr. 27, 1922

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