IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF HOLLOW IRON KEYS OR WEDGES FOR FIXING RAILS IN RAILWAY CHAIRS, WHICH SAID MACHINERY IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE MANUFACTURE OF HOLLOW RAILWAY SPIKES AND HOLLOW IRON. SLEEPERS FOR RAILWAYS
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT Frederic Groom Grice, of Cwm Bran, in the County of
Monmouth, Manufacturer, and Henry Bennett, of Cwm Bran, aforesaid,.
Machinist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE
MANUFACTURE OF HOLLOW IRON KEYS OR WEDGES FOR FIXING RAILS IN
RAILWAY CHAIRS, WHICH SAID MACHINERY IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE
MANUFACTURE OF HOLLOW RAILWAY SPIKES AND HOLLOW IRON. SLEEPERS FOR
RAILWAYS."
Sealed the 20th October 1864, and dated the 23rd April 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederic Groom Grice
and Henry Bennett at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 23rd April 1864.
We, FREDERIC GROOM GRICE, of Cwm Bran, in the County of Monmouth,
Manufacturer, and HENRY BENNETT, of Cwm Bran, aforesaid, Machinist,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF HOLLOW IRON KEYS OR WEDGES FOR FIXING
RAILS IN RAILWAY CHAIRS, WHICH SAID MACHINERY IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE
MANUFACTURE OF HOLLOW RAILWAY SPIKES AND HOLLOW IRON SLEEPERS FOR
RAILWAYS," to be as follows:-
Our Invention consists, firstly, of machinery for the manufacture of hollow iron
keys or wedges for fixing rails in railway chairs, constructed in the following
manner: A pair of cutters for cutting off the required length of the beated
bar of iron is situated on the side of the machine. Beyond the said cutters

page_text: and at or near the middle of the machine, is a hollow bed or die fixed on the
base of the machine. The interior of the said hollow die or bed resembles ou
its bottom and vertical sides the figure to be given to three sides of the hollow
key or wedge to be made. Immediately over the said hollow bed a plunger
works, the said plunger having externally the figure on its bottom and vertical
sides of three of the sides of the hollow key or wedge to be made. The heated
piece of iron being placed on the bed the plunger descends and forces it
into the hollow bed, thereby giving it nearly the figure of the hollow bed or
die, the two edges of the iron projecting above the hollow die or bed. The
plunger rises and at the same time a slide working on the plunger descends,
and forces the partly formed hollow wedge from off the plunger into the hollow
bed or die. A slide advancing horizontally pushes the partly formed hollow
wedge along the bollow bed or dic, so as to remove it from out the range of
the plunger and bring it under a pressing bolt herein-after described. A
mandril having externally the figure of the interior of the hollow wedge to be
made, is inserted in the partly formed hollow wedge, and side dies or slides
advance in a horizontal direction from either side, and press or fold down the
edges of the partly formed hollow key upon the top face of the mandril, the
said edges being bent from vertical planes into a horizontal plane. In order
to complete the folding down of the edges, and thereby perfect the figure of
the hollow key or wedge the pressing bolt herein-before referred to descends
vertically, and its lower plain face presses the side dies or slides on the edges
of the iron, thereby shaping it on the mandril and forcing it into the hollow
bed. The figure of the hollow key or wedge is thereby perfected. The
mandril with the hollow key on it is then placed in a slot, and a rod presses
against the mandril and forces it out of the hollow key.
Our Invention consists, secondly, of machinery constructed as herein-after
described for the manufacture of taper hollow iron keys or wedges. In this
machine the iron is cut off and placed over a hollow bed, as in the machine
already described. A mandril working in a slide is made to pass over the
heated iron and into a cavity corresponding in shape to the slide through
which it works on the opposite side. The hollow bed by the action of two rods
attached to cams on each side of the machine is made to rise, carrying with it
the heated iron, pressing it around the under side of the mandril. The slides
on the side, and the bolts for pressing the iron are then actuated in a similar
mauner to that before described. The mandril is then withdrawn within the
slide, the end of which prevents the entrance of the wedge, causing it to be
left in the hollow die. This machine may also be employed for the manu-
facture of hollow keys having parallel sides. The motions of the several parts

page_text: in each of the machines described are taken from one shaft by means of cams
and other mechanical appliances, which we do not consider it necessary here
to describe. By the use of working tools suitable for the manufacture of
hollow railway spikes or hollow sleepers for railways, the machines described
may be employed for the manufacture of hollow railway spikes and hollow
sleepers.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Frederic Groom Grice and Henry Bennett in the Great Seal.
Patent Office on the 21st October 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, FREDERIC-
GROOM GRICE, of Cwm Bran, in the County of Monmouth, Manufacturer,
and HENRY BENNETT, of Cwm Bran aforesaid, Machinist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria; by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand cight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us,
the said Frederic Groom Grice and Henry Bennett, Her special licence that
we, the said Frederic Groom Grice and Henry Bennett, our executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said Frederic Groom Grice and
Henry Bennett, our 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 for "IMPROVEMENTS
MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF HOLLOW IRON KEYS OR WEDGES FOR FIXING
RAILS IN RAILWAY CHAIRS, WHICH SAID MACHINERY IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE
MANUFACTURE OF HOLLOW RAILWAY SPIKES AND HOLLOW IRON SLEEPERS FOR RAIL-
WAYS,"
upon the condition (amongst others,) that we, the said Frederic
Groom Grice and Henry Bennett, our executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under our or their hands and seals, or under the hand
and seal of one of us, or them, 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.
IN
NOW KNOW YE, that the said Frederic Groom Grice, on behalf
of myself and the said Henry Bennett, do hereby declare the nature of the

page_text: said Invention, and in what manner the
particularly described and ascertained in
thereof, that is to say:
same is to be performed, to be
and by the following statement
Our Invention consists, firstly, of machinery for the manufacture of hollow
iron keys or wedges for fixing rails in railway chairs constructed in the
following manner :-A pair of cutters for cutting off the required length of
the heated bar of iron is situated on the side or end of the machine. Beyond
the said cutters, and at or near the middle of the machine, is a hollow bed or
die fixed on the base of the machine. The interior of the said hollow die or
bed resembles on its bottom and vertical sides the figure to be given to three
sides of the hollow key or wedge to be made. Immediately over the said
bollow bed a plunger works, the said plunger having externally the figure on
its bottom and vertical sides of the hollow key or wedge to be made. The
heated piece of iron being placed on the bed, the plunger descends and forces
it into the hollow bed, thereby giving it nearly the figure of the hollow bed
or die, the two edges of the iron projecting above the hollow die or bed. The
plunger rises, and at the same time a slide working on the plunger descends and
forces the partly-formed hollow wedge from off the plunger into the hollow.
bed or die. A slide advancing horizontally pushes the partly-formed hollow
wedge along the hollow bed or die so as to remove it from out the range of
the plunger and bring it under a pressing bolt herein-after described. A
mandril, having externally the figure of the interior of the hollow wedge to be
made, is inserted in the partly formed hollow wedge, and side dies or slides
advance in a horizontal direction from either side and press or fold down the
edges of the partly formed hollow key upon the top face of the mandril, the
said edges being bent from vertical planes into a horizontal plane. In order
to complete the folding down of the edges, and thereby perfect the figure of
the hollow key or wedge, the pressing bolt herein-before referred to descends
vertically, and its lower plain face presses the side dies or slides on the edges
of the iron, thereby shaping it on the mandril and forcing it into the hollow
bed. The figure of the hollow key or wedge is thereby perfected. The
mandril, with the hollow key on it, is then placed in a slot, and a rod presses
against the mandril and forces it out of the hollow key.
Our Invention consists, secondly, of machinery constructed as herein-after
described for the manufacture of taper hollow iron keys or wedges. In this
machine the iron is cut off and placed over a hollow bed, as in the machine
already described. A mandril working in a slide is made to pass over the
heated iron and into a cavity corresponding in shape to the slide through
which it works on the opposite side. The hollow bed, by the action of two

page_text: rods attached to cams on each side of the machine, is made to rise, carrying
with it the heated iron, pressing it around the under sido of the mandril.
The slides on the side, and the bolt for pressing the iron, are then actuated in
a similar manner to that before described. The mandril is then withdrawn
within the slide, the end of which prevents the entrance of the wedge, causing
it to be left in the hollow die. This machine may also be employed for the
manufacture of hollow keys having parallel sides. The motions of the several
parts in each of the machines described are taken from one or two shafts by
means of cams and other mechanical appliances, which we do not consider it
necessary here to describe. By the use of working tools suitable for the
manufacture of hollow railway spikes or hollow sleepers for railways, the
machines described may be employed for the manufacturo of hollow railway
spikes and hollow sleepers.
Having explained the nature of our Invention, we will proceed to describe,
with reference to the accompanying Drawings, the manner in which the same
is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents an elevation of one side of a machino constructed
according to the first part of our Invention for the manufacture of hollow iron
keys or wedges; and Figure 2 represents an elevation of the opposite side of
the said machine; Figure 3 represents an end elevation of the same; and
Figure 4 represents a portion of the same. The same letters indicate the
same parts in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.
At the end of the machine a pair of cutters a, b, is situated for cutting off
tho required length of the heated bar of iron, the cutter a being moveable and
the cutter b fixed. The cutting edges of the said cutters are respectively
marked a, b. The heated bar of iron is fed between the cutters a, b, against
the stop c, when the moveable cutter is making its rising motion. On the
descent of the said moveable cutter a the required length of iron is cut off' and
falls into the receptacle d. The cut-off length of iron is removed from the
receptacle d by the workman and placed over the fixed hollow die or bed e in
the position represented in Figure 2, and marked f. The said hollow die or
bed is situated about the middle of the machine, and extends from side to side
of the said machine. The interior of the hollow die or bed e resembles on its
bottom and vertical sides the figure to be given to threo sides of the hollow
key or wedge to be made. Immediately over the hollow bed e is a plunger 9,
the said plunger having externally the Figure on its bottom and vertical
sides of three of the sides of the hollow key or wedge to be made. By the
descent of the plunger g the beated piece of iron f over the hollow bed e is
forced into and made to take nearly the figure of the said bed, the two edges

page_text: of the iron projecting from the die or bed, as indicated in Figure 2. The
plunger g rises, and at the same time a fork or slide h, embracing two sides of
the plunger, descends and forces the partly formed hollow wedge from off the
said plunger into the hollow bed or die e. On the rising of the plunger ga
horizontal slide i (see Figure 3) advances and pushes before it the partly
formed hollow key or wedge along the hollow bed e from that side of the
machine represented in Figure 2 to that side represented in Figure 1, so as to
remove it from out the range of the plunger g and bring it under the pressing
bolt k, Figure 1. The partly made wedge or key having been brought to
the position Figure 1, a mandril is inserted by the workman in the said
wedge or key. The mandril is represented in section in the wedge or key
in Figure 1, and is also represented in elevation in Figure 3. The said
mandrilhas externally the figure of the interior of the hollow wedge or key
to be made. After the insertion of the mandril side dies or slides m, m,
advance simultaneously from either side of the machine, and press or fold
down the projecting edges of the partly formed key or wedge upon the top
face of the mandril 7, as indicated in dotted lines. The folding down of the
elges of the key or wedge having been effected, the pressing bolt : descends
vertically upon the projecting ends of the side dies m, and presses the said
side dies upon the edges of the iron, shaping it on the mandril Z and forcing
it into the bed c, by which treatment the figure of the said hollow key or
wedge is perfected. The pressing bolt k, and the side dies m retire into the
positions represented in Figure 1, and the mandril 1, with the hollow key or
wedge upon it, is removed from the hollow bed e and placed in the holder n.
The uprights 2, 3, of the said holder have slots or openings in them of a
shape and size proper to receive the mandril and the rod 12 of the said
imandril respectively, but the slot in n² is not sufficiently large to permit of the
passage through it of the hollow key or wedge. The mandrill and key or
wedge p being placed in the holder n in the position represented in Figure 3,
a horizontal rod 7 advances against the end of the mandril 7, and pushes the
said mandril from out the hollow key or wedge p. On the retiring of the rod q
the hollow key or wedge p falls on to the bottom of the holder n.
The rod q
is represented making its advance stroke in Figure 3.
Having explained the general action of the machine, we will now proceed
to describe its construction more in detail, as well as the manner in which the
motions of the several parts are effected. The motions are taken from two
horizontal rhafts », s, the upper horizontal shaft giving the necessary motions
to those parts of the machine situated at the side represented in Figure 2,
and also to the cutter a and rod q and the lower shaft s giving the necessary
2

page_text: motions to the parts situated at the side represented in Figure 1. The two
shafts r, s, are geared together by the toothed wheels t, u, and rotatory motion
is transmitted from the pulley shaft v which works loosely upon the shaft r by
means of the pinion w (fixed to the said pulley shaft) toothed wheel x and a
pinion on the axis of the said toothed wheel gearing with the lower toothed
wheel u. The motion of the moveable cutter a is effected by the excentric y
on the shaft and connecting rod y, the said cutter being connected to the
said rod by the links, . The plunger gis fixed to the slide 2, the
descending motion of the said plunger and slide being effected by the cam 3
on the shaft acting upon the roller 4 on the said slide 2. The rising motion
of the plunger g and slide 2 is effected by the cam 5
acting upon the
roller 6 of the strap 7, the said strap being fastened to the slide 2.
The construction of the slide or fork h and the manner in which it is worked
are as follows:-The said fork or slide h works upon and moves with the
slide 2 of the plunger g. The said fork h turns upon an axis 8 working in
bearings on the slide 2, and has at top a stem 10. On the axis 11, which
turns in bearings on the frame of the machine, are two arms 12, 13, the lower
one 12 bearing against the stem 10 of the slide h and the upper one 13
having a wedge-shaped end. The bottom of the cam bar 14 carries a
wedge 15, which on the descent of the said bar 14 by the action of the cam 16
on the roller 17 gives motion to the arm 13 and axis 11. The lower arm 12
pressing upon the stem 10 of the slide h causes the said slide to turn upon its
axis 8 and to give to the lower part of the said slide the descending or
outward motion necessary to remove the partly made wedge or key from the
plunger g. On the retiring of the cam bar 14 the slide h and parts connected
with it résume the positions represented in Figure 2. The plunger g, slide h,
and the parts by which the slide h is actuated are represented in side elevation
in Figure 4. The horizontal slide i for pushing forward the partly made key
or wedge is worked by the levers 18 acted upon by the cams 19 on the shaft r.
The lower ends of the levers 18 are connected together by the cross piece 20,
to which said cross piece 20 the slide i is fixed. The slide i is guided in its
motion by guide rods 21 on the said cross piece 20 working in holes or openings
in the hollow bed or die e. The motions of the side dies or slides mare
effected by the wedge-shaped ends of the cam bars 23 acting against the
wedge-shaped ends of the said dies or slides m. The descending motions of
the bars 23 are effected by the cams 24 on the shaft s. The pressing bolt k
is connected to the slide 25, the descending motion of the said slide being
effected by the cam 26 on the shafts and the return motion by the lever 27
(see Figure 3), the said lever 27, being connected by the rod 28 to the said

page_text: slide 25. The lever 27 carries a roller 30, which is acted upon by the cam 31,
and the necessary lifting motion thereby obtained. The advancing and
retiring motions of the rod g, by which the mandril is removed from the
finished key or wedge, is effected by the lever 32, connected at its lower end
by the link 33 to the rod q, and at its upper end by the connecting rod 34 to
the strap of the excentric 35 on the shaft r. The return motions of the
fork h, slide i, side dies m, and cam bars 23 are effected by coiled springs in
the ordinary manner.
Figure 5 represents in side elevation, and Figure 6 in end elevation, a machine
constructed according to the second part of our Invention, for the manufacture
of taper hollow iron keys or wedges, as well as for hollow iron keys or wedges
baving parallel sides. The same letters indicate the same parts in Figures 5
and 6. In the machine Figures 5 and 6 instead of forcing the heated length
of-iron into the hollow bed by the action of a plunger, as in the machine before
described, we make the hollow bed or die moveable, so as to shape the iron
between it and the mandril, the mandril in this case being actuated by the
machine instead of being put into the hollow key or wedge by hand. a is
the moveable hollow bed or die, the rising and falling motions of which are
effected by cams 6 on the shaft c. acting on the rods d to which the said hollow
bed is connected in the manner represented; e is the mandril sliding horizon-
tally in the bearings at f, g, h, on the bed of the machine. The motion of
the mandril e is effected by the levers i acted upon by the cams k. The
hollow bed or die a being in its lowest position the cut off length of iron is
placed over the said hollow bed or die. The mandrile now makes its
advancing motion passing over the heated iron and entering the end bearing f.
The hollow bed a next rises, carrying with it the heated iron and pressing
the said iron around the bottom and sides of the mandril e gives to the said
iron the figure of the partly made key or wedge represented in the hollow
die e, Figure 1. The side dies or slides now advance in the manner herein-
before described with reference to the machine, Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, and
press or fold down the projecting edges of the iron upon the top of the
mandril e. The pressing bolt m next descends and finishes the hollow key or
wedge in the manner already explained. In Figure 5 a hollow key or wedge
is represented just finished by the final action of the side dies and pressing
bolt m.
The mandrile now retires from the bearing finto the bearing g, and
the hollow key or wedge is removed from the said mandril by coming against
the face of the said bearing 9 and causing the said wedge to be left in the
hollow bed a. The said hollow bed a now descends to its lowest position,
the hollow key or wedge in the bed a is removed, and another length of heated

page_text: iron placed over the bed, and the several motions described are repeated. By
substituting for the tools described and represented in the machines working
tools for the manufacture of hollow railway spikes or hollow railway sleepers,
the said machines may be employed for the manufacture of hollow railway
spikes and hollow sleepers.
Having now described the nature of our Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, we wish it to be understood that we do
not limit ourselves to the precise details herein described and illustrated in
the Drawings, as the same may be varied without departing from the nature
of our Invention.
But we claim as our Invention, firstly, combining or arranging substantially
in the manner herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4
of the accompanying Drawings the parts of a machine for the manufacture of
hollow keys or wedges for fixing rails in railway chairs, and also for the
manufacture of hollow railway spikes and hollow iron sleepers for railways.
Secondly, combining or arranging substantially in the manner herein-before
described and illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying Drawings,
the parts of a machine for the manufacture of hollow keys or wedges for fixing
rails in railway chairs, and also for the manufacture of hollow railway spikes
and hollow iron sleepers for railways.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederic Groom Grice, bave here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of October, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
5 Witness,
GEORGE SHAW.
FREDERIC GROOM GRICE. (L.S.)