Abstract: A gear and cam housing journals the shaft for intermittently driving the lower feed roll by means of conjugate cams, and by adjusting the vertical position of the housing, the feed line height is likewise adjusted. The invention provides a timing belt drive from the main drive shaft for the press to the drive shaft for the conjugate cams which will permit adjustments for feed line height while maintaining synchronized feed cycle and press timing relationship. Specifically, the apparatus includes a pair of sprockets and timing belts arranged to form an elbow, with one belt operatively connecting the press drive shaft with one timing sprocket at the elbow and wherein the other timing belt operatively connects the other timing sprocket with the drive shaft for the conjugate cams.

Abstract: The device for adjusting the lateral distance between a pair of parallel transfer bars of a transfer feeder for a transfer press comprises clutch means arranged in the driving means for driving toward and away a pair of slides slidably mounting thereon the transfer bars, respectively, so as to transfer work pieces to the succeeding working positions and separate driving means for driving the slides independently of the first mentioned driving means when the latter is disabled by the clutch means, so that the lateral distance is adjusted by driving the slides by the separate driving means while the first mentioned driving means is disabled. After disabling the separate driving means and the clutch means is engaged, the press is ready for operation with the newly adjusted lateral distance set between the slides and, hence, between the transfer bars.

Abstract: A three-dimensional feed device in a transfer press is disclosed having a pair of feed bars each respectively supported by a pair of feed bar guides having an integral guide plate provided with a through axial bore. Crank shafts each have an eccentric portion loosely extending through the axial bore. A drive shaft is connected to one of the shafts and slidably received in a slide block slidably provided in a stationary casing. A stationary internal sun gear is secured to the casing. A planetary gear meshes with the sun gear and is rotatably supported in a rotary support member coaxial with said sun gear. The planetary gear has an eccentric pin. A slidable rack is supported on the eccentric pin in the casing at right angles to the slidable movement direction of the slide block and a pinion is secured to said drive shaft and meshes with the slidable rack.

Abstract: A machine for attaching terminals to electrical conductors is disclosed wherein the bed and ram of an applicator are relatively movable together and apart and each carries a cooperating one of a pair of crimping dies to crimp a terminal onto a conductor when the ram and bed are moved together. A terminal feeding device supplies terminals to be crimped by the dies seriatim and in synchronism with relative movement between the ram and bed and a unidirectional coupling such as a chain connects the terminal feeding device to the ram so that the feeding device is actuated to supply a terminal when the ram retracts from the bed. A spring biasing device opposes operation of the unidirectional coupling to restore the feeding device for subsequent actuation. The cooperating dies and terminal feeding device are independently removably attached to the machine allowing independent replacement to accommodate specific conductor-terminal combinations.

Abstract: A work transfer and drive device in a transfer press is disclosed having a stationary shaft supported in the framework of said press and an actuator gear rotatably mounted on said shaft to be driven by the drive means of said press. A sun gear is mounted on said shaft in coaxial relationship to said actuator gear, a planetary gear is secured to an eccentric shaft on said actuator gear in meshing with said sun gear, and a first eccentric pin integral with said eccentric shaft is slidably received in a radial groove formed in a rotary member rotatably mounted on said stationary shaft. A second eccentric pin in said rotary member is operatively connected to a first slidable member to be guided by a stationary guide bar parallel to feed bars and a second slidable member is operatively connected to said first slidable member and one of feed bars.

Abstract: A multiple station forming press is disclosed for feeding blanks from station to station for successive die forming operations. The transfer mechanism is designed to receive an over-size blank at the first station and to transfer it a greater distance than the actual reciprocating travel of the tranfer bar, by means including an auxiliary carrying block on the transfer bar and drive linkage adapted to move the auxiliary block relatively to the transfer bar.

Abstract: A can end transfer mechanism for use in a highspeed machine includes a generally horizontal base with an end-receiving pocket and a pair of can end-engaging members disposed on opposite sides of the pocket. Each of the members has an inner end portion which projects into the pocket and is dimensioned and configured to engage an opposite side of an end, so as to cooperatively constrain it against rotation in the pocket. The engaging members are resiliently mounted on the base for movement along axes which are inclined toward the vertical axis of the pocket; this facilitates insertion and removal of an end into and from the pocket, while effectively maintaining the relative lateral position of an end when received therein. The mechanism is particularly useful where proper registry of work sequentially performed on the end tends to be of critical importance.

Abstract: A central metal-forming press has permanently associated therewith at least three workpiece-handling units that are pivotally connected to the press for movement toward and away from an operative position with respect to the press. A progressively interengaged system of links coupled to the main drive shaft of the press is clutch-coupled to each of the auxiliary handling units for separately engaging such units to effect workpiece introduction into, workpiece discharge from, and workpiece transfer within the press.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for blanking from coil stock blanks to be supplied to and formed by a transfer press having a transfer feed line through the transfer press along which the blanks are fed. The coil stock is fed along a coil stock feed line which is below the transfer feed line of the transfer press over a male blanking punch. A female blanking die is lowered from above the transfer feed line of the press over the male blanking punch for blanking blanks from the coil stock. The blanks so formed are elevated from the male blanking punch to the transfer feed line of the press for transfer thereof along the transfer feed line. The scrap of the coil stock resulting from such blanking operation is discharged along the coil stock feed line below the transfer feed line of the press so as not to interfere with the transfer of the blanks along the transfer feed line of the press.