IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR BORING, TURNING, TAPPING, AND SCREWING FITTINGS FOR GAS, WATER, STEAM, AND OTHER PIPES, AND IN VICES FOR HOLDING THE SAME WHILE THEY ARE OPERATED UPON
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Vincent Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughts-
man, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR BORING,
TURNING, TAPPING, AND SCREWING FITTINGS FOR GAS, WATER, STEAM, AND
OTHER PIPES, AND IN VICES FOR HOLDING THE SAME WHILE THEY ARE OPERATED
UPON." A communication.
Scaled the 6th March 1857, and dated the 15th December 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Vincent Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
15th December 1856.
I, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FON BORING,
TURNING, TAPPING AND SCREWING FITTINGS FOR GAS, WATER, STEAM, AND OTHER
PIPES, AND IN VICES FOR HOLDING THE SAME WHILE THEY ARE OPERATED UPON," to
be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of several parts
of a machine, and to the combination of two or more of those machines, so as
to tap, screw, bore, ream, or turn different ends of pipe fittings at the same
time, whereby these operations are performed in a more perfect manner, and

page_text: more expeditiously than has been hitherto done, and to a new arrangement of
compound vice for holding to the action of the machines the object to be
wrought upon, and consists, first, in means whereby the extent of the advance
of the cutting tool is governed and its direction of motion changed at the
proper time automatically. This is effected by mounting the cutting tool on a
rotating traversing mandril fitted with a coupling, so arranged that the driven
part of the coupling will have such an amount of lap with the driving part
thereof, that the advance of the mandril, carrying with it the driven part of the
coupling, shall effect the disengagement of the coupling at the required point,
and thus arrest the further rotation of the tool.
The coupling is constructed with long, short, and inclined faces, for the
purpose of reversing the motions of the cutting tool and moving it out of
contact with the work.
Second, in the device, whereby the feeding screws of the combined machines
are allowed to be put in gear with their nuts simultaneously. This is effected
by: means of cams that act on saddle pieces provided with a threaded portion
for taking into the thread of the feeding screws. To ensure the proper contact
between these parts, springs are fitted to both sides of the saddle pieces for
the purpose of giving the saddle pieces a lateral movement in either direction
as required.
Third, in the device, by which the tools of the combined machines can be
brought to and carried from the work, and which at the same time permits
any one of them to advance or recéde, whilst the others remain at rest or move
in the opposite direction. This is effected by a wrist plate capable of turning
on its axis and receiving an axial motion through links from a hand lever.
By means of other, links it is connected to rock levers secured to the mandrils
which carry the cutting tools. The movement, therefore, of the wrist plate is
capable of bringing the tools up to their work, and yet permitting any one of
them to remain at rest or advance or recede in the work without affecting the
others.
"...
"
Fourth, in the combination and arrangement. of two or more machines
adapted to the purpose of performing the above-named operations.on different
ends of pipe fittings at the same time, with a holding vice adapted. to. hold
the fittings and common to all the machines. This vice; which may be called
a compound vice, has two or more sets of jaws adapted by their form to grip
the pipes or fittings intended to be operated upon, and arranged to revolve on
a centre common to all the jaws.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alfred Vincent Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 15th June 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALFRED
VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifteenth day of December, in the year of our
Lord 1856, in the 20th year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, tho said Alfred Vincent Newton, Her
special license that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR
BORING, TURNING, TAPPING, AND SCREWING FITTINGS FOR GAS, WATER, STEAM, AND
OTHER PIPES, AND IN VICES FOR HOLDING THE SAME WHILE THEY ARE OPERATED
UPON," being a communication from abroad, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thercon (that is to say):-
The nature of this Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of
several parts of a machine, and to the combination of two or more of those
machines, so as to tap, screw, bore, ream, or turn different ends of pipe
fittings at the same time, whereby these operations are performed in a more
perfect manner, and more expeditiously, than has been done hitherto, and to a
new arrangement of vices, or a compound vice, for holding to the action of the
machines tho object to be wrought upon, and consists, first, in means whereby

page_text: the extent of the advance of the cutting tool is governed and its direction of
motion changed at the proper time automatically.
Second, in the device whereby the feeding screws of the combined machines
are allowed to be put in gear with their nuts simultaneously.
Third, in the device by which the tools of the combined machines can be
brought to and carried from the work, and which at the same time permits
any one of them to advance or recede, whilst the others remain at rest or move
in the opposite direction.
Fourth, in the combination and arrangement of two or more machines
adapted to the purpose of performing the above-named operations on different
ends of pipe fittings at the same time, with a holding vice adapted to holding
the fittings, which is common to all the machines.
Fifth, in a compound vice, having two or more sets of jaws, adapted to
holding fittings, and arranged to revolve on a centre common to all the jaws.
To enable others skilled in the art to make and use this Invention, I will
describe its construction and operation, referring to the Drawings which form a
part of this Specification, on which similar characters refer to similar parts in
all the Figures.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of three improved and combined machines with the
compound vice, embodying and illustrating this Invention; Fig. 2 is a section
through one of the machines and vice generally, on the line 1, 2, seen in
Fig. 1; Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are views illustrating modifications of the first
part of this Invention; Fig. 7 is a section on the line 3, 4, seen in Figs. 1
and 2, illustrating the second part of this Invention; Fig. 8 is a section
through the compound vice, on the line 5, 6, seen in Fig. 2; Fig. 9 is a plan
of the compound vice, with cap (8) removed; Fig. 10 is a reverse plan of the
wrist plate (S) illustrating the third part of this Invention. By the term
"pipe fittings" or "fittings," used in this Specification, is meant those short
pieces of cast or wrought metallic pipe, either straight or angular, uniform or
irregular in size or diameter at their different ends, which are used to join
metallic pipes together in straight lines or at angles to each other, by means
of male and female screw threads cut on the pipes and fittings. These
fittings are often made containing cocks and gates. The frames (E) of the
combined machines and the vice rest on one common frame K). Mandrils (c)
are placed in boxes (z) in the frames (H), at angles to each other corre-
sponding to the angles of the fittings to be wrought upon, and have the taps (c)
or other tools fixed to them. Splines (v) are cut in the mandrils, which
receive motion from the pulleys A fixed on the continuations of the parts 6 of
the couplings. The old device of feather and spline is used in various parts

page_text: of the machine to receive and impart rotary motion whilst it permits a
rectilinear one.
The driven parts a of the couplings are adjusted to any required place on
the mandrils, and are secured there by set screws, and have fixed in them
feathers fitting the splines v. Both parts of the couplings, the driven part a
and the driving part b, have acting faces which are complex; two faces of each
part are in axial planes (planes cutting the axis of the coupling longitudinally),
and are of different lengths, joined by faces crossing such planes at an angle
inclined to them, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. On the rock shafts n supported
in bearings on the frames II are fixed the forked arms N, the arms P and the
shippers B, which last act on any suitable and well-known driving and rever-
sing gear, such as is commonly used for screw-cutting lathes, and from which
motion is communicated to the pulleys A in either direction; that indicated
by d causes the tools to advance, and that indicated by de to
recede from the work, by means herein-after described.
The gears are necked into boxes in the frames H, and are driven from
the mandrils by feathers and splines. Meshing into the gears are the
gears m, fixed on the shafts M, supported in the frames H, and on which
are also fixed the gears i, which mesh into and drive the gears h, necked
into boxes in the frames II, and connected with the sleeves d, which they
rotate by feathers and splines. The parts I of the frames I are recessed
to receive the cams or excentrics R and straps Q, which are constructed as
shown by Fig. 7, so as to receive only vertical motion from the cams. These
straps have portions of nuts cut on their upper ends, which correspond with
the screw threads cut on the sleeves d. These straps Q do not fill the recesses
in which they are placed, but are allowed a slight sideways movement against
the springs o, o, and are thrown into and out of gear with the screws on the
sleeves d by motion communicated to the cams by the sleeves O. These
sleeves are fixed to the cams and revolve on the shafts M. Any movement
of the hand lever E, seen in Fig. 1, fixed on the shaft L communicates
motion to the shafts L' and L through the bevil gears C, and causes the
rotation of the sleeves O, by means of the gears ; fixed thereon, and the
segments of gears k fixed on the shafts L, L, L. The tools e are adjuste.l
in relation to the work or the common centre of the machine by drawing
the mandrils through the sleeves d, and then fixing them in position by the
set screws in the collars fand g at each end of the sleeves. To the arms
P are attached the connections f, d, c, which connect with the treaddles
f, d, f, d, f, d, and the connections b, d, c, connected to the treadles

page_text: b, d', b, d, b, d. The levers b, d, and f, d, hang by one end to the frame
K, and attached by the other to the treaddles transmit any movement of the
treaddles with which they are connected to the arms P, and vice versa.
The wrist plate S having wrists r fixed therein is attached to the frame K,
so as to admit of rotation from any movement of the handle D, to which it
is connected by the links 7 and 8 and lever T. The links w connect the
wrist plate S to the forked levers F, and are slotted at the ends which
encompass the wrists r. The slots allow movement of the wrists in the links,
and vice versa. The mandrils are connected with the wrist plato by the
forked levers F, attached to the collars 9 on the mandrils, and the links w.
The ratio of the advance of the mandrils to their rotation determines the
character of the male and female screw threads formed in this machine.
It may be changed by changing the straps Q and sleeves d for others having
male and female screw threads formed thereon suited to the character of
the screw threads to be cut. To perform this operation it is only necessary
to remove the collars 9 and cover J, remove the straps and sleeves, and
replace them with others having screw threads suited to the work to be
performed properly secured in their places.
When screw dies or taps are attached to the mandrils to be used for cutting
tools, it is obvious that the relation of the pitch of the screw threads on the
sleeves and straps to the rotation of the sleeves d, must be such as will cause
the mandril to advance or recede by the action thereon of the screw threads
on d. and Q, in one revolution of the mandril, just the amount that one
revolution of such tools would cause them to advance or recede when in
connection with the work. Tools for boring, turning, and reaming may also
be fixed to the mandrils, when they will operate on any suitable work presented
to their action in a manner so apparent as not to need description. These
tools may be fed to the work by the action of the screw threads on the sleeves
d, with the nuts on the straps Q; or when these nuts and screws are thrown
out of gear with each other the tools may be made to advance and recede
in performing their work by means of motion given to the hand lever D,
the connection of which with the mandrils has been shown. On the bed K
is, bolted the base G of the vice, to which the upper or revolving part is
pivoted. The jaws p are closely fitted in grooves formed in the revolving
part of the vice; each pair. is made to hold and. release the work by turning
the shafts g, on which are formed right and left-hand screw threads, working
in corresponding.nuts formed in the jaws, which are thus always kept equally
distant from a middle position. Pieces t corresponding to the form of the
fitting are dovetailed to the jaws, and can be readily removed for others

page_text: corresponding to different fittings. A dripping pan U is fixed to the stationary
part of the vice, and serves its usual purpose; in it at the left hand of the
operative is cut a notch, for the purpose of receiving one of the levers u,
which drops into it, locking the vice in the proper position to bring the work
fairly to the action of the machine. These, levers also serve as handles by
which to revolve the vice. The machines and vice operate as follows:-The
shippers B being in a position between the extremes of movement, so that
the pulleys A are at rest, a fitting v is secured in the jaws of the vice nearest
the operator, who then raises the left-hand lever u, and turns the vice with
it until the other lever u drops into the notch and locks the vice. The
mandrils are now adjusted by the collars fand g, so that the tools shall be.
at the starting point of the work; the driven parts a of the couplings are
set so that the lap of the short faces of both parts of the couplings shall.
equal the desired amount of movement for the tools when the shippers are
thrown forward. By depressing the lever E the cams R force the straps Q
upward, engaging the feeding screws and nuts of all the machines simul-
taneously. It is obvious that when the threads thereof are not in position
to be directly engaged, the pressure of their inclined faces will deflect the
nuts against the action of one of the springs o, o, sufficiently to ensure their
engagement. The necessity for this provision exists in the fact that without
it, when the threads of one screw and nut are not in position to be directly
engaged, all the others are prevented by their connection from being forced
into their places, and thus the feeding gear would be inconvenient if not
inoperative.
If the treaddles f, d, f, d, f, d³, are now depressed the pulleys A will be
made to rotate as indicated by fd, which movement rotates and
advances the tools by means already described. The mandrils, carrying the tools
and rotated by the contact of the short faces of the couplings, advance in a
perfectly obvious manner by the action of the screw threads on the sleeves
d, until the short faces of the couplings have become disengaged by the
advance of the mandril carrying the driven part a of the coupling, when the
mandrils being no longer rotated, and being held from further longitudinal
movement by the contact of the tools with the work, and the driving parts b
of the couplings containuing to revolve as before, the rotary action of the
inclined faces of the driving parts of the couplings against the now stationary
inclined faces of the driven parts a is to move the parts 6 of the couplings
back from the work, consequently, moving the forked arms N, the shippers B,
and all other parts connected therewith. This movement of the shippers

page_text: acting on the driving and reversing gear, mentioned, reverses the movement
of the pulleys to that indicated by da, and the part 6 of the coupling
rotating in that direction brings the long faces of both parts of the couplings
in contact, thus rotating the mandrils in a contrary direction from that first
given them, and consequently reversing the motion of the feeding gear, and
withdraws the tools from their work. The lever E is now raised, disengaging
the nuts from their screws; these last are so arranged with refference to
their nuts as to run out of gear with them before any undue strain can be
brought upon the machines by bringing their parts in contact.
During the movements described, the operative secures another fitting in
the unoccupied jaws of the vice, and as the tools are now clear of the first
fitting, he raises the left-hand lever u, and turns the vice around one half a
revolution, when it is locked as before described. Now, by depressing the
treaddles f, d', f, d, f, d, and the lever E, the motions of the pulleys will be
changed from <d to off, the screw gear will become engaged,
and the operations abovo described will be repeated. To stop any machine whilst
its tool is advancing in the work, it is only necessary to place its shipper in
a middle position between its extremes of motion, by partially depressing the
treaddle of the series b, d', &c. connected with the machine to be stopped, or
its motion may be reversed by a further depression of the treaddle. It occurs
that some of the tools advance faster in the work than others, from the slipping
of the belts, or from other causes, or from the character of the fitting more
longitudinal movement of the tool is needed at one end thereof than at the
others, so that the advanced tool begins to recede before the others have pro-
ceeded far enough to cause the disengagement of the short faces of the
couplings, and it occurs that one or more of tho machines may be dispensed
with, and the remainder only required to perform their duty; and as all tho
machines are connected, so that their mandrils can be advanced to or with-
drawn from the work together, when the nuts Q and screws d are disengaged.
some provision is necessary in this combination of machines to permit of
opposite movements of the mandrils to prevent breakage. This provision is
found in the slotted heads of the links w; it will be seen that when all the tools
are brought to their work by the action of the lever D on the wrist plate,
each wrist r will act on that part of the slotted head of the link w, which
encompasses it nearest to the lever F on which the link wacts, and that any
further advance of the tools caused by the screw feed, and not by the wrists,
will cause the slotted heads of the wrists connected with the mandrils carrying
the advancing tools to traverse or move past their wrists without causing them

page_text: to move.
Where the tools used are always taps or screw dies, no other feed
than that which exists in the wrist plate and its connections is absolutely
needed, for such tools after they have once caught in the work will, when
rotated, feed of themselves, and when the direction of rotation is changed will
disengage themselves from the work. Under some circumstances, the inclined
faces of the couplings, and the automatic reversing gear could be dispensed
with, and yet leave a very effective machine.
Fig. 6 shows a coupling constructed as couplings have been made before,
having both faces of each part in the axial planes of a length connected by a
face at right angles to such planes. The amount of lap of the driving part a
of the coupling with the driven part b, would, in this case, as before, determine
the amount of advance of the tool; the operative could stop the rotation of the
machine, and by means of the hand lever D withdraw the tools from their
work when they are not screw taps or dies, or portions thereof.
Figs. 3, 4, and 5, show the coupling constructed as described, with long and
short axial faces, and inclined faces, with the addition of a ring fixed on the
driving part of the coupling b, and overhanging it to such an extent as always
to embrace a portion of the driven part a; this is found advantageous to the
action of the machine. When the fittings to be wrought upon are large, it
becomes necessary to back gear the machines, but as this involves no invention,
I will not describe it, but state that the common engine lathe gives the model.
I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the particular
mechanical devices or forms which I have described, as they are susceptible of
great variation, without changing the principle of the Invention, but have
specified those that have been used with success.
Having now set forth the nature of this Invention, and described the manner
of carrying the same into effect, I wish it understood that under the above
recited Letters Patent, I claim;-
1st, governing the advance of a rotating traversing cutting tool, by adjusting
on the rotating traversing mandril that carries the tool the driven part of the
coupling, to such an amount of lap with the driving part thereof, that the
advance of the mandril carrying with it the driven part of the coupling shall
effect the disengagement of the coupling at the required point, thereby arresting
the further rotation of the tool.
2nd, constructing the coupling with long, short, and inclined faces, sub-
stantially as described, for the purpose of reversing the motions of the cutting
tool by the action of the coupling, as herein set forth.
3rd, when the screw feeding gear of two or more machines are connected as

page_text: described, I claim combining either the nuts or screws thereof with springs,
substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.
4th, the wrist plate and its connections, constructed substantially as herein
set forth, for the purpose of bringing the tools combined therewith to their
work, and yet permitting any one of them to remain at rest, or advance or
recede in the work without affecting the others.
5th, the combination of two or more machines, adapted to the purpose of
boring, turning, tapping, screwing, or reaming different ends of pipe fittings at
the same time, with a vice common to the combined machines.
6th, the compound vice, constructed substantially as herein described, having
two or more sets of jaws adapted to holding, and arranged to revolve around a
centre common to all the jaws.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of June, in the year of our
Lord One thousand cight hundred and fifty-seven.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
A. V. NEWTON. (L.8.)