A New or Improved Machine or Apparatus for Cutting Cloth, Rags, Clippings, Listings, and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Mar., 1896
Complete Specification. Left, 5th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 16th Jan., 1897
PROVISIONAL SIMULETUATION.
A New or Improved Machine or Apparatus for Cutting Cloth, Rags,
Clippings, Listings, and the like.
We, THOMAS FIRTH and JIMMY FIRTH of the Firm of Thomas Firth
and Co. of Mona Rug Works, Marsden, near Huddersfield, Yorkshire, Hearth-
rug Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has reference to a new or improved method of and means for
cutting up rags, clippings, listings and the like into narrow widths and short
lengths suitable for weaving or inserting into bit hearthrugs, or for other purposes
requiring the use of short lengths of material. The object of our improvements
is to provide a machine which will cut up a piece of fabric or material fed thereto
into narrow strips or ribbons, or longitudinally thereof, and then into short lengths,
or transversely, at one operation, whereby large quantities of rags, listings,
clippings or the like can be cut up to the widths and lengths required in very
little time and at little expense and all hand labour dispensed with.
In carrying out our invention we employ suitable framework in which is
journalled the main driving shaft whereon, by preference, is mounted a cutter
with one, two or more blades, or a rotary knife or "perpetual" form of cutter may
be substituted as found most suitable for the purpose. At right angles to the
aforesaid rotary cutter and a short distance from the face thereof are a number of
vertical knives secured to a frame which is pivotted at the feeding end of the
machine and is forced downward at every revolution of the machine by a cam
acting direct or through a lever attached to or connected with said frame, the
upward movement of the frame being effected by a strong spring, a cam or tappet
being also employed, if necessary, to act on the failure of the spring, or in lieu
thereof if preferred, or the cam which gives the downward movement to the frame
may likewise, raise it. The knives are suitably shaped and, in cutting, are adapted
to pass through slits or openings in a canting or pivotted plate or table over which
the material, rags or clippings are fed to the cutters or knives, said slots or
openings being slightly enlarged where the points of the knives enter in order that
there may be no liability of them striking against the table or sides of the openings
and being turned up or broken off.
Intermediate of the knives and the rotary cutter or cutters is a square, or other
suitably shaped shaft, barrel or roller which is moved round intermittently by a peg
and star wheel or equivalent mechanical arrangement, said roller or barrel being
recessed or having openings cut or otherwise formed therein at equi-distances apart
to receive the backs of the kuives and allow of their vertical movement. The
material or piece of cloth to be cut up is placed on the canting table and one end
thereof inserted under the square barrel or roller against which it is forced by the
said table and thereby held tight. The knives are caused to descend at the proper
time, in doing which they cut the material longitudinally for a short distance into
narrow widths corresponding to the spaces between each knife, the cloth or material
being drawn forward by the partiol rotation of the barrel, the near edge of which
takes hold of each cut section of the cloth and, in turning from one side to the other
carries or pulls them forward a distance corresponding to the amount of movement

page_text: of said roller, this movement depressing the table against the action of a flat or other
suitable spring which also serves to admit of the self adjustment of the table to
varying thicknesses of cloth or material fed to the machine. As the several widths
of material are carried or drawn forward step by step by the intermittent rotation
of the barrel, they are severed transversely at the rear of the said barrel by the
rotary cutter or cutters and fall in short lengths into a receptacle under the machine
or onto the floor. A cam or tappet may be employed to raise the table against the
barrel when the spring fails to act properly or the thickness of material being cut
up requires its aid. Instead of the vertical cutting knives we may employ segmental
cutters having a rotary action, or rotary cutters and, if necessary, in lieu of the roller
or barrel we may use suitable fingers or levers or nipping rollers for drawing the
narrow widths of fabric forward to the transverse cutter. The edges or corners or
periphery of the barrel or roller are roughened, serrated or provided with teeth to
give a better grip on the cloth. In cutting up narrow listings the vertical cutting
knives may be thrown out of action, and if the material is not required to be cut
transversely, the rotary cutter may be thrown out of action and the vertical knives
alone actuated. The several parts receive their motion through the medium of
suitable gearing from the main driving shaft of the machine. Buffers or cushions
are provided to prevent violent concussion of the frame carrying the knives when
drawn sharply upward after cutting the cloth. The vertical knives are adjustable
and can be easily removed and new ones substituted when required, and the barrel
or roller is also removeable to allow of larger or smaller rollers or barrels being
introduced to enable longer or shorter lengths of cloth to be cut as required.
The lengths of material to be cut up into short pieces or bits can be fed to the
machine whilst it is in motion whereby large quantities can be cut up in very little
time, and at a small cost as compared with the expense now incurred in cutting
rags or clippings with a pair of shears.
Dated this 5th day of March 1896.
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Huddersfield, Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
A New or Improved Machine or Apparatus for Cutting Cloth, Rags,
Clippings, Listings, and the like.
We, THOMAS FIRTH and JIMMY FIRTH, of the Firm of Thomas Firth
and Co. of Mona Rug Works, Marsden near Huddersfield, Yorkshire, Hearthrug
Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
This invention has reference to a new or improved method of and means for
cutting up rags, clippings, listings and the like into narrow widths and short lengths
suitable for weaving or inserting into bit hearthrugs or for other purposes requiring
the use of short lengths of material.
The object of our improvements is to provide a machine which will cut up a piece
of fabric or material fed thereto into narrow strips or ribbons, or longitudinally
thereof, and then into short lengths or transversely, at one operation, whereby
large quantities of rags, listings, clippings or the like can be cut to the widths and
lengths required in very little time and at little expense all hand labour heretofore
necessary to cut the material into bits being thus dispensed with.
In carrying out our invention we employ suitable framework in which is journalled
the main driving shaft whereon by preference is mounted a cutter with one, two or

page_text: more blades or a rotary knife or perpetual form of cutter may be substituted as found
most suitable for the purpose.
At right angles to the aforesaid rotary cutter and a.short distance from the face
thereof are a number of vertical knives secured to a frame which is pivoted at the
feeding end of the machine and is forced downwards at every revolution of the
machine by a cam acting direct or through a lever attached to said frame,
the upward movement of the frame being effected by a strong spring, a cam or
tappet being also employed, if necessary, to act on the failure of the spring; or in
licu thereof, if preferred, or the cam which gives the downward movement to the
frame may likewise raise it. The knives are suitably shaped and in cutting.are
adapted to pass through slits or openings in a canting plate or table over which the
material, rags, or clippings are fed to the cutters, or knives said slits or openings
being slightly enlarged where the points of the knives enter in order that there
may be no liability of them striking against the table or sides of the openings and
being turned up or broken off.
Immediate of the knives and the rotary cutter or cutters is a square or other
suitably shaped shaft barrel or roller which is moved round intermittently by a
peg and star wheel or equivalent mechanical arrangement, said roller or barrel
being recessed or having openings cut or otherwise formed therein at equi-distances
apart to receive the backs of the knives and allow of their vertical movement.
The material or piece of cloth to be cut up is placed on the .canting table and
one end thereof inserted under the square barrel or roller against which it is forced
by the said table and thereby held tight. The knives are caused to descend at
the proper time in doing which they cut the material longitudinally for a short
distance into narrow widths corresponding to the spaces between each knife,, the
cloth or material being drawn forward by the partial, rotation of the, barrel, the
near edge of which takes hold of each cut section of the cloth and in turning from
one side to the other carries or pulls them forward a distance corresponding to, the
amount of movement of, said roller, this movement depressing, the table against the
action of a flat or; other suitable, spring which, also serves to admit of the self-
adjustment of the table to varying thicknesses of cloth or material: fed to the
machine. As the several widths of material are carried or drawn forward,step by
step by the intermittent rotation of the barrel they are severed transversely at the
rear of the said, barrel by the rotary cutter or cutters..and fall in,short lengths
into a receptacle under the machine or on to the floor.
A cam or tappet may be employed to raise the table against the barrel when
the spring, fails to act.properly. or, the thickness of material; being cut, up requires
its aid.
Instead of, the vertical cutting knives we may employ segmental cutters having
a rotary action, or rotary cutters and fingers or levers or nipping rollers for drawing
the narrow widths of fabric forward to the transverse cutter.
In order that our said invention may be fully understood reference.is.herein
had to the annexed sheet of drawings forming a part of this, specification,
wherein :-
Fig. 1 is front elevation of a.,machine for cutting up cloth, rags,clippings
listings and the like into narrow and short, lengths,, constructed, according to.our
invention;
Fig. 2 is plan thereof;
Fig. 3 is transverse section taken on line 1-2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is transverse section taken on line 3-4 of Fig. 1; and
Fig. 5 is plan of a portion of the canting or pivoted self adjusting feed, table.
Referring to the drawings letter a represents the framework of the machine in
bearings a in which is journalled the main driving shaft 6, having mounted thereon
pulleys, b, whereof one is an idle pulley. Motion is given by strap to, the
pulley fast on said driving shaft and is communicated through bevil gearing c to
a counter shaft d jourualled in bearings a in, the frame a, from which it is
transmitted by spur gearing e to the shaft f journalled in bearings a³.. On the

page_text: main shaft 6 is secured a rotary cutter g preferably of a type similar to that of a
hay chopping machine and having one or more cutting blades g¹ secured to the
arm or arms thereof; for ordinary purposes one blade being sufficient. The said
blade works against a fixed blade attached to the framework and is guided
thereto by the part gå of the frame.
At right angles to the aforesaid rotary cutter and a short distance from the
face thereof are a number of vertical knives h secured by nuts on screwed rods h', ',
attached at each end to a frame or side pieces or sliding blocks h³, h2, adapted to
slide vertically up and down in ways in the shields or metal guards which are not
shewn in Figs. 1 and 4, and only a portion shewn in section in Fig. 2.
A quick down and up stroke is given to the knives h at every revolution of the
machine by cam grooves in cam plates k, k, mounted on shaft f, which said grooves
act on friction bowls or small pulleys 1, 1, carried by levers 1, 1, pivoted 12, 12, to
the framework a and connected at their free ends to rods or links m, m, secured to
studs m² on the side pieces or sliding blocks h².
The knives are preferably tapered off to a point from front to back as shewn,
to form the cutting edges and in making the down or cutting stroke are adapted
to pass through slits or openings n in a table n¹ hinged or pivoted on a stud or
rod n² secured in the framework, and over which the material, rags or clippings
are fed to the cutters, said slits or openings being slightly enlarged where the
points and front edges of the knives enter, as shewn clearly in Fig. 5, in order
that there may be no liability of them striking the table or sides of the openings
and being turned up or broken off.
Intermediate of the knives and rotary cutter 9 is a square or other suitably
shaped shaft or roller o having mounted on the outer end thereof a star wheel o¹
with one of the openings or slots o² in which engages, at every revolution of the
machine, a pcg p on the peg wheel p' mounted on the shaft and gives a quarter of
a turn to the square shaft o.
The said shaft or roller is recessed or has openings o³ cut or otherwise formed
therein on all sides at equi-distances apart corresponding to the setting of the
knives the backs of which enter into same are thus brought as near as possible to
the centre of the square shaft o. The rear end of the table is faced with a steel
plate or plates secured by screws as shewn and is forced close up to or against
the square shaft o by springs r, r, attached at one end to studs secured to
the front end of the table and at the opposite ends to projections on the
frame a.
The material, piece of cloth, rags, listings or the like, to be cut up is or are
placed on the table n' and one end thereof inserted under the square barrel or
roller o against which it is held or forced by the table. The knives h are caused
to descend at the proper time by the action of the cams and levers and in doing so
they cut the material longitudinally for a short distance, equal to the breadth of
the knife, into narrow widths corresponding to the spaces between each knife, the
cloth or material being drawn forward by the partial rotation of the square
shaft o, the near edge of which takes hold of each cut section of cloth and in
turning from one side to the other carries or pulls them forward a distance corre-
sponding to the amount of movement of said shaft, this partial rotation of the
shaft depressing the table against the action of the springs r, r, which also serve
to admit of the self-adjustment of the table to varying thicknesses of cloth or
material placed between it and the square roller or shaft o.
As the several widths of material are carried or drawn forward step by step by
the intermittent partial rotation of the shaft o they are severed transversely into
short lengths at the rear of the said shaft by the rotary cutter acting against
the fixed blade g² and fall down into a receptacle under the machine or on to the
floor.
The longitudinal edges or corners of the square shaft or roller o are indented,
roughened, or provided with fine teeth to give a better grip or hold on the
cloth.

page_text: In cutting up narrow listings or strips of material, the vertical cutting knives
may be disconnected or removed and only the rotary cutter employed, and if the
material is not required to be cut transversely into short lengths, the rotary
cutter may be thrown out of action and the vertical knives alone actuated.
The vertical knives are adjustable and can be easily removed and new ones
substituted, and the square shaft or roller can also be removed and larger or
smaller rollers or barrels introduced to enable longer or shorter lengths of cloth to
be cut.
Instead of the vertical cutting knives we may employ segmental cutters having a
rotary action, or rotary cutters, the bosses between same rotating against the feed
table or a set of bosses on a shaft under same to nip the material between the two
surfaces and feed it forward to the square shaft or to a second pair of nipping
rollers, the square shaft, however, being preferred by reason of its adaptability to
bold the material close to the rotary cutter g.
Most of the parts are closed in by guards to protect from injury, these however,
being omitted from the drawings for the sake of clearness.
The lengths of material to be cut up into short pieces can be fed to the machine
whilst it is in motion, whereby large quantities can be cut up in little time and at
a very small cost compared with the expense now incurred in cutting rags or
clippings by hand.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
Firstly. The herein described machine for cutting up cloth, rags, clippings,.
listings and the like into narrow lengths and short pieces substantially as shewn
and set forth.
Secondly. In a machine for cutting up pieces of material, rags, clippings, or the
like, a series of knives for cutting material into narrow lengths and means for
actuating same a self-adjusting feed table and square or .suitably shaped barrel,
shaft or roller or equivalent device arranged, and acting in the manner and for the
purposes substantially as shewn and described.
Thirdly. In a machine for cutting up pieces of material, rags, clippings, or the
like, a rotary cutter, self-adjusting feed table and square or suitably shaped barrel,
shaft or nipping rollers or equivalent device arranged and operating in the manner
and for the purposes substantially as shewn and described.
Dated this 4th day of December 1896.
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Huddersfield, Patent Agents.