NEW OR IMPROVED MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING OR DIVIDING LEATHER INTO STRIPS OR LENGTHS
Year: 1876

page_text: ETTERS PATENT to Samuel Holt Sharp, of Leeds, in the County of York,
Currier and Leather Merchant, for the Invention of "NEW OR IMPROVED
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING OR DIVIDING LEATHER INTO STRIPS
OR LENGTHS."
Sealed the 2nd February 1877, and dated the 5th August 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Holt Sharp at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th August 1876.
SAMUEL HOLT SHARP, of Leeds, in the County of York, Currier and Leather
Merchant. "NEW OR IMPROVED MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING OR
DIVIDING LEATHER INTO STRIPS OR LENGTHS."
The object of this Invention is to facilitate by the use of new or improved
machinery or apparatus the production of strips or lengths of hide or leather when
such strips or lengths are required to be of equal width throughout their length.
For this purpose I employ two kinds of apparatus, one of which is to be used when
the mass or piece of leather to be cut is as long or longer than the strip to be pro-
duced, the other being for the purpose of utilizing scraps or short pieces of leather.
The first apparatus referred to consists of a series of circular knives mounted
upon a roller or shaft in such manner that the distance apart of the knives may be
varied according to the width of strip required. A plain roller is placed underneath
the knife roller or shaft, and the two are geared together in such manner that the
knives may be caused to revolve faster than the plain roller. The bearing of the
two rollers are also adjustable for different thicknesses of leather.
'
In cutting the leather is placed upon a sheet of millboard or other substance
which will not damage the edges of the knives, and the two substances are passed
together between the rollers.
For utilizing small pieces of leather I form a knife-edge upon the surface of a
steel plate, the said knife-edge being in the shape of a spiral scroll, the coils being as
far apart as the thickness of the required strip.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samuel Holt Sharp in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th February
1877.
SAMUEL HOLT SHARP, of Leeds, in the County of York, Currier and Leather
Merchant.. "NEW OR IMPROVED MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING OR
DIVIDING LEATHER INTO STRIPS OR LENGTHS."
The object of this Invention is to facilitate by the use of now or improved
machinery or apparatus the production of strips or lengths of hide or leather when
such strips or lengths are required to be of equal width throughout their length.
My apparatus consists of a series of circular knives mounted upon a roller or
shaft in such manner that the distance apart of the knives may be varied according
to the width of strip required. A plain roller is placed underneath the knife roller
or shaft, and the two are geared together in such manner that the knives may be
caused to revolve faster than the plain roller. The bearings of the two rollers aro
also adjustable for different thicknesses of leather.
In order that my Invention may be more fully understood I herein give reference
to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof.
Fig. 1 is side clevation of machine with driving pulley removed, Fig. 2 is front
elevation, and Figs. 3 and 4 are details. A is the knife roller, which is mounted in
the framework B, and underneath this roller is the drum C. D is the main driving
shaft, from which motion is communicated by toothed wheels E and F to the drum.
Another wheel G on the driving shaft also communicates motion by pinion EL to
the knife roller. It will be readily seen that the knife roller revolves much quicker
than the drum underneath, so that when a hide or piece of leather is attached to
the drum and drawn under the knife roller it is cut into strips of the desired width.
By means of the screws H the knife roller may be raised or lowered to meet the
thickness of leather under operation. J is a clutch lever for throwing the wheels E
and F into and out of gear.
a is a wood roller
Figs. 3 and 4 are details shewing the construction of knife.
or shaft upon which the circular knives b are placed and keyed, metal washers c of
various thicknesses being placed between the knives to keep them the required
distance apart. I may also form the knife roller from a solid cylinder of steel by
sinking grooves therein of the required width.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and shown how the same may
be carried into practical effect, I declare that I claim,-
Firstly. The use of a revolving series of knives constructed as and for the purpose
herein set forth.
Secondly. The construction and arrangement of apparatus subtantially as herein
shown and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Holt Sharp, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, Thirtieth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
A. B. CROSSLEY,
Clerk to W. Tasker,
Patent Agent,
Halifax.