US572914A - Machine for stuffing mattresses - Google Patents

Description

(No Modem) 9 sheets-sheet 1.

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MACHINE FOR STUFFING MATTRESSBS.

Patented Dee. 8, 1896i',

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9 Sheets- Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

E. N. STEPHBNSON. "MACHINE FOR STUFFING MATTRESSES.

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E. N. STEPHENSON. MACHINE FOR STUBPING MATTRBSSBS.

No. 572,914. Patented Dec. v8, 18915.

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(No Model.)` I 9 Sheets-Sheet 4.

E. N. STEPHBNSON.

MACHINE FOR STUPPING MATTRESSBS.

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(NoV M odel.) l 9 Sheets-Sheet 5.

E. N. STBPHENSON.

MAC/EINE FOR STUPFING MATTRESSBS. -No. 572,914. Patented 1390.8, 1896.

(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Shet `6. E. N. STEPHENSON. MACHINE PDR STUPFING MATTERS-SBS.

No. 572,914.- latented Deo. 8, 1896.

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Patented Dc. 8, 1896.

B.N.STEPHBNSON. l MACHINE POR STUFFING MATTRESSBS. No. 572,914".

9 Sheets-Sheet 8.

(No Model.)

Patented Deo. 8, 1896. Y

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(No Model.)`

B. N. STEPHENSON. MAGHINB PuR STUPFING MATTRESSBS.

No. 572,914. Patgnted Dec. 8, 1896.

UNITED STATES Fari-.Nr

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MACHINE FOR STUFFING NIATTRESSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 572,914, dated December'S, 1896..

Application filed May 25, 1896. Serial No. 592,974. (No model.)

Be it known that I, EDWIN N. STEPHENSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful lmprovements in Machines for Stuffing Mattresses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that elassof mattress-stuffing machines wherein the stuffing material is compressed in a press-box and is subsequently forced therefrom into a ticking applied to a discharge-spout leading from the press-box.

The chief objects of the present invention are to improve and simplify prior machines of the character alluded to; to produce a stronger and more compact structure and one which 'can be practicably worked in a comparatively small space; to avoid the use of a hinged press-box cover and provide a cover which is retained in an approximately horizontal plane as it is raised and lowered,whereby the height of the machine is reduced and it can be worked in a room having a comparatively low ceiling; to provide mechanism which can travel always in one direction and operate to move the compressing plungerhead back and forth relatively to the pressbox, whereby the use of a rack requiring a long range of movement from one end of the machine is avoided and the space necessary to work such rack is unnecessary; to provide a newand improved press-box. and cover which will produce mattresses possessing a greater depth or thickness at their central portions than at their side portions, so that they have the appearance and possess the conditions of Y a mattress stuffed by hand, with the advantages of a machine-stuffed mattress; to provide new and improved means for raising and lowering the cover and controlling the movements of the same; to provide means for automatically stopping the motion of the pressbox cover either as it descends or ascends; to provide means whereby mattresses which vary more or less in depth or thickness can be practicably produced; to provide new and improved means for actuating the plungerhead and causing it to uniformly compress the stuliing material longitudinally in the press box to provide new and improved means for starting and stopping the machine at the will of the' attendant or operator; to provide novel means for varying the width of the press-box, the cover, and the punger-head and enabling these parts, if desired, to be simultaneously adjusted transversely of the machine to render the latter susceptible of practicably producing mattresses which vary more or less in width; to provide new and improved means whereby the carriage which carries the plunger-head operates at the limit of its back stroke, or when retracted, to automatically stop the mechanism by which the carriage is moved back and forth; to provide new and improved trip mechanism for reversing the motion ofthe plunger-head; to avoid the use of the overhead driving mechanism described in my patent hereinbefore referred to, and to generally improve mattress-stuifing machines, whereby a better product is obtained and the mattresses present the appearance of being stuffed by hand, while during the stuffing process there is no danger of bursting or tearing the ticking or textile material into which the stufng is introduced.

The objects of my invention are aecomplished in the manner and by the means hereinafterdescribed and claimed, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of a mat-tressstufiing machine embodying my invention, portions being broken away to shorten the figure and enable the parts to be better illustrated. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional View taken on the line 2 2, Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on` the line 3 3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4 4, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a de tail broken plan view of a portion ofthe base of the machine to more fully illustrate thev chain mechanism by which the carriage of the plunger-head is actuated, the parts in this figure being on a larger scale than in the other figures. Fig. (i is a detail broken end elevation of a portion of the front end of the machine, omitting the lower adjustable platform or shelf upon which the stuffing rests as it is inserted into the ticking. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view looking at the inner end portion of the platform or shelf by'which the stuffing is supported as it is introduced IOO into the ticking. Fig. S is a detail sectional view taken on the line S 8, Fig. 7, to show the connection of the adjustable sections of the plat-form with the transverse beam by which the platform is supported at the front end of the machine. Fig. 0 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the verticallymovable end gate which closes and opens the front end of the press-box, showing portions of the automatic gate-operating mech anism hereinafter explained. Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view showing a portion of the gate mechanism illustrated in Fig. 0 and a portion of the carriage with which the plunger is connected for the purpose of more fully illustrating the devices by which the end gate of the box is operated. Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of the plunger-head and the shank by which it isconnected with the traveling carriage. Fig. 12 is a detail side elevation of the plunger-head carriage,showing the position it occupies at the forward end of its stroke. and as the parts are moving to reverse the direction of travel of the carriage. Fig. 13 is a detail persective view of the lever mechanism for starting and stopping the carriage of the plunger while the main drive-shaft continues to rotate. Fig. 14 is a detail sectional View of the rear end portion of the lever mechanism illustrated in Fig. 13, the parts being on a larger scale to more clearly illustrate the spring-pin, which is operated by the plunger-head carriage, as hereinafter explained, to shift the clutch of the starting and stopping lever mechanism. Fig. 15 is a detail perspective view of one corner portion of the press-box to show the devices for engaging one end of the plunger-head, so that when the press-box is adjusted laterally the plunger-head is also adjusted laterally, as required for the adjustment of the parts to manufacture mattresses which vary in width; and Fig. 16 is a detail perspective view of the lever mechanism by which the movements of the pressbox cover are controlled, and the cover can be raised or lowered at the will of the attendant or operator and automatically stopped in its ascent and descent.

In order to enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will now describe the same in detail, referring to the drawings, wherein it will be observed that substantially the entire main frame is composed of angle-irons, which I Iind very advantageous over an ordinary wooden structure. As shown in the drawings, the main frame Vcomprises perpendicular angle-iron eorner- Fig. 3, all parts being suitably tied and bolted or riveted together to secure a rigidI frame-A work which is suitable for the purpose in hand.

The rearward extension of the longitudinal beam or girder 3 is provided with suitable bearings or pillow-blocks 6, in which a main driving-shaft 7 is journaled. This shaft may be driven by any suitable power, but preferably it is provided at one end with a pulley S, adapted to be belted or otherwise connected with an engine of any desired type.

The drive-shaft at the end portion opposite the pulley is provided with a pinion 9, Fig. 2, which meshes into a spur gear-wheel 10, secured to one end of a counter-shaft 12, which is journaled in suitable bearings on the longitudinal extensions of the beam or girdert. The counter-shaft 12 is provided centrally between its ends with a pinion 13,1neshin g into a pinion 14, secured centrally between the ends of a chain-belt-operating shaft 15, journaled in bearings provided on arms 1G, which extend forward from a transverse beam or girder 17, which rigidly connects the rear extremities of the longitudinal beams or girders 3 and a.

The pinion 9 is adapted to be thrown into and out of operative connection with the main driving-shaft 7 through the medium of a suitable clutch, which, as shown in Fig. 2, is composed of two sections 1S and l0, one of which is secured to the pinion and is loose on the shaft, while the other is compelled to rotate with the shaft, but can be moved, as is usual, in clutches for the purpose of throwing the pinion into and out of ope ative connection with the driving-shaft, so that the rotation of the spurgear 10 can be controlled. The clutch is operated at the will of the attendant or operator, as I will now explain.

The clutch-section 19 is provided with an annular groove 20, with which a clutch-shifting fork 21, Figs. 2 and 13, engages. The fork 21 is secured to a tlansverseslidable fork-operating bar 22, movable in suitable supports 23, Fig. 2. The bar 22 is provided with a block 2l, to which is pivoted one end of a link 25, the other end of which is pivoted to one arm, 2G, of a bell-crank lever 27, having its other arm, 28, provided with a socket or tubular extremity 29, in which is arranged a vertically-movable spring-pressed pin 30, normally pressed outwardly or downwardly by the spring 3l. The upper en d of the socket 29 is journaled in the rear end of an arm or casting 32, connected with the rear end of a longitudinal tube or connecting-rod 33. The bell-crank lever 27 is pivoted at its angle through the medium of a vertical pivot or stud 34, so that when this bell-crank lever is turned on its pivotal point the fork-operating bar 22 will be shifted transversely in one or the other direction. The front end of the tube or connecting-rod is pivoted to one arm, 35, of a bell-crank lever 36, mounted on a suitable pivot or stud 37, Figs. 1 and 13. The other arm, 3S, of the bell-crank lever 3G is connected IOO IlO

by a tube or connecting-rod 39 with the lower end of a clutcl1-operating lever 40, pivoted intermediate its extremities, as at 41, to one of the corner-posts 1, as best seen in Fig. 1. The lever 40 is provided with a suitable handle 42, by which it may be grasped by the hand of the attendant or operator, and in juxtaposition to this handle is pivoted a ingerpiece 43, connected bya cord, chain, wire, or other suitable cable 44 with a pin-raising lever 45, pivoted to the arm or casting 32 in juxtaposition to the socket 29. The lever 45 is preferably in the form of a bell-crank lever pivoted at its angle, as at 46, Fig. 14, and having one arm attached to the cord, chain, or

other cable 44, and its long arm extending" through a slot 47 in the upper end of the spring-pressed pin 30 in such manner that this pin may be retracted after it has been struck by the plungerhead carriage to automaticallyunclutch the pinion 9 from the spur gear-wheel 10, as will be hereinafter described at the proper point with reference to the operation of the plungenhead carriage.

The cord, chain, wire, or other cable 44 is shown as traversing the tubes 33 and 39, but obviously if these parts are solid connectingrods the cord, chain, or wire can pass along the exterior thereof, it only being necessary to provide suitable guides for guiding the cord, chain, or wire when it is drawn or pulled by operating the linger-piece 43 to retract the spring-pressed pin 30 into the socket 29.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that by pulling the upper end of the clutch-lever 40 outwardly the fork 21 will be moved in the direction. required to disengage the two clutch-sections 18 and 19, whereby the rotation of the spur gear-wheel 10 will be stopped, while the main drive-shaft 7 continues to rotate. The spur gear-wheel 10 and cou11ter- 4shaft 12 serve to operate the chain-actuating shaft 15, as before explained, and this shaft imparts motion to the chain or chains by which the carriage of the plunger-head, hereinafter explained, is caused to move back and forth. Consequently, as will hereinafter appear, the clutch-lever 40 controls the motion of the devices which transmit motion to the plunger-head carriage, and therefore the lever indirectly controls the movement of thc plunger-head.

The chain-belt-actuating shaft 15 is provided at its ends with sprocket-wheels 48, with which en gage, respectively, two endless chain belts 49 and 50, Fig. 5. rFliese chain belts also pass around and engage sprocket-wheels 51 and 52, secured to the ends of a shaft 53, journaled in sliding boxes 54 at the front end portion of the machine. The sliding boxes 54 are movable back and forth on horizontally-arranged arms or supports 55, and the two boxes are provided with screw-threaded nuts 56, with which screws 57 engage. The screws 57 are provided at their outer ends with suitable handles or hand-wheels 58 and with sprocket-wheels 59, connected by a chain belt GO, Fig. 6, the construction being such that by rotating either one of the handles or `hand-w-heels 58 its screw 57 will be rotated and a corresponding motion will be imparted to the other screw through the medium of the chain belt, so that both screws will rotate in unison and thereby adjust the sliding boxes 54 for the purpose of tightening or loosening the chain belts 49 and 50, according to the conditions required. Y

The two chain belts are provided with lat erally-projecting pins or studs 6l, entering orifices in switch boxes'or blocks 62, which engage and are slidable in vertical slots 63, formed in the sides of a carriage 64. This carriage is adapted to travel back and forth and may be of any construction suitable for the purpose in hand; but preferably it is provided at its sides with roller-bearings 65, adapted to travelupon suitable tracks or rails 6G, as best seen in Fig. 4. The tracks or rails are preferably parts of the longitudinal angle-iron beams or girders 3 and 4, but they may be constructed in any manner suitable for the purpose.

The carriage illustrated in the drawings is composed of metallic side plates containing the vertical slots 63 and connected at their top portion by a horizontal plate 67, as best seen in Fig. 10, which is provided with `two pivoted dogs or pawls 68 and 69. The pivots 70 and 71 of the dogs or pawls are arranged at the upper side of the plate G7, and the act-` ing ends of the dogs or pawls project through slots in this plate. pawl 68 is provided with a beveled face 72, while the acting end of the pawl G9 is provided with a beveled face 73, for a purpose hereinafter explained. The plate 67 of the carriage serves for the attachment of the shank 7 4 of the plunger-head 75, which works back and forth in the pressbox, hereinafter explained.

The shank 74 is preferably in the form of a vertical plate, and it is adapted to enter and traverse a longitudinal slot 76, formed along thc median line of the press-box, as best seen lin Fig. 2, whereby the plunger-head can travel above the bottom of the press-box, while the carriage can travel below the bottom thereof.

The plunger-head is laterally extensible and retractible, and to accomplish this the plunger head comprises laterally movable plates 77, having rearwardly-projecting iingers 78, provided with beveled or pointed extremities 79, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 11. The fingers 78 are provided, respectively, with transversely-arranged overlapping plates 8O and 81, which can slide one upon the other when the plates 77 are extended or retracted in a lateral direction for the purpose of varying the length of the plunger-head transversely. The transversely-movable plates 77 of the plungerehead overlap one another at the front face thereof, and preferably the overlapping ends of these plates 77 are slotted and extend under a confining-head 77, as

The acting end of they IOO best seen in Fig. 4, whereby the two plates are maintained in proper relative position and are accurately guided in their movement.

The main body of the plunger-head is connected with the rear portion of the shank or vertical plate 74 through the medium of suitable braces 82.

The shank or plate 74 is constructed with a broad foot-piece 83, by which it can be very firmly and securely bolted, riveted, or otherwise secured to the top plate G7 of the plunger-head carriage.

During the time that the chain-belt-actuating shaft 15 is rotated by its gear connections with the main driving-shaft the two chain belts- 49 and 50 are caused to continuously travel in one direction, and, assuming that the carriage lies at the rear end of the machine, it will be obvious that the traversing motion of the chain belts, through the medium of the pins 01, engaging the boxes or blocks G2, will move the carriage forward, and when the latter reaches the limit of its forward movement and the boxes or blocks G2 switch or travel around the sprocketwheels 51 and 52, Figs. 3, 5, and 12, the boxes or blocks will descend along the vertical slots in the side plates of the carriage-frame until the boxes or blocks are carried rearward by the lower stretches of the chain belts, whereupon the carriage will commence its return movement and it will be restored to the rear end of the machine. lVhen the carriage reaches the rear end of the machine and the boxes or blocks 62 switch or rise upward around the sprocket-wheels 4S, these boxes or blocks will ascend the slots 0b in the side plates of the carriage-frame and the parts will be restored to the normal position for a repetition of the operation just explained. Obviously, therefore, the plunger-head carriage and the plunger-head are moved back and forth by a chain-belt mechanism which always moves in one direction in contradistinction to a rack-bar which reciprocates for the purpose of reciprocating the plungerhead.

The press-box of the present machine is preferably composed of channel-irons and metal plates, as will be readily understood by reference to the sectional parts, Fig. 4. The press-box comprises two longitudinal main sections S4 and S5, provided with laterallyadjustable sections 86 and 87, having upright or vertical side walls 8S and 89. The sections 86 and 87 are each preferably composed of two parts movable relatively to one another, whereby the press-box is made up of six sections; but I do not confine myself to this particular number of sections. The sections SG and S7 carry the side walls 8S and S9 and are adjustable laterally forthepurpose of increasing or diminishing the width of the press-box and enabling the machine to be utilized for manufacturing mattresses which vary in Width. The sections 86 and 87 are connected with the stationary sections S4 and through the medium of sets of lazy-tongs 86 and 8W. These tongs are located at the front and rear end portions of the box, so that the adjustable or movable box-sections will move smoothly and uniformly toward and from the longitudinal center or median line of the box. The lazy-tongs 86 and S7 are pivotally connected with the lower sides of the longitudinal channel-irons forming a part of the bottom of the press-box, as will be clearly understood by reference to Fig. 4.

The sections S6 and S7 of the press-box are moved laterally through the medium of right and left hand screw-threaded shafts 90, 91, 92, and 93. (Best seen in Figs. 2 and 4.)

i These shafts engage suitable screw-threaded nuts mounted or provided on the press-box sections SG and 87, as, for example, at the points 94, Fig. 2. The right and left hand screw-threaded shafts 90 and 92 are provided at their outer ends with suitable cranks or other handles and 96, and at the center of the front end of the machine the two screwthreaded shafts 90 and 92 are coupled together through the medium of a universal joint, as at 97, so that it is possible for these two screw-threaded shafts to lie in reverse inclined planes, as will be understood by reference to Fig. 4, so that the bottom wall of the press-bex may be made sloping or downwardly inclined from the sides to the longitudinal center, as shown in Fig. 4, in the manner and for the purpose hereinafter more fully explained.

The inner end portions of the right and left hand screw-threaded shafts 90 and 92 are provided with sprocket- wheels 98 and 99, geared, respectively, by chain belts 100 and 101 with sprocket-wheels 102and 103 on the inner ends of the right and left hand screwthreaded shafts 91 and 93. These shafts 91 and 93 are journaled at their outer ends in bearings carried by the corner-posts 1.

It will be obvious that when the crankhandle 95 or the crank-handle 9G is rotated the two right and left hand screw-threaded shafts 90 and 92 will be simultaneously rotated, and motion will be transmitted to the right and left hand screw-threaded shafts 91 and 93 through the mediuln of the chain belts 100 and 101, whereby the sections S6 and 87 of the press-box will be adjusted or shifted laterally, either inwardly or outwardly, according to the direction in which the screwthreaded shafts are rotated, for the purpose of increasing or diminishing the width of the press box, so that mattresses of varying width can be practieably manufactured.

Vhen the width of the press-box is varied, it is also neeessaryto vary the width orlength transversely of the plunger-head, and this is accomplished in the following manner: As before stated, the laterally-movable plates 7 7 of the plunger-head are provided with beveled or pointed ngers 78. These fingers are adapted, on the back stroke of the plungerhead, to enter eyes or loops, as at 104, Fig.

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1 5, each of which extends inwardly from a bracket 105, secured to the rear end of one of the side walls, as at 48, of the press-box. The brackets 105 are adapted at their lower ends to ride and slide upon a transverse suppOrting beam or girder 106. The fingers 78 shouldbe engaged with the eyes or loops 104 prior to the time that the right and left hand screw-threaded shafts are operated to move or shift the press-box sections in a lateral direction, and obviously, therefore, when the press-box sections are moved or shifted laterally they will at the same timemove or shift the plates 77 of the plunger-head in a lateral direction to the required extent. By this part of my invention I provide novel and simple means whereby the lateral adjustment of the press-box automatically adjusts the plunger-head in a lateral direction. l.

The purpose'of dividing the right and left hand screw-threaded shafts 91 and 03 is to provide such arrangement as will permit the shank. of the plunger-head to traverse the space between the inner ends ofthe shafts 01 and 08, as is necessary with thejparts constructed and arranged as shown in the drawings.

The cover or lid which is used to press the stuffing material into the press-box is arranged to be raised and lowered and to be maintained in a substantially horizontal plane during all of its movements. The cover is adapted to enter the press-box, and, as bestseen in FigL/l, the cover comprisesa main central section 107 and laterallymovable side sections 108 and 109, each of which is or may be madeof two parts movable relatively to each other like the press-box, so that the cover is in fact composed of five sections; but I do not confine myself to any particular number of' sections.

The cover is preferably composed of metal plates secured to the under sides of longitudinal channel-irons. The central section 107 is suspended from the front and rear transverse beams 110 and 112, which are preferably U-shaped in cross-section, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 3. The devices for suspending the main section 107 are colnposed of front and rear centrally-arranged hangers 113, secured in a fixed position to the central portions of the beams 110 and 112 and also attached to the said section 107. The laterally-adjustable sections 108 and 100 are attached t0 hangers 114 and 115, and, if desired, to supplemental hangers 115, provided at their upper ends with roller- bearin gs 116 and 117, adapted to roll upon the lower flanges of the U-shaped beams 110 and 112.

The hangers 11-1 and 115 are connected at the front and rear ends of the machine by lazy-tongs 118, and the construction is such that the cover of the press-box can be conveniently adjusted in a lateral direction to widen or narrow the same to suit the conditions required. When the press-box is adjusted laterally, a reverse movement of the parts will diminish the width of the cover, and,` obviously, if the cover lies in the pressbox the contraction of the latter in the manner hereinbefore explained will correspondingly contract the width of the cover.

The side sections 108 and 109 of the cover or lid are connected with the central beam or with the hanger 113 through the medium of two sets of lazy-tongs 108a and 109, which are arranged near the front and rear ends of the cover, so that the movable sections may be moved smoothly and uniformly, either inward or outward, to diminish or increase the width of the cover.

rlhe ends of the transverse cover-carrying beams 110 and 112 are provided with screwthreaded nuts, as at 119, which respectively engage four perpendicular screw-tlneaded shafts 120, located at the corners of the machine and mounted in suitable bearings, as at 121, provided on the angle-iron cornerposts. The screw-threaded shafts should be nicely journaled, so that they can be be readily rotated whenever required, and the threads of the several shafts must extend in the proper directions, so that when the shafts are simultaneously rotated the front and rear cover-carrying beams will be simultaneously raised or lowered. If the shafts be turned in one direction, the cover will be lowered into the press-box to press the stufng material to the required extent. If the screw-shafts be 'rotated in the reverse direction, the cover will be raised out of the press-box, and in all the movements of the cover it is 'maintained in an approximately horizontal plane, so that when pressing the stuffing material a uniform pressure is exerted throughout thepressbox.

As before stated, the bottom wall of the press-box is made sloping or downwardly inclined from the side walls 88 and 89 to the center or median line of the box. The pressbox cover is correspondingly constructed; that is to say,.it slopes or inclines in an upward direction from its longitudinal side edges to its center or median line, the construction being such that when the cover is in4 the press-box and is operating to press the stufling material the greatest depth of stuifing material will lie along the longitudinal central portion, and consequently l` am enabled to produce mattresses having the stuffing material of an increased depth or thickness along the longitudinal central portion, as compared to the depth or thickness along the longitudinal side portions. This gives the mattress the appearance of having been stuffed by hand, which is very desirable and important.

The perpendicular screw-threaded shafts 120 are simultaneously rotated in the following manner: The lower ends of the screwthreaded shafts are provided with mitergears 122, engaging miler-gears 123 on horizontal cross-shafts 124, journaled, respectively, in suitable bearings in the base of the IOO IIO

machine at the front and rear end portions thereof. rlhe cross-shafts 124 are provided with miter-gears 125, engaging miter-gears 126 on a longitudinal shaft 127, Fig. 2. The imiter-gear 125 on the shaft 124 at the rear end of the machine engages a miter-gear 127 on the lower end of an inclined shaft 128, which at its upper cnd is provided with a bevel-gear 126, engaging miter-gears 130 and 131, loosely mounted on the main driving-shaft 7. A clutch-section 132, having clutch-teeth or clutch devices at each end, is located between the miter-gears 130 and 131, and this clutch-section 132 is adapted to be shifted along the main drive-shaft 7, but is compelled to rotate therewith in such manner that by moving the clutch-section in one direction it will clutch into engagement with the miter-gear 130 and turn the gear-wheel 129 in one direction, while by moving the clutch-section in the opposite direction it will clutch into engagement with the mitergear 131 and rotate the gear-wheel 129 in the reverse direction. Obviously, therefore, the direction of motion of the transmitting-shaft 123 is controlled, and all four perpendicular screw-threaded shafts 120 can be rotated in one or the other direction, accordingly as the press-box cover is to be raised or lowered.

The raising and lowering of the press-box cover is under the cont-rol of the attendant or operatorthrough the medium of a clutchcontrolling lever 133, (best seen in Fig. 1,) asA I will now explain in detail. This lever is pivoted at its lower end to the side wall 88 of the press-box, and at its upper end is provided with a suitable handle 134, whileintermediate its ends4 it is pivoted to the front extremity of a connecting rod or link 135, having its rear extremity constructed with an eye or opening through which passes a horizontal cylindrical rod 136, Fig. 16, in such manner that when the side wall 88 of the press-box is shifted laterally to vary the width of the box the rear end of the connecting rod or link 135 can slide on the rod 136. This rod 136 connects the ends of two cranks 137, Fig. 16, which are rigidly secured to a transverse rock-shaft 13S, journaled in suitable bearings 139, Fig. 2, attached to the corner-posts at the rear end of the main frame. The cranks are preferably secured to the rock-shaft through the medium of set bolts or screws 140, so that they can be adj usted to the required position on the rockshaft and then rigidly secured to the latter. The rock-shaft is also provided at one end with a weighted arm 141, provided with an adjustable counterbalance-weight 142, and near the center of this rock-shaft is rigidly secured a crank-arm 143, which is pivoted to the front extremity of a connecting rod or link 144. The rear end of the connecting rod or link 144 is pivoted to one arm, 145, of a bellcrank lever 146, the other arm, 147, of this lever being pivoted to one end of a link 14S, having its other end pivoted to an adjustable box 149 on a transversely-slidable bar 150,

which is provided at one extremity with an upwardly-projecting clutch-operating fork 151. The bell-crank lever 146 is mounted on a vertical pivot or stud 152, Figs. 2 and 16, a-nd obviously by turning this lever the bar 150 can be moved back and forth. The fork 151 of the bar 150 engages an annular `groove in the clutch-section 132, and consequently when the bar 150 is slid in one direction the clutch-section 132 engages the miter-gear 130, while if the bar 150 be moved in the opposite direction the clutch-section 132 engages the miter-gear 131. In Fig. 1 the clutch-section 132 is in the central or intermediate position, so that the clutch-section is free from engagement with both miter-gears 130 and 131, and consequently the power transmitting shaft 12S remains motionless, because the miter-gears referred to are loosely mounted on the main driving-shaft. lf the clutch-lever 133 be moved to the left, or to the position marked Down, Fig. 1, the connections between this lever and the slide-bar 150 will bc operated in such manner as to move said slide-bar in the direction required to shift the clutch-section 132 into engagement with the miter-gear 131, so that the power-transmitting shaft 12S is instantly rotated, and through the medium of the system of gearing hereinbefore explained the perpendicular screwthreaded shafts will be rotated in the direction required to lower the press-box cover and cause it to enter the press-box for pressing the stuffing material which has previously been placed therein inv the box.

lf the lever 133 be shifted. tothe right, or to the position marked Up, Fig. 1, a reverse motion of the parts takes place, the clutchsection 132 is shifted out of engagement with the ruiter-gear 131 and into engagement with the miter-gear 136, and a reverse 'rotary motion is imparted to the power-transmitting shaft 12S, thereby rotating the screw-threaded shafts in the opposite direction or in the direction required to lift or raise the press-box cover.

The operatively connected mechanisms hereinbefore described, controlled by the hand-levers 40 and 133, enable the attendant or operator to govern the machine; that is, to start and stop the gearing which transmits motion to the plunger-head carriage and to raise or lower or stop the press-box cover at any point in its travel.

The front end of the press-box is adapted to be opened and closed through the medium of a vertically-movable gate 153, which is automatically operated at the proper times to open and close the end of the press-box. W'hen the stuffing material is introduced into the press-box, the cover is lowered to press the material downwardly and the plungerhead is advanced to compress the stuffing material longitudinally, the front end portion of the press-box is closed by the gate, and the latter constitutes an abutment to resist the initial longitudinal pressure of the plunger- IOO ITO

head, so that the entire operation of the stuffing material is accomplished inside the pressbox, thereby securing the desired density of the material and placing the pressure strains upon the walls of the box and box-cover instead of upon the ticking or other material into which the stuffing material is eventually delivered. The gate 153 is automatically opened after the plunger-head has advanced a predetermined distance to compress the stuifing material longitudinally, so that the subsequent advance motion of'the plunger-head may force the compressed stuffing material out through the open front end of the pressbox into the ticking, which is engaged with a platform or shelf, as at 154, and with a front extension, as at 155, Fig. 3, of the press-box cover while the latter is held down in the press-box.' After the compressed stufiin g material has been ejected from the press-box into the ticking and another mass of material is to be compressed the gate 153 is automat- `ically raised to close the front end of the press-box.

The automatic operation of the gate 153 is accomplished in the manner an d b y the mean s which I will now describe in detail.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 3, 9, and 10, the gate 153 is pivoted at its lower edge to the upper ends of short links 155, which at their lower ends are pivoted to crankarms 156, extending from a rock-shaft 157, which is journaled in suitable bearings provided in the arms or supports 55, Fig. 5, or on other parts of the main frame. The rockshaft is preferably provided with counterbalance-weights 15S, which tend to balance the gate in its rising and falling motions, and the rock-shaft is also provided with a crankarm 159,' pivotally connected to the front extremity of a connecting rod or link 160, having its rear extremity adjustably pivoted in any suitablemanner to the forked extremity of a crank-arm 161, rigidly secured to a short transverse rock-shaft 162, which is journaled in suitable bearings at the rear end of the machine, preferably at a point slightly in .rear of the press-box The rock-shaft is provided with two projecting tappets 163 and 164, arranged or projecting substantially at right angles to each other, so that when one stands approximately perpendicular the other will stand approximately horizontal, as best seen in Fig. 9. These tappets are arranged, respectively, in coincidence or alinement with the two dogs or pawls 68 and 60, hereinbefore described as pivoted on the plate 67, which forms a part of the carriage to which the shank of the plunger-head is attached. The two dogs or pawls 68 and 69 are pivoted out of alinement on the plate 67, Fig. 10, andthe tappet 163 is adapted to be operated by the dog or pawl 69, while the tappet 164E is adapted to be operated by the dog or pawl 68. Obviously the carriage of the plunger-head can Vmove forward a certain distance before the `acting end of the dog 60 strikes the tappet` 156 and elevate or close the gate 153.

163. of the carriage, through the medium of the dog or pawl 69, pushes the tappet 163 forward, and thereby turns the rock-shaft 162 in the direction required to pull the connecting rod or link 160 rearwardly. This operation turns the rock-shaft 157, Fig. 9, in the direction required to lower the crank-arms 156, thereby pulling the gate 153 downward. Thus it will be seen that the plunger-head can make its advance stroke for the initial longitudinal compression ofthe stuffing material before the dog or pawl 69 acts against the tappet 163, and consequently the gate remains lifted or in its closed posit-ion until the desired longitudinal compression of the stuftin g inaterial is effected. After the carriage has made its forward stroke and is returning to its normal position at the rear end of vthe inachine the dog or pawl 68 will engage the tappet 164, thereby turning the rock-shaft 162 in a directionthe reverse of that `in which it was turned by the action of the dog or pawl 69 on the tappet 163. Therefore the connecting` rod or link 160 will be pushed forward, and the rock-shaft 157 will be turned in the direction required to raise the crank-arms The ends of the gate are guided through the mcdium of any suitable guides, as at 165, Fig. 6.

The improved mechanism described and shown for automatically opening and closing the gate is simple and effective and is regarded as very advantageous and satisfactory in praclVhen this occurs, the forward motion IOO tical operation. The coperating parts work duction of the compressed material into the ticking or other fabric which is to constitute the covering' of the completed mattress.

The platform or shelf 154E is preferably composed of metal plates riveted or otherwise attached to a transverse channel-iron beam or girder 166, Fig. 7, which is attached at its ends to the two front corner-posts, Fig. 2. The `beam or girder 166 is provided at its upper side with longitudinal grooves or guideways 167, with which engage ribs 168, Fig. 8, provided on the ends of laterally-adjustable plates or sections 169, forming a part of the platform or shelf 154. The outer edges of the plates or sections 169 are provided with upturned flanges 17 O, which are bolted, riveted, or otherwise connected with the upright brackets or castings which brace and support the side walls SS and S9 of the press-box.

The )referred manner of attachin @the iian ges IIO form or shelf is increased or diminished, accordingly as the width of the press-box is increased or diminished.

The platform or shelf 154, in connection with the front extensions 155 of the cover, when the latter lies in the press-box, constitute the chute by which the compressed stuffing material is pushed into the ticking. The platform or shelf and the extension of the cover slope from their sides to their centers or median lines substantially as described with reference to the sloping` of the bottom of the press-box and the acting face of the cover, so that the body of stuffing material, shaped with a thickened longitudinal central portion, will properly move from the pressbox through the delivery-chute to the ticking. -The front extensions V155 of the cover are laterally adjusted in the same manner and by the same means as hereinbefore described with reference to the cover itself. In other words, the extensions 155 are simply longitudinal extensions of the cover, and consequently when the movable sections of the coverv are extended or retracted the said front extensions are correspondingly extended or retracted.

The cover is designed to be guided vertically and into and out of the press-box through the medium of perpendicular guide- rods 173 and 174, which are secured at their lower ends to the side walls of the press-box and extend through eyes 17 5, projecting laterally from the hangers 114 and 115. These guide- rods 173 and 174, by their connection with the hangers 114 and 115, also serve to widen the press-box cover when the press-box is increased in wid th, for obviously if the side walls 88 and 89 of the press-box are adjusted in alateral direction a corresponding mot-ion will be imparted to the hangers 114 and 115 and the side sections of the press-box cover will be similarly adj usted in a lateral direction. .lf the press-box cover lies within the press-box when the latter is contracted in width, the sides of the press-box will act against the sides of the cover and correspondingly contract the width thereof.

The longitudinal channel iron beams, sheathed with metal plates in the manner described an d shown, produce a stron g, substantial, and effective press-box and cover and enable these parts to successfully resist all pressures and strains, abnormally or otherwise.

The suspension of the press-box cover from the transverse front and rear angle iron beams, through the medium of a plurality of rigid hangers, provides a strong and substantial structure which will secure the desired compression of the stuffing material without danger of any part of the cover being crushed or unduly strained. rlhe roller- bearings 116 and 117 enable the side sections of the cover to be easily adjusted laterally, while the required pressure can be exerted through the hangers on the cover to press the material in the press-box.

It is sometimes desirable to vary the depth or thickness of the compressed stuffing material to secure mattresses which vary in depth or thickness, and to accomplish this the descent of the press-box cover should be stopped when the material has been compressed to the extent required for the thickness of the mattress to be produced. This is accomplished by automatically shifting the clutch-section out of engagement with the miter-gear 131, so that the clutch-section will lie centrally between the ruiter-gears 130 and 131, while the cover will stand motionless in the press-box and hold the stufling material under the desired compression until it is condensed longitudinally and subsequently pushed out of the press-box into the ticking.

To automatically shift the clutch-section 132 for the purpose stated, a vertically-sliding rod 176 is mounted in suitable bearings 177, as best seen in Figs. 4 and 16. The vertical rod 17 6 is provided with upper and lower collars 178 and 17 9, located, respectively, above and below the end of the transverse cover-carryin g beam 112. The collars 17 8 and 179 are rigidly secured to the rod 176, through the medium of set bolts or screws 180 and 181, so that when the collars have been adjusted to the required positions on the rod they can be rigidly clamped thereto. The vertical rod 17 6 is also provided with an adjustable collar 182, adapted to be secured in the required position on the rod through the medium of a set bolt or screw 183. The collar 182 is pivoted to the lower end of a link 184, which has its upper end pivoted to the extremity of a crank-arm 185, secured to one end of the rock-shaft 138, Fig. 16, in such manner that when the vertical rod 176 is raised or lowered the crank-arm will be also raised or lowered and the rock-shaft 138 will be turned in its bearings for the purpose of operating the clutch-shifting fork 151. It being assumed that the collars 178 and 179 have been adjusted to the required position on the vertical rod 17 6 for the proper depth or thickness of mattress to be produced, when the press-box cover has descended the necessary distance in the press-box the end of the transverse cover-carryin g beam 112 will strike the lower collar 179 and thereby depress the vertical rod 176, which will lower the crankarm 185, turn the rock-shaft 138, and shift the clutch-fork 151 in the direction required to disengage the clutch-section 132 from the miter-gear131 and place the clutch-section intermediate between the two miter-gears and 131. Conversely, when the screw-threaded shafts 120 are rotated in the direction re. quired to elevate the press-box cover, when the latter has reached the desired height, the end of the transverse cover-carrying beam 112 will strike the upper collar 178 and thereby raise the vertical rod 17 6 to elevate the crank-arm 185 and turn the rock-shaft 138 in the direction required to shift the clutch-section 132 out of operative connection with the A engage the clutch-sections 1S and 19.

miter-gear 130,`so that the clutch-section will lie centrally between the ruiter-gears 130 and It will of course be understood that the clutch-section 132 may be positively shifted into engagement with one or the other miter-gear 130 or 131 to raise or lower the pressboX cover through the medium of the controlling elutelrlever 133, as hereinbefore explained.

As hereinbefore described, the plungerhead carriage is movedback and forth on the rails or tracks by which it is supported and guided. The carriage is started on its forward stroke by operating the clutch-control linglever 40, as hereinbefore referred to and as will be described i in detail hereinafter. When the pl unger-head carriage reaches the limit, or approximately the limit, of its back stroke, it is desirable that the mechanism which propels the carriage be instantly or almost instantly stopped. This is automatieally accomplished by providing any part of the carriage with a rearwardly projecting' clutch-operating arm 186, which is indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 13 and in full lines, Fig. 2. This arm 186 is designed to come in contact with the spring-pressed pin 30, Figs. 13 and 14, when the carriage reaches the limit of its back stroke, or nearly so. The pressure of the arm 136 on the pin 30 swings the bell-crank lever 27 and shifts the slide-bar 22 in the direction required to dis- Consequently the spur-gear 10 will cease rotating, and obviously the mechanism which propels the 'plunger-head carriage is instantly or al most instantly stopped. lVheli this occurs, the arm 186 of the carriage lies against and in the path of the spring f pressed pin y 30, and therefore when the mechanism which propels the carriage is to be started it is essential to witl1cl1a\vt.l1e spring-pin 30 from the path of the arm 186, so that the bell-crank lever 27 can be moved by the clutch-controling lever 40 in the direct-ion required to en` gage the two clutch-sections 18 and 19 with each other. The withdrawal of the springpin 30 from engagement with the arm 186 is readily accomplished by simply operating the finger-piece 43, which draws or pulls the cord, wire, or other cable L14e, operates the bell-crank lever 45, and raises the spring-pin 30 against the tension of the spring by which it is projected.

lVhere the bottom wall of the press-box and the face of the press-box cover slope or incline from their side edge portions to their longitudinal central portions for producing compressed bodies or masses of stuffing material which vary more or less in depth or thickness, it is preferableto construct the upper and lower edges of the plunger-head of a corresponding form or shape, as shown in Fig. f1, so that the plunger-head will approximately conform to the cross-sectional shape imparted to the compressed material by the action of the press-box and cover.

` It is believedthat the precise details of thc operation of my improved machine will be readily understood from the foregoing eX- planations, and therefore I will only concisely set forth the general working of the parts.

Assuming that the plunger-head carriage is at the rear of the machine, or at the limit of its back stroke, and the press-box cover is elevated, the desired quantity of stuffing material is properly filled into the press-box andthe attendant or operator shifts the handlever 133 to the left, or to the position marked Down, Fig. 1, which causes the clutch-fork 151 to move the clutch-section 132 into engagement with the miter-gear 131, whereupon motion will be transmitted to the four perpendicular screw-shafts and the press-box cover will descend into the press-box to compress the material the required degree. It is possible to stop the descent of the press-box cover by shifting the clutch-lever 133 to the intermediate position represented iu Fig. 1; but it is preferable to automatically stop the descent of the press-box cover when the rej quired compression of the stufiing material is eected through the medium of the beam or girder 112 striking the lowermost collar 170 onl the vertically-sliding rod 176, which, as before explained, disengages the clutchseetion 132 from the miter-gear 131 andplaces this clutch-section centrally between the two miter-gears 130 and 131.. lVhile the stufiing material is held under compression in the press-box, the attendant or operator raises the spring-pin 30 and pushes the upper end of the handlever t0 in wardly,therebysliiftin g the rotating clutch-section 19, which is driven by the draft or power shaft 7 into engagement with the clutch-section 13. This causes the pinion 9 to be thrown into operative connection with the drive or power shaft, and rotary motion is imparted to the spur gear-wheel 10, wherebythe endless chain belts 4:9 and are caused ,to move and the plunger-head carriage commences its advance stroke. The plunger-head moves forward a predetermined distance*say about twenty-four inchesto compress the stuffing material longitudinally IOO IIO

in the press-box, and then the gate 153, which is in its elevated or closed position at the front end of the presssbox, is automatically lowered or opened by the dog or pawl 69, Fig.`10, of the plunger-head carriage striking the tappet 163, which turns the rock-shaft 162, moves the connecting rod or link rearward, and pulls the gate 153 downward. The ticking is placed over the delivery-chute formed by the extensions 154 and 155, and the plu nger-head carriage, continuing its forward motion, pushes the compressed stuffing material out of the press-box through the delivery-chute into the ticking. When the carriage reaches the limit of its forward stroke, the switching or shifting boxes or blocks 62 will be carried around the sprocket-wheels 52, Fig. 12, and `caused to descend in the vertical slots 63 of the end plates 61 of the carriage, thereby lthe press-box cover.

throwing these switching or shifting boxes or blocks from the upper to the lower end portions of the slots, so that the lower stretches of the chain belts will reverse the motion of the carriage and pull it rearward to the limit of its back stroke, when the rearwardly-projecting arm 186 of the carriage will act upon the spring-pin 30, Fig. 13, and turn the bellcrank lever 27 in the direction required to shift the clutch-section 19 out of engagement with the clutch-section 18 and the carriage will be stopped.

It will of course be understood that the motion of the endless chain belts 49 and 50 will cause the switching or shifting boxes or blocks 62 to pass upward aroun'd the sprocketwheels 48 to the upper vends ofthe slots 63, so that the uppermost stretches of the endless belts can 'cause the `'carriage to advance or move forward to impart the forward stroke to the plunger-head. As the carriage moves rearward the do'g or pawl 69, by its incline73, will freely ride over the tappet 163, and the dog or pawlGS will engage lthe tappet 164, thereby turning the rock-'shaft 162 inY the direction required to elevate and close the gate 153, which closing of the gate is automatically effected in a very simple manner. The incline 72 enables the dog 68 to ride over tappet 164.

Forthe purpose of causing the press-box cover to rise for a repetition of the operation hereinbefore explained the hand-lever 133 is shifted to the right, or to the position marked Up,7 Fig. 1, 'which causes the clutch-section 132 to engage the miter-gear 130, whe-reupon the perpendicular screw-shafts will be rotated in the direction required to elevate W hen the cover reaches the desired height, the beam or Ygirder 112 strikes the uppermost collar 178 on the vertically-movable rod 176 and shifts the clutchsection 132 to its intermediate or central position, so that the ascent of the press-bok cover is instantly stopped. It will be obvious that by adjusting `the upper and lower collars 17 8 and 170 on the vertically-movable rod 17 6 the press-box plunger can be stopped at different heights. For instance, it can be caused to enter the press-box to a greater or less extent before automatically stopping its descent, and it can be elevated to a greater or less extent before automatically stopping its ascent.

The preferred order of procedure in expanding or contracting the press-box, the plun ger-head, and the press-'box cover is when the cover and the plunger lie in the press-box with the fingers 7 S in engagement with the eyes or loops 104. Then the parts are in the position just explained, it is only necessary to rota-te either one of the crank-handles I95 and 96 for the purpose of turning the right and left hand screws 90 and 92, which transmit motion to the right and left hand screws 91 and 93, thereby causing the movable side sections of the press-box to move inward or outward, and as they move inward or outward they will correspondingly move the movable sections of the plunger-head and the cover inward and outward, whereby the parts are simultaneously extended or contracted to suit the conditions required, according to the width or size of the mattress which is to be produced.

The improved press-box cover and plunger-head render it possible to produce mattresses possessing the appearance and conditions of a mattress stuffed by hand, with all the advantages possessed by a machinestuffed mattress.

The means for regulating thedimensions of the press-box and the cover through the me-l dium of vright and left hand screws and lazytongs, as described and shown, is desirable and use-ful and enables the parts to be very conveniently and quickly adjusted.

The provision of a plunger made to move backward and forward through the 'medium of chain-belt mechanism, as'explained, is very desirable in that the machine is made very compact and effective in operation.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim i`s- 1. In a mattress-stuffing machine, a pressbox having its bottom wall sloping or inclined downwardly from its side edge portions toward its longitudinal central portion, substantially as described.

2. In a mattress-stutling machine, the combination with-a press-box, of a press-box cover having its acting face sloping or inclined upwardly from its side edge portions toward its longitudinal central portion, substantially as described.

In a mattress-stuffing machine, the combination with "a press-box having its bottom wall sloping or inclined downwardly from its side edge portions toward its longitudinal eentral portion, of a press-box cover having its acting face sloping or inclined upwardly from its side edge portions toward its longitudinal central portion, substantially as described.

4. In a mattress-stuffing machine, the combination with a press-box, and a press-box cover, sloping or inclined from their side edge portions toward their longitudinal central portions, of a plunger-head having its upper 'and lower edges sloping or inclined in opposite directions toward the middle of its len gth, substantially as described.

5. The combination in a mattress-stuffing machine, of a press-boX,a plunger-head movable in the press-box, a `carriage movable beneath the press-box and connected with the plunger head, a chain belt mechanism, switching or shifting devices connecting the carriage with the chain-belt mechanism for reversing the travel of the carriage at the limit of its forward and backward strokes, a rising-and-falling cover movable into and out of the press-box and operatively-connected mechanisms connected with the said cover and 'with the said chain-belt mechanism, for

IOO

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raising and lowering the cover and imparting motion to the chain-belt mechanism, substantially as described.

G. The combination of a press-box having a longitudinal slot in its bottom wall, and a plunger-head movable in said press-box, of horizontal rails or tracks arranged horizontally beneath the press-box, a carriage traveling on said rails or tracks under the pressbox, a shank connecting the carriage with the plunger-head and traversing the longitudinal slot in the bottom wall of the press-box as the carriage moves, a chain-belt mechanism located beneath the press-box and carriage and provided with devices which operate to move the carriage forward and then reverse its direction of travel, a gate for opening and closing one end of the press-box, and lever-and-tappet mechanism acted upon by the carriage as it moves backward and forward to positively open and also close the gate, substantially as described.

7. The combination with apress-box, and a plunger-head movable therein, of a carriage movable beneath the press-box and connected with the plunger-head, an endless traveling belt, connections between the belt and carriage, a power-driven mechanism for imparting motion to the belt, a clutch for throwing the endless belt into and out of operative connection with the power-driven mechanism, a clutch-actuating lever automatically operated by the action of the carriage to move theclutch and thereby disengage the powerdriven mechanism from operative connection with the belt to stop the motion of the latter, a gate for opening and closing one end of the press-box, and lever-and-tappet mechanism acted upon by the carriage as it moves backward and forward to positively open and also close the gate, substantially as described.

8. The combination with the press-box, and a plunger-head movable therein, of a carriage traveling back and forth beneath the pressboX, an endless chain belt located under the press-box and provided with devices which connect with the carriage and operateto move it back and forth, a power-driven. shaft, gearing connecting the power -driven shaft with the belt, a clutch for throwing the powerdriven shaft into and out of operative connection with the gearingwhich actuates the belt,a lever connected with the clutch and actuated by the direct action of the carriage for moving the clutch to throw the power-driven shaft out of operative connection with said gearing, a gate for opening and closing one end of the press-box, and lever and tappet mechanism acted upon by the carriage as it moves backward and forward to positively openand also close the gate, substantially as described.

9. The combination with a press-box having a longitudinal slot in its bottom wall, and a plunger-head movable in the press-box, of rails or tracks arranged horizontally beneath the press-box, a carriage having wheels traveling on the rails or tracks, a shank connected with the plunger-head and the carriage and traversing the longitudinal slot in the bottom wall of the press-box as the carriage moves beneath the latter, endless traveling belts extending under the press-box, switching or shifting devices connecting the belt-s with the carriage and operating to move the latter forward and then reverse its direction of travel, a power-driven shaft geared to the belts for imparting motion thereto, a clutch for throwing the belt-operating gearing into and out of operative connection with the power-driven shaft, a clutch -lever connected with said clutch and automatically operated by the carriage at the limit of its movement in one direction to move the clutch and throw the power-driven shaft out of operative connection with said gearing, a gate for opening and closing one end of the press-box, and leverand-tappet mechanism acted upon by the carriage as it moves backward and forward to positively open and also close the gate, substantially as described.

10. The combination with a press-box, and a plunger-head movable therein, of a carriage traveling back and forth beneath the bottom wall of the press-box and connected with the plunger-head, a gate arranged to open and close one end of the press-box,a1id tappet-andlever mechanism acted upon by the carriage as it moves backward and also as it moves forward to positively open and also close the gate, substantially as described.

ll. The combination with a press-box, and a plunger-head movable therein, of a gate arranged to close one end of the press-box, a carriage traveling beneath the bottom wall of thc press-box and with which the plungerhead is connected, an endless traveling belt provided with devices which connect it with the carriage and operate to move the latter forwardand then reverse its direction of travel while the belt moves in one direction, and mechanism automatically operated by the carriage as it moves forward and backward to positively open and also close the gate, substantially as described.

l2. The combination with a press-box, and a plunger-head movable therein, of a gate arranged to open or close one end of the pressbox, a rock-shaft connected with the gate, a rock-shaft provided with tappets, a connection between the said rock-shafts, and a traveling carriage connected with the plungerhead and provided with devices for operating the said tappets as the carriage moves forward and backward to automatically open and close the gate, substantially as described.

13. The combination with a press-box, and a plunger-head movable therein, of a carriage movable back and forth beneath the pressboX and connected with the plunger-head, an endless belt for moving the carriagebackward and forward, tappet-and-lever mechanism automatically operated by the carriage IOxI IIO

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