COYELIj V. PRATT. 361 �]'aw in each pair is secured to a bed-plate, and the upper jawa work between guides and close down on the lower jaws. The specification states that the four jaws may be worked. hori- zontally on a bed-plate, and that, in such case, both of the jaws in a pair may be arranged to slide and meet upon and close over the end joint of the can. It also says : "W (figure 2) representa a can to be operated upon; L L are head-plates or anvils, adapted to fit accurately against either head or end, C, of the can, W, within the flange formed by its projecting end joint or seam, c, so as to afford an inner support to said joint to resist an outward pressure thereon.. * * * In operating this machine the movable jaws are lifted or opened, as illustrated in figure 4, and the head-plate, L, withdrawn or retracted to permit the ready insertion of the can, W, against and upon the opposite head-plate. The unônished can, hav- ing its heads or ends, C, placed loosely upon the body, with their projecting partially folded edges properly overlapped, as shown in figure 2, is then placed upon and against the head- plate, L, and the opposite head-plate, L, is suffered to close upon it, thus screwing it between said plates and affording an inner continuous solid support to the projecting joint at each end. The clamping jaws, D, are then closed by the power of the press. So soon as the jaws press upon the upper corner» and edges of the can the head-plates yield until the lower corners and edges strike the lower jaws, B, when the resist- ance of said jaws and of the head-plates to the movemeut of the upper jaws will operate to clamp and tightly compress and close the seams of the joints. The corners embraeed within the jaws are not only perfectly closed, but are very neatly finished. The other two corners are likewise closed and finished, but may be improved by turning the can and repeating the compressing movement. The head-plates, L L, and the jaws, B D, may ail be so secured as to admit of being detached and replaced by other forms and sizes thereof, to hook upon varions forms and sizes of cans. �"The drawing shows the notch, a, in each of the clamping jaws, B and D, to be a right angle, without any provision in the notch, by any enlargement or recess, to accommodate any ����
