IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR GRINDING AND POLISHING.
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard John Edwards, of Shoreditch, in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
FOR GRINDING AND POLISHING.".
Scaled the 8th August 1879, and dated the 10th February 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard John Edwards at
•
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th February 1879.
RICHARD JOHN EDWARDS, of Shoreditch, in the County of Middlesex. "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR GRINDING AND POLISHING."
My Invention relates to machinery or apparatus used for grinding and polishing
metals or other hard substances, and has for its objects improved methods of con-
structing and arranging such machinery or apparatus so that it is simpler, cheaper,
and more effective than such apparatus as ordinarily constructed and used. The
first part of my Invention relates to wheels made to revolve rapidly by steam or
other convenient power, the peripheries of such wheels being provided with emery
or other abrasive powder or compound, and used for grinding or polishing the
surfaces of metal or other material applied to them by hand or otherwise.
I take a wheel of malleable iron, cast iron, or other sufficiently hard material,
and having a periphery of sufficient width for the purpose required, and across this
periphery I cut or make a sufficient number of transverse or diagonal grooves or
recesses; I make the lower part of the wheel revolve in a trough or vessel containing
emery or other abrasive powder, either dry or mixed with water or other suitable
liquid. Or sometimes I supply such abrasive powder to the periphery of the wheel
from above.
The abrasive material collects in the grooves or recesses and serves to grind or
polish the surface of articles applied to it whilst revolving, and the remaining part
of the periphery serves to keep the wheel truly circular in use. Another novel form
of apparatus consists of a wheel of metal or other hard substance as above described;
the periphery of which I cover with wood bent round to fit it and secured to it by
screws or other convenient means. Through the compound periphery thus formed
I make a sufficient number of holes or openings of suitable size and shape, and
within the wheel I place emery or other abrasive powder or material as above
described, the sides of the wheel being covered or boxed in to prevent it from
escaping.

page_text: When the wheel is in use for grinding or polishing, the abrasive material escapes
gradually as required through the holes or openings. This method of arrangement
is also applicable to the form of apparatus first described.
The wheel constructed as last described may have its periphery further covered
with leather or other soft material of sufficient strength. I prefer to attach this
leather to the wooden covering or to the wheel by means of stitching with copper
or other flexible wire sewn through the edges of the leather so that the stitches do
not project above the periphery.
Or the periphery of the wheel may be provided with transverse grooves into
which strips of leather are fitted and fixed.
Before or after applying the leather to the wheel it may be dressed with emery
or other abrasive powder or composition (such, for instance, as emery powder and
glue) by making transverse grooves or recesses across the face of the leather and
filling them with such composition.
Wheels constructed as just described may be boxed in as before described and
may contain abrasive material which escapes as required through holes in the
periphery and the leather.
Another part of my Invention consists of making flexible wheels for the purpose
of grinding and polishing.
I make the periphery of such wheel of thin flexible elastic material such as steel,
and I connect it to the centre of the wheel which is made to revolve rapidly by
steam or other power by means of a sufficient number of flexible elastic arms,
preferably of steel bent or curved instead of straight, or wound helically, so that
the parts of the periphery to which they are attached are capable of approaching
toward the centre of the wheel when pressed inward; or the arms, may be made
telescopic.
I prefer to attach these flexible elastic arms to the periphery and centre by
bending their extremities over in opposite directions, the outer ends being fitted
into notches or recesses in corresponding holders rivetted or otherwise attached to
the periphery, and the inner ends being fitted into similar reversed notcheslin the
centre of the wheel, the latter notches being fitted with covering plates by which
the arms are retained in their places. The wheel constructed as described is covered
with leather or other soft material preferably sewn to the periphery in the manner
already described. By the method of construction described the periphery of the
wheel is capable of adapting itself to the shape of metal or other surfaces pressed
against it for the purpose of being ground or polished.
Another form of wheel for grinding or polishing metal or other substances
consists of a wheel constructed as first described, but having its periphery covered
with wood, preferably cut in segments and having the grain of such wood arranged
radially, and I prevent such segments from becoming loose or detached by means
of two discs one upon each side of the wheel, these discs having teeth or sharp
edges projecting laterally so as to be forced into the sides of the wood when the
discs are drawn together by screws or bolts.
The wooden periphery may be provided with grooves, recesses, or openings, and
the sides may be covered or boxed in as and for the purpose before described.
Another novel method of constructing wheels for the purpose of grinding or
polishing consists of a series of discs of paper or cloth prepared with emery, glass,
or other abrasive powder, in the way well understood and practised, and having a
spindle or shaft passed through their centres. These discs are screwed tightly
together by means of an outer plate upon each side, these plates being screwed up
by one or more screwed nuts upon the shaft or spindle which is also screwed
to receive them.
1
The sides of the separate sheets described may be coated with glue or other
adhesive material, and I prefer to screw them finally together after having made
them as dry as possible. The several sheets arranged as described form a solid
cylindrical block the edge of which can be used for grinding or polishing.
I
Where cylinders of considerable length but of comparatively. small diameter are
1
i

page_text: to be used for grinding I prefer to construct them as follows I make the cylinder
of a tube of wrought iron, steel, brass, or other suitable material, and into each end
of this tube I fit and fix a plug or block having a centre or bearing upon which the
cylinder can be made to revolve. Round the cylinder I wind helically a strip of
paper, cloth, or other flexible material coated in the usual way with emery or other
abrasive powder, and I fasten the end of the strip by passing it through a slit or
opening at the extremity of the cylinder, and there attaching it to a spring or
passing it through a suitable buckle.
Wheels heretofore used for the purpose of grinding and polishing are ordinarily
prepared by treating their peripheries with melted glue upon which emery or other
abrasive powder is spread, and another part of my Invention consists of an
improved method of so treating such wheels.
For this purpose I coat the periphery of the wheel with melted glue or cement
over which, when nearly set or hardened, I spread or sprinkle the emery or other
abrasive powder, and I arrange a jet in any convenient position through which
steam can be admitted as desired against the surface of the abrasive powder so
spread.
The steam partially remelts the glue into which the abrasive powder sinks, and
is thus held firmly.
Another part of my Invention consists of improved methods of applying grinding
and polishing apparatus to shafts or other articles of metal or other material made
to revolve in lathes. I take a grinding or polishing wheel constructed in one of
the methods above described or in other suitable ways, and I fit it upon a shaft or
axle upon which it can revolve freely, and I form upon it or attach a pulley driven
by an endless elastic cord or band from a driving pulley driven by steam or other
power. The axle on which the wheel revolves is provided with handles by which
the wheel can be applied in any desired position to the surface of the article to bo
ground or polished. Sometimes I support the axle of the wheel in a frame, the
lower end of which is provided with a screwed nut or segment of a nut fitting upon
the traversing screw of the lathe, round which the frame can turn as upon a centre,
and in bearings upon the upper end of the frame I fit a revolving shaft parallel to
the axle of the wheel and having upon it a driving pulley round which an endless
driving cord or band passes, and thence round the pulley upon the grinding wheel,
and upon the upper revolving shaft described I fix another pulley which is driven
by an elastic endless cord or belt from a drum of sufficient length driven by steam
or other power as first described.
In this arrangement the grinding or polishing wheel can be moved to or from the
surface to the ground, or polished without stopping its revolution. It may be kept
pressed against the regular or irregular surface of the article which is being operated
upon, either by the pressure of the elastic driving cord or band or by weight or
springs, or its position may be regulated and guided by a template corresponding in
shape with the article operated upon.
The revolution of the traversing screw of the lathe causes the nut with the frame
and wheel to travel along the lathe.
Another part of my Invention consists in novel methods of constructing and
arranging apparatus to be used for the purpose of polishing or cleaning the blades of
knives or other similar instruments.
One method which I adopt for this purpose consists in taking two cylinders or
rollers of sufficient width revolving in suitable bearings, and having their peripheries
covered with leather or other soft material. The cylinders, are coupled together by
toothed wheels or bands and cords, so that when one is made to revolve by means
of a handle or other convenient means the two revolve together in contact. Whilst
the two cylinders are thus revolving in contact I hold the knife or other instrument,
and I pass the blade between the rollers, holding it there or passing it backward and
forward until it is sufficiently polished or cleaned.
Where many such blades have to be so treated I prefer to fix them by their
handles side by side in a suitable rack or frame which is capable of being moved

page_text: backwards and forwards endways, so that each blade in succession can be passed-
between the rollers when the rack or frame is moved backward and forward. A
i
rack or frame as described may be used for the purpose of passing one side only of
cach blade against the periphery of a single cylinder, the frame being then reversed
to polish the other side of the blades.
The peripheries of the cylinders are treated with emery or other abrasive powder
as already described.
Another method which I sometimes adopt for the same purpose consists of
arranging two rollers or drums at a sufficient distance apart and stretching over
them an endless band of steel or other sufficiently strong and flexible material
covered with leather or other soft material in the way already described, and
treated with emery or other abrasive powder.
When one of the drums or rollers is made to revolve by hand or other power the
endless band travels along and the knife blades can be pressed upon its surface by
hand, or by fixing the knives in suitable holders. At the back of the band between
the rollers I arrange friction rollers, or elastic or other supports, to support the band
when the blades are pressed against it, and another corresponding band passing over
two similar rollers so that its outer surface presses against the outer surface of that
first described may be sometimes used, and in this way both sides of the blades are
cleaned and polished simultaneously. I sometimes use for the same purpose a
cylindrical or slightly conical drum made to revolve upon a shaft in suitable
bearings, and fitting into a corresponding hollow cylinder or cone. I cover the
inner cylinder or cone with leather or other soft material, preferably in strips
arranged helically upon it, or with brushes. The knife blades are introduced
between the edges of the two cylinders or cones, being held in position by hand or
in suitable fastenings, and the inner sides of the blades are polished by the periphery
of the inner cylinder or cone, which is provided with emery or other abrasive
powder. In cases where the cylinders or cones are of sufficiently large diameter I
sometimes cover the inner side of the outer one with leather or other soft material
arranged in a way similar to that upon the outer side of the inner one, and in this
way both sides of the blades can be cleaned and polished simultaneously.
!
I sometimes use for the purpose of cleaning and polishing knife or other blades
an arrangement consisting of two leather or other flexible bands passing round
drums or rollers and moving parallel with each other as in the arrangement already
described, but preferably in opposite directions.
Upon the outer surface of each of these bands I fix transverse strips or pieces of
wood, either plain or covered with leather or other soft material, and treated with
émery or other abrasive powder.
A space is left between each of these pieces or strips, but not sufficient to allow
the pieces upon one band to enter into the spaces between the pieces upon the other
band.
When the bands are set in motion by hand or other power, the knife or other
blades introduced between the pieces or strips upon the two bands are polished and
cleaned upon both sides simultaneously.
Instead of fixing the pieces or strips of wood to bands as described I sometimes
fix them to straight boards or plates, one or both of which is made to move or
oscillate backward and forward rapidly by hand or other convenient power, and
instead of transverse strips a diagonal strip may be fixed to each such board,
extending from one of its corners to the opposite one, the direction of such strip
upon one board preferably crossing that of the strip upon the other board. Other
strips may be arranged parallel with the first.
Another arrangement which I sometimes use for the same purpose consists of a
drum or cylinder of sufficiently large diameter made to revolve in suitable bearings
by hand or other convenient power; round this drum I fit a band of leather or
other soft material, and outside such band I fit a second similar band in contact
with the first.
I introduce the knife or other blades between the two bands, emery or other

page_text: abrasive powder having been introduced between them, and I hold the knives in
position by hand or by suitable fastenings. In this way both sides of the blades
are polished and cleaned simultaneously, the outer band being carried round by the
friction of its surface against the inner one between the blades.
The two bands may be kept separated at one or more parts of their circumference
by one or more small rollers between them, for the purpose of introducing the
abrasive powder.
Instead of the two bands parallel and in contact being fitted round the drum as
described they may be made long enough to pass round one or more separate rollers
or pullies, a part of their length being thus straight, and the knive or other blades
being introduced between the bands at such straight part.
Or the inner band may be made to pass over two such pullies or rollers, and the
outer band over two other such pullies or rollers arranged at a greater distance apart,
so that the blades can be more readily introduced between the two bands. Rollers or
other supports are arranged behind the bands at the straight parts in order to keep
them in contact with the knife blades.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Richard John Edwards in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th
August 1879.
RICHARD JOHN EDWARDS, of Shoreditch, in the County of Middlesex. "IM-
:PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR GRINDING AND POLISHING"
My Invention relates to machinery or apparatus used for grinding and polishing
metals or other hard substances, and has for its objects improved methods of con-
structing and arranging such machinery or apparatus so that it is simpler, cheaper,
and more effective than such apparatus as ordinarily constructed and used.
The first part of my Invention relates to wheels made to revolve rapidly by
steam or other convenient power, the peripheries of such wheels being provided
with emery or other abrasive powder or compound, and used for grinding or
polishing the surface of metal or other material applied to them by hand or
otherwise.
I take a wheel of malleable iron, cast iron, or other sufficiently hard material,
and having a periphery of sufficient width for the purpose required, and across
this periphery cut or make a sufficient number of transverse or diagonal
grooves or recesses; I make the lower part of the wheel revolve in a trough
or vessel containing emery or other abrasive powder, either dry or mixed with
water or other suitable liquid. Or sometimes I supply such abrasive powder to
the periphery of the wheel from above.
.The abrasive material collects in the grooves or recesses, and serves to grind
or polish the surface of articles applied to it when revolving, and the remaining
part of the periphery serves to keep the wheel truly circular in use. In the
accompanying Drawings Figure 1 is a transverse section and Figure 2 an end
view of this arrangement. a is the wheel, having transverse grooves b, b, b,
across its periphery. In Figure 1 it is shewn revolving in a trough è containing
abrasive material. The grooves may be made diagonal, as shewn at din
Figure 2, and the abrasive material may be supplied from above instead of in
the manner shewn. I claim the method of making grinding wheels having
transverse or diagonal grooves across their peripheries, substantially as and for
the purpose described and shewn.
Another novel form of apparatus consists of a wheel of metal or other hard
substance as above described, the periphery of which I cover with wood bent
round to fit it and secured to it by screws or other convenient means. Through
the compound periphery thus formed I make a sufficient number of holes or
openings of suitable size and shape, and within the wheel I place emery or other
abrasive powder or material, as above described, the sides of the wheel being covered
or boxed in to prevent it from escaping. When the wheel is in use for grinding
or polishing the abrasive material escapes gradually as required through the holes
or openings.
This method of arrangement is also applicable to the form of apparatus first
described.
This arrangement is shewn in longitudinal section in Figure 3 and in transverse
section in Figure 4. a is the wheel round the periphery of which is bent and fixed
the wood b. The sides of the wheel a are closed in as shewn at c, c, Figure 4, and
holes d, d, d, d, are made through the compound periphery. Abrasive material e is
supplied through one or more openings made for the purpose (not shewn in the
Drawing), and the material gradually escapes as required through the holes d, d, d, d.
I claim the method of making grinding wheels with compound peripheries provided
1

page_text: with openings through which abrasive material is supplied from the interior of the
wheel, substantially as described and shewn.
The wheel constructed as last described may have its periphery further covered
with leather or other soft material of sufficient strength. I prefer to attach this
leather to the wooden covering or to the wheel by means of stitching with copper
or other flexible wire sewn through the edges of the leather, as shewn in Figures 5
and 6, so that the stitches do not project above the periphery.
Or the periphery of the wheel may be provided with transverse grooves, into
which strips of leather are fitted and fixed, as shewn at e, Figure 5.
Before or after applying the leather to the wheel it may be dressed with emery
or other abrasive powder or composition (such for instance as emery powder and
glue) by making transverse grooves or recesses across the face of the leather and
filling them with such composition.
Wheels constructed as just described may be boxed in as before described, and
may contain abrasive material, which escapes as required through holes in the
periphery and the leather.
I claim the methods of preparing the peripheries of grinding wheels by stitching
to them leather or other soft material, or by fitting strips of such material into
transverse grooves, or by making transverse grooves across such material to receive
abrasivo substances, substantially as described and shewn.
Another part of my Invention consists of making flexible wheels for the purpose
of grinding and polishing. I make the periphery of such wheel of thin flexible
and elastic material, such as steel, and I connect it to the centre of the wheel, which
is made to revolve rapidly by steam or other power, by means of a sufficient number
of flexible elastic arms, preferably of steel bent or curved instead of straight, or
.wound helically, so that the points of the periphery to which they are attached are
capable of approaching toward the centre of the wheel when pressed inward. Or
the arms may be made telescopic.
I prefer to attach these flexible elastic arms to the periphery and centre by
bending their extremities over in opposite directions, the outer ends being fitted
into notches or recesses in corresponding holders rivetted or otherwise attached to
the periphery, and the inner ends being fitted into similar reversed notches in the
centre of the wheel, the latter notches being fitted with plates by which the arms
are retained in their places. The wheel constructed as described is covered with
leather or other soft material, preferably sewn to the periphery in the manner
already described.
By the method of construction described the periphery of the wheel is capable of
adapting itself to the shape of metal or other surfaces pressed against it for the
purpose of being ground or polished.
Figure 7 is a side view of a wheel constructed according to this part of my
Invention. a is the flexible periphery of the wheel, which is connected to the
centre b by the flexible elastic arms c, c, c, c, which are attached to the periphery a
and the centre b by having their ends fitted into corresponding recesses à, d, d.
At e an arm is shewn formed of an elastic bar bent belically, and at f the arm is
shewn telescopic, one part sliding within the other against the pressure of a
spring. The wheel is shewn covered with leather at g.
I claim the methods, substantially as described and shewn, of constructing
grinding wheels the peripheries of which are capable of adapting themselves to the
shape of articles pressed against them. Another form of wheel for grinding or
polishing metal or other substances consists of a wheel constructed as first described,
but having its periphery covered with wood, preferably cut in segments and having
the grain of such wood arranged radially, and I prevent such segments from
, becoming loose or detached by means of two discs, one upon each side of the wheel,
these discs having teeth or sharp edges projecting laterally, so as to be forced
into the sides of the wood when the discs are drawn together by screws or
..bolts.

page_text: The wooden periphery may be provided with grooves, recesses, or openings, and
the sides may be covered or boxed in, as and for the purpose before described. li
Figure 8 is a side view and Figure 9 a transverse section of a grinding wheel
constructed according to this part of my Invention. a is the wheel, having its
periphery covered with the wood b in segments; c, c¹; are discs drawn together by
the bolts d, d, and having teeth or edges at e, e, which are forced into the wood b
and hold the latter firmly:
I claim the method of securing the covering to the peripheries of grinding wheels
by means of discs having teeth or sharp edges drawn together by bolts or screws,
substantially as described and shewn.
Another novel method of constructing wheels for the purpose of grinding or
polishing consists of a series of discs of paper or cloth prepared with emery, glass,
or other abrasive powder, in the way well understood and practised, and having a
spindle or shaft passing through their centres. These discs are screwed tightly
togetlier by means of an outer plate upon each side, these plates being screwed up
by one or more screwed nuts upon the shaft or spindle, which is also screwed to
receive them: .
The sides of the separate sheets described may be coated with glue or other
adhesive material, and I prefer to screw them finally together after having mado
them as dry as possible. The several sheets arranged as described form a solid
cylindrical block, the edge of. which can be used for grinding or polishing.
Figure 10 is an end view of a grinding wheel constructed in the way described.
a is the grinding wheel, composed of several thicknesses of abrasive material held
together by the discs c, c', which are tightened by nuts b, b¹, upon the shaft d. I
claim the method of making grinding wheels of several thicknesses of abrasive
material tightened together, with or without glue or cement between them; sub-
stantially as described and shewn.
Where cylinders of considerable length but of comparatively small diameter are
to be used for grinding, I prefer to construct them as follows:-I make the cylinder
of a tube of wrought iron, steel, brass, or other suitable material, and into each
end of this tube I fit and fix a plug or block, having a centre or bearing upon which
the cylinder can be made to revolve. Round the cylinder I wind helically a strip
of paper, cloth, or other flexible material coated in the usual way with emery or
other abrasive powder, and I fasten the end of the strip by passing it through a
slit or opening at the extremity of the cylinder, and there attaching it to a spring,
or passing it through a suitable buckle, or tightening it by a ratchet wheel.
I claim the method of constructing grinding rollers with a helical strip of abrasive
material arranged and fixed substantially as described.
Wheels heretofore used for the purpose of grinding and polishing are ordinarily
prepared by treating their peripheries with melted glue, upon which emery, or other
abrasive powder is spread, and another part of my Invention consists of an improved
method of so treating such wheels..
For this purpose I coat the periphery of the wheel with melted glue or cement,
over which, when nearly set or hardened, I spread or sprinkle the emery or other
abrasive powder, and I arrange a jet in any convenient position, through which
steam, hot air, or gas can be admitted, as desired, against the surface of the abrasive
powder so spread. The steam partially remelts the glue, into which the abrasive
powder sinks, and is thus held firmly.
Figure 11 is in illustration of this arrangement, a being the wheel coated with
glue at band abrasive powder c. The jet of steam d is admitted upon the wheel,
which is turned slowly round, and by partially remelting the glue causes the abrasive
powder é to adhere firmly. I claim the method of covering grinding wheels with
emery or other abrasive powder by partly remelting, by a steam or other jet, the
glue or cement upon which the powder has been spread, substantially as described,
and shewn in the Drawing.
Another part of my Invention consists of improved methods of applying grinding

page_text: and polishing apparatus to shafts or other articles of metal or other material made
to revolve in lathes.
I take a grinding or polishing wheel constructed in one of the methods above
described, or in other suitable ways, and I fit it upon a shaft or axle upon which it
can revolve freely, and I form upon it or attach a pulley driven by an endless elastic
cord or band from a driving pulley driven by steam or other power.
The axle on which the wheel revolves is provided with handles, by which the
wheel can be applied in any desired position to the surface of the article to be
ground or polished.
Figure 12 is an end view of this arrangement of grinding apparatus, Figure 13
being a side view. a is the grinding wheel, driven by the pulley b, and turning
upon an axle provided with handles c, c'. The elastic driving cord d passes over
the pulley b and the driving pulley e. I claim the combination of the grinding
wheel, the axle and handles, and the pulleys and elastic driving cord for the
purpose of grinding and polishing irregular surfaces, substantially as described and
shewn.
Sometimes I support the axle of the wheel in a frame, the lower end of which is
provided with a screwed nut, or segment of a nut, fitting upon the traversing screw
of the lathe, round which the frame can turn as upon a centre, and in bearings
upon the upper end of the frame I fit a revolving shaft parallel to the axle of the
wheel, and having upon it a driving pulley, round which an endless driving cord or
band passes, and thence round the pulley upon the grinding wheel, and upon the
upper revolving shaft described I fix another pulley, which is driven by an elastic
endless cord or belt from a drum of sufficient length driven by steam or other power,
as first described.
In this arrangement the grinding or polishing wheel can be moved to or from the
surface to be ground or polished without stopping its revolution. It may be kept
pressed against the regular or irregular surface of the article which is being operated
upon either by the pressure of the elastic driving cord or band or by weights or
springs; or its position may be regulated and guided by a template corresponding
in shape with the article operated upon. The revolution of the traversing screw of
the lathe causes the nut with the frame and wheel to travel along the latho.
Figure 14 is a side view and Figure 15 an end view of apparatus constructed
according to this part of my Invention. a is the grinding wheel turning upon an
axis in the frame b, the lower end of which is fitted with a nut c working upon the
traversing screwd of the lathe in which the work to be ground or polished is made
to revolve.
This is shown as an elliptical bar in cross section at e, Figure 15.
The upper end of the frame b carries the axis f, upon which is fixed the pulley g,
which drives the wheel a by the endless cord h, and is itself driven by the pulley i,
the endless clastic cord %, and the driving drum l. The cord h may be in the form
of a band covered with abrasive material, and itself pressed against the work, the
grinding wheel a being omitted, as shewn in dotted lines in Figure 15, and the
frame b may be detached from the screw d.
I claim the combination of the grinding wheel or band with the driving pullies,.
endless cords or belts, and frame for the purpose of grinding or polishing regular or
irregular surfaces, substantially as described and shewn.
Another part of my Invention consists in novel methods of constructing and
arranging apparatus to be used for the purpose of polishing or cleaning the blades of
knives or other similar instruments.
One method which I adopt for this purpose consists in taking two cylinders or
rollers of sufficient width, revolving in suitable bearings, and having their peri-
pheries covered with leather or other soft material. The cylinders are coupled
together by toothed wheels or bands and cords, so that when one is made to revolve,
by means of a handle or other convenient means, the two revolve together in
contact. Whilst the two cylinders are thus revolving in contact I hold the knife or

page_text: other instrument, and I pass the blade between the rollers, holding it there, or
passing it backward and forward, until it is sufficiently polished and cleaned.
Where many such blades have to be so treated I prefer to fix them by their
handles side by side in a suitable rack or frame, which is capable of being moved
backward and forward endways, so that each blade in succession can be passed
between the rollers when the rack or frame is moved backward and forward.
A rack or frame, as described, may be used for the purpose of passing one side
only of each blade against the periphery of a single cylinder, the frame being then
reversed to polish the other side of the blades.
The peripheries of the cylinders are treated with emery or other abrasive powder,
as already described.
Figures 16 and 17 illustrate this arrangement; a and a are the cylinders
coupled together by the endless cord b. In Figure 17 is shown a knife c, held
between the rollers as they revolve. The racks or frames described above are not
shewn in the Drawing.
Another method which I sometimes adopt for the same purpose consists of
arranging two rollers or drums at a sufficient distance apart, and stretching over
them an endless band of steel or other sufficiently strong and flexible material
covered with leather or other soft material in the way already described, and
treated with emery or other abrasive powder. When one of the drums or rollers
is made to revolve by hand or other power the endless band travels along, and the
knife blades can be pressed upon its surface by band or by fixing the knives in
suitable holders. At the back of the band between the rollers I arrange friction
rollers, or elastic, or other supports to support the band when the blades are
pressed against it, and another corresponding band passing over two similar rollers
so that its outer surface presses against the outer surface of that first described
may be sometimes used, and in this way both sides of the blades are cleaned and
polished simultaneously.
Figure 18 shews this arrangement; a, a¹, are two rollers round which passes
the endless band b coated with abrasive material; c is a support to resist the
pressure when knife blades are pressed against the travelling band b; d, d, are two
additional rollers carrying a second endless band e, so that both sides of the knives
may be simultaneously cleaned.
I sometimes use for the same purpose a cylindrical or slightly conical drum, made
to revolve upon a shaft in suitable bearings and fitting into a corresponding hollow
fixed cylinder or cone.
I cover the inner cylinder or cone with leather or other soft material, preferably
in strips, arranged helically upon it or with brushes.
The knife blades are introduced between the edges of the two cylinders or cones,
being held in position by hand or in suitable fastenings, and the inner sides of the
blades are polished by the periphery of the inner cylinder or cone, which is pro
vided with emery or other abrasive powder.
In cases where the cylinders or cones are of sufficiently large diameter I some
times cover the inner side of the outer one with leather or other soft material
arranged in a way similar to that upon the outer side of the inner one, and in this
way both sides of the blades can be cleaned and polished simultaneously.
Figure 19 is a side view, partly in section, of the first described arrangement;
a is the conical drum revolving inside the fixed cylinder b. 'The knife blade is
introduced between the two; as shewn at c, and in front view at Figure 20.
I sometimes use for the purpose of cleaning and polishing knife or other blades
an arrangement, consisting of two leather or other flexible bands passing round
drums or rollers, and moving parallel with each other as in the arrangement already
described, but preferably in opposite directions.
:
Upon the outer surface of each of these bands I fix transverse strips or pieces of
wood either plain or covered with leather or other soft material and treated with
emery or other abrasive powder. A space is left between each of these pieces or
i

page_text: strips, but not sufficient to allow the pieces upon one band to enter into the spaces
between the pieces upon the other band.
When the bands are set in motion by hand or other power the knife or other
blades introduced between the pieces or strips upon the two bands are polished and
cleaned upon both sides simultaneously. Figure 21 is a cross section of this
arrangement of apparatus; a and a¹ are the flexible bands to which are attached
at intervals the pieces of wood b, b, b, b, covered with leather and abrasive powder.
The knife blade is introduced between them, as shewn at c.
Figure 22 is a plan of the band a.
Instead of fixing the pieces or strips of wood to bands, as described, I sometimes
fix them to straight boards or plates, one or both of which is made to move or
oscillate backward and forward rapidly by hand or other convenient power, and
instead of transverse strips a diagonal strip may be fixed 'to each such board
extending from one of its corners to the opposite one, the direction of such strip
upon one board preferably crossing that of the strip upon the other board, as shewn
in Figures 23 and 24, where a, a, are the straight boards or plates, and b, b', the
diagonal strips of soft material. Other strips may be arranged parallel with the
first, as shown in dotted lines at c, c', Figure 24.
Another arrangement which I sometimes use for the same purpose is shewn at
Figure 25, and consists of a drum or cylinder a of sufficiently large diameter made
to revolve in suitable bearings by hand or other convenient power.
Round this drum I fit a band of leather or other soft material b, and outside such
band I fit a second similar band c in contact with the first. I introduce the knifo
or other blades between the two bands, as shewn at d.
Emery or other abrasive powder having been introduced between them I hold
knives in position by hand or by suitable fastenings. In this way both sides of
the blades are polished and cleaned simultaneously, the outer band being carried
round by the friction of its surface against the inner one between the blades. The
two bands may be kept separated at one or more parts of their circumference by
one or more small rollers between them for the purpose of introducing the abrasive
powder, as shewn at e, e, in Figure 26.
Instead of the two bands, parallel and in contact, being fitted round the drum as
described, they may be made long enough to pass round one or more separate rollers
or pullies, a part of their length being thus straight and the knife or other blades
being introduced between the bands at such straight part.
Or the inner band may be made to pass over two such pullies or rollers, as shewn
at c, e¹, in Figure 27, and the other band over two other such pullies or rollers f, f¹,
arranged at a greater distance apart so that the blades can be more readily intro-
duced between the two bands. Rollers or other supports may be arranged behind
the bands at the straight parts in order to keep them in contact with the knife
blades.
I claim the apparatus for cleaning and polishing knife or other blades, consisting
of one or more drums against the periphery of which the blades are held by hand
or in racks or frames, substantially as described and shewn in Figures 16 and 17.
Also the drums or cylinders carrying endless bands, against which the blades are
pressed, substantially as described and shewn in Figure 18.
Also, the concentric drums or cones, one or both of which revolve and between
which the blades are held, substantially as described and shown in Figures 19
and 20. Also, the endless moving bands, having pieces of wood or other material
fixed to them at intervals and coated with an abrasive material for the purpose
of cleaning and polishing blades, substantially as described and shewn in Figures
21 and 22.
Also, for the same purpose, oscillating boards or plates, covered with diagonal
strips carrying abrasive material, substantially as described and shewn in Figures
'
23 and 24.
Also, for the same purpose, the drum or wheel carrying two endless belts between

page_text: "
which the blades are introduced, substantially as described, and shewn in Figures
25, 26, and 27.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard John Edwards, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Ninth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
5
·RICHARD JOHN EDWARDS. (L.S.)
Witness,
EDMUND EDWARDS,
Of the Firm of Edwards and Co.,
Patent Agents and Engineers,
40, Southampton Buildings.