IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR GRINDING AND STRIPPING OR POLISHING FILES AND FILE BLANKS, WHICH SAID IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO MACHINERY FOR GRINDING, SHAPING, AND POLISHING OTHER ARTICLES
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Allinson, of Smethwick, in the County of
Stafford, Manager of Works, and Henry Lea, of Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY FOR GRINDING AND STRIPPING OR POLISHING FILES AND FILE
BLANKS, WHICH SAID IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO MACHINERY FOR
GRINDING, SHAPING, AND POLISHING OTHER ARTICLES."
Sealed the 5th May 1865, and dated the 16th November 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Allinson and
Henry Lea at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 16th November 1864.
We, RICHARD ALLINSON, of Smethwick, in the County of Stafford, Manager
of Works, and HENRY LEA, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR GRINDING AND STRIPPING OR POLISHING FILES AND
FILE BLANKS, WHICH SAID IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO MACHINERY FOR
GRINDING, SHAPING, AND POLISHING OTHER ARTICLES," to be as follows:-
Our Invention consists of the improvements herein-after described in
machinery for grinding and stripping or polishing files and file blanks, which
said improvements are also applicable to machinery for grinding, shaping, and
polishing other articles resembling more or less file blanks.

page_text: For convenience of description we will describe a machine for grinding file
blanks constructed according to our Invention. The said machine consists
essentially of the following arrangements of parts:-A grindstone composed
either of a natural or artificial grinding material or composition, and made
either in one piece or in several pieces, is mounted on a horizontal axis on
which it has rotary motion. The grinding is effected by the cylindrical
surface of the grindstone, and to prevent the unequal wearing of the grinding
surface the grindstone has a slow to-and-fro motion in the line of its axis, by
which said motion every part of the grinding.surface is in turn brought into
action. The blanks to be ground are fixed on tables which are made to travel
over fixed beds and under the cylindrical or grinding surface of the grindstone.
The said tables in their advance motion travel in a direction contrary to that
in which the grindstone moves.
When the blanks have curved surfaces we
fix on the upper surface of the fixed bed templates having a profile the con-
verse of that of the surface to be ground. The said templates are so fixed on
the said bed that rollers or projections on the under side of the travelling table
pass over or run upon the said templates, and thereby raise or lower the table
as it travels so as to keep the parts of the blanks under operation in contact
with the grindstone. The said table travels so slowly under the grindstone
that the requisite amount is ground off the blank at one operation. When
cylindrical file blanks (or other articles having figures of revolution) are to be
ground, we cause them to rotate rapidly while being ground. For grinding
half round file blanks. (or semi-cylindrical or other like articles) we fix two of
the blanks on the opposite sides respectively of a flat rotating bar or holder,
so that the two blanks form with the bar one cylinder or other figure of
revolution. For presenting the several sides of a blank having plane sides in
succession to the grindstone we employ worms and worm wheels so arranged
that by a certain number of revolutions' of a handle provided for the purpose
the several sides of the blanks under operation-are brought in succession
uppermost, and held in that position while being, ground. In all cases we
employ a double travelling table, that is a table capable of holding two sets of
blanks side by side, one set being operated upon by the grindstone, while the
other, set is being taken out and replaced. We prefer to make each set
consist of six blanks. We employ a grindstone of large diameter, and make
it act simultaneously on two sets of blanks. The said two sets of blanks are.
fixed respectively on two of the travelling tables, described, the said tables
being both situated under the lower part of the grindstone, and at such an.
angle apart that the blanks. to be ground when placed on the said tables are
not liable to fall or slip. The planes in which the faces of the travelling tables

page_text: are situated are respectively perpendicular to radii to the centre of the grind-
stone. The said tables are capable of being adjusted in the direction of the
said radii so as to accommodate the machine to the grinding of articles of
different thicknesses; and to compensate for the wear of the grindstone. The
motions of the tables carrying the blanks are thus effected:-Each of the said
tables consists of two parts, the upper part being connected to the lower part
by means of a dovetail slide which permits the upper part to move upon the
lower part in a direction parallel to the axis of the grindstone. A rack is
fixed on the under side of the upper part of the table, and a pinion taking into
the said rack affords the means of giving the lateral motions required for
bringing the blanks under the operation of the grindstone and removing them
therefrom. The pinion described is actuated by a winch on its axis. The
motion of the table by which the blanks are moved in a direction contrary to
that in which the grindstone rotates is effected by a rack and pinion driven by
means of suitable gearing. Self-acting clutches are provided for throwing the
table out of gear when it has arrived at the end of its advance motion, and
an arrangement is applied for making the return motion much quicker than
the advance motion. The rising and fulling motions of the tables necessary
for accommodating blanks of different thicknesses, and compensating for the
wear of the grindstone are thus effected:-The beds and parts connected there-
with are supported on square trunks which slide in square boxes or sockets,
and are raised and lowered therein by means of a screw to which motion is
given by bevil gearing. The blanks to be ground are fixed on the table in
the following manner :-When flat blanks are fixed on the table they are
supported at three points, namely, at their tangs, at their middles, and at
their points. The tang holder and the support underneath the middle of the
blanks, are fixed while the point holder is moveable. The point holder is
moved backwards and forwards, and locked in position by means of a lever.
In fixing the blanks on the table, the point holder is withdrawn, the blanks
are placed on the table, and the point holder is made to advance against the
points of the blanks by means of the lever described. The blanks are thus
clamped between the point holder and the tang holder, and held firmly during
grinding. In grinding the edges of the blanks they are packed close together
side by side. For grinding round, half round, three-square and four-square
blanks, a different kind of holder is adopted. The blanks are supported by
their two points only. The tang enters a chuck spindle and bears against &
steel block behind which is a coiled spring. The point is supported in counter-
sinks in the point, holder. The blank is carried round by the nose of the
chuck spindle. For half round blanks a flat rotating bar is provided, having

page_text: a cylindrical end fitting in the spindle, its other end being carried by a steel
centre carried by the sliding point holder. Two of the half round blanks are
held on each bar by means of sliding sockets. Rotary motion is given to the
chuck spindles by means of pinions on the end of each spindle, the said pinions
gearing with one another. Motion being given to one of the pinions all the
blanks are made to rotate. The rotary motion of the spindles must be stopped
'before the tables are moved transversely for charging. The blanks for three-
square and four-square files are held between chucks and point plates similar
'to those for round blanks, but no rotation of the spindles is required, and the
pinions described are dispensed with. Each spindle has however a worm
wheel keyed upon it, and a worm engages with all the worm wheels. By
turning the said worm all the spindles are caused to revolve slowly together.
By giving the worm the requisite number of turns each face of the three or
four faced blanks, as the case may be, may be brought under the operation
of the grindstone. The rotating and traversing motions of the grindstone, the
motions of the tables in a direction opposite to that of the grindstone, and the
return motions of the said tables are automatic, but are capable of being sus
pended by the attendant at pleasure. The traversing motion of the travelling
tables, as well as the rising and falling motions of the tables are effected by
hand. The rapid rotatory motion of the chuck spindles by which round or
half-round file blanks are held is also automatic. The motion of the worm
by which the chucks carrying three and four square file blanks is effected is
given by hand.
Although we have only described our Invention in connection with the
grinding of file blanks, yet our said Invention is applicable to the grinding
and stripping or polishing of files and file blanks, and to the grinding,
shaping, and polishing of other articles with such changes only in detail as do
not affect the nature of our Invention
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Richard Allinson and Henry Lea, in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 12th May 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, RICHARD
ALLINSON, of Smethwick, in the County of Stafford, Manager of Works, and
HENRY LEA, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Civil Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing.date the Sixteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord

page_text: One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-eighth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the
said Richard Allinson and Henry Lea, Her special licence that we, the said
Richard Allinson and Henry Lea, our executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as we, the said Richard Allinson and Henry Lea, 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 IN MACHINERY FOR GRINDING AND
STRIPPING OR POLISHING FILES AND FILE BLANKS, WHICH SAID IMPROVEMENTS ARE
ALSO APPLICABLE TO MACHINERY FOR GRINDING, SHAPING, AND POLISHING OTHER
ARTICLES," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said Richard
Allinson and Henry Lea, 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...
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Richard Allinson and Henry Lea, 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 thereof, that is to say:-
Our Invention consists of the improvements herein-after described in
machinery for grinding and stripping or polishing files and file blanks,' which
said improvements are also applicable to machinery for grinding, shaping and
polishing other articles resembling more or less file blanks.
The objects to be attained by the use of our Invention' are, first, producing
a true surface on the articles ground of any required or determined shape, and
second, great saving in cost effected by grinding several articles .simulta-
neously, and by removing the whole amount required to be ground off the
articles in one operation, and during the passing of them once only under the
grinding wheel.
For convenience of description we will describe a machine for grinding. file
blanks constructed according to our Invention. The said machine consists
essentially of the following arrangements of parts. A grindstone composed
either of a natural or artificial grinding material or composition, and made
either in one piece or in several pieces is mounted on a horizontal axis on
which it has rotary motion. The grinding is effected by the cylindrical

page_text: 'surface of the grindstone, and to prevent the unequal wearing of the grinding
'surface the grindstone has a slow to and fro motion in the line of its axis, by
which said motion every part of the grinding surface is in turn brought into
action. The blanks to be ground are fixed on tables which are made to travel
over fixed beds and under the cylindrical or grinding surface of the grindstone.
The said tables in their advance motion travel in a direction contrary to that
in which the grindstone moves. When the blanks have curved surfaces we
fix on the upper surface of the fixed bed templates having a profile the con-
'verse of that of the surface to be ground. The said templates are so fixed on
'the said bed that rollers or projections on the under side of the travelling
table pass over or run upon the said templates and thereby raise or lower the
table as it travels so as to keep the parts of the blanks under operation in
contact with the grindstone. The said table travels so slowly under the
grindstone that the requisite amount is ground off the blank at one operation.
When cylindrical file blanks (or other articles having figures of revolution)
are to be ground we cause them to rotate rapidly while being ground.
For grinding half round file blanks (or semi-cylindrical or other like articles)
we fix two of the blanks on the opposite sides respectively of a flat rotating
bar or holder so that the two blanks form with the bar one cylinder or other
figure of revolution. For presenting the several sides of a blank having plane
sides in succession to the grindstone, we employ worms and worm wheels so
arranged that by a certain number of revolutions of a handle provided for
the purpose, the several sides of the blanks under operation are brought in
succession uppermost and held in that position while being ground. In all
cases we employ a double travelling table, that is a table capable of holding
two sets of blanks side by side, one set being operated upon by the grindstone
while the other set is being taken out and replaced. We prefer to make
each set consist of six blanks. We employ a grindstone of large diameter
and make it act simultaneously on two sets of blanks. The said two sets of
blanks are fixed respectively on two of the travelling tables described, the
said tables being both situated under the lower part of the grindstone and
at.such an angle apart that the blanks to be ground when placed on the said
tables are not liable to fall or slip. The planes in which the faces of the
travelling tables are situated are respectively perpendicular to radii to the
centre of the grindstone. The said tables are capable of being adjusted in
the direction of the said radii so as to accommodate the machine to the
grinding of articles of different thicknesses, and to compensate for the wear
of the grindstone. The motions of the tables carrying the blanks are thus
effected. Each of the said tables consists of two parts, the upper part being

page_text: connected to the lower part by means of a dovetail slide which permits the
upper part to move upon the lower part in a direction parallel to the axis of
the grindstone. A rack is fixed on the under side of the upper part of tho
table and a pinion taking into the said rack affords the means of giving the
lateral motions required for bringing the blanks under the operation of the
grindstone and removing them therefrom. The pinion described is actuated
by a winch on its axis. The motion of the table by which the blanks are
moved in a direction contrary to that in which the grindstone rotates is effected
by a rack and pinion driven by means of suitable gearing. Self-acting clutches
are provided for throwing the table out of gear when it has arrived at the
end of its advance motion, and an arrangement is applied for making the
return motion much quicker than the advance motion. The rising and falling
motions of the tables necessary for accommodating blanks of different thick-
nesses, and compensating for the wear of the grindstone are thus effected:
The beds and parts connected therewith are supported on square trunks which
slide in square boxes or sockets, and are raised and lowered therein by means
of a screw to which motion is given by bevil gearing. The blanks to be
ground are fixed on the table in the following manner:-When flat blanks
áre fixed on the table they are supported at three points, namely, at their
tangs, at their middles, and at their points. The tang holder and the support
underneath the middle of the blanks are fixed while the point holder is move-
able. The point holder is moved backwards and forwards, and locked in.
position by means of a lever. In fixing the blanks on the table the point
holder is withdrawn, the blanks are placed on the table, and the point holder
is made to advance against the points of the blanks by means of the lever
described. The blanks are thus clamped between the point holder and the
tang holder, and held firmly during grinding. In grinding the edges of the
blanks they are packed close together side by side. For grinding round, half
round, three-square and four-square blanks a different kind of holder is
adopted. The blanks are supported by their two points only. The tang
enters a chuck spindle and bears against a steel block, behind which is a
coiled spring. The point is supported in countersinks in the point holder.
The blank is carried round by the nose of the chuck spindle. For half round
blank's a flat rotating bar is provided having a cylindrical end fitting in the
spindle; its other end being carried by a steel centre carried by the sliding
point holder. Two of the half round blanks are held on each bar by means
of sliding sockets. Rotary motion is given to the chuck spindles by means of
pinions on the end of each spindle, the said pinions gearing with one another.
Motion being given to one of the pinions all the blanks are made to rotate.

page_text: The rotary motion of the spindles must be stopped before the tables are
moved transversely for charging. The blanks for three-square and four-square
files are held between chucks, and point plates similar to those for round
blanks, but no rotation of the spindles is required, and the pinions described
are dispensed with. Each spindle has however a worm wheel keyed upon it,
and a worm engages with all the worm wheels. By turning the said worm
all the spindles are caused to revolve slowly together; by giving the worm
the requisite number of turns, each face of the three or four faced blanks, as
the case may be, may be brought under the operation of the grindstone. The
rotating and traversing motions of the grindstone, the motions of the tables in a
direction opposite to that of the grindstone, and the return motions of the
said tables are automatic, but are capable of being suspended by the attendant
at pleasure. The traversing motion of the travelling tables, as well as the
rising and falling motions of the tables, are effected by hand. The rapid
rotatory motion of the chuck spindles by which round or half round file
blanks are held is also automatic. The motion of the worm by which
the chucks carrying three and four square file blanks is effected is given by
hand.
Although we have only described our Invention in connection with the
grinding of file blanks; yet our said Invention is applicable to the grinding and
stripping or polishing of files and file blanks, and to the grinding, shaping, and
polishing of other articles, with such changes only in detail as do not affect
the nature of our Invention.
-
· 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.
Our improved grinding machinery is shewn in Figures 1 and 2.. Figure 3
represents a portion of the same. The grindstone is preferred to be of a large
size and may be either in one piece or built up as shown. A, A, are blocks
of stone, natural or artificial, or of any other suitable composition or material
mounted upon a cast-iron wheel B, and the wedge shaped sides of the blocks
are held by the flange C, the slips D, and set screws E. Toothed segments
F are secured to the wheel and a pinion moved by hand or otherwise and
temporarily fixed to the side girder G', affords the means of turning the
wheel slowly round for the purpose of replacing the blocks or of dressing the
grinding face. H is the spindle running in the bearings I, which are carried
upon the two side girders G, G². These are made very deep and strong to
prevent vibration, and are supported at one end upon the solid masonry K,
and at the other upon a frame L. A longitudinal movement is given to the

page_text: grindstone spindle in its bearings so as constantly to change the position of
the grinding face with regard to the articles being ground, and is thus
effected. The spindle H has a groove M formed, in which works a collar M
embraced by the forked end of the bell crank lever 0 (see Figure 3). The
fulcrum of the lever is fixed to the side frame G, and a vibratory movement is
given to the lever by the rod P, attached to the adjustable crank pin and
sliding block R; these are held in a groove S, upon the wheel T, which is
put in motion by the pinion and shaft U and band pulley V, driven by a
band from the grindstone spindle. A strong wrought-iron case W covers
the stone, and is firmly attached to the girders G, G', by angle iron flanges
and bolts and nuts. The under portion of the stone or wheel is partially
guarded by the case ✗, constructed after the same manner, and the opening
from X' to X, which must necessarily be made to allow the grinding beds to
advance as the stone wears is closed to prevent splashing by light copper or
other covers Y, having smaller openings Y', and themselves adjustable to the
main case X. The stone is driven by the fast and loose pulleys Z. An
ordinary strap break may be affixed to the fast pulley so as to give the means
The
of stopping the stone quickly in case it should be required to do so.
beds and other apparatus for holding the articles to be ground are drawn to a
larger scale in Figures 4 to 16, both inclusive, where the several various
shaped files are shewn fixed ready for grinding, Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15,
and 16 are to a scale of an inch and a half to a foot. Figure 10 shows a
round file and its chuck, full size; all the other figures are half full size:
All the different varieties of files shewn are ground to a template, and as the
general construction of the beds for effecting this is the same for all, the only
changes being in the method of securing them to the beds, one description
will suffice for shewing the principle of grinding these and other articles.
In Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, the upper table 1 is formed so as to receive two
sets of files 2 and 3, one of which (2) is shown as being under the grindstone
while the other (3) is being replenished with unground file blanks. The
transverse movemont required for this purpose is effected by means of a
pinion 4 engaging into a rack 5 secured to the under side of the bed 1. The
under table 6 has V shaped fans 7 planed to receive the jaws 8 of the table b
which slides thereupon in a direction parallel to the axis of the grindstone:
One end of the shaft 9 carrying the pinion 4 revolves in bosses 10 upon the
under table 6, and the other end in a bracket 11. This table 1 is required
of blanks from the centre
to be thus moved only in order to remove one set
line 12 of the grindstone, and bring the other set to coincide with that centre
line. The handle 18 is for this purpose, and it is held fast by a spring catch

page_text: (not shown in the Drawing) when not required to be removed. The under
table 6 carrying the upper table 1 has a motion at right angles to that of
table 1; and for this purpose is mounted upon hard steel rollers 14 contained
within the body of the table 6, or plain projections may be substituted for the
rollers.
Templates 15, 15, 15, 15 of a shape converse to that of the blank are fixed
to the bed 16. The rollers 14 run upon these templates, the hollows (or
otherwise) of the templates being so adjusted that each roller is at the same
instant upon the same point of the curve of each of such hollows. The
flanges 98 ensure that the, under table 6 shall travel in a straight line. The
grinding of the set of blanks is effected by causing the upper and lower tables
1 and 6 to pass slowly between the edge of the stone and the templates in a
direction opposite to that of the revolution of the stone, in which operation
the whole of the required amount will be ground off at once. There are two
beds to each stone, each inclined at an angle of 60 degrees or thereabouts
towards the centre of the stone, and if the stone revolve as shown by the
arrows in Figure 1 the tables of bed No. 1 must ascend while grinding, but
the tables of bed No.. 2 must descend while grinding. The blanks are so
fixed upon the upper table that the steel rollers 14 shall enter upon the curves
of the templates at the moment when the convexity of outline of the blank is
required to commence. To produce the motion of table 6 a rack (17,)
see Figure 5, is fixed thereto, driven by a spur pinion 18.
The spur
pinion is fixed upon a bevel wheel 19 and bevel pinion 20, all three being cast
together, and turning upon an upright stud fixed to the bridge (21).
Upon a transverse shaft 22 are mounted a bevel pinion 23, gearing into 19,
and a bevel wheel 24, gearing into the opposite side of 20. Both pinion and
wheel are loose upon the shaft, but either can be driven by it when its clutch
25 or 26 sliding upon a feather in the shaft is put into gear by the bar 27,
arms 28, lever 29, and handle 30. The shaft 22 carries a spur wheel 31,
which is driven by a pinion 32 and band pulley 33. Two stops 34 and 35
are set upon the handle or rod 30, and the bar 36 attached to the table 6
enables the latter to throw each clutch out of gear as it (table 6) arrives at
each end of its travel, and thus effect its own stoppage. An ordinary self-
acting reversing motion may be employed in connection with this handle
or bar, if desired, so that upon the grinding of the blanks being accomplished,
the immediate return of the table will take place. The shaft 22 revolving at
an uniform speed, it follows that if the pinion 18 be caused to revolve by the
pinion and wheel 23 and 19, the motion of the table will be much slower than
when the wheel and pinion 24 and 20 are driving it. The blanks are thus

page_text: brought back to be changed after grinding at a much higher speed than 'they
advance while being ground. The table 6 has a slight rise and fall as it
passes over the curves of the templates, but the wheel work is in no way
affected thereby, the only effect .being a slight vertical play of the rack 17 in
the teeth of the pinion 18. The band pulleys 33 are driven by bands from
opposite shafts 37 and 38 (see Figures 1 and 2), both of which may be driven
by bands from the grindstone spindle, or in the case of several grinding
machines being used in one shop the shafts may extend under all the
machines, and be driven from one end only.
Figures 15 and 16 (Figure 16 being a section at the line I, K, of Figure
15) show another mode of accomplishing the motion of the table 6. The
rack 17 and pinion 18 are still used, but upon the vertical shaft 104 of the
pinion 18 is keyed a worm wheel 105. The shaft is carried in the bracket
106, bolted to the table 16, and in the step 107, also fixed to the same table.
The worm wheel is driven by a worm 108, revolving with a shaft 109, carried
in bearings 110 and 111. Upon this shaft are a wheel 112 and a pinion 113.
both loose upon the shaft, but having clutches formed upon them. The wheel
and pinion are prevented from approaching each other by collars secured to
the shaft and recessed into the clutches. A clutch 114 slides upon a feather
upon the shaft 109, and can be brought into gear with either of the aforesaid
clutches by means of a forked lever 115 attached to the rod 30, as in the
previously described arrangement. A third shaft 116 revolves in bearings
117, and is driven by the band pulley 33. Upon it are keyed a wheel 118
gearing into the pinion 118, and a pinion. 119, gearing into another interme-
diate pinion 120, which in its turn gears into the wheel 112. The pinion 120
runs loose upon a fixed stud. The result of this arrangement is that the
pinion 118 is caused to revolve much faster than the wheel 112, and in a
contrary direction to it, and as either of them may (by moving the clutch 114
to the right hand or to the left) be employed to drive the shaft 109, which
again drives the shaft 104, the pinion 18 and the rack 17, it follows that the
table 6 may be moved slowly in one direction, as when grinding, and faster
in the other direction, as when returning. The beds 16 are each formed with
a square trunk 39 below them, having planed faces 40 at the corners. The
trunks have a movement to and from the grindstone's axis in the boxes or
sockets 41, which are firmly bolted to the brickwork or masonry. As the
grindstone wears and becomes less in diameter, the beds 16 are raised from
time to time by a handle 42, giving motion to a pinion 43 and wheel 44.
The wheel's boss is screwed to receive the screw 100, the lower end of which
is secured to the cross bar 45 attached to the trunk 39. The cross bar. 46

page_text: .
.
carries the wheel 44, and is attached to the socket 41. The steadiness of the
trunk is obtained by the cross plates 47 and bolts and nuts 48.
The method of securing flat file blanks to the upper table 1, whether
parallel or taper, is shown upon bed No. 1. The same numerals refer to
both sets of blanks. The upper table 1 has a planed groove to receive the
sliding bar 49. It is also planed to receive the tang holder 50, which is
screwed down fast, and the point holder 51, which is capable of sliding to and
from the tang holder. A stud 52 is tapped into the slide 51 of the point
holder, and passes through the turned-up end of the bar 49, to which it is
adjusted by the lock nuts 53. The handle 54 moves on a centre pin 55,
fixed to a bracket 56, upon the upper table 1; and a pin upon the short arm
57 enters a slot in the bar 49. By moving the handle to the right or left
the point holder is caused to advance towards or recede from the tang holder.
The tang holder has a number of stops 58 upon, it, between which the tangs
are placed, and against which the shoulders of the blanks bear; a cross bar
59 is secured above these stops, and serves to hold down the tips of the tangs.
A rest 60 is provided for the middle of the blanks, and it serves also to keep
down the sliding bar 49. The slide 51 of the point holder has a steel-bearing
face 101, upon which the tips of the blanks rest, and also an overhanging
steel tip 102, which holds the blanks down by means of a bevelled facet put
upon the tip of the blank in a previous operation. The point holder having
been withdrawn by the handle 54, a set of blanks is laid in, and with their
shoulders against the stops 58, and the point holder is then brought up,
locking them firmly in their places. The point holder is held firmly up by
the small arm 57 of the lever 54 being brought to coincide with the
longitudinal centre of the bar 49. The nuts 53 allow of a nice adjustment
for this purpose, as also for holding various lengths of blanks.
To grind the edges, a tang holder 61 (Figures 8 and 9) is used, having no
divisions to separate the files, and as many blanks as possible are packed in
side by side, their tips resting upon the steel face 102 of the slide 51, and the
latter is then brought up as before to secure them in their places. A side
screw may also be used, if necessary, to prevent any play in that direction.
Figure 8 shows a taper flat file held on edge, and Figure 9 a parallel flat file
held on edge. In all flat-file grinding by this method of holding, it will be
necessary to grind the second side and the second edge of the blank in a
holder, in which the rests 101, 60, and 103 are raised by packings or other-
wise, just so much as the amount ground from the first side or edge; other-
wise the blank will not touch the stone. It is preferred to use one holder of
upper table.1 for the first sides or edges, and then to transfer the blanks
the

page_text: to the other holder of the table, the rests of which have been packed up to the
required amount.
:
For grinding rounds, balf rounds, three-squares, and four-squares, a
different method of holding is adopted, and is shown in Figures 10 to 14.
In Figure 10 a round blank is shown. The tang is inserted in a chuck
spindle 62 (shewn also in Figures 6 and 7), the nose 63 of which is of
bard steel, and has a square hole for the tang. A block 64 slides in a
hole bored down the centre of the spindle, and has behind it a coiled
spring 65. No middle rest is here provided, but in filling up the set of
blanks each is laid with its tang in the chuck and its point in the temporary
rest 66. When all are in the point holder is brought up and the points
enter themselves into countersinks made to receive them in a steel plate 67,
screwed to the slide 51. The blocks 64 and springs 65 are thus forced back,
the blank is suspended between its two extremities, and is carried round by
the nose of the chuck spindle. The method of driving the chuck spindles will
be described hereafter.
!
For half round blanks a revolving bar 68 (Figures 11 and 12) is provided,
having a cylindrical end 69, fitting into the spindle 62, and pressed by the
spring 70; it is driven by the square nose 71. The other end of the
revolving bar 68 is carried by a steel centre 72, tapped into the bar 78
of the slide 51, and entering a steel clip 74, countersunk for the purpose.
Two half-round blanks are ground at one time upon each bar, and are
held as follows:A socket 75, sliding upon the rectangular part 76 of the
bar 68, is cut to receive the tangs, and so as to hold their tips at the same
time. The end pressure is taken as before against their shoulders, and the
points are held under the clip 74, the ends of which can spring slightly
outwards, and thus nip the blank when the slide 51 is pressed up. The pins
104 serve to steady the clip, but do not prevent its outward action. In this
case a much smaller movement is given to the slide 51 than in the case of
the other files, viz., enough to allow of the blank being introduced, but not
so much as to free the clip 74 from the centre point 72.
:
The method of driving the chuck spindles for grinding rounds and half
rounds will now be described. Six spindles to each holder of the table 1
are shewn in the Drawings (see Figures 6 and 7), but the number can of
course be varied. They revolve in long bearings 77, which take the place of
the tang holder 50 used for flat files, and are screwed to table 1. The tips of
the spindles are also supported upon bearings at 78. Each spindle has a
toothed pinion 79 fixed upon it, and as each is in gear with the one next to it,
by driving one all are caused to revolve. A larger pinion 80 is 'keyed upon
.

page_text: one of the spindles and is driven by a wheel 81, which revolves in a bracket
82 attached to the table 6, and travelling with it. A square shaft 83 passes
freely through a square hole in the boss of the wheel 81. The other end of
the shaft being made spherical and carried in the bearing 84, thus at all parts
of the travel of the table 6 over the templates 15 the spindles can be caused
to revolve. The spherical bearing at 84, and the free passage of the shaft
through the boss of the wheel 81, permits of the slight rise and fall of the
table 6, which takes place as it passes over the inequalities of the templates.
Mitre wheels 85 transmit motion from the shaft 86, which is driven by a
band passing from a pulley upon the shaft 38 over the fast and loose pulleys
87. A fork 88, moved by a bar 89, a bell crank lever 90, and a handle 91,
affords the means of starting and stopping the revolution of the chuck spindles
from the front of the bed. The spindles must be stopped before the table 1
is moved transversely, for the purpose of changing the set of blanks to be
ground, and the wheel 81 is fixed in such a position that one of the pinions
80 is immediately over it and in gear with it, at whichever end of its traverse
the table 1 may be. In moving the table 1 by the handle 13, one of the pinions
80 rolls out of gear from the wheel 81, and the other then rolls into gear, so as
to be driven by the wheel 81 when the starting handle 91 is moved.
The blanks for three-square and four-square files are held between chucks
and point plates similar in construction to those for round blanks and are
shewn in Figures 13 and 14, where the same numerals refer to the similar
parts. A three-square blank only is drawn, and this has by preference a
three-square or triangular central tang with the corners taken off to a con-
siderable extent, so as in fact to make it almost hexagonal. The nose of the
chuck is of course made to suit. Four-square blanks have tangs square in
section and require the chuck spindle noses to be made square internally.
With these exceptions the Figures 18 and 14 represent the method of holding
both three-squares and four-squares. While grinding these blanks no revolu-
tion of the spindles is required; the pinions 79 are therefore dispensed with,
but for the purpose of presenting each side of the blank to the stone in
succession, each spindle has a worm wheel 92 keyed upon it. A screw or
worm 93 passes under all the worm wheels, and by turning the handle 94 all
may be caused to revolve slowly together. The bracket 95 carries the end of
the worm 93. The handle 94 has a spring 99, and catch 96, taking into a
centre 97 formed in the bracket 95. The worm 93 has threads of a single
pitch only, and the number of teeth in each of the worm wheels 92 is a
multiple of the numbers 3 and 4, viz., 12, or the worm may have a double
thread, and the worm wheels 24 teeth each; then if three square blanks are

page_text: being operated upon at the return of the table 6 from passing under the stone,
four revolutions must be given to the handle 94, and six (or other number, as
the case may be,) unground sides of the set of blanks will thus be brought,
uppermost ready to be passed under the stone and ground. Three revolutions
only will be required for each side of the four-square blanks, which must thus.
be passed under the stone four times in succession.
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 accompanying Drawings, as the same may be varied without departing
from the nature of our Invention.
But we claim as our Invention of improvements in machinery for grinding,
stripping, or polishing files and file blanks, and for grinding, shaping, and
polishing other articles,―
Firstly, the general-construction and arrangement or combination of the
parts of the machinery herein-before described and illustrated in the accom-
panying Drawings, for presenting to a grindstone or polishing wheel files and
other articles of a regular or irregular shape, which are required to be ground,
or polished, or stripped, or shaped to any determined pattern or form.
Secondly, the compound table constructed in the manner herein-before
described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings for supporting and
moving files and other articles while being ground or polished, or stripped or
shaped, that is, a table composed first of an upper frame, constructed to receive
duplicate sets of articles to be ground, polished, or shaped and capable of
being moved in a direction parallel to the axis of the stone or polishing wheel,
for the purpose of bringing each set of articles alternately opposite the face of
the stone or polishing wheel; and, second, of a lower frame carrying the first-
mentioned one and travelling to and fro underneath the stone or polishing
wheel and in a direction at right angles to the axis of the same, the said frame
being mounted upon wheels, rollers, or other points of bearing, which rest
upon and travel over a surface or surfaces, having a profile of a shape converse
to that of the articles to be ground, or polished, or shaped.
Thirdly, the adjustable rising bed, constructed in the manner herein-before
described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings for elevating the
before-described compound table, which is carried upon the same in order to
compensate for the reduction by wear of the size of the stone or polishing
wheel.
Fourthly, the arrangement or combination described and represented in
the accompanying Drawings of the coiled spring and sliding contre Wook

page_text: contained within the revolving spindles which form the chucks used for
holding round, half round, three-square and four-square files and other
articles.
Fifthly, the flat centre spindle constructed in the manner herein-before
described and represented in the accompanying Drawings for holding by
suitable chucks two half round files or other siniilar articles, so as to form one
body of a cylindrical section.
Sixthly, the arrangement described and represented for supporting three-
square and four-square files and similar articles by their extreme points, for
the purpose of presenting them to be ground, polished, or shaped.
In witness whereof, we, the said Richard Allinson and Henry Lea, have
hereunto: set our hands and seals, this Ninth day of May in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
RICHARD ALLINSON. (L.S.)
HENRY LEA.
(LS.)
Witness,
ALBERT EDMUND LORAM,
Chief Clerk to the Patent File Company,
Warstone House,
Icknield Street East,
Birmingham.