US4877172A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dispensing of attachments
Assignee: Dennison Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1988-09-02
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Granted: 1989-10-31
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Expires: 2008-09-02
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for dispensing of attachments comprising a pair of side members linked by a connector. A roll of fastener stock is fed to a reciprocatively driven slide head assembly at which the roll is advanced over an elastomeric feed belt to a pair of needles secured to a shuttle. Once inserted in the needles, an individual attachment is severed from the stock, and displaced over a preset distance by the shuttle into the path of a pair of ejector rods. The ejector rods force the side members of the attachment out of the needles for insertion in a fabric or other workpiece at the bottom of the head stroke. On return stroke of the head, the needles are withdrawn, ejector rods retreat, and the shuttle returns to its severing position in a manner to avoid mechanical interference. This design uses an electric motor driven fastener dispensing head, actuator slide and associated linkages for actuating the various mechanisms either on an on-demand or continuous basis. Reliability is improved by severing the attachment stock in the needle, and transferring the severed attachment to its insertion location.
Inventors
- 👤 Harlow Franklin
- 👤 William J. Cooper
- 👤 Charles L. Deschenes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:25
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65C; B65C7/00; B65C7/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for dispensing attachments, comprising at least one hollow slotted needle; shuttle means to which said hollow needle is secured, reciprocatively mounted to move between a first position and a second position; means for advancing a connected plurality of attachments to said needle while said shuttle is at said first position; isolating means for causing an individual attachment in said needle to be isolated from said connected plurality while said attachment is housed in the needles; and means for expelling the individual attachment from said needle while said shuttle means is located at said second position, wherein the shuttle, advancing means, isolating means, and ejecting means are mounted to a head member which moves between an attachment dispensing position and a withdrawn position, further comprising an electric motor driven assembly for reciprocating the head member including a clutch means for coupling said electric motor to said head means in response to a user command.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for dispensing attachments, comprising at least one hollow slotted needle; shuttle means to which said hollow needle is secured, reciprocatively mounted to move between a first position and a second position; means for advancing a connected plurality of attachments to said needle while said shuttle is at said first position; isolating means for causing an individual attachment in said needle to be isolated from said connected plurality while said attachment is housed in the needles; and means for expelling the individual attachment from said needle while said shuttle means is located at said second position, wherein the shuttle, advancing means, isolating means, and ejecting means are mounted to a head member which moves between an attachment dispensing position and a withdrawn position, further comprising an electric motor driven assembly for reciprocating the head member including a clutch means for coupling said electric motor to said head means in response to a user command.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for dispensing attachments, comprising at least one hollow slotted needle; shuttle means to which was hollow needle is secured, reciprocatively mounted to move between a first position and a second position; means for advancing a connected plurality of attachments to said needle while said shuttle is at said first position; isolating means for causing an individual attachment in said needle to be isolated from said connected plurality while said attachment is housed in the needles; and means for expelling the individual attachment from said needle which said shuttle means is located at said second position, wherein the shuttle, advancing means, isolating means, and ejecting means are mounted to a head member which moves between an attachment dispensing position and a withdrawn position, further comprising an electric motor driven assembly for continuously reciprocating the head member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for dispensing attachments, comprising at least one hollow slotted needle; shuttle means to which was hollow needle is secured, reciprocatively mounted to move between a first position and a second position; means for advancing a connected plurality of attachments to said needle while said shuttle is at said first position; isolating means for causing an individual attachment in said needle to be isolated from said connected plurality while said attachment is housed in the needles; and means for expelling the individual attachment from said needle which said shuttle means is located at said second position, wherein the shuttle, advancing means, isolating means, and ejecting means are mounted to a head member which moves between an attachment dispensing position and a withdrawn position, further comprising an electric motor driven assembly for continuously reciprocating the head member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus for dispensing attachments, comprising at least one hollow slotted needle; shuttle means to which said hollow needle is secured, reciprocatively mounted to move between a first position and a second position; means for advancing a connected plurality of attachments to said needle while said shuttle is at said first position; isolating means for causing an individual attachment in said needle to be isolated from said connected plurality while said attachment is housed in the needles; means for expelling the individual attachment from said needle while said shuttle means is located at said second position; and first and second stop members for defining said first and second positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus for dispensing attachments, comprising at least one hollow slotted needle; shuttle means to which said hollow needle is secured, reciprocatively mounted to move between a first position and a second position; means for advancing a connected plurality of attachments to said needle while said shuttle is at said first position; isolating means for causing an individual attachment in said needle to be isolated from said connected plurality while said attachment is housed in the needles; means for expelling the individual attachment from said needle while said shuttle means is located at said second position; and first and second stop members for defining said first and second positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for dispensing attachments, comprising at least one hollow slotted needle; shuttle means to which said hollow needle is secured, reciprocatively mounted to move between a first position and a second position; means for advancing a connected plurality of attachments to said needle while said shuttle is at said first position; isolating means for causing an individual attachment in said needle to be isolated from said connected plurality while said attachment is housed in the needles; and means for expelling the individual attachment from said needle while said shuttle means is located at said second position, wherein the axis of motion of said shuttle means is essentially perpendicular to the axis of said hollow needle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for dispensing attachments, comprising at least one hollow slotted needle; shuttle means to which said hollow needle is secured, reciprocatively mounted to move between a first position and a second position; means for advancing a connected plurality of attachments to said needle while said shuttle is at said first position; isolating means for causing an individual attachment in said needle to be isolated from said connected plurality while said attachment is housed in the needles; and means for expelling the individual attachment from said needle while said shuttle means is located at said second position, wherein the axis of motion of said shuttle means is essentially perpendicular to the axis of said hollow needle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said isolating means comprises means for severing the attachment from the connected plurality.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as described in claim 4, wherein said attachment comprises a pair of side members coupled by a connector, and wherein respective slotted needles and ejecting means are provided for each side member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said advancing means includes a continuous feed belt with a plurality of projecting members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the feed belt is comprised of an elastomeric material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for dispensing attachments, comprising at least one hollow slotted needle; shuttle means to which said hollow needle is secured, reciprocatively mounted to move between a first position and a second position; means for advancing a connected plurality of attachments to said needle while said shuttle is at said first position; isolating means for causing an individual attachment in said needle to be isolated from said connected plurality while said attachment is housed in the needles; and means for expelling the individual attachment from said needle while said shuttle means is located at said second position, wherein said hollow slotted needles includes a shank portion having a hollow indentation, and wherein said shuttle means includes a passage transverse to the axis of said needle, further comprising a tapered screw insertable in said passage which engages the indentation of the needle to position and lock the needle in place.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for dispensing attachments, comprising at least one hollow slotted needle; shuttle means to which said hollow needle is secured, reciprocatively mounted to move between a first position and a second position; means for advancing a connected plurality of attachments to said needle while said shuttle is at said first position; isolating means for causing an individual attachment in said needle to be isolated from said connected plurality while said attachment is housed in the needles; and means for expelling the individual attachment from said needle while said shuttle means is located at said second position, wherein said hollow slotted needles includes a shank portion having a hollow indentation, and wherein said shuttle means includes a passage transverse to the axis of said needle, further comprising a tapered screw insertable in said passage which engages the indentation of the needle to position and lock the needle in place.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for dispensing attachments, comprising a pair of hollow slotted needles; shuttle means to which said hollow slotted needles are secured, reciprocatively mounted to move between a first position and a second position; means for advancing a connected plurality of attachments to said needles while said shuttle is at said first position and for driving the attachments into the needles, wherein each attachment comprises a pair of side members coupled by a connector, and the respective slotted needles receive respective side members of said attachment; means for severing an individual attachment from said connected plurality while said attachment is housed in the needles; and means for expelling the individual attachment from said needle while said shuttle means is located at said second position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for dispensing attachments, comprising a pair of hollow slotted needles; shuttle means to which said hollow slotted needles are secured, reciprocatively mounted to move between a first position and a second position; means for advancing a connected plurality of attachments to said needles while said shuttle is at said first position and for driving the attachments into the needles, wherein each attachment comprises a pair of side members coupled by a connector, and the respective slotted needles receive respective side members of said attachment; means for severing an individual attachment from said connected plurality while said attachment is housed in the needles; and means for expelling the individual attachment from said needle while said shuttle means is located at said second position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein the shuttle, advancing means, isolating means, and ejecting means are mounted to a head member which moves between an attachment dispensing position and a withdrawn position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11, further comprising an actuating slide reciprocably mounted to the head assembly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 12, further comprising a rack and pinion linkage for reciprocating the actuating slide.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein the isolating means and expelling means are actuated by said actuating slides.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11, further comprising an electric motor driven assembly for reciprocating the head member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 15 further comprising clutch means for coupling said electric motor to said head member in response to a user command.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said electric motor continuously reciprocates said head member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 further comprising first and second stop members for defining said first and second positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-10-30 | 1993-05-01 | 1993-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-30 | 1997-05-01 | 1997-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-30 | 2001-05-01 | 2001-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |