Improvements in Machines for Grinding Metal Balls.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 14th July, 1891-Accepted, 15th Aug., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by EDWARD ALFRED JONES, of Military Road,
Tonawanda, City and State of New York, United States of America, Machinist.]
Improvements in Machines for Grinding Metal Balls.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co. Patont Agents,
45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 relates to a ball grinding machine in which metallic balls, suitable
for use in ball bearings, are ground and polished between two discs.
My invention has the objects to improve the construction of the lower grinding
disc so as to increase the effectiveness of its grinding surface and also to provide an
automatic device for depressing and raising the upper grinding disc.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved ball-grinding machine.
Figure 2 is a horizontal section in line a Figure 1 with the upper disc
removed.
-
Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of the raising and depressing
mechanism.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section in line 2 z Figure 1.
2
Figures 5 and 6 are fragmentary vertical sections, showing modified forms of the
lower grinding disc.
Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.
A represents the bed plate of the machine which is supported on legs a a. B and E
represent the discs between which the balls are ground and polished. The lower
disc B consists of a series of metallic division rings & arranged concentrically and
soparated from each other by annular spaces which are filled with emery or other
suitable abrading material. The emery is compacted in the annular spaces 80 as
to form solid rings or fillings 6 between the metallic rings. The emery fillings are
provided in their upper sides with annular grooves & of half round forin in which
the rows of balls are seated. The emery rings may be made of greater or less
width, but should be wide enough to form effective abrading surfaces for the balls,
whereby the latter are ground and polished when rolled between the discs.
The metallic division rings extend above the emery rings and form the sides of
the grooves which receive the ball. The division rings are somewhat harder than
the emery in the bottom of the grooves which causes the grooves to wear down-
wardly. This prevents the balls from moving laterally or radially with reference
to the centre of the discs and wearing the grooves wide, which would cause the balls
to be ground irregularly..
C represents an annular frame or trough which contains the division and emery
rings and an annular supporting plate Carranged on the bottom plate c of the
trough between the inner and outer walls c' c³ thereof, whereby the plate C¹is guided
vertically. This frame or trough rests upon the bed plate and is provided with
adjusting screws d arranged in the base plate of the frame and bearing against the
lower side of the supporting plate, whereby the latter and the grinding disc resting
thereon are adjusted vertically. The adjusting screws extend through enlarged
openings in the bed-plate which permits the grinding disc to be adjusted from below
and also holds the same against rotary movement :-
In the construction of the lower grinding ring represented in Figure 1, the emery
rings are equal in width to the balls which are being ground, so that a large portion
of each ball is presented to the grinding surface of the emery ring.

page_text: In the modified construction represented in Figure 5, the emery rings are some-
what narrower than the balls and the metallic division rings extend underneath the
balls, so as to form a portion of the bottom support for the balls. This arrangement
causes the division' rings to retard both the lateral and downward wearing of the
grooves and requires less frequent renewal of the emery rings.
In the modified construction represented in Figure 6, the lower grinding dise
consists of one solid metallic disc having the annular grooves for the balls cut in its
upper surface and each of the grooves being provided in its bottom with a channel d¹
which is filled with emery or similar abrading material. In each case an abrasive
bearing surface is provided for the lower portion of the balls which accelerates the
grinding and polishing of the latter and retards wearing of the grooves.
Heretofore the emery has been introduced between the grinding discs in a
powdered form for the purpose of grinding the balls, but the centrifugal action of
the rotating upper disc and the balls, caused the powdered emery to work over the
sides of the discs and required frequent renewal of the emery. By forming a bed of
solid emery to support the balls, a constant abrading surface is furnished which
overcomes this difficulty and causes the balls to be ground more uniformly.
The upper grinding disc E consists of one solid ring which extends downwardly
between the walls of the annular frame and bears upon the balls. F represents a
vertical shaft whereby a rotary motion is imparted to the upper grinding disc.
This shaft is arranged within both grinding disc and axially in line therewith and is
journalled near its lower end in a bearing formed centrally in the bed plate of the
machine.
Grepresents a supporting plate whereby the upper disc is secured to the shaft.
The central portion of this plate is provided with a hub g which is secured to the.
shaft. The upper disc is provided on its upper side with bosses or lugs which
enter openings formed in the upper supporting plate and the disc is secured to the
latter by screw bolts h passing through washers 5 arranged on the supporting plate
and entering the bosses of the upper disc.
The upper end of the shaft is journalled in a sleeve I arranged to slide vertically
in a collar i formed at the upper end of an overhanging arm secured to one side
of the bed plate. The vertical shaft is preferably made in two sections for con-
venience in disconnecting the parts, the adjoining ends being connected by means of
a coupling collar; secured to the ends of the shaft sections by means of transversc
pins The sleeve I bears with its ends against the hub of the upper disc and
the coupling collar, whereby lengthwise movement of the sleeve on the shaft is
prevented. The upper portion of the shaft is provided with a bevel gear for the
purpose of transmitting notion to the upper grinding disc. This gear wheel is
secured to the shaft by means of a key or spline which enables the shaft to move
lengthwise through the gear wheel but compels them to rotate together.
Krepresents a lever whereby the upper grinding disc can be depressed for
grinding the balls, or raised for the purpose of removing the balls. This lever is
provided between its ends with a boss which is arranged in a vertical slot k³
formed on one side of the collar i of the arm J and is pivotally secured to the side
of the sleeve I by means of a bolt engaging with one of a vertical series of
openings formed in the side of said sleeve.
M represents a sliding weight arranged on the rear arm of the lever whereby the
rear arm is depressed. This weight is provided with an opening m through which
the lever passes and which contains rollers m' which rest upon the lever and enable
the weight to slide easily. The movement of the sliding weight on the lever is
limited by adjustable stops in m³ secured' to the rear arm of the lever and arranged
on opposite sides of the weight.
1. N represents a fulcrum bolt which serves as the fulcrum of the lever K, when the
latter is in the position for depressing the upper grinding disc. This bolt is
arranged with its head in an undercut groove n formed in an adjusting bar ¹ and
passes through an opening formed in the outer arm of the lever. The lever and
adjusting bar are pivotally secured together by a clamping nut n applied to the

page_text: screw threaded end of the fulcrum bolt and bearing against the side of the lover.
The adjusting bar is provided on one side with a screw threaded shank which
passes through an opening formed in a lug o' on the front side of the collar and is
secured thereto by a clamping nut o' applied to the end of the shank. The shank
and clamping nut of the adjusting bar enable the latter to be adjusted to the
position of the fulorum bolt N in changing the fulcrum of the lever K.
P represents a fulcrum pin or roller secured to the side of the overhanging'arm
underneath the rear arin of the lever K. This pin or roller serves as a fulcrum for
the latter when it is desired to raise the upper disc for the purpose of removing the
balls and placing a new supply upon the lower disc. In the position of the parts
represented in Figure 1, the lever is fulcrumed on the bolt N which causes the
sleeve carrying the shaft and upper grinding disc to be depressed owing to the
pressure of the weight at the opposite end of the lever. As the upper disc wears
and becomes lighter the weight is moved toward the outer end of the levor by
adjusting the stop m' to increase its leverage and compensate for the loss in the
pressure resulting from the wearing of the upper disc. During the downward
movement of the lever, as the upper disc wears away its fulcrum bolt is permitted
to move outwardly by a slight turning of the adjusting bar on its pivot.
The groove in the adjusting bar permits the fulcrum bolt to be adjusted verti-
cally in accordance with the thickness of the upper grinding disc. When it is
desired to raise the upper disc, the fulcrum bolt is loosened which permits the front
arm of the lever to rise and the rear arm to descend until the latter rests upon the
fulcrum pin or roller P. Upon lowering the rear arm of the lever slightly below
a horizontal position, the weight M slides toward the outer end of the rear arm by
gravity and thereby increases the leverage of the latter. This increased leverage
causes the rear arm to continue its downward movement and swing on the roller P
as a fulcrum, thereby raising the front arm of the lever and lifting the upper disc
connected therewith. The adjusting bar is preferably curved so as to permit the
fulcrum bolt to move freely in the groove of the adjusting bar when the lever
swings on the roller P as a fulcrum. In this manner the weight M is utilized either
to depress or raise the upper grinding disc thereby enabling the machine to be
manipulated very easily. When it is desired to again depress the upper disc the
front arm of the lever is depressed by means of the handle at the front end until
the upper disc bears upon the balls and the rear arm of the lever is raised from the
fulcrum roller. Upon tightening the bolt N on the adjusting bar, said bolt again
acts as the fulcrum of the lever which causes the weight to depress the upper disc.
By alternately locating the fulcrum on the bolt N and roller P it acts alternately
in the capacity of a first and second class lever. The instant the rear arm of the
lever is raised above a horizontal position the weight slides inwardly toward the
fulcrum thereby decreasing the leverage. In this manner a sinall leverage and a
correspondingly light downward
the weight of the upper disc while can be applied to the balls in addition to
a larger leverage is used when it is desired to
raise the upper disc: This change in leverage is automatically effected by the
sliding of the weight M when the rear arm of the lever rises above or falls below a
horizontal position. If desired, the weight may be rigidly secured in place. after
adjustment by means of a set screw m.
q
The boss of the lever and its pivot boltare free to move vertically with the
sleeve I owing to the slot . The pivot bolt is placed in one of the higher
openings as the upper disc becomes worn so as to retain its relative position to
the fulcra of the lever.
г
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign.correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
First. A ball grinding disc having its working face composed of concentric
metallic rings and intermediate abrasive fillings arranged between the metallic rings

page_text: and depressed below the same, thereby forming concentric grooves having metallic
sides and abrasive bottoms, substantially as set forth.
Second. In a ball grinding machine, the combination with the upper grinding
disc, of a lower grinding disc having its upper face provided with annular grooves
having, metallic sides and abrasive fillings forming the bottoms of the grooves,
whereby the balls wear the grooves downwardly into the abrasive fillings and are
restrained radially by the metallic sides of the grooves, substantially as set forth.
Third. In a disc for ball grinding machines, the combination with the series of
grinding rings provided in their upper sides with annular grooves, and division
rings arranged between said grinding rings, of a plate supporting said grinding rings
and division ringe, and adjusting screws engaging against said plate whereby the
disc is adjusted, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. In a disc for ball grinding machines, the combination with the series of
grinding rings provided in their upper sides with annular grooves and division rings
arranged between said grinding rings, of a plate supporting said grinding rings and
division rings, adjusting screws bearing against said supporting plate, and an
annular frame containing said rings and supporting plate, substantially as set forth.
Fifth. In a ball grinding machine, the combination with a grinding disc and
its support, of a weighted lever pivotally secured to said support and connected
with said grinding disc, whereby the latter is moved vertically, substantially as set
forth.
Sixth. The combination with the movable grinding disc and its supporting frame,
of a lever connected with said disc and having fulcra arranged on opposite sides of
its connection with said disc, and a weight attached to the lever, substantially as
set forth.
Eighth. The combination with the movable grinding disc and its supporting
frame, of a lever connected with said disc and frame near one end, a weight arranged
to slide upon the opposite end of said lever, and stops whereby the sliding movement
of said weight in limited, substantially as set forth.
Ninth. The combination with the movable grinding disc, a movable sleeve
connected with said disc and a supporting frame in which said sleeve is guided,
of a lever connected with said sleeve, a pivotted support ou said frame for one arm
of said lever, and a weight arranged on the opposite arm of said lever, substantially
as set forth.
Tenth. The combination with the movable grinding disc, a movable sleeve.com-
nected with said disc and a frame supporting said sleeve, of a lever attached to said
sleeve, a pivotted bar to which one arm of said lever is adjustably attached, and a
weight arranged on the opposite arm of said lever, substantially as set forth.
Eleventh. The combination with the bed-plate, the shaft and the rotating disc
secured to said shaft, of a sleeve surrounding said shaft and provided with a vertical
series of openings, an arm secured to said plate and provided with a collar sur-
rounding said sleeve, a lever pivotally supported by a bolt entering one of the
openings in the sleeve, a bolt capable of adjustment in said bar and adapted to serve
as a fulcrum for the lever on one side of the sleeve, a pin or roller attached to the
arm and adapted to serve as a fulcrum for the lever on the opposite side of the
sleeve and a weight attached to said lever, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 14th day of July 1891.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.