US2831524A - Spring coiling machines having sensing means to control sorting each coil according to length - Google Patents

Description

A nl 22, 1958 J. K. BACHE 2,331,524

SPRING COILING MACHINES HAVING SENSING MEANS TO CONTROL SORTING E COIL ACCORDING TO LEN H Filed Feb. 15, 1956 15 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor J. K. Bag/1 Atto'rney;

Apnl 22, 1958 J. K. BACHE 2,831,524

SPRING COILING MACHINES HAVING SENSING MEANS 'ro CONTROL SORTING EACH con ACCORDING TO LENGTH Filed Feb. 15, 1956 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 A ttorne y 5 April 22, 1958 K BAcHE SPRING COILING MACHINES HAVING SENSING MEANS T0 CONTROL SORTING EACH COIL ACCORDING TO LENGTH 15 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 15, 1956 gtvewa gw A (torneyg Apnl 22, 1958 J, K. cHE

SPRING COILING MACHINES HAVING SENSING MEANS TO CONTROL SORTING EACH COIL ACCORDING TO LENGTH 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 15, 1956 Aprnl 22, 1958 K. BACHE 2,831,524

SPRING comm; MACHINES HAVING SENSING MEANS TO CONTROL SORTING EACH COIL ACCORDING TO LENGTH Filed Feb. 15, 1956 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor 7. lCBacbg ma gw Altorne y 5 Apnl 22, 1958 J. K. BACHE spams comma MACHINES HAVING SENSING MEANS TO CONTROL SORTING EACH con ACCORDING TO LENGTH 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 15, 1956 Inventor SPRING COILING MACHINES HAVING SENSING MEANS TO CONTROL SORTING EACH COIL ACCORDING TO LENGTH April 22, 1953 J..K. BACHE 2,831,524

Filed Feb. 15, 1956 l3 Sheets-Sheet '7 F% f 65 w Inventor J. K .Bacha Attorney;

April 1953 K. BACHE 2,831,524

SPRING COILING CHINE'S HAVING SENSING MEANS TO CONTROL SOR G EACH COIL ACCORDING LENGTH Y Filed Feb. 15, 1956 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 lnvenlor 'J./ .Bache YGlw wL Attorneys S ING S ING ME SPRING COI TO CONTROL SORTIN EACH C ACCORDING TO LENGTH Filed Feb. 15, 1956 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 April 1958 J. K. BACHE 2,831,524

LING MACHINE ANS v Inventor J.K.Bach

y GLJVLNL A tlorney;

Apnl 22, 1958 J. K. BACHE 2,831,524

SPRING COILING MACHINES HAVING SENSING MEANS T0 CONTROL SORTING EACH con. ACCORDING TO LENGTH Filed Feb. 15, 1956 15 Sheets-Sheet 1O Fiber/1 v lnuenlor J. K. Baa/1e Attorney;

April 22, 1958 J. K. BACHE SPRING COILING MACHINES HAVING SENSING MEANS TO CONTROL SORTING EACH COIL ACCORDING TO LENGTH l3.Sheeps-Sheet 11 Filed Feb. 15, 1956 Inventor J- K. Baa/)6. m'Ja-mb Q Aitorney;

2,831,524 INES HAVING SENSING MEANS l3 Sheets-Shea; 12

Nm R J. K. BACHE ACCORDING TO LENGTH Inventor J. K.Ba che dl-Jwb TO CONTROL SORTING EACH COIL SPRING COILING MACH April 22, 1958 Filed Feb. 15, 1956 A Home y g Apnl 22, 1958 J. K. BACH 331,524

SPRING COILING MACHINES HAVING SENSING MEANS TO CONTROL SORTING EACH COIL ACCORDING TO LENGTH Filed Feb. 15, 1956 13 Sheets-Sheet 15 F .23. SORTING r SOLENOID-51E! c C E SPACER S 6 comreoumc A C SOLENOIDS MICRO \SWITCHES TARGET PLATE LI SOLENOID s2 CONTACTS F 57 S fiQSER LD CONTACTS CAMSHAFT CONTACTS RELAY HOLD 24. CONTACTS CAMSHAFT SOLENOID SWITCH S 4 SOLENOID S 6 b b [c' c Attorney;

SPRING CURING MAC-HlNES HAVING SENSING MEANS T CONTRGL SURTING EACH COH. ACCORDING TO LENGTH- John Kenneth Bache, West hromwich, England, assignor to George Salter & Co. Limited, West Eromwich, England, a British company Application February 15, 1956, Serial No. 565,706

Claims priority, application Great Britain June 29, 1955 23 Claims. (Cl. 153-65) This invention relates to spring-coiling machines of the kind comprising feed means, such as rollers, which cause wire stock to be fed to one or more forming or controlling members which deflect the wire and cause it to travel in a circular path and form a helical coil, means including a cutter member being provided for automatically severing the coil from the wire stock at a predetermined stage in the cycle of operations with the object of producing springs of an approximately given length; and coil spacing means being provided consisting of a pressure or spacer member adapted to be applied against the rear end of the spring while it is being formed.

In producing coiled springs in a machine of the above kind it is a common occurrence for the axial length of the springs so made to vary slightly as a result of variations in the properties or condition of the wire, such as the presence of bends or twists or of different degrees of hardness in different portions; and in some cases this variation from the correct length required may be so great as to affect the successful carrying out of subsequent operations, as for example, end grinding, or even to put some of the springs outside the allowable manufacturing tolerance.

An object of the present invention is to sort the springs automatically, as they are produced, into separate batches of short, correct length and long springs (within the limits of allowable manufacturing tolerance) so that grinding machines used for subsequent grinding of the ends of the springs can be correctly set for the particular batch being ground. Another object is to stop the machine automatically if any spring is so excessively short or long as to be outside the range of the allowable manufacturing tolerance.

A further object is to provide means whereby a machine producing open-coiled springs will be automatically adjusted each time a spring is produced which is appreciably longer or shorter than the desired correct length, so as to coil the next spring shorter or longer respectively, thus keeping the machine adjusted so as to deliver only springs of correct length for the maximum possible time.

According to the invention, a spring-coiling machine of the kind referred to, is provided with sensing means comprising a displaceable target or contact member so situated, or adapted to be set, in relation to a spring being formed, as to be engaged by the outer end of the spring as the latter increases in length and to be thereby displaced to an extent dependent upon the final axial length of the spring when severed, which displacement of said target or contact member is operative, in the event of the said final axial length of the spring being greater or smaller than a correct predetermined length, to cause or control a desirable operation of some part of or associated with the machine. The movement of the target or control member may, for example, control the sorting of the springs into different batches according to their length, and/or automatically to adjust the coil-spacing pressure member so that after a spring which is shorter or longer nited States atent 2,831,524 Patented Apr. 22, 1958 than a given length has been produced the next will be longer or shorter, as the case may be; or to stop the machine if the variation in length from a given desired length exceeds the permissible manufacturing tolerance.

The target or contact member may be angularly mov: able and may be arranged so that displacement thereof by a spring being formed results in the operation of switch devices when the length of a spring produced varies from a predetermined correct-length, to cause solenoids or the like to be energised and control the desired parts of the machine. Thus, if the springs are longer or shorter than desired, the said target or contact member may cause solenoids or the like to be energised which operate de-. fiectors in a delivery chute that receives the formed springs, to cause the said springs to be delivered as sepa-. rate batches according to their length. In addition to, or instead of, diverting the spring into diiferent batches, solenoids or the like may be operated to adjust the travel and operative location of the coil-spacing pressure memher to vary the length of the next spring produced. Also, in the event of a spring varying in length by an excessive amount, other contacts may be operated to cause the machine to stop.

Referring to the accompanying drawings of a machine for coiling open-coiled springs which is provided, in accordance with the invention, with sensing means for respending to the axial lengths of the springs produced, and with means for automatically sorting the springs and means for automatically adjusting or stopping the machine in the event of the production of different or incorrect length springs,

Figure l is a view of the front, spring-coiling face of the machine, brackets by which the sensing means is mounted on the machine being shown in section.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the spring coiling part of the machine, showing the coiling fingers and the spacer member.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the sensing means which is positioned forwardly of the front face of the machine shown in Figure l.

Figure 4 is a left side elevational view of the sensing means shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a part sectional view showing the mounting of the target member of the sensing means.

Figure 6 is a section on line VI-VI, Figure 3, the solenoid being shown in elevation.

Figure 7 is a section on line VII-VII, Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a sectional view of the hopper-like chute which is positioned below the sensing means to receive the springs produced. V I

Figure 9 is a section through the chute, on line IX-IX, Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the mounting of the chute on the main frame of the machine.

Figure 11 is an elevational view showing the arrangement of the solenoids for controlling deflector flaps provided in the chute for sorting purposes.

Figure 12 is a view of the cams carried on the main camshaft of the machine.

Figure 13 is an elevational view on a larger scale of the switch-controlling cam assembly on the main camshaft, showing the switches associated therewith.

Figure 14 is a section on line XIV-XIV, Figure 13.

Figure 15 shows diagrammatically the linkage for controlling the spacer member from the main camshaft.

Figure 16 shows the bell-crank lever and the slide arrangement of the linkage shown in Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a plan view of the control means for adjusting the setting of the spacer member, and which is mounted on the main cam-actuated lever of the linkage shown in Figure 15. I

Figure 18 is a longitudinal XVIII, Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a section on the line XIX-XIX, Figure 17, showing the gate arrangement for positioning the selector lever for setting the control means.

Figure 20 is a section on line XXXX, Figure 17, and includes a part of the bell-crank lever.

Figure 21 is a partial section on line XXIXXI, Figure 18.

Figure 22 shows diagrammatically an alternative rangement of a wedge for adjusting the setting of spacer controlling linkage.

Figure 23 is a block diagram of the electrical circuit.

Figure 24 shows the arrangement of the hold circuit whereby a relay is maintained energised after initial operation of a controlling switch, until another cam-operated switch is opened.

Referring to the drawings, the machine comprises main feed rollers 1 which feed forward wirestock 2 from a reel mounted on a swift (not shown); a pair of grooved forming or coiling fingers 3, 3, angularly disposed to each other, which engage with and deflect the wire 2 leaving the feed rollers 1 so as to cause it to travel in a circular path and form a helical coil (see Figure 2); a coil-spacing means consisting of a movable finger or spacer 4 that is arranged to move forward in the axial direction of the coil during its formation and press on the rear side of the turns of the coil (as shown in Figure 3), thereby pushing or camming each turn axially outwards and controlling the spacing or pitch, the amount of which is determined by the extent to which the spacer 4 moves forward; and means for automatically severing the coil from the wire stock 2, at a predetermined stage. The coil-severing means comprises a fixed cutter blade formed by an edge 5 of a fixed bar or mandrel 6 positioned within, but slightly spaced from, the turn of the coil being formed, and a movable cutter blade 7 adapted to cooperate with the fixed blade 5 and shear the wire stock 2.

The operation and timing of the movable cutter 7 together with that of the spacer 4 and the Stopping and starting of the feed rollers 1 are controlled by cam means carried on a common camshaft 8 (see Figure 12) on the machine. The movement of the spacer member 4 is controlled from a cam 9 on the camshaft 8 by an arrangement of levers connectedto a cross-head 10 (Figures and 16) between two axially- movable rods 11 and 12 which are slidably mounted in the main front and rear frame walls, 13 and 14 respectively, of the machine, the spacer member 4 being mounted on the forward end of the one rod 11 (see Figure 3). The said arrangement of levers comprises a pivoted bar or lever 15, pivoted on a shaft 15* and carrying at one end 16 a roller member 17 which engages the cam 9 through another intermediate follower roller and lever member 18 pivoted on a shaft 18. The other end 19 of the lever 15 engages, through adjustable screw means, with one arm 20 of a bellcrank lever 21 pivoted on a shaft 21*. The other arm 22 of the lever 21 is connected by a cross-pin 23 to the crosshead 10, so that axial movement of the rods 11 and 12 results from the movement of the lever 15 by the cam 9. The said adjustable screw means by which the camsection in lone XVIII- the actuated lever 15 engages with the bell-crank lever 21 comprises an axially-movable bolt or screw 24 carried on the end 19 of the lever 15, an end 25 of the screw 24 bearing upon the arm 20 of the bell-crank lever 21,

so that axial adjustment of the said screw 24 controls the setting of the bell-crank lever 21 with respect to the camactuated lever 15, thereby controlling the position of the spacer 4 and the amount by which it is forwardly extended by the movement of the cam 9 during the formation of the coils. The controlling cam 9 is shaped so that in the cycle of operations for the formation of each spring, the spacer 4 is inoperative whilst 'the'first and last turns are produced, thereby causing the ends of the spring to be close coiled, the forward movement of the spacer 4 occurring during the formation of the body of the coil, and the spacer being withdrawn and returned to its initial position at the end of the cycle ready for the formation of the next coil.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a target or contact member which comprises a circular plate 26 positioned forwardly of the coil-forming part of the machine so that it is engaged by the outer end of a spring being formed as the spring approaches a predetermined required length (as Shown in Figure 3). The target plate 26 (see Figures 3, 4 and 5) is carried at one end of a short arm 27 of a lever 28 which also has an extension arm 29 in the same vertical plane. The lever 28 is supported by a horizontal pivotal mounting 29 on a member 30 that is itself rotatably mounted about a vertical axis on a fixed post or pillar 31 by a ball-bearing assembly 32, so that the target plate 26 is angularly movable in both vertical and horizontal planes.

Attached to the rotatable member 30 carrying the target plate arm 27, and at right-angles to the latter in a horizontal plane, is a second arm 33 formed by a length of flexible metal strip. This arm 33 is of greater length than the arm 27, and the widened outer end portion 34 thereof which carries a lateral extension 34 is movable in a vertical plane by virtue of the resiliency of the flexible strip. The two said arms 27 and 33 form in effect a horizontal bell-crank lever, 21 small displacement in a horizontal plane of the target plate 26 on the shorter arm 27 cansing a relatively larger displacement of the end portion 34 of the flexible arm 33.

As shown in Figures 3 and 7, disposed on the one side of the end portion 34 of the flexible arm 33 are two contact or operating arms 35 and 36 of separate microswitches 37 and 38 which may be designated M1 and M2 respectively, and correspondingly at the other side of the end portion 34 of the flexible arm 33 are two contact or operating arms 39 and 40 of further micro-switches 41 and 42 which may be designated M3 and M4 respectively. Beneath the end portion 34 of the flexible arm 33 is a solenoid (S1) 43, the plunger 43 of which, when the solenoid (S1) is energised, engages the said portion 34 or the lateral extension 34 and deflects it upwards from its normal position into an operative position (shown in broken lines, Figure 6) in which it can engage with the contact or operating arms of the micro-switches. The positions of the contact or operating arms of the microswitches are such that the end 34 of the flexible arm 33, when in its operative position, may take up a central position clear of, and between, the two pairs of switches M1, M2 and M3, M4, as shown in broken lines in Figure 3. Horizontal deflection of the arm 33 to either side of the said central position results in an engagement with, and operation of, the contact or operating arms of either one or both switches in the pair M1 and M2 or M3 and M4. To ensure that the target plate 26 is kept in contact with the end of the formed coil spring as the end of the coiling cycle is approached, a light torsion spring 44 is provided at the pivot of the bell-crank lever comprising the target-carrying and flexible arms 27 and 33 respectively, said torsion spring 44 being anchored on the fixed pillar 31 (Figures 4 and 5) and bearing on the flexible arm 33, thereby tending to urge the target plate 26 inwards towards the coil spring.

Initially, until the length of a spring being produced is great enough for the target plate 26 to be contacted, the torsion spring 44 causes the end 34 of the flexible arm 33 to be maintained offset from the said central position, beneath the contact or operating arms 35 and 36 of the micro-switches M1 and M2, as shown in Figure 3 (full lines). As the length of the spring increases further, after contact with the target plate 26, the latter is deflected an increasing amount, and the end 34 of the flexible arm 33 is caused to move from the direction of microswitches M1 and M2, through the said central position and towards the switches M3 and M4.

It is arranged that when the spring 'being produced reaches the predetermined correct length the flexible arm 33 is horizontally deflected exactly as far as the said central position in which it is clear of the switches. If the spring reaches a small excess length (within predetermined limits), the flexible arm 33 will be deflected past the central position into a position in which, when dcflected upwards by the solenoid (Sit), it engages with the contact or operating arm 39 and causes the switch M3 to be operated. A larger excess len th of the spring will result in a large deflection so that the contactoroperating arm do of the switch M4 is also engaged, when the solenoid (S1) is energised, and both switches M3 and M4 are operated. Correspondingly, a spring of slightly smaller length than that required will result in the end 34 of the flexible arm 33 not reaching the central position and the switch M2 will be operated; and a spring that is excessively short will result in the operation of both switches Ml and M2.

in the above manner the micro-switches M1 to M6 are enabled to sense the length of spring produced, but the end of the flexible arm 33 must first be moved into its operative position by the arm-controlling solenoid (S1) for the sensing operation to be performed. The said arm-controlling solenoid (S1) is controlled :by a switch operated by a cam 4-6 on the machine camshaft 8 (see Figures 13 and 14) and timed so that the solenoid (S1) is energised at the end of the spring-coiling part of the cycle and before the cut-off of the completed spring, the solenoid (Sf) remaining energised for an interval suflicient for the micro-switches to respond to the position of the flexible arm 33 and the sensing operation to be completed.

in order to allow the target plate 26 to be completely withdrawn from contact with the end of the spring after the above sensing operation and immediately before cutoff, thereby allowing the severed spring to fall freely, means are provided for moving the target plate arm 27 angularly about its horizontal pivotal mounting 29* so that the target plate 26 is raised vertically from its normal position (as shown by broken lines in Figure 5) and moved clear of the spring.

This means for effecting this raising of the target plate 26 comprises a cable 47 attached to the extension arm 29 of the lever and operatively connected through a quadrant lever to the plunger 49 of a solenoid (S2) 50, the cable 47 being guided by suitable pulleys 51 and 52, so that the target plate 26 is caused to be raised upon energising the solenoid (S2). The solenoid (S2) is energised through a switch 53 operated by a cam 46 of the machine camshaft 8 at the instant immediately before cut-off (see Figures 13 and 14), the switch 53 remaining closed for a time sufficient for the spring to be served and removed. After the solenoid (S2) is Clo-energised on opening the switch 53 the target plate 26 is allowed to return by gravity to its normal position.

The machine may be set to produce different length springs by adjusting the position of the target plate 26 with respect to the coil-forming part of the machine. To this effect, the whole assembly of the target plate 26, micro-switches M1 to M4 and solenoids (S1 and S2), is mounted on a common base 54 which is slidable upon a bed having a guide rail 56 (see Figures 4 and 7). The setting be adjusted by means of a lead screw 57 which can be turned by a handle 58 through gearing 59 and which co-operates with a threaded sleeve 60 fixed to the base 5 5. A locking screw 61 is provided for locking the base 54 to the bed after adjustment.

Beneath the target plate assembly is positioned a hopper-like chute 63 which is arranged to receive and deliver the completed springs after they have been severed by the cutter blades, 5 and 7. and allowed to fall. As shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10, the chute 63 has an in- Lil clined upper part 64, and a vertical open-ended lower part 65 which has apertures 66, 66, in two opposed walls 67 and 68. Each of these apertures is normally closed by a deflector flap 69 so that a spring will fall straight down the lower part 65 of. the chute and be delivered to a suitable receptacle (not shown) positioned underneath. Each deflector flap 69 is formed with a hinge sleeve 70 at its lower edge and is mounted so as to enable it to be swung inwards into an inclined position across the chute (as indicated in Figure 9) to uncover the corresponding aperture in the wall (67 or 66) of the latter and cause the springs to be deflected therethrough.

The deflector flaps 69 are each controlled by a separate solenoid 71 (S3 or S4) having a plunger 72 connected by a link 73 to an arm 74 which is pivotally mounted at its one end 75 to a side of the chute and which is operatively connected at its other end 76 to a quadrant lever 77 carried on an end 79 of a hinge rod or shaft 80 to which the deflector flap is hingedly connected (see Figures 8 and 11). The hinge rod or shaft 80 passes through the chute and is journalled at each end in bearings 81, 81, mounted on the exterior surface of each sidewall adjacent the walls 67 and 68. Return springs 82 are provided to ensure that the deflector flaps 69 are normally inoperative and that the corresponding apertures 66 are closed when the solenoids (S3 or S4) are not energised.

As indicated in Figure 10, the solenoids (S3 and S4), together with the associated operating linkages, are positioned at the rear side of the lower part 65 of the chute, towards the main front spring-coiling face of the machine (Figure 1), and are enclosed by a cover 83.

Secured to the sides of the chute are two horizontal channelled bars or guide rails, 84 and 85, which slidably engage with two corresponding, forwardly-extending sup porting rails 86 and 87 carried by bracket members 88 and 89 fixed to a part 90 of the main frame of the machine (see Figure 10). The chute 63 may thus be slidably moved along the rails 86 and 87, so as to give access to the front of the machine. A locking screw 91 is provided in the one rail 86 for locking the chute in its normal position.

At the top of the upper part 64 of the chute 63 is carried the bed 55 upon which the earlier described target plate sensing assembly is mounted, so that the latter is also moved with the chute.

In order to effect the sorting of the springs produced which are of slightly varying length the micro-switches M2 and M3 are arranged to energise controlling relays R2 and R3 (see circuit diagram, Figure 23) which operate the solenoids S3 and S4 respectively controlling the two separate deflector flaps 69 in the delivery chute 63. The operation of switches M2 and M3 by the production of slightly short and long springs respectively has been described, and the corresponding flaps 69 caused to be operated by these switches are arranged to deflect the springs falling into the chute and divert them through the corresponding apertures 66 therein into separate receiving receptacles (not shown), one of which will collect the shorter springs and the other the longer springs. It is necessary to ensure that the deflector flaps 69 remain operative, after the sensing operation, long enough for the springs to be severed and collected, and since the microswitches are only operative for a short instant before the severing of the spring, the controlling relays R2 and R3, when energised by the micro-switches M2 and M3 respectively, also close contacts k (see Figure 24) in a holding circuit which is arranged to maintain the said relays energised independently of the micro-switches M2 and M3 and which is only broken at a later predetermined instant by a further switch 92 controlled by a cam 46' on the machine camshaft 8 (Figure 13).

In the diagrams of Figures 23 and 24, aa, bb, and cc represent the different power supplies.

The micro-switches M1 and M4 which are operated only when an excessively short or long spring is produeed are wired to relays R1 and R4 that are arranged to operate a coil in the motor contactor and cut off the power and stop the machine when said micro-switches M1 and M4 are closed, and also to cause an appropriate warning lamp L1 or L4 to be illuminated according to whether switch M1 or switch M4 is operated. By this means, an operator is enabled to adjust the machine before more unsatisfactory springs are produced.

Behind the main target plate 26 is positioned a safety target plate 95 rigidly mounted on the flexible arm 33 (see Figures 3 and 4). In the event of a broken cutter blade or similar cause resulting in a spring not being severed, the spring being formed will increase in length and will pass the main target plate 26 which is withdrawn at the end of the cycle as previously explained, and will subsequently engage with and defiect the said safety target plate 95. This will result in a sufficiently large movement of the flexible arm 33 to operate an extension part 96 (see Figure 7) on the contact or operating arm 40 of switch M4, irrespective of whether or not the end 34 of the flexible arm 33 is raised into its operative position by the arm-controlling solenoid (S1), and the machine is thus stopped before any damage can arise.

In addition to the sorting functions controlled by the sensing device, it is also arranged to control an automatic adjustment means by which, if the machine produces a shorter or longer spring than is required, then the next spring produced will automatically be longer or shorter respectively. This is achieved by providing two further solenoids (S5 and S6), one wired to micro-switch M2 and the other to micro-switch M3, said solenoids being arranged to turn the adjustable screw means that controls the spacing or pitch of the coils by altering the position of the spacer member 4, the adjustable screw means being turned a predetermined amount in the appropriate direction.

In a convenient form of construction as applied to the present machine and illustrated more particularly in Figures 17 to 20 of the drawings, the aforesaid adjustable screw means includes a toothed ratchet wheel 98 mounted on a rotatable nut member 99 which engages with the axially-movable screw 24 at the end 19 of the cam actuated lever 15. The axially-movable screw 24 is formed with a longitudinal groove or channel 112 which engages with a fixed projection 113 secured to the lever so as to prevent rotation of the screw 24. The rotatable nut member 99 is carried in a bearing sleeve 100, and a collar 101 at the lower end, together with a flange 102 at the upper end, prevents any axial movement. At the one side of the toothed ratchet wheel 98 is a pawl 103 which is adapted to engage with the ratchet teeth and which is pivotally mounted at 104 on a lever 105, the latter being pivoted on the axis of the rotatable nut member 99. The pawl 103 is connected by a link 106 to the plunger 107 of the solenoid (S5) which is mounted on one side 93 of the cam-actuated lever 15. The pawl 103 is normally held out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 98 by a light return spring 108, but operation of the micro-switch M2 causes the said solenoid (S5) to be energised, through the relay R2, and to operate the pawl 103 through the connecting link 106. The pawl 103 is caused first to turn about its own pivot 104 so as to engage with the ratchet teeth of thewheel 98, and then to move together with its mounting lever 105 so as to turn the ratchet wheel 98 by an amount dependent on the initial setting and final position of the lever 105. The final position is normally located by a fixed stop or abutment 109 mounted on a bracket 97 secured to the lever 15 (see Figure and the initial setting of the lever 105 is controlled by an adjustable stop or abutment 110 against which it is urged by the return spring 108.

Another similar pawl arrangement, actuated by the other solenoid (S6) controlled through the relay R3 by the micro-switch M3, is provided at the other side 111 of the cam-actuated lever 15, and is arranged to engage with the opposite side of the ratchet wheel 98, and to turn said ratchet in the opposite direction to the first-described pawl. The elements of this second pawl arrangement have corresponding positions, and have the same reference numerals in the drawings as have the elements of the first-described pawl arrangement. By this means, the setting of the rotatable nut member 99 and screw 24 is altered and the position of the spacer member 4 is automatically moved forwards or rearwards when microswitch M2 or M3, respectively, is operated, so that the production of a short spring results in, the automatic adjustment to give a greater spacing or pitch to the next spring, and the production of a long spring results in a smaller spacing or pitch of the next spring.

To prevent an alteration in the setting of the rotatable nut member 99 when the pawls 103, 103, are not engaged with the ratchet wheel 98, locking means are provided comprising a lever 114 having at one end a detent 115 that normally engages with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 98 and holds the adjusting nut 99 in position. The lever 114 is mounted on a horizontal pivotal mounting 116 on the cam-actuated lever 15, and release means are provided comprising a wedge-shaped cam 117 positioned transversely under the detent lever 114 and pivotally mounted at 118 on a bracket member 119 on a plate 124. Underneath the wedge-shaped cam 117 is positioned a bar 120 having an inclined surface 121 adapted to cooperate with a surface 123 of the cam 117. The bar 120 is slidably supported and guided by part of the plate 124 and is connected to a cross-lever 122 which is pivotally connected at both ends to the links 106, 106, connecting the pawls 103, 103, to their respective solenoid plungers 107, 107. Operation of either of the latter results in the bar 120 being moved longitudinally under the cam 117, the surface 123 of the latter co-operating with the inclined surface 121 of the bar to cause the cam 117 to be raised about its pivotal mounting 118 so as to raise the detent lever 114, thereby moving the detent 115 out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 98 and allowing the latter to be turned.

To enable a manual adjustment of the spacing to be made when the machine is first set up, an extension 125 of the detent lever 114 is provided that may be depressed by hand to release the ratchet wheel 98 and allow the adjustable nut member 98 to be turned manually by means of a milled head or cap 126 carried by the ratchet wheel. A light blade spring 127 is arranged to press on the detent lever 114 to return it to its normal position with the detent 115 in engagement with the ratchet wheel 98. There is also provided an additional means for locking the ratchet wheel 98 comprising a spring-pressed ball 128 engaging between adjacent ratchet teeth, but adapted to be overridden when the ratchet wheel is actuated by the solenoids (S5 or S6).

In order to allow adjustment of the pawls so that the ratchet wheel 98 will be moved a desired predetermined amount, for example, one, two or three teeth, on operation of the controlling solenoids, the stops 110, 110, which locate the normal position of the levers 105, 105, together with the plate 124- comprise a movable carriage, indicated generally as 129, slidably mounted on guide rods or rails 130, 130, which are carried by fixed brackets 131, 131 and cross-member 132, on the main lever 15.

The position of the carriage 129 may be set by a selector lever 133 pivoted at 136 (Figure 2l) on the bracket 131 and adapted to move a link 139 pivotally connected to the plate 124 which forms a cross-member of the carriage 129. The positions of the selector lever 133 are located by a gate .134 carried on the bracket 131 and which permits of a fine, medium or coarse adjustment. Springs 135, 135, between the base-plate 124 and the cross-lever 122 serve to return the solenoid plungers 107, 107, to their initial position.

The whole assembly of the adjusting means and conaxial length 9 trolling means on the cam-actuated lever 15 are conveniently enclosed by a cover 137 so that only the manual adjusting head 126 and the end 125 of the locking lever 124 are normally visible.

It will be understood that many variations in the construction of the adjusting means and controlling means may be employed. A wedge member is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 22 at 138, and is shown as being between the cam actuated lever 15 and the bell crank lever 21 of the hereinbefore described machine.

I claim:

1. In a spring-coiling machine of the character described, a displaceable contact member located so as to be engaged by the outer end of a spring being formed as said spring increases in length and to be thereby displaced to an extent dependent upon the final axial length of the spring when severed, and means whereby the said displacement of the contact member is operative, in the event of the said final axial length being greater or smaller than a correct predetermined length, to bring about an automatic sorting of different length springs into separate batches.

2. in a spring-coiling machine of the character described including a coil-spacer member adapted to be applied against the rear end of a spring whilst it is being coiled, the combination with said coil-spacer member of a displaceable contact member located so as to be engaged by the outer end of said spring being coiled as the spring increases in length and to be thereby displaced to an extent dependent upon the final axial length of the spring when severed, and means whereby the said displacement of the contact member is operative to bring about an automatic adjustment of the position of the coil-spacer member so that, according to whether the spring produced is shorter or longer than the correct predetermined length, the length of the next spring produced is increased or reduced.

3. In a spring-coiling machine of the character described, a displaceable contact member located so as to be engaged by the outer end of a spring being coiled as the said spring increases in length and to be thereby displaced to an extent dependent upon the final axial length of the spring when severed, and means whereby the said displacement of the contact member is operative to stop the machine, in the event of the said final being incorrect and outside a predetermined tolerance limit.

4. In a spring-coiling machine of the character described, a lever pivoted about an axis lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of a spring being produced and located forwardly of the coiling part of the machine, a contact member on said lever, being normally located so as to be engaged by the outer end of the spring being formed as said spring increases in length and thereby moved angularly to an extent dependent upon the final length of the spring when severed, and means whereby the said angular movement of the contact member is operative, in the event of the said final length being greater or smaller than a correct predetermined length to control a function of the machine.

5. In a spring-coiling machine of the character described and including a cutter member for severing the spring from wire stock, a lever pivoted about an axis lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of a spring being produced and located forwardly of the coiling part of the machine, a contact member on said lever, being normally located so as to be engaged by the outer end of the spring being coiled as said spring increases in length and thereby moved angularly to an extent dependent upon the final length of the spring when severed, means whereby the angular movement of the contact member is operative, in the event of the said final length being greater or smaller than a correct predetermined length, to control a function of the machine, a solenoid operatively connected to the contact member so that when energised it will cause the latter to be moved clear of the spring being formed, in a plane perpendicular to the normal plane of displacement containing the axis of the spring being produced, and means timed to energise the solenoid immediately prior to the normal operation of the cutter member for severing the spring from the wire stock.

6. In a spring-coiling machine of the character described and including a cutter member for severing the spring from wire stock, a lever pivoted about an axis lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of a spring being produced and also pivoted about an axis parallel to the said spring axis, a contact member on said lever, being normally located so as to be engaged by the outer end of the spring being coiled as said spring increases in iength and thereby moved angularly to an extent dependent upon the final length of the spring when severed, means whereby the angular movement of the contact member is operative, in the event of the said final length being greater or smaller than a correct predetermined length, to control a function of the machine, a solenoid operatively connected to the contact member so that when energised it will cause the latter to be moved angularly about the said axis which is parallel to the spring axis and clear of the spring being formed, and means timed to energise the solenoid immediately prior to the normal operation of the cutter member for severing the spring from the wire stock.

7. In a spring-coiling machine of the character described and including a cutter member for severing the spring from wire'stock, a displaceable main contact member located so as to be engaged by the outer end of a spring being formed as said spring increases in length and to be thereby displaced to an extent depending on the final axial length of the spring when the cutter member is operated for severing the spring from the wire stock, a solenoid operatively connected to the contact member so that when energised it will cause the later to be moved angularly, clear of the spring being formed, in a plane perpendicular to the normal plane of displacement containing the axis of the spring being produced, means timed to energise the solenoid immediately prior to the normal operation of the cutter member for severing the spring from the wire stock, and a second contact member positioned behind the main contact member, so that in the event of the formed spring failing to be severed by the operation of the cutter member and increasing further in length, and after the main contact member has been moved clear of the spring, the latter will engage with and displace the said second contact member, and means whereby said displacement of the second contact member is operative to cause the machine to be stopped.

8. In a spring-coiling machine of the character described, a lever pivoted about an axis lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of a spring being produced and located forwardly of the coiling part of the machine, a contact member on one arm of said lever, being normally located so as to be engaged by the outer end of the spring being formed as said spring increases in length and thereby moved angularly to an extent dependent upon the final axial length of the spring when severed, a portion of said pivoted lever being disposed at a greater distance from the pivot than is the contact member so that as the latter is displaced by the spring being formed, so the said portion is correspondingly displaced but to a greater extent, and switch devices which are adapted to be operated by the said portion of the lever, in the event of the said final axial length of the spring being greater or smaller than a correct predetermined length. 9. In a spring-coiling machine of the character described and including a cutter member for severing the spring from wire stock, a lever pivoted about an axis lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of a spring being produced and located forwardly of the coiling part of the ated by the said portion of the pivoted lever,

machine, a main contact member on said lever, being normally located so as to be engaged by the outer end of a spring being produced as said spring increases in length and thereby moved angularly together with the pivoted lever to an extent dependent on the final axial length of the spring when the cutter member is operated tor severing the spring from the wire stock, a solenoid operatively connected to the contact member so that when energised it will cause the latter to be moved angularly clear of the spring being formed, in a plane perpendicular to the normal plane of displacement containing the axis of the spring being produced, means timed to energise the said solenoid immediately prior to the normal operation of the cutter member for severing the spring from the wire stock, a second contact member movable with said lever and positioned behind the main contact member so that in the event of the formed spring failing to be severed by the operation of the cutter member and increasing further in length, and after the main contact member has been moved clear of the spring, the latter will engage with said second contact member and move it angularly together with the pivoted lever, said angular movement of the pivoted lever being operative to cause the machine to be stopped.

10. In a spring-coiling machine of the character described, a lever pivoted about an axis lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of a spring being produced and located forwardly of the ceiling part of the machine, a contact member on an arm of said lever, being normally located so as to be engaged by the outer end of the spring being produced as said spring increases in length and thereby moved angularly together with said lever to an extent dependent upon the final axial length of the spring when severed, a portion of said pivoted lever being movable in relation to the rest of the lever in a plane perpendicular to the plane in which it is caused to be displaced by the spring being formed, a solenoid adapted, when energised, to deflect said portion in said plane perpendicular to the plane in which it is caused to be displaced by the spring being formed, means for energising said solenoid at the completion of the spring-coiling operation, and switch devices which are adapted to be operafter said portion has been deflected in the plane perpendicular to the plane in which it is caused to be displaced by the spring being formed, in the event of the said final axial length of the spring being greater or smaller than a correct predetermined length.

ll. In a spring-coiling machine of the character described, a lever pivoted about an axis lying in a plane I perpendicular to the axis of a spring being formed and located forwardly of the coiling part of the machine, a contact member on one arm of said lever, being normally located so as to be engaged by the outer end of a spring being produced as said spring increases in length and to be thereby moved angularly together with said lever to an extent dependent upon the final axial length of the spring when severed, a portion of said pivoted lever comprising a flexible strip which is movable, by virtue of its resiliency, in a plane perpendicular to the plane in which it is caused to be displaced by the spring being formed, a solenoid adapted, when energised, to deflect said movable portion of the pivoted lever in said plane perpendicular to the plane in which it is caused to be displaced by the spring being produced, means for energising said solenoid at the completion of the spring-coiling operation, and switch devices which are adapted to be operated, in the event of the said final axial length of the spring being greater or smaller than a correct predetermined length, by the said portion after it has been deflected in the plane perpendicular to the plane in which it is caused to be displaced by the spring being formed.

12. In a spring-coiling machine of the character described, a displaceable contact member located so as to be engaged by the outer end of a spring being formed as said spring increases in length and to be thereby displaced to an extent dependent upon the final axial length of the spring when severed, switch devices adapted to be operated as a result of the said displacement, and electrical means, controlled by the said switch devices, said switch devices being arranged to be operated so as to distinguish between a spring produced having a correct predetermined length, a spring having a length greater or smaller than the correct predetermined length but being within predetermined tolerance limits, and a spring having a length greater or smaller than the correct predetermined length and outside the predetermined tolerance limit, the production of a spring of the correct predetermined length resulting in none of the switch devices being operated, the production of a spring of an incorrect length spring within the predetermined tolerance limits resulting in some of the switch devices being operated, and the production of an incorrect length spring outside the predetermined tolerance limits resulting in other of the switch devices being operated.

13. In a spring-coiling machine of the character described, a displaceable contact member located so as to be engaged by the outer end of a spring being formed as said spring increases in length and to be thereby displaced to an extent dependent upon the final axial length of the spring when severed, electrical means and two pairs of switch devices for controlling said electrical means, one switch device in each pair being adapted to be operated only as a result of the displacement of the contact member caused by the production of a spring having a length greater or smaller than a correct predetermined length and outside a predetermined tolerance limit, and the other switch device in said pair being adapted to be operated as a result of the displacement of the contact member caused by the production of a spring having a length greater or smaller than a correct predetermined length but within a predetermined tolerance limit, one of the said pairs of switch devices being concerned with springs shorter than required, and the other pair being concerned with springs longer than required.

14. In a spring-coiling machine of the character described and having powered driving means, a displaceable contact member located so as to be engaged by the outer end of a spring being formed as said spring increases in length and to be thereby displaced to an extent dependent upon the final axial length of the spring when severed,-

switch devices which are caused to be operated as a result of the said displacement only in the event of the said final axial length being greater or smaller than a correct predetermined length and outside a predetermined tolerance limit, and relay circuits controlled by said switch devices and adapted to cut oil the power and stop the machine.

15. In a spring-coiling machine of the character described, a displaceable contact member located so as to be engaged by the outer end of a spring being formed as said spring increases in length and to be thereby displaced to an extent dependent upon the final axial length of the spring when severed, switch devices adapted to be operated as a result of the said displacement of the contact member in the event of the said final axial length of the spring being greater or smaller than a correct predetermined length, and a chute for receiving and delivering the finished springs after severing, said chute having movable deflector flaps caused to become operative as a result of the operation of said switch devices so as to divert and deliver the longer and shorter springs respective into separate batches.

16. In a spring-coiling machine of the character described, a displaceable contact member located so as to be engaged by the outer end of a spring being produced as said spring increases in length and to be thereby displaced to an extent dependent upon the final axial length of the spring when severed, switch devices adapted to be operated as a result of said displacement of the contact 13 member in the event of the said final axial length of the spring being greater or smaller than a correct, predetermined length, and a chute for receiving and delivering the finished springs after severance, said chute having movable deflector flaps hingedly mounted therein, and actuating solenoids operatively connected to said deflector flaps and controlled by said switch devices, the deflector flaps being adapted, when actuated by said solenoids, to divert and deliver the longer and shorter springs respectively into separate batches.

17. In a spring-coiling machine of the character described including a coil-spacer member adapted to be applied against the rear end of a spring whilst it is being coiled, a main controlling camshaft, and an arrangement of levers through which the coil-spacer member is controlled from said controlling camshaft, and an adjustment means incorporated in said arrangement of levers whereby the position of the coil-spacer member can be adjusted to give different coil spacings in the springs produced, all in combination with a displaceable contact member located so as to be engaged by the outer end of said spring being coiled as the spring increases in length and to be thereby displaced to an extent dependent upon the final axial length of the spring when severed, and means whereby the said displacement of the contact memher is operative, in the event of the said final axial length being greater or smaller than a correct predetermined length, to cause the setting of the said adjustment means to be altered so as to position the spacer to give an increased or reduced spacing according to whether the spring of incorrect length is shorter or longer than required.

18. In a spring-coiling machine of the character described including a coil-spacer member adapted to be applied against the rear end of a spring whilst it is being coiled, a controlling camshaft, and an arrangement of levers through which the coil-spacer member is controlled from said controlling camshaft, and an adjustment means incorporated in said arrangement of levers whereby the positions of the coil-spacer member can be adjusted to give different coil spacings in the springs produced all in combination with a displaceable contact member located so as to be engaged by the outer end of said spring being coiled as the spring increases in length and to be thereby displaced to an extent dependent upon the final axial length of the spring when severed, electrical means comprising two solenoids operatively connected to said adjustment means, the said displacement of the contact member being operative, in the event of the said final axial length of the spring produced being shorter than a correct predetermined length, to cause one of said solenoids to be energised, and said displacement of the contact member being operative, in the event of the said final axial length being greater than a correct predetermined length, to cause the other of said solenoids to be energised, the one solenoid when energised being adapted to alter the setting of the adjustment means in such a sense as to position the coil-spacer member to give an increased spacing, and the other solenoid being adapted, when energised, to alter the setting of the adjustment means in the opposite sense so as to position the coil-spacer member to give a reduced spacing.

19. In a spring-coiling machine of the character described including a coil-spacer member adapted to be applied against the rear end of a spring whilst it is being coiled, a controlling camshaft and an arrangement of levers through which the coil-spacer member is controlled from said controlling camshaft, and a screw adjustment means incorporated in said arrangement of levers whereby the position of the coil-spacer member can be adjusted to give different coil spacings in the springs produced, said screw adjustment means comprising a nut member and a co-operating screw member, one of said members being rotatable but axially fixed and the other member being non-rotatable but axially movable, the axial position of said screw member determining the relative positions of two co-operating parts in the arrangements of levers and thereby the position of the coil-spacer member, the combination with said coil-spacer member, camshaft, arrangement of levers and screw adjustment means of a displaceable contact member located so as to be engaged by the outer end of said spring being coiled as the spring increases in length and to be thereby displaced to an extent dependent upon the final axial length of the spring when severed, and electrical means caused to become operative, as a result of said displacement of the contact member in the event of the said final axial length being greater or smaller than a correct predetermined length, so as to cause the rotatable member of the said screw adjustment means to be turned and thereby to position the coil-spacer member to give an increased or reduced spacing according to whether the spring of incorrect length is shorter or longer than required.

20. In a spring-coiling machine of the character described including a coil-spacer member adapted to be applied against the rear end of a spring whilst it is being coiled, a controlling camshaft and an arrangement of levers through which the coil-spacer member is controlled from said controlling camshaft, and a screw adjustment means incorporated in said arrangement of levers whereby the position of the coil-spacer member can be adjusted to give different coil spacings in the springs produced, said screw adjustment means comprising a nut member and a co-operating screw member, one of said members being rotatable but axially fixed and the other member being non-rotatable but axially-movable, the axial position of said screw member determining the relative positions of two co-operating parts in the arrangement of levers and thereby the position of the coil-spacer member, the combination with said coil-spacer member, camshaft, arrangement of levers and screw adjustment means of a displaceable contact member located so as to be engaged by the outer end of said spring being coiled as the spring increases in length and to be thereby displaced to an extent dependent upon the final axial length of the spring when severed, a ratchet and pawl device adapted to cause rotation of the rotatable member of the said adjustment means, the ratchet teeth of said ratchet being carried by the said rotatable member, and electrical means including two solenoids operatively connected to said ratchet and pawl device, the said displacement of the contact member being operative, in the event of the said final axial length of the spring produced being shorter or greater than a correct predetermined length, to cause one or other of said solenoids to be energised and actuate the ratchet and pawl devices so as to cause the rotatable member of the adjustment means to be rotated in the appropriate direction to alter the position of the coilspacer member to give an increased or reduced spacing according to whether the incorrect length spring is shorter or longer than required. r

21. In a spring-coiling machine of the character described including a coil-spacer member adapted to be applied against the rear end of a spring whilst it is being coiled, a controlling camshaft and an arrangement of levers through which the coil-spacer member is controlled from said controlling camshaft, and a screw adjustment means incorporated in said arrangement of levers whereby the position of the coil-spacer member can be ad justed to give different coil spacings in the springs produced, said screw adjustment means comprising a nut member and a co-operating screw member, one of said members being rotatable but axially fixed and the other member being non-rotatable but axially movable, the axial position of said screw member determining the relat ive positions of two co-operating parts in the arrangement of levers and thereby the position of the coil-spacer member, the combination with said coil-spacer member, camshaft, arrangement of levers and screw adjustment

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