IMPROVEMENTS IN BOLT-SCREWING MACHINES
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOLT-SCREWING MACHINES."-A com-
munication from abroad by William Sellers and Coleman Sellers, of
Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Sealed the 14th November 1865, and dated the 27th July 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
27th July 1865.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, lo hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOLT-SCREWING MACHINES," to be as
follows:-
In ordinary bolt-screwing machines the cutting dies revolve, and suitable
contrivances are arranged so as to cause the driving power to operate in
different directions at the will of the operator, for the purpose of opening and
closing the dies whilst they are in motion.
The object of the present improvement is to dispense with the driving power
altogether as a means for opening and closing the dies, and to place these dies
(when revolving), under the control of the operator, so that he may open and
close them or regulate their position radially whilst they are in motion,
precisely as be would do were they at rest, the revolution of the dies producing
no effect upon the operation of opening and closing.

page_text: The cutting dies are placed in a cylindrical piece of metal called the die
box, which is provided with radial grooves to receive the dies, and 'to allow
them to slide freely in a radial direction. The die box is securely attached to
the face plate of a hollow spindle which carries a pulley receiving motion from
any suitable driving power. At one end of and surrounding the spindle there
is another hollow spindle, having a face plate or flange to receive three
excentric or scroll cams surrounding the die box. These cams are of equal
excentricity, and are securely fastened to the face plate, leaving spaces between
them of sufficient width to admit tho dies to pass freely. On the outer surface
of the cams is bolted a covering plate, having on its inner surface three other
cams parallel with the first cams. The dies at their outer end are made of
corresponding shape with the first cams, and on-one edge are cut out to receive
the second-cams for opening them. This form of die box controls the dies
radially, by the rotation of the cams around them, but as the angle of
inclination of the cams is equal to about 5 degrees, the pressure of the dies
- outward under cut will not 'force the cams back, as would be the case if 'the
-angle of inclination was much greater than the angle of friction of such
surface. One end of the spindle is supported by and revolves freely in a hub
or boss, which forms part of the bed piece, the other 'end is surrounded and
-supported by a hollow spindle, which is carried by and revolves freely in another
"boss or hub forming part of the bed piece. In order to rotate the cam box
round the die 'box, a sleeve fits and slides freely upon the spindle, but is .com-
pelled to revolve with it by a feather key. At one end of this sleeve there is
a projection or ring, so as to revolve in a semicircular guide. supported and
moved by a rod operated by a handle or lever, and sliding freely through
bosses or hubs of the bed piece. A guide is attached to the lever rod, so that
the position of the ring and sleeve may be varied with reference to the stops.
⚫Ön the outer surface of the sleeve a spiral projection fits into a corresponding
recess on the inside of the hollow sleeve, in which the sleeve is arrangeil to
-slide freely. The outer sleeve which carries the cam 'box will be compelled
<to rotate back and forth around the hollow spindle and die box whenever the
-other sleeve is moved longitudinally upon the spindle, and the position of the
-cams with reference to the dies will be determined by the longitudinal position
of the latter sleeve upon the spindle. The rod which moves the sleeve is
-enlarged at one end, in order that the handle may be securely attached, and
this enlargement serves as a stop to prevent the handle and rod moving farther
than to the hub, through which the rod slides. The movement of the outer
sleeve upon
the spindle causes the rotation of the cam 'box to an extent equal
to the length of the cam." As this extreme movement would bring the die

page_text: opposite the opening between the cams, the movement is limited in one
direction by fastening a gib in such a position as to come in contact with one
of the hubs, so that the dies can never move opposite the opening between the
cams until the position of the gib is changed to permit the full movement of
the sleeve. The spiral on the outer sleeve should be of such a pitch as to form
an angle of about 45° with a plane perpendicular to the axis: This will enable
the rectilinear motion of the sleeve to be converted into a rotary motion in the
other or inner sleeve. This rotary motion is conveyed to the cains, which act
as wedges of about 5° taper, and as they pass over the ends of the dies they
impart to thein a radial motion, closing, opening; or, holding them in any
position, while the slight incline of the cans will not permit the dies to drive
them back by the outward pressure upon the inclined surfaces.
fixed
The essential feature of the Invention therefore consists in so arranging the
rotating dies of a bolt-screwing machine, that whether they be revolving or
are at rest they are controlled radially by a handle which has a limited amount
of motion, either in an arc of a circle or in a straight line, but which motion
of the handle within its limits imparts to the dies proportional amounts of
motion enabling the dies to be opened, closed, or adjusted to any fixed size
with the greatest nicety, while the machine is running wholly independent of
the driving power of the machine.
In another arrangement for effecting the object of the Invention the cam
box is dispensed with, and the dies are attached to slides fitting in grooves in
a face plate, which is attached to the hollow spindle, which receives its motion
from a driving pulley fastened to the other end of the hollow spindle.
Feathered on this spindle and sliding freely on it is another sleeve with an
enlargement at one end provided with tapered slots corresponding to the
position of the radial slides in the face plate. These slots are T-shaped, and
at an angle of about 5° to the axis of the sleeve. Blocks hinged to one end of
a pair of levers slide in these slots, while the other ends of the levers enter
notches in the slides, the fulcrum of which is in the face plate: The operator
can move the sleeve back and forth by means of a handle, and through the
pair of levers the dies may be opened, closed, or adjusted. The same theory
of operation holds in this kind of machine as in the first described one, viz., a
radial motion imparted to the dies while they are revolving by a motion
entirely under the control of the operator, the inclined grooves being the
equivalent of the cams in the cam box, their angle being so adjusted as to
prevent the pressure of the dies from causing the sleeve to react against the
lever with too much force.
As a modification, the connection between the handle and the dies may be

page_text: effected by a train of bevil wheels, three of which form an epicyclic train, thus
the cams attached to the face plate and sleeve are provided with a 'bevil wheel
gearing into another wheel which runs loosely in a bearing in the bed of the
machine. The bevil wheels, although fast together, run loosely on the spindle.
Onc gears with a wheel on a spindle below, and the other gears into a wheel
which runs loosely in a frame, which frame can be partially rotated around
"the axis of the spindle. The power being applied to the pulley, which is
also fast to the spindle, is conveyed through the system of wheels to the cam
box, and causes it to revolve in the same direction and at the same speed as
the die box on the spindle. A handle attached to the frame is provided with
a-graduated are with a gib and set screw as 'in the other cases. By means
of the handle the frame may be partially rotated around the axis of the
spindle, and carry with it one of the bevil wheels; and any motion of this wheel
around the axis of the spindle must of necessity produce a disturbance in the
train of wheels, thus-advancing or retarding the cams, they remaining fixed in
any position so long as the frame and wheels are held stationary. So that in
this arrangement of machine any motion imparted to the handle will give to
the dies a radial motion, precisely as in the first instance.
In another modification an epicyclic train may be used for the same purpose.
In this case the train is composed of spur wheels. The same sort of die box
and cam box is also used. One of the wheels is attached to the hollow spindle
carrying the die box, and another is attached to the sleeve carrying the cam
box. Some of the other wheels run loosely on their spindles and are idlers,
but two others are fastened together but run loosely on a stud or lever. The
wheel on the hollow spindle receives its motion from the driving pulley, and
has, say, 30 teeth, while the sleeve wheel has 60 teeth, or is twice as large.
Thus the dies and cam will run in the saine direction, and hold the same
relative positions to one another, so long as the lever or handle is at rest, but
if it be moved back or forth, the difference in size of the wheels will cause a
disturbance in the train and move the cams over the dies, and open, close, or
hold them in any fixed position radially.
*SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office
-on the 27th January 1866.
"TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM 3
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil. Engineer, send greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of July,. in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-ninth year of Iler reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
William Edward Newton,. Her special licence that I, tho said William Edward
Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said William Edward 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
for "IMPROVEMENTS. IN BOLT-SCREWING MACHINES," being a communication from
abroad, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Edward.
Newton, my executors or administrators,, by an instrument in writing under.
my, or their, or one of their hands and. seals, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what. manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the saine 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 William. Edward Newtou, 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 Drawing hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say). :-
In ordinary bolt-screwing machines the cutting dies revolve, aml suitable
contrivances are arranged so as to cause the driving power to operate in
different directions at the will of the operator, for the purpose of opening and..
closing the dies whilst they are in motion.
The object of the present Invention is to dispense with the driving power
altogether as a means for opening and closing the dies, and to place these dies.
(when revolving) under the control of the operator, so that he may open and.
close them or regulate their position radially whilst they are in motion, precisely
as he would do were they at rest, the revolution of the dies producing no effect
upon. the operation of opening and closing.
The arrangement of dies and die box, and the plan adopted for accom-
plishing the object before named, is illustrated by Figures 1, 2, 3, 4,
and 5.
Fig. 1 is a plan; Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the axis of the revolving
dies; Fig. 3 is an end elevation; Fig. 4, an enlarged section of die box;

page_text: Fig. 5, a front view of die box with cover removed; Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,
and 12 represent equivalent devices for effecting the object of the Invention;
similar letters in each referring to similar parts.
The cutting dies A, A, A, Figures 4 and 5, are placed in a cylindrical piece
of metal B, called the die box, which is provided with radial grooves to receive
the dies, and allow them to slide freely in a radial direction. The die box B
is securely attached to the face plate C, Fig. 2, of the hollow spindle D, which
carries the pulley Ẹ actuated by any suitable driving power. At one end of
and surrounding the spindle D there is another hollow spindle F, having a
face plate or flanch G to receive three excentric or scroll cams H, H, H, sur-
rounding the die box B. These cams are of equal excentricity, and are
securely fastened to, the face plate G, leaving spaces I, I, I, Fig. 5, between
them of sufficient width to admit the dies A, A, A, to pass freely. On the
outer surface of the cams H, H, H, is bolted a covering plate K, having on
its inner surface three cams L, L, L, Figures 4 and 5, parallel with the cams
I, H, H. The face plate G, cams H, H, H, and cover K, with its cams
L, L, L, are called the cam box. The dies A, A, A, at their outer end are
made of corresponding shape with the cams H. H, H, which are used to, close
them toward the axis of revolution, and on one edge are cut out to receive the
cams L, L, L, for opening them. This form of die box controls the dies.
radially by the rotation of the cams around them, but as the angle of iucli-
nation of the cams is equal to about five degrees, the pressure of the dies.
outward under cut will not force the cams back, as would be the case if the
angle of inclination was much greater than the angle of friction of such
surface. One end of the spindle D is supported by 'and revolves freely in the
hub or boss M, which forms part of the bed piece O, O, the other end is sur-
rounded and supported by the hollow spindle F, which is carried by and
revolves freely in the boss or hub N, forming part of the bed piece O, O. In
order to rotate the cam box round the die box a sleeve P fits and slides freely
upon the spindle D, but is compelled to, revolve with it by the feather key R,
Fig. 2. At one end of this sleeve there is a projection or ring S, so as to
revolve in the semicircular guide T, supported and moved by the rod Ụ sliding
freely through bosses or hubs a, a, cast upon the bed piece O, O, for this purpose.
The rod U is operated by means of the handle V, and the guide T is attached
to the rod by means of a jib 6 and screw c, so that the position of the ring S.
and sleeve P may be varied with reference to the stops, between which the
collar T is placed, and which limit its movement.. On the outer surface of
the sleeve P a spiral projection d, d, fits into a corresponding recess on the
inside of the hollow sleeve F, in which the sleeve P is arranged to slide freely.

page_text: The outer sleeve F, which carries the cam box, will be compelled to rotate back
and forth around the hollow spindle D and die box B whenever the other
sleeve P is moved longitudinally upon the spindle D, and the position of the
cams with reference to the dies will be determined by the longitudinal position
of the sleeve P upon the spindle D. The rod U, through which the handle V
operates to move the sleeve P, is enlarged at one end in order that the
handle V may be securely attached, and this enlargement serves as a stop to
prevent the handle and rod from moving farther than to the hub a, a, through
which the rod U slides; therefore when the rod U is at this extremity of its
movement the guide T may be adjusted to any desired position upon the rod,
which is graduated to aid the adjustment, and will determine the size of the
bolt to be cut. The movement of the sleeve P upon the spindle D is of such
length as to cause the rotation of the cam box to an extent equal to the length
of the cam. As this extreme movement would bring the die opposite the
opening between the cams, the movement is limited in one direction by fasten-
ing the jib bin such a position as to come in contact with one of the hubs N,
so that the dies can never move opposite the opening between the cams until
the position of the jib b is changed, so as to permit the full movement of the
sleeve P, and this must be done whenever it is required to change the dies.
The spiral d on the sleeve P should be of such a pitch as to form an angle of
about forty-five degrees with a plane perpendicular to the axis. This will
enable the rectilinear motion of the sleeve P sliding on the bollow spindle D
to be converted into a rotary motion in the sleeve F; this rotary motion is
conveyed to the cams E, which act as wedges of about five degrees taper, and
as they pass over the ends of the dies A they impart to them a radial motion,
closing, opening, or holding them in any fixed position, while the slight incline
of the cams will not permit the dies to drive them back by the outward
pressure upon the inclined surfaces.
The essential feature of the Invention therefore consists in so arranging the
rotating dies of a bolt-screwing machine, that whether they be revolving or
are at rest they are controlled radially by a handle, which has a limited
amount of motion, either in an arc of a circle or in a straight line, but which
motion of the handle within its limits imparts to the dies proportional amounts
of motion, thereby enabling the dies to be opened, closed, or adjusted to any
fixed size with the greatest nicety, while the machine is running wholly
independent of the driving power of the machine.
Figures 6, 7, and 8 represent another arrangement for effecting the object of
the Invention. In this instance the cam box is dispensed with, and the dies A
are attached to slides B, fitting in grooves in a face plate C attached to the

page_text: hollow spindle D, which receives its motion from the driving pulley E, which
is fastened to the other end of the spindle D. Feathered on this spindle D;
and sliding freely on it, is another sleeve with an enlargement F at one end,
provided with tapered slots H corresponding to the position of the radial
slides B in the face plate C, as seen in Fig. 7. The slots are T-shaped
and at an angle of about five degrees to the axis of the sleeve. Blocks R,
hinged to one end of the levers W, slide in these slots, while the other ends
of the lever enter notches in the slides B, the fulcrum of which is in the face
plate C. A handle V with a yoke T in a groove in the sleeve F enables the
operator to move the sleeve F back and forth, and through the levers W the
dies may be opened, closed, or adjusted. The amount of motion is regulated
by a jib band quadrant U, with an adjustable stop 9, precisely as in the first-
described machine, Fig. 2. It should be observed, however, that as the end
of the lever W, carrying the sliding block R, is longer than the one which
moves the slide B, the pressure on the inclined groove H is not so great as if
both ends of the lever W were of equal length, nor is the pressure so great as
it is against the cams in the before-described cam box. Hence the inclination
of the groove may be increased to more than five degrees without prejudicing
the working of the machino. If the fulcrum X be placed within or above
the slide B, and the short end of the lever be made in the form of a cam or
excentric, the long end of the lever may be arranged as a bell crank with an
attachment to the sliding sleeve F, the cam or lever taking the place of the
inclined planes. The same theory of operation holds in this kind of machine
as in the first-described one, viz., a radial motion imparted to the dies while
they are revolving by a motion entirely under the control of the operator,
the inclined grooves H being equivalent to the cams in the cam box, their
angle being so adjusted as to prevent the pressure of the dies from causing the
sleeve to react against the lever with too much force.
Figures 9 and 10 shew arrangements in which a die box and cam box,
'similar in all respects to the onc described with Figures 1 and 2, is used; but
the connection between the handle and the dies is effected by a train of bevel
wheels, three of which form an epicyclic train. Thus the cams H attached to
the face plate G and sleeve F are provided with a bevel wheel h; gearing into
the wheel h is a wheel i, which runs loosely in a bearing j in the bed of
the machine. The bevel wheels and I, although fast together, run loosely
on the spindle D; one gears with the wheel i; the bevel wheel m gears into
the other wheel l, which runs loosely in a frame n, n, which can be partially
r..tated around the axis of the spindle D. The bevel wheel o, is fast to the
spindle D, and receives motion from it. The power is applied to the pulley E

page_text: which is also fast to the spindle D, and is conveyed through the system of
wheels o, m, l, k, i, and h, to the cam box, and causes it.to revolve in the same
direction and at the same speed as the die box on the spindle D. The
handle V, attached to the frame n, n, is provided with a graduated arc. U, with '
a jib b, and set scrow c, as in the other cases. By means of the handle V the
frame n, n, may be partially rotated around the axis of the spindle D, and
carries with it one of the bevel wheels m; and any motion of this wheel m
around the axis of the spindle D must of necessity produce a disturbance in
the train of wheels to h, thus advancing or retarding the cams h, they
remaining fixed in any position so long as the frame n, n, and wheels mare
held stationary; so that in this arrangement of machine any motion imparted
to the handle V will give to the dies a radial motion precisely as in the first
instance, the only difference being in the direction of the motion of the con-
trolling handle V, which in this case is made to vibrate on a plane at right
angles to the axis of rotation of the dies, while in the former case the motion
of the handle was in a plane parallel with the axis of rotation, the principle
of the machine remaining the same.
In the modification shewn at Figures 11 and 12 an epicyclic train is also
used for the same purpose. In this case the train is composed of spur wheels.
The same sort of die box and cam box is also used as in Figs. 1 and 2. The
wheel his attached to the hollow spindle D, carrying the die box, and the
wheel i is attached to the sleeve F, carrying the cam box.] The wheels and k
run loosely on their spindles and are idlers; the wheels 7 and m are fastened
together, but run loosely on a stud or lever V; the wheel h receives its motion
from the driving pulley E, and has, say, thirty teeth, while i has sixty teeth,
or is twice as large as h; 1 has the same number of teeth as h, and m as i, so
that in such a train the motion of h is coveyed to i through the wheels j, l, m,
and k, causing it to revolve in the same direction and at the same speed as h.
Thus the dies and cam will run in the same direction and hold the same
relative positions to one another so long as the lever V is at rest, but if it bo
moved back or forth the difference in size of the wheels and m will cause a
disturbance in the train and move the cams over the dies, and open, close, or
hold them in any fixed position radially.
From the above description it will be evident that many equivalent devices
may be used, tho theory of operation remaining the same. For in all cases
cited above, while the mechanical devices are very different to each, the dies
are in all immediately under the control of the operator, who by a motion given
to the working handle imparts a proportional amount of motion to them,

page_text: opening, closing, or holding them stationary wholly independent of the driving
power of the machine.
This principle possesses the manifest advantage of permitting the dies to be
opened under cut as slowly or as quickly as the operator may wish. He can
by opening them slowly gradually ease off the cut, thus giving a neat finish to
the termination of the thread, or he can by imparting a regular motion to the
handle during the process of cutting (thus gradually opening or closing the
dies) cut a thread on a tapered piece of metal, or even follow an irregular
surface by imparting to the haudle a similar motion. In cutting heavy bolts
the dies are also set so as to cut only part of the depth required, and run
over the work twice, so as to finish the thread with a light cut.
Пaving thus described the Invention in relation to its object and theory of
operation, and so illustrating it as to enable any ingenious mechanic to
construct a machine on its principle, I do not limit my claim to any special
device; but what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,
the use of rotating dies in combination with rotating cams, inclined planes, or
their equivalent, the relative positions of which, whilst in motion, can be
controlled by the operator, as abovo set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the William Edward Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Nineteenth day of January, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
W. E. NEWTON. (L.S.)