Patent GB-189913877-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Engraving Machines.
Inventor: LOCK WILLIAM HENRY
Filed: 1899-07-05
Granted: 1900-06-30
Abstract: 13,877. Lock, W. H., and Lawless, P. C. July 5. Engraving.-Relates to machines for use in engraving plane or curved surfaces. Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of one such machine, and Figs. 9, 10, and 14 sectional views of details. The parts of the machine are supported by a standard 2, which is secured to a base-plate 1, and has its upper portion overhanging. The pattern table 5 is adjustably secured to two vertical rods 7, having their lower ends supported by means of coiled springs 10. Each rod 7 has its upper end screwed into a cup 12, Fig. 9, within which is fitted a diaphragm 15 having its edge 14 securely held between the inturned edge 18 of the cup 12 and a ring 16 ; screws 17 serve to force the ring 16 upwards. The diaphragm 15 is secured by means of a bolt 27 and distance-piece 26 to a second diaphragm 21, which is securely held between two rings 23, 24, fixed to a bracket 19. The diaphragms may be flat plain discs with beaded edges. A tracer rod 39 is attached to the top of the standard 2 by any kind of joint that will permit the tracing-point 45 to move over the pattern, as required. In Fig. 2, this joint is shown as comprising a metallic diaphragm 40 secured centrally to the rod 39, and having its outer edge firmly secured between a cup 42 and the top of the standard 2. A coiled spring 44 keeps the point 45 down upon the pattern. The weight of the tracer rod is entirely supported by means of a universal joint comprising a hall 58 secured to the rod 39, and a cup or socket 59 provi'ed with ball bearings and carried by a crosshead 57. This crosshead is connected by rods 56 to a cross-piece 91 which is situated beneath the pattern table 5, and is secured to a rod 46. The lower portion of the rod 46 is fixed to a diaphragm 47, the edges of which are securely held between a ring 49 and a cup 48, carried by a bracket 50. The lower extremity of the rod 46 rests and rocks within a cup secured to the top of a screw 83, which passes through the cup 48. By means of a ball-and-socket joint 51, which is vertically adjustable, the rod 46 is connected to the work table. This work table comprises an upper slide 66 and lower slide 67, the latter being supported by a vertically-adjustable bracket 68 ; ball tearings are fitted between the slides and between the lower slide and bracket, and permit the slides to travel in directions at right-angles to each other. The tracer point 45 is formed at the lower end of a conical piece 45<a>, Fig. 10, which is ecured to a cup 95, attached to a rod 101 by means of a diaphragm 96 and nut 95<a>. The rod 101 is situated within a central aperture in the rod 39, and carries two pieces 102, which pass through a slot 103 in the rod 101, and can be forced against the ends of the slot by means of nuts 104. A ball 106, screwed on the rod 39, encloses the rings 104, which are held in position by a ring 107 ; when this ring is screwed home, the ball 106 is still free to rotate on the rod 39, and simultaneously the nuts 104 and point 45 are operated. The tracer point 45 may also be moved horizontally, independently of the rod 39, by raising a conical nut 97, out of contact with the cup 95, and then shifting the diaphragm. In a modification, a ball-and-socket joint is used instead of the diaphragm, and, in a second modification, a horizontally-sliding connection is employed. As many cutting-tools 62, Fig. 14, as may be desired, are fitted within holders 130 and spindles 129, provided with fast and loose pulleys 124, 125. The pulleys are driven by ropes, arranged to reduce the friction on the spindles. A core 128 encircles the spindle 129, and is secured by screws 126 to a frame 37, adjustably supported by rods 63, which are secured to the bracket 19 by means of diaphragms 21, Fig. 9, and to the base-plate 1 by means of coiled springs 10, Fig. 2. The core is formed with slots 133 to permit it to be adjusted, to allow for wear, by means of nuts 120, 121. A nut 123 is fitted upon the spindle 129, and carries an arm 122 which engages with notches on a flange 127 carried by the spindle. By rotating a milled head 131, the tool-holder 130 can be raised or lowered. The diaphragm employed in making the various connections above described may be of any convenient form ; these described in the Specification are either plain flat discs with beaded edges, or radially-slotted discs so as to form sectors which are curved and have their outer edges bent round a beading-wire. In order to enable the machine to reproduce the cameo and intaglio portions of a medallion, the rods 7 and rods 63, upon which the pattern table 5 ani tool frame 37 are respectively adjustable, are mounted to slide within a special frame comprising two T-shaped pieces 110, connected by a rod 112, the ends of which are connected to the pieces 110 by means of diaphragms 113. The rod 112 acts as a rocking lever, its fulcrum being adjustable and comprising a diaphragm 114 secured to a slide which is mounted in a guide 116. During the engraving operation, the tracer point moves horizontally, and the pattern table is raised and lowered by means of a link 86 and handle 85.