US921091A - Feed mechanism for automatic carving-machines. - Google Patents

Description

f M. DE T AMBLE. l FEED lNIEGEANISM FOR AUTOMATIC OARVING MAOHINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 1.6, 1903.

Patented May 11, 1909.

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. M.V DE TAMBLE. FEED' 'MEGHANISM Fon Y.momma GAMING mommas.

A'PPLIQATION FILED 11m46.190s; 921,091 Patented May 11; 1909.

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M. DE TAMBLBf FEED MBUHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC CABVING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 16,1903.

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MARTIN DE TAMBLE, OI"A INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO UNIVERSAL AUTOMATIC OARVING MACHINE CO., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY. i

FEED MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC CARVING-MAC-IINES.

Patented May 11, 1909.

Application led Novmberll, 1903,. Serial No. 181,436.

To all 'whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, MARTIN DE TAMBLE, a citizen of the United State-s, residing atIndianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have inventedv certain new and useful Improvements in Feed Mechanisms for Automatic Carving-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to automatic carving machines, and has special reference to improvements upon those machines wherein a transversely movable feed-table is employed on a longitudinally movable bed. In such machines, the bed with the table is regularly reciprocated, and, as the bed approaches the end of its stroke in either direction, the table is fed slightly to one side, in order that the carving-tools may make fresh cuts during the return stroke of the bed.. The devices heretofore employed for feeding the table in'this manner havebeen of. such construction .and arrangement as to require considerable time for their operation, with the result that. the table has not been set over simultaneously with the termination of the longitudinal stroke of the bed and` table, nor approximately so. This has occasioned the irregular action of the cutters. Furthermore, the present feeding-mechanisms are incapable of either fine adjustment or great range of aduiustrnent yet both these qualities or abilities are .essential to the .line performance of a variety of work. The automatic carving machine which I believe to be, of all, the most satisfactory and practical is that Vwhich is made in substantial accordance with Letters Patent No. 696,382, granted to Streich and Iuehs, March th, .1902.. This machine, however, is subject tothe foregoing criticism, for it has a feed-mechanism that .is actuated by the last part of the stroke of the bed, and

the action of which is rendere-d still more uncertain by the presence of springs or cushions between. the bed and its driving-mech- These springs or cushions are compressed by the movement of the table against the resistance of the tracer and the tools, and as a result, when the driver is reversed, the table has a short, independent; forward movement, followed by a period of delay, be-

fore it is picked up by the reversely operated driver. jectionable, sc far as the feed-mechanism is concerned; but `the intermittency .and yet continuousness of the action obtained .inthe This feature of the' machine is ob-` Vtable through the employment of the yielding connections is of the greatest advantage in reproducing high relief carvings, and should be retained.

My conception is that the transverse feeding movements of the work-table, instead of preceding the moment of table-delay, should take place during such period and just precede the beginning of each stroke of the table and bed; and the object of this invention is to provide an improved table-feeding mechanf ism, whereby the table shall be fed simultaneously with or ust preceding the beginning of each stroke. 4

Another object of my invention is to .ro-

vide a table-feeding mechanism that sha be readily adjustable to vary the feed of the table; and which, furthermore, may be regulated or adjusted during the operation of 1- the machine. Y Still another object of my invention is to yimprove 'the means orV mechanism that is employed for reversing the. direction of the transverse..movement or feed of the table g and still another object of my invention is to provide a table-feeding mechanism that shall constitutean unbroken connection between the bed-driving .mechanism and the table; throughout which, the parts shall be in positive engagement at all times.

' /Vith these objects in view, my invention consists in the improvements in feed meel anism for automatic carving machines as hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in whichi- Figure 1, is an elevation of the front end of an automatic carving machine equipped with '3a feed mechanism embodying my invention, the .upper portion of the machine being broken away; vFig. 2 is an end view of the partsshown in Fig. 1 Fig. 3, is a plan view ofthe machine, the feed tableV being removed, to disclosethe underlying parts; Fig. l, is end View ofthe oscillatory,feed-clutch; Fig. 5, is a sectional view thereof, substantially on the line xof Fig. 4, Fig. 6, is an end view of the variable stroke feed-pawls; Fig. 7, is a side view thereof; and Fig. 8, isa sectional view of the hand feed-control.

As shown in the drawings, 2 represents ,the

frameofan automatic carving machine, 3

. These parts are:

is the longitudinally movable bed, and 4 the transversely movable feed-table that rests upon the bed. 5 represents the bed-driving mechanism, which, with the shifter, 6, operates to reciprocate the bed, 3, upon thc frame, the same being automatically reversible. The construction of these parts ofv a carving machine is too well understood to require detailed explanation herein.

A worm, 7, is usually employed in connection with the driving device, and this coperates with a rack, 8, that is yieldingly connected to the bed by springs or cushions, 9, above referred to. In place of the worm, 7, a screw may be used with a nut in the center of the table, having springs on either side thereof. ln such case this nut will take the place of and operate as the rack, 8. rllhese cushions, 9, and their functions are fully described in No. 757,243; and the purpose thereof is to permit the bed and feed-table to lag with respect to the movement of the driving-mechanism, Whenever the table encounters special or abnormal resistance from the tracer and the cutters which operate upon the attern and work that are upon the table. t is obvious that there is a moment of complete stoppage or delay at the end of each stroke of the ed, preceding the actual reversal of the driving-worm, 7. This period of delay is prolonged by the time required for the recovery of the cushions, following the stopage of the worm, 7, and by the time required for the picking up or starting of the bed by the driving-worm, through the medium of said cushions. lt is during these periods of delay that l desire to feed the table upon or across the bed, although, as it will be evident hereinafter, the feed movement may, and would, in the absence of the cushions, with good results, take place simultaneously with the actual reversal of the bed.

My feed mechanism comprises five principal elements or mechanisms, that, together, extend between and positively connect the bed-driving mechanism and the feed-table.

The clutch, A; the feedregulator, B; the pawl-throwing disk, C the ratchet mechanism, D, and the sliding-connection, E, between the ratchet mechanism and the feed-shaft or spindle, 10, wherefrom the actual transverse movement is communicated to the table. A, the first of the mechanisms, comprises two friction-disks, 11 and 12. The part, 11, is arranged on a shaft, 13, having bearings, 14 and 15, in the machine frame and carrying a large beveled gear, 16. The shaft, 13, and the clutch-part, 11 are driven by the pinion, 17, this pinion being on the worin shaft or on a shaft just below that carrying the Worm or bed-driver, 7, and rotated in time therewith by any suitable means, such as suitable gearing 7. Said shaft, 13, is therefore first driven in one direction and then in the other, according to the reversals of the driver by the mechanism, 5. In Fig. 1 the relation of the shaft carrying the worin, 7, to the shaft beneath, which latter carries the gear, 5, is clearly shown by dotted lines. In Fig. 3 the lower shaft is covered and concealed by the worin shaft and its bearings. The gears 5 and 17 are both on the lower shaft. The second part, 12, is secured to the oscillating or rocking shaft, 18. On one end of this shaft is the bearing, 1), in the end of the disk, 1 1 the two shafts,13 and 13, abutting therein. The opposite end of the shaft 1S, has a bearin T 20, in the side frame of the machine, and on its outer end carries the pawl-throwing disk, C. The part 12, as shown in Fig. 5, is cup-shaped, to receive the disk, 11, and said part 12 is supplemented by a spring-pressure ring or disk, 21, arranged on the opposite side of the disk, 11, and held against the same by springs, 2L., provided on studs, 23, that are placed around the part 12. The pressure of the outer disks, 12 and 21, upon the disk, 11, may be varied by means of the follower-nuts, 24, on the studs, 23. Leather washers, 25, are preferably arranged between the disks, to increase their frictioind engagement.

The second mechanism, B, is the feedregulator, and eonprises a device for liniting and adjusting the throw or oscillation of the part, 12, and the shaft, 1S. This regulator comprises the pins, 26, provided on the face of the disk, 12, and the sliding yoke, 27, with its operating rod, 2S. The yoke, as shown in Fig. 4, einbraces the hub, 12, of the disk, 12, and is provided with oppositely-extending stop-lugs, 29, 29, that have curved stop-surfaces, 29. Any suitable ineans may be arranged for moving the rod, 2S, and the yoke; such, for exainple, as the hand-wlmel, 30, havin an internally-threaded sleeve or hub, 31, he d in a bearing, 32, of the frame and engaging the threaded end, 28 of the regulating-rod, 28. By these devices, the yoke may be so adjusted that its lugs will engage both pins upon the disk, 12, or it may be retired, to free said pins and the disk, 12, for partial rotation or oscillation by the frictiondisk, 11.

The third element of the feed-1nechanismy is the sinple disk or cross-arm, (l, on the end of the shaft, 18, and to which the lower ends of the pawl-bearing links, 33, 34, are pivoted.

The fourth element is of somewhat more complicated nature, and is composed of the ratchet-wheel, 35, arranged on a short shaft, 36, together with the operating dogs, 3f), 4U, that are pivoted on the oscillating levers, 37, 38. rlhe links, 33, 34, have their upper ends pivoted to the lower ends of the levers, 37, 33, and said levers are journaled on the shaft, 36. Said shaft, 36, is rotatable in the small bearing, 41, arranged in the machine-frame, 2. The ratchet-wheel, 35, has a great number of notches, 35, for engagement with the lll) pins 43--44, and each is provided with aA stop-lug, 46, to engage either one of the -shoulders, 39, 39-40, 40, of the pawl to Which it 1'oelongs When thrown to one side, these Weighted levers hold the corresponding ends of the pavvls upon the ratchet- Wheel, and when thrown to opposite positions they operate to engage the other ends of the pawls With said Wheel, 35, whereupon the rotation of the latter' Will be reversed. Though rotatively intermittent, the ratchet- Wheel's direction of rotation remains the same, so long' asthe Weights, 45, of the paWls remain unchanged, andthe same may therefore be employed for continuously driving or feeding the table across the bed. .v

rilhe shaft, 36, of the ratchet, carries the bevel pinion, 42, arranged on the inner end of the stationary bearing, 41.` This pinion, with the. parts associated With it upon the reciprocatlng bed of the machine, constitutes the fifth element or mechanism, E, of my machine, the purpose thereof being to maintain a constant connection between the feeding-mechanism or ratchet-device and the either of which motions the Work may be fed transversely to the carving-tools.

'vl/*ith the exception of the motion-communicating shaft, 53, that is arranged on the bed of the machine, this invention is not concerned With'the detailed construction and arrangement of the parts that directly communicate the feed motion to the table, and my invention admits of the employment of any style, type or kind of mechanism that may be actuated from the ratchet-Wheel or its shaft. *The drawings hereof therefore illustrate only one of the systems of spindles and gears that l may employ on the feed-table. leferring again' thereto, it will be seen that the shaft, 53, is held in bearings, 54, at the ends of thebed, 3, and that the gear, 42, is connected therewith by means of a beveled pinion, 51, that is held in a bracket, 52, on the bearing, 41. A feather-and-slot connection is used between the pinion, 51, and shaft, 53, and said shaft is therefore permitted to reciprocate through the pinion, 51, While said pinion is at all times engaged with the shaft to'partially rotate it when motion is impar-ted to the ratchet-mechanism, D.

10, represents the main driving-shaft of These the table gearing. At its outer end this is held in a bearing, 48, and the shafts, 53 and 10, are connected by the beveled gears, 55 and 57. rl'he inner end of the shaft, 10, is held in the slidable bearings, 4, that hang from the table, 4, and gears, 59, are used for connecting the shaft, 10, with the wormshaft, 50, for operating the chucks on the table, 4. The gears, 59, may be placed in mesh or disengaged at the `-will of the operator.

47, 47 represent the table-driving spindles that are arranged in bearings, 453-48 on the bed, 3, and which are connected to the table, 4, by the depending threaded sleeves, 49. Gears, 53, are used for connecting the shaft, 10, to one of the spindles, 47. This connection may be made at the same time with the connection to the Worm-shaft, 50, but ordinarily the worm-shaft, 50, is not driven during the transverse movement of'the table, by the screw-spindles, 47. As shon'n in Fig. 3, the spindles, 47, on the front and back of the bed, are connected by a longitudinal shaft 47. lt will be observed from the foregoing that pieces of Work and the pattern that are held in the chucks on the table may be either rotated or moved transversely across the bed, 3, or, if desired, both feeding movements may be used, all from the intermittent motion of the shaft, 53. The degree of movement imparted to the table by each stroke of the oscillating paxvls cf mechanism D, may be altered or regulated at any time by the manipulation of the stop-yoke or regulator, B, which alone controls the length of stroke that will be imparted to the ratchet-panels by the oscillator, C. Furthermore, as the ratchet-mechanism, D, is at all times positively engaged and connected with the tablegearing, through the medium of pinions, 42 and 51, such regulation of the ratchet-mechanism may be accomplished without interrupting or stopping the movement of the bed and the table thereon.

rThe uses, functions and advantages of my invention may be summarized as folloWs:- l/Vhen `the reversing mechanism, 5, is started, the immediate result is the regular reciprocation of the bed which carries the feed-table. This reciprocation is brought about by the periodical reversal of the driver, 7, due to the operation of the shifter by the bed itself. Because of its connection `with the driver, 7, through the gears, 16 and 17, the shaft, 13, with the disk 11 thereon, tf-:ill be driven continuously in one direction throughouteach operation of the driver, 7, and until said driver is reversed, whereupon the direction of rotation of the friction-disk, 11, Will also be reversed. The use ofthe small pinion, 17, on the driver-shaft, and the large gear, 16, on the shaft 13, considerably reduces the relative number of revolutions made by the shaft, 13; nevertheless, said shaft is' preferably arranged to make several revolutions during the operation of the driver. It is obvious, therefore, that eX- cept for the presence of the regulator, B, the shaft 18 would be constantly rotated, and that the presence thereof prevents complete revolutions of said shaft and confines its motions to oscillations that are exactly timed with the reversals of the bed-driver. The operation of the'bed by the worm or driver, 7, is much more deliberate than the movement of the oscillating part thereby, and it follows that the feed-mechanism completes its operation before the movement of the table is perceptible.

The frietional engagement between the disks making up the friction-clutch is suffieient to cause the part, 12, to turn with the disk, 11, until one of the pins on the part, 12,

engages with one of the lugs, 29, of the regulating-yoke, after which the disk, 11, rotates without aecting the disk, 12. When the disk, 11, is reversed, the disk 12 turns back therewith until the opposite pin, 26, engages with the opposite part of the yoke, 29. Said yoke, as explained, is adjustable by means of the hand-wheel, 30, on the front of the machine, and When the same is moved it opcrates to further limit or increase the stroke or oscillation of the disk, 12, and shaft, 18, and consequenty of the part C. In this manner I make it possible to actually stop the oscillation of the ratchetepaivls or cause the same to take the maximum stroke of the part, C, imparted thereto through the medium of the constantly-driven disk, 1 1. The two pavvls of the ratchet-mechanism Work oppositely that is, one operates to positively move the ratchet, while the other is moving through its return stroke, and it is obvious that as long as corresponding ends of the double pawls remain in engagement with the ratchc -Wheel, said wheel will be intermittently rotated in a single direction. Said rotation of the ratchet-wheel is continued until the feed-table of the carving machine has accomplished the needful transverse movement upon the bed, whereupon it is stopped to receive new pieces of work. After the new work has been placed upon the machine, the table need not be manually returned to its original position, but may be caused to feed back slowly, by the mere throwing or reversal of the weights, 45, belonging to the double paavls, such change of position operating to engage the opposite ends of the pavls with the ratchet-Wheel and cause it to rotate in the other direction. The motion of the ratchet-Wheel by either of the pawls does not take place until the driver is actually reversed. In addition to the foregoing, it should be understood that the table does not immediately take on the motion of the driver, because of the cushionsprings that are interposed between the rack, 8, and the bed, and that for this reason the feed-mechanism actually accomplishes its full function of transversely feeding the table or the chucks thereon, prior to the beginning of the movement of the bed and table, in either direction.

rIhe term longitudinal motion or reciprocation as applied to the operation of the machine, is intended to mean or designate the normal or constant action of the table; and the terms transverse feed of the table, transversely feeding the table and the like, are intended to mean or designate the transverse or lateral motion that is imparted either by the table itself or to any part by Which the feeding of the work in a horizontal plane or by rotation, is accomplished.

The shafts, 10, 17 and 50 are all connected at the same time, so that the work can be turned at will. For instance: If an oval piece of Work were put on the centers and this piece of Work exceeded in depth the lift of the tracer-bar, it would not swing under the tracer-point if the tracer-point were placed at the center of the pattern with the work running directly on the center. IIowever, if the tracer-point is put on the center of the pattern and both feeds are thrown in, the pattern revolves on the centers and also moves laterally, thus enabling the tracer to reach every part of the pattern and still he Within the lifting range of the retracting mechanism; and when one side of the oval is finished thereby, the pattern may be turned over and the other side finished.

It is obvious that numerous modifications of my invention Will readily suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, and my invention is not confined to the specific constructions herein shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In an automatic carving machine, a rcciprocating bed and a feed-table, in combination with a suitably driven bed-driver, a cushioned connection between said bed and driver and a table-feeding mechanism actuated by said driver during the recovery of said cushioned connection following the longitudinal stroke of said bed and feed table in each direction, substantially as described.

2. In an automatic carving machine, a reciprocating feed-table, in combination with a driving and reversing mechanism therefor, a table feeding mechanism including a partially revoluble friction-member and a rotative friction-member interposed between. the table and the driving mechanism and cone nected to both, substantially as described.

3. In an automatic carving machine, a reciprocating feed table, in combination with a driving and reversing mechanism therefor, a step by step mechanism coupled to said table and operable to feed the table transversely, a friction mechanism whereby said step by step mechanism is connected to and driven by said driving mechanism, one element. of said frictional mechanism being alternately rotated in opposite directions, and the other element being provided with bosses or lugs, and an adjustable device provided with stop lugs for engagement with said lugs or bosses to limit the oscillatory movement of said second frictional member, substantially as described. n

4. 1n an automatic carving machine, a longitudinally movable bed and a transversely movable table, in combination with` bed-driving means yieldingly connected to said bed and a feed-mechanism for moving said table upon the bed after said bed has reached the end of its stroke, substantially as described.

5.. 1n an automatic carving machine, a reciprocating feed-table, capable of transverse niotion, in combination with a rotary driver therefor, and a table-feeding mechanistn that includes a friction-clutch, one inember of which derives oscillatory motion from successive reversals of said driver, substantially as described.

(3. 1n a carving machine, the table to be operated, in combination with two frictionally-engaged rotary members, with means for rotating one of said i'neinbers in first one direction, then the other, means for limiting the rotation of the other, and table-actuating r..eans interposed between the latter member and the table, substantially as described.

7. 1n an automatic carving machine, the frictionally-engaged members, in combination with means for continuously actuating and periodically reversing` one thereof, stops upon the other member, an adjustable device for li citing the movement of said stops, a feed table or worlrholder, and operating means interposed between said other meinber and said holder substantially as described.v

S. 1n an automatic carving machine, the frictionally engaged members,- in combination with means for rotating and periodically reversing one of vsaid means, adjustable means preventingthe complete revolution of the other member and determining the oscillatory movements thereof, a feed table or workholder and operating means interposed between said other member and said holder substantially as described..

9. In an automatic carving machine, a frame and a bed, in combination with the feed-table movable thereon, means for reciprocating said bed, a feed-mechanism on said frame, a yielding connection between said mechanism and said table and an operating connection between said mechanism and the bed-reciprocating means, substantially as described.

10. A carving machine table or work holder, in combination with a feed-mechanism including a friction device comprising two members, one of which derives oscillatory notion in partial revolutions from successive reversals of rotation of the other, and means for communicating the n oveient of the oscillatory member to the work holder, substantially as described.

11. A carving-machine table or work holder, in combination with a feed mechanism, including a friction device, one member of which is rotated and periodically reversed and the other member of which is partially revoluble with the first member, and adjustable ineans for varying the limits of movement of said other member, to vary the feed of said holder, substantially as and for the Vpurpose specified.

12. 1n an automatic carving machine, the reciprocating bed, in combination with workcarriers thereon, a driver for reciprocating said bed, a friction-meniber revoluble with and by said driver, a second friction-ni niber engaging the first member an d. driven thereby, adjustable stops limiting the movement of the second friction-member by the first and work-moving mechanism actuated by said second member, substantially as described.

13. 1n an automatic carving machine, the frame, in combination with the bed, the table transversely movable on said bed, and adapted for longitudinal movement therewith, a bed-driver provided in said frame for reciprocating said bed, .a table-feeding mechanism arranged on said fraaie and bed, a rotary connection between said driver and mechanism, and a regulator upon the front of the frame whereby the attendant may regulate the operation of said table-feeding iechanisni at will, substantially as described.

14. A carving machine work table, in combination with a device for moving said table and actuating mechanism for said device com rising a friction disk, a second friction dist op osed to the first and connected with said3 device, means for rotating and periodically reversing the iirst friction disk, stops upon the second friction disk and other stops for engagement therewith, the

Alatter stops being adjustable 1n proximity to said second disk, for regulating the movement of said second disk and the said device, substantially as described.

15. A carving table, and a device for moving the same, 1n combination with a table feed device, actuating mechanism comprising a rotated and periodically reversed friction member, a second friction member, op-

osed to the first and connected with said ldevice, the shafts of said members, a yoke per endicularly movable with relation to sai shafts, manual means for moving said yoke, and stops upon the second frictionmember for engagement With said yoke, substantially as described.

16. In an automatic carving machine, a bed, in combination with Work-carriers thereon, a driver for reciprocating said bed, a feedmechanism for moving said Work-carriers, means whereby said mechanism is actuated by said driver and means for regulating the operation of said mechanism during the operation of said driver, substantially as described.

17. In an automatic carving machine, a feed table, in combination With a table-moving device, a ratchet-Wheel connected With said device, paWl-levers, double pa-Wls thereon, variable stroke means for moving said levers and hence said paWls and reversing means governing said paWls, substantially as described.

18. In an automatic carving machine, a frame, in combination With the bed for reciprocation thereon, a driver for reciprocating said bed, a shaft held in bearings on the end of said bed, a table transversely movable on said bed, table feeding means connecting said shaft and said table and a rotary part, E, for rotating said shaft, a bearing on said frame wherein said part E is held, said shaft being slide-bly connected to said part E, and an operating connection between said driver and said part E, substantially as described.

19. In an automatic carving machine, the frame, in combination With the reciprocating bed thereon, transversely movable Workholders on said bed, a longitudinal shaft in said frame, a bed-driver thereon, means for reversing the rotation of said shaft and driver, a transverse shaft geared to the driver-shaft, a friction-disk thereon, an opposed friction-disk, a shaft connected with the latter, a Work-feeding device actuated thereby and connected with said work-holders for moving them, and means for regulating the rotary movements of said opposed friction-member, substantially as described 20. In an automatic carving nmchine, the frame, the bed and the table equipped with Work holders, in combination with a beddriver, means for rotating and reversing said driver, a shaft deriving alternative partial rotary motion only from said driver, a cross-arm thereon, a ratchet-Wheel operatively connected With said table, paul-levers having pawls for engagement with said ratchet-Wheel and links connecting said |evers and cross-arm for moving` the work holder, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

21. In an automatic carving inaehiini, the frame, the reciprocating-bed and thel feedtable, in combination with a driver, means for rotating and periodically reversing said driver, a rack engaged with said driver and having cushioned connections with said bed, a friction-disk, suitable means connecting said disk and driver, an opposed frictiondisk, means preventing complete revolutions of the latter and a table-feeding mechanism actuated by said opposed friction-dish, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this 30th day of (')ctohelg ii. I). 1903, in the presence of tivo Witnesses.

MARTIN DE TABLE.

W'itnesses HENRY C. Biiixsn, ELIZABETH BAINEY.

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