IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR FORGING METALS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR FORGING METALS AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by Alfred Louis Stanislas
Chenot, of Paris, France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville:
Clark at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his'
Petition, on the 11th May 1874.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR FORGING METALS
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improved machinery for forging, stamping,
swaging, or planishing metals, boring rocks, stone breaking, and other
?

page_text: I will first describe a machine for ramming or consolidating roads and
similar purposes, shown at Figure A of the Drawings annexed; A, driving
shaft; M, crank; B, connecting rod; C, moving cylinder carrying the
stamp or rammer; P, G, guide piston attached to connecting rod B;
E, F, G, air chambers; D, diaphragm fixed to cylinder C; t, p, rod
connecting piston P, G, with lower piston P; H, stamp or rammer for
consolidating the ground, the combined weight of the rammer and of
the cylinder C being thus utilized in delivering the blow. Several of
these stamps when combined form a battery.
In this machine the blow is given by the to-and-fro motion imparted
to the piston rod t, p, by connecting rod B. The pistons P, G, and P
on rising compress the air in chamber F and produce a vacuum in
chambers E and G. The stamp cylinder is raised by this combined
action of a plenum and a vacuum, which react on faces a, b, d, of
the air chambers. When the pistons P, G, and P descend the reverse
effect is produced, and the stamp cylinder is drawn downwards and
rammer H strikes the ground with a force proportionate to the speed at
which the shaft A is driven. It will thus be evident that when the
machine is worked at a slow speed the ground will only be lightly
rammed, while at a high speed the force of the blow will be considerable.
Further, owing to the perfect elasticity of the air the "vis-viva" of the
upwardly moving mass is not lost, but is completely utilized on its
descent, so that the available power of this air rammer or stamper is
superior to those driven by a band, while the expenditure of steam is less
than that required for a battery of steam stamps.
It will be seen that in the above-described arrangement no particular
importance is attached to the use of the diaphragm D, the main object
in employing it being to avoid the necessity for great nicety of construc-
tion and to dispense with a cover and stuffing box to the rammer
cylinder, and to enable said cylinder to be made of greater length
without too great an increase of weight. Experience has however
shown the great practical utility of diaphragm D, as it admits of three
air chambers being employed in the same cylinder instead of two,
whereby the machine is rendered triple-acting instead of double-
acting.
In the application of these stamping cylinders provided with a
diaphragm D as hammers for forging, stamping, or swaging, and

page_text: the diaphragm D. The same result may be obtained by connecting the
upper and lower parts of the cylinder by means of a truncated cone.
The pistons P and P, S, are both connected to the same rod t. The
diaphragm D and pistons P and P, S, are all contained within the
cylinder, the piston P being introduced into the lower part, the
diaphragm resting on seat 7 and the piston P, S, occupying the upper.
part E³ of said cylinder. The connecting rod B may be directly attached
to the upper piston P, S. The diaphragm D is firmly fixed in the
cylinder by means of screws, as shown at Figure 9, or in other suitable
manner. The cylinder when thus fitted and provided with the hammer
block F constitutes the main part of the machine. The piston P, S, is
hollowed out to receive the end of the connecting rod by which the
hammer is worked, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. K is a pin passing
through piston P, S, and connecting rod B, and secured in place by
pins x, x. The piston P, S, is thus made as light as possible, and serves
as the guide block for the piston rod, while the cylinder C, F, serves as
guide for the same. The vacant space Z, Z, in the piston forms a grease
cup for lubricating the connecting rod point as well as the interior of
the cylinder, a small passage y communicating therewith being provided
for the purpose, which passage may be closed by a screw plug or fitted
with a cock. The lubricant gradually descends to the bottom of the
cylinder, when the excess accumulates, provision being made for
removing the same through a passage y, b, made laterally at the base of
the cylinder and closed by a screw plug or otherwise when working.
The cleaning of the cylinder is readily effected by injecting spirit
through y, b, and y, and then working the hammer a few strokes.
It
The percussion cylinder is lubricated on the exterior by means of a
channel R in the upper part of the outer or guide cylinder C, G,.
Figure 6, which channel may, if desired, be provided with a cover.
is absolutely necessary that all the parts should be thus perfectly
lubricated in order to ensure the proper working of the machine, which
is subject to violent shocks and is also required to work at a high.
speed.
In order to obtain a long guiding surface combined with simplicity of
construction and sufficient lateral stability to withstand all kinds of
lateral strains, in a word, to guide the cylinder in the most effective
manner as well as to exclude the dust of the forge, I have enclosed the.

page_text: cylinder G, F, in the guide cylinder C, G. This guide cylinder is bored
out at its upper and lower ends to fit the exterior of the percussion
cylinder, while the middle portion of the guide cylinder is cast rather
larger. Various means may be adopted to prevent the cylinder rotating,
but I prefer the arrangement shown in Figure 9, in which the guide
cylinder. C, G, is slotted at Q preferably at the rear side so as to prevent
the admission of dust. This slot, whose sides are parallel, is of a length
to exceed the maximum stroke of the hammer cylinder, and in it works
a projecting stud secured by a screw v, or in other manner, to the
percussion cylinder at about the level of the diaphragm D. In this
manner the percussion cylinder is entirely prevented from rotating.
The slot may also be placed in front of the casing, or at both back and-
front if desired, but I may also employ any other known means to
prevent the rotation of the percussion cylinder. That above described
is very simple and prevents the entry of dust, and assists moreover in-
securing the diaphragm D, and also admits of the application of a-
regulator cock to the diaphragm. The guide C, G, is semi-cylindrical
exteriorly and flat on one side so that it may be bolted to any suitable
vertical, inclined, or horizontal support or frame.
:
:
The percussion cylinder C, F, provided with the diaphragm D,
pistons P and P, S, and guide C, G, and the whole operated as above.
described constitute, as before stated, the essential feature of this triplo
acting atmospheric hammer. In fact this combination may be fixed to
a wall, pillar, or suitable frame in a vertical or horizontal position, or
inclined at any angle, and provided that alternate rectilinear motion
is imparted to the piston P, S, by any known mechanical means, the
percussion cylinder C, F, will receive an alternate rectilinear movement
by the reaction of the air on the faces E³ and F2 of the diaphragm D
and the bottom G of the percussion cylinder.
It will be seen that I have now realized the essential practical con-.
ditions of an excellent forging, stamping, or other percussive machine.
I will describe hereafter several examples of such applications in which
the arrangement may be varied according to the particular use to which-
the machine may be applied. The Invention therefore consists par-
ticularly in the mechanism above referred to, consisting, 1st., of a
percussion cylinder and the parts by which it is actuated; 2ndly, of the
mechanism above described of the said percussion cylinder furnished
with its actuating parts, together with its guide cylinder (or otlier

page_text: equivalent guide constituting a complete whole, applicable in a great
number of ways; 3rdly., the particular application, which will now be
described, of the said mechanism to form a new and practicable form of
triple-acting atmospheric hammer.
It
I have now described in detail the principal part of the tool, namely,
the triple-acting percussion cylinder and its immediate accessories.
remains now to describe a machine tool, complete, driven by a belting.
The frame may be varied as desired, that herein described being
adapted for forging, stamping, drawing, planishing, and other similar
hammers or machines. It is composed of an upright or pedestal B, A,
rising from a base plate B, F, cast in one therewith which extends
backwards and is made trough like at a, u, to receive the excess of
grease, and supports the bearings in which the pulley shaft T, "', is
mounted as hereafter mentioned. The anvil block E, n, is also cast
with the framing, as likewise the capital T which serves to support
the shaft by which the hammer A is operated. The guide C, G,
is bolted with its flat side B, E, of the frame, as shown in
Figures 2, 3, 8, and 9. In Figure 8 is shown a strong and simple
means of fixing the guide to the frame. b, o, is a bolt screwed tightly
in a socket g, o, in G, G, and provided with a shoulder partly recessed
in C, G, and partly in the face B, E, of frame B, A. Thus arranged
the bolt is tightly secured by a locking nut e¹, . The upper part of the
guide is similarly bolted, the nut e² only being visible in the Drawing.
The capital T of the frame is bored to receive the shaft A from which
the hammer is actuated. This shaft carries a crank M or, preferably, a
fly wheel P, V, on which the crank pin M is fixed. This wheel or disc
might serve as a band pulley, receiving motion from the main shaft. I
however generally prefer the arrangement shown, a pulley P, A, (or a
fast and loose pulley if preferred) being mounted on the other end of the
shaft, and to which motion may be transmitted from an over head shaft,
if desired, instead of from shaft T, ". P', A', P, f, i, are pulleys fast on
said shaft, the one for receiving and the other for transmitting motion,
whilst P, F, o, is a loose pulley on the same shaft.
To enable the speed of the machine to be varied as required or
suddenly arrested I apply a tension roller R, T, to press against the belt
(which is otherwise slack) passing over pulleys PA, P'A', and tighten
it more or less as required to prevent it slipping on the pulleys, and

page_text: thereby to increase or vary the speed of the machine, the speed of the
driving shaft being constant. To stop the machine I employ a special
brake for the purpose, the brake being combined with the belt guide or
tension roller in a particular manner, such that as soon as the tension
roller is brought into action the brake ceases to act, and reciprocally
when the tension roller is out of action the brake acts and arrests the
hammer as suddenly as desired. With this object I employ a lever L
oscillating on a stud on the frame. One arm of said lever carries the
roller R, T, and the other a counterweight C, P, sufficient to oscillate
the lever and raise the roller R, T, whereupon the latter will no longer
act on the belt, but at the same time the counterweight abutting against
the lower extremity l, i, of a lever pivoted at o, the upper arm of which
lever takes under and raises the free end of a spring plate r
placed beneath the fly wheel P, V, and bolted at the other end. to the
guide cylinder. The upper surface of the spring is covered with
leather, which when the spring is raised by the lower arm l, s, acts as a
brake on the fly wheel P, V, and as the belt is slackened at same
time the fly wheel is almost instantaneously stopped.
To put the hammer again in motion it is only necessary to raise the
counterweight and cause the friction roller to press against and tighten
the belt. To complete the arrangement I provide a handle on the
lever L and connect said lever to a pedal p by a rod t, o, or otherwise, in
order that it may be operated by hand or foot.
Figure 5 shows another arrangement, in which the brake is free to be.
worked alone, whilst the machine is at full speed and without slackening
the belt. K is a brake beneath wheel P, V, mounted on a lever pivoted
at o, and whose arm Z is raised by a spring R. To bring the brake into
action the handle m must be pulled towards m', which is quickly effected,"
as the lever Z only requires to move from f to f¹ to bring the brake block.
against wheel P, V. As soon as handle m is released the spring R raises
arm Z and releases the brake.
In order that the lever of the tension roller may also operate the
brake the tension roller R, T, is placed on the other side of the.
machine and mounted on a lever L, C, L, oscillating on a shaft C.
A cam tappet ton said shaft abuts against the under side of the
brake K, and raises it immediately the tension roller R, T, falls below
the point at which it presses against the belt.

page_text: I have previously mentioned that I might produce the alternate
rectilinear motion of the pistons of the percussive cylinders by the
direct action of steam, or of gases or liquids under pressure, acting on
a piston whose rod is a prolongation of that of the pistons of the per-
cussion cylinder to be operated.
.
:
Figure 10 shows an example of this method of transmitting directly
the alternate rectilinear movement; c, y, is a steam cylinder (or gas or
liquids under pressure might be used), P, M, is its piston, and T the
piston rod. This rod serves to connect the piston P, M, to the
pistons P, S, and P of the percussion cylinder C, F, and which are
operated from said piston P, M. The piston rod carries an arm which
terminates in a slide C, which works on and actuates a spiral rod similar
to that used in Merryweather's steam fire-engine, and serving to actuate
a suitable valve in the chest D to govern the distribution of steam to the
cylinder c, y.
The piston rod T of the steam cylinder C, y, is coupled
to the piston rod t of percussion cylinder C, F, and imparts alternate
rectilinear motion directly thereto. This cylinder acts in the manner
herein-before explained, and causes the head K of suitable form to strike
rapidly and with considerable force the blocks B submitted to its action.
E is an anvil block provided with a hardened steel face g and fitted to
move in guides, so that its position may be adjusted by a screw V
working in a nut E, C, and mounted in a bearing u, in which it is
rotated by a lever or hand wheel R, P. The broken fragments of
material fall through the grating and are afterwards sorted for
use.
The distinguishing feature of the machine above described consists
more especially in the direct mode of working the pistons of the per-
cussion cylinder, and this may be applied not only to the horizontally-
acting stone-breaking machine as described, but also to the various
other atmospheric percussion machines, whether arranged vertically,
horizontally, or at any angle. For example, by placing a driving
cylinder C, y, above the percussion cylinder of the vertical triple action
hammer, before described as driven by belting, I may at once impart an
alternating rectilinear motion to pistons P, S, and P.
Another main feature of the Invention thus consists in producing a
machine in which steam, gases, or liquids under pressure may be
employed as the motive power for directly imparting a rectilinear to-
and-fro motion to the piston rods of the percussion cylinders, whether

page_text: ping or otherwise. I also arrange nammers in
which the steam is caused to act at the full pressure, while the air in the
percussion cylinders would serve to transmit the maximum of useful
effect obtained by working expansively, which cannot be usefully done
in ordinary.
The stone breaking apparatus before described therefore illustrates.but
one application of the general principle which is adaptable to machinery
for upsetting, boring, or stamping, while it may also be placed vertically
or at any angle, and serve for hammering or otherwise.
i
Figure 11 shows a similar arrangement as applied for working a per-
cussive rock drill. The cylinder C, y, of the borer may be operated by
compressed air or other fluid. As before the arrows indicate the inlet
and outlet of the gas or other fluid, and the same reference letters apply.
to similar parts. P, M, driving piston'; D, valve chest; C, guide for
working the distributing valve through the agency of a spiral rod h;
T, piston rod; t, piston rod of percussion cylinder C, F; G, G, guides,
which it will be seen are arranged differently to those before described;
A, coupling of piston rods T and t; D', D³, two diaphragms (instead of
one, in the percussion cylinders before described), by which arrange-
ment five air chambers are provided with a corresponding increase of
power. It will be understood that a still greater number of diaphragms
may be employed if desired, but the two will be sufficient to explain the
action. p, p, pistons of the percussive air cylinders; T, », drill, which
may be of any other form desired.
The percussive cylinder C may also strike against a jumper or other
tool usually employed, according to the nature of the rock or mineral-
operated on. m, hand wheel on a shaft carrying a pinion p, F', which
gears with a ring of teeth E for rotating the tool, or any suitable arrange.
ment may be employed, self-acting or otherwise. The toothed ring E is
connected by a groove and feather Z with the cylinder to permit of the
to-and-fro movement of the latter. The mechanism is mounted on a
suitable frame A supported on trunnions P on a suitable carriage C
running on rails or trams L. The frame A (which is broken away at j
in order to show the parts in section) being pivoted on trunnions P the
drill is thereby rendered adjustable for working at any angle, it being:
trained by means of the screw V. The turntable P, T, also enables the
apparatus to be inclined obliquely to the right or left.
.
>
1

page_text: The chief feature of the machine above described consists in the per-
cussion cylinder with five chambers, serving as a practical example
of the extended use to which the diaphragms before described are
applicable.
It will be evident that this five chambered cylinder may also serve as
a rammer, stone breaker, or swage, or if mounted vertically might be
used as a hammer for blooming as a stamp, or for other purposes to which
these improved atmospheric hammers are applicable.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 11th November 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of May, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Alexander Melville Clark, Her special
licence that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander Melville
Clark, 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 MACHINERY FOR FORGING METALS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES,"
a communication to me from abroad by Alfred Louis Stanislas Chenot,
of Paris, France, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Alexander Melville Clark, 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

page_text: 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 I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, 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 two accompanying
Sheets of Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that
is to say) :—
This Invention relates to improved machinery for forging, stamping,
swaging, or planishing metals, applicable also for drilling rocks, stone
breaking, or crushing, and other purposes.
I will first describe a machine for ramming or consolidating roads and
similar purposes, shown in the diagram, Figure A of the Drawings
annexed, as it will enable the particular features of novelty in the
machinery hereafter described to be more readily understood. A, driving
shaft; M, crank; B, connecting rod; C, moving cylinder carrying the
stamp or rammer; P, G, guide piston attached to connecting rod B;
E, F, G, air chambers; D; diaphragm fixed to cylinder C; t, p, rod
connecting piston P, G, with piston P; H, stamp or rammer head for
consolidating the ground; the combined weight of the rammer and of
the cylinder C being thus utilized in delivering the blow. Several of
these stamps when combined form a battery.
In this machine the blow is given by the to-and-fro movement
imparted to the piston rod t, p, by connecting rod B. The pistons
P, G, and P, on rising compress the air in chamber F, and produce a
vacuum in chambers E and G. The stamp cylinder is raised by this
combined action of a plenum, and a vacuum which react on faces a, b,
d, of the air chambers. When the piston's P, G, and P descend
the reverse effect is produced and the stamp cylinder is driven down-
wards, and rammer H strikes the ground with a force proportionate to
the speed of the shaft A. It will thus be evident that when the
machine is worked at a slow speed the ground will only be lightly
rammed, while at a high speed the force of the blow will be considerable.
Moreover, owing to the perfect elasticity of the air the "vis viva," of
the upwardly moving mass is not lost but is completely utilized on its

page_text: descent, so that the available power of this air rammer or stamper is
superior to those driven by a band, while the expenditure of steam is
less than in a battery of steam stamps.
In will be seen that in the above described arrangement no particular
importance is attached to the use of the diaphragm D, the main object
in employing it being to avoid the necessity for great nicety of con-
struction and to dispense with a cover and stuffing box to the rammer
cylinder and to enable said cylinder to be made of greater length without
too great an increase of weight. Experience has however shown the great
practical utility of diaphragm D, as it admits of three air chambers being
employed in the same cylinder instead of two, whereby the machine is
rendered triple acting instead of double acting.
In the application of these stamping cylinders, provided with a
diaphragm D, as hammers for forging, stamping, or swaging, and
planishing metals, I not only obtain as a result a novel arrangement
of triple acting, quick repetition, atmospheric hammer with a single
diaphragm, but by increasing the number of the diaphragms I may
provide any desired number of air. chambers. For example, the per-
cussive drill illustrated in Figure 11, is provided with two diaphragms
D', D, and five air chambers whereby a very powerful machine is pro-
duced with a cylinder of small diameter and capacity. I also provide
means for operating the pistons of these percussive cylinders by gases,
steam, or liquids, in such manner as to impart direct rectilinear to-and-
fro movement to the piston rods without the necessity of converting a
circular into a rectilinear to-and-fro motion.
The following is a description of the various means employed in
making the above mentioned applications.
Figures 1 to 9 show the arrangement and the principal details of
triple acting atmospheric hammers driven by belts, the four latter
Figures being drawn on an enlarged scale.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a hammer taken on line A, B,
Figure 2, which is an elevation at right angles to Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan taken on line I, J, Figure 2; and Figure 4, a rear.
elevation of the hammer.
Figure 5 shows an arrangement of belt tension apparatus and brake
for regulating the action of the hammer.

page_text: Figure 6, a vertical section of the percussion cylinder and pistons.
Figure 7, a plan of the top piston.
Figure 8, a horizontal section on line K, L, showing the manner of
fixing the hammer to the framing, and Figure 9 a horizontal section
on line M, N, Figure 2.
I
The same reference letters apply to all these Figures.
The hammer properly so called is composed of a percussion cylinder
C, F, the interior of which is truly bored and also truly turned on
the exterior. Instead of being a cylinder it may however be made of
square, rectangular, polygonal, or of other section, although the cylin-
drical form is preferable.
·
The lower part of the cylinder may be bored of rather smaller diameter
than the upper part, as shown at g, Figure 6, so as to provide a seat
for the diaghragm D. The same result may be obtained by con--
necting the upper and lower parts of the cylinder by means of a
truncated cone. The pistons P and P, S, are both connected to the same.
rod t. The diaphragm D and pistons P and P, S, are all contained within
the percussion cylinder, the piston P being introduced into the lower
part, the diaphgram resting on seat g, and the piston P, S, occupying the.
upper part Es of said cylinder. The connecting rod B may be directly
attached to the upper piston P, S. The diaphragm D is firmly fixed in
the cylinder by means of screws, as shown in Figure 9, or in other?
suitable manner. The cylinder when thus fitted and provided with the
hammer block F constitutes the main part of the machine. The piston P,.
S, is hollowed out to receive the end of the connecting rod by which the
hammer is worked, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. K is a pin passing
through piston P, S, and connecting rod B and secured in place by pins
The piston P, S, is thus made as light as possible, and its useless
inertia diminished to a corresponding extent. It serves as the guide block
for the piston rod, while the cylinder C, F, serves as guide for the same.
The vacant space Z, Z, in the piston forms a grease cup for lubricating.
the connecting rod joint as well as the interior of the cylinder, a small
passage y communicating therewith, being provided for the purpose,
which passage may be closed by a screw plug or fitted with a cock.
The lubricant gradually descends to the bottom of the cylinder where
the excess accumulates, provision being made for removing the same
X, X.

page_text: through a passage y, b, made laterally at the base of the cylinder and
closed by a screw plug or otherwise when working.
The cleaning of the cylinder is readily effected by, injecting spirit
through y, b, and y, and then working the hammer a few strokes.
The percussive cylinder is lubricated on the exterior by means of a
channel R in the upper part of the outer or guide cylinder C, G,
Figure 6, which channel may if desired be provided with a cover. It is
absolutely necessary that all the parts should be thus perfectly lubricated
in order to ensure the proper working of the machine which is subject to
violent shocks, and is also required to work at a high speed.
In order to obtain a long guiding surface combined with simplicity of
construction and sufficient lateral stability to withstand all kinds of
lateral strains, in a word to guide its cylinder in a most effective manner
as well as to exclude the dust of the forge, I have preferred to enclose
the cylinder G, F, in the guide cylinder C, G. This guide cylinder is
bored out at its upper and lower ends to fit the exterior of the percussion
cylinder, while the middle portion of the guide cylinder is cast rather
larger.
Various means may be adopted to prevent the cylinder rotating, but I
prefer the arrangement shown in Figure 9, in which the guide
cylinder C, G, is slotted at Q, preferably at the rear side so as to prevent
the admission of dust. This slot whose sides are parallel is of a length
exceeding the maximum stroke of the hammer cylinder, and in it works
a projecting stud secured by a screw v or in other manner to the
percussion cylinder at about the level of the diaphragm D. In this
manner the percussion cylinder is entirely prevented from rotating.
The slot may also be placed in front of the casing, or at both back and
front if desired, but I may employ any other known means to prevent
the rotation of the percussion cylinder. That above described is very
simple and prevents the entry of dust, and assists moreover in securing
the diaphragm, and also admits of the application of a regulator cock to
the diaphragm. The guide C, G, is semi-cylindrical exteriorly and flat on
one side, so that it may be bolted to any suitable vertical inclined or
horizontal support or frame.
The percussion cylinder C, F, provided with the diaphragm D, pistons :

page_text: atmospheric hammer. In fact this combination may be fixed to a wall,
pillar, or suitable frame, in a vertical or horizontal position, or inclined
at any angle, and provided that alternate rectilinear motion is imparted
to the piston P, S, by any known mechanical means. The percussion
cylinder C, F, will receive an alternate rectilinear movement by the
reaction of the air on the faces (E and F of the diaprahgm D, and the
bottom G of the percussion cylinder.
It will be seen that I have now realized the essential practical conditions
of an excellent forging, stamping, or other percussive machine. I will
describe hereafter several examples of such applications in which the
arrangement may be varied according to the particular use to which the.
machine may be applied. The Invention therefore consists particularly
in the arrangement above referred to, consisting, 1st; of the percussion,
cylinder and its operating mechanism; 2ndly, of the said percussion
cylinder with its operating mechanism, together with its guide cylinder
(or other equivalent guide) constituting a complete whole applicable to
various purposes in a great number of ways; 3rdly, the particular
application which will now be described of the said mechanism to form
a new and practical form of triple-acting atmospheric hammer.
To produce a good machine tool it is necessary to have, 1st, the
complete tool; 2ndly, the frame or support; 3rdly, a suitable means of
transmitting motion proper for driving the machine.
I have now described in detail the principal part of the tool, namely,
the triple-acting percussion cylinder and the immediate accessories. It
remains now to describe a machine tool complete, driven by a belting,
the framing, and gear.
The frame may be varied as desired, that therein described being
adapted for forging, stamping, drawing, planishing, and other similar
hammers or machines. It is composed of an upright or pedestal B, A,
rising from a base plate B, F, cast in one therewith, which extends.
backwards and is made trough-like at a, u, to receive the excess of
grease, and supports the bearing in which the shaft T, r, is mounted as
hereafter mentioned. The anvil block E, n, is also cast with the
framing, as likewise the capital T which serves to support the shaft by
which the hammer A is operated. The guide C, G, is bolted with its-
flat side against a flat part B, E, of the frame, as shown in Figures 2, 3,
8, and 9. In Figure 8 is shown a strong and simple means of fixing the
guide to the frame; b, o, is a bolt-screwed tightly in a socket g, o,

page_text: in C, G, and provided with a shoulder partly recessed in C, G, and partly
in the face B, E, of frame B, A. Thus arranged the bolt is tightly
secured by a locking nut e¹. The upper part of the guide is similarly
bolted, the nut e² only being visible in the Drawing. The capital T of
the frame is bored to receive the shaft A from which the hammer is
actuated. This shaft carries a crank M or preferably a fly wheel P, V,
on which the crank pin M is fixed, to which latter the connecting rod is
attached preferably by means of a nut firmly pinned to the same. A
lubricator for the shaft A is also provided at the head of the machine.
This wheel P, V, may also serve as the band pulley receiving motion
from the main shaft. I however generally prefer the arrangement.
shown. The shaft has a pulley P, A, fast thereon at the opposite end to
wheel or disc P, V, (or it may be a fast and loose pulley if preferred).
This pulley P, A, may also receive motion direct from an overhead shaft,
in which case the extension a, u, of the framing would be dispensed
with, as also the shaft T, r. I however prefer the following arrangement
for transmitting motion to the hammer:-T, r, shaft turning in bear-
ings preferably mounted on the base plate over trough a, u. This shaft
carries either two or three pulleys. The pulley P¹, A', which corrsponds
with shaft P, A, is keyed on said shaft T, ", and a loose band runs on
said pulleys P, A, P¹, A. The shaft T, r, also carries another fast
pulley P, F, ¹, or pulley P¹, A', is made equal in width to the two pulleys."
I however prefer two separate pulleys. The pulley P, F, i, which may
thus be made of the same or different diameter to that of pulley P¹, A¹,
receives motion from an overhead shaft. A loose pulley P, F, o, is
provided but it may however in some cases be dispensed with.
Supposing the parts to be arranged as shown in the Drawing, and
that the shaft T, ", carries, 1st, the pulleys P, F, o, and P, F, i, for
receiving motion, the one fast and the other loose, and, 2ndly, the
pulley P¹, A', in combination with pulley P, A; so far the train of gearing.
would serve to put the hammer in motion or bring it to a state of rest;
but in order to control and regulate the speed of the same, or to suddenly
arrest it, I apply a tension roller R, T, to press against the advancing
side of the belt (which is otherwise slack) passing over pulleys P, A,
P', A', and tighten it more or less as required to prevent it slipping on
the pulleys and thereby to increase or vary the speed of the machine,
the speed of the driving shaft being constant. To suddenly stop the
machine I employ a special brake for the purpose, the brako being

page_text: combined with the tension roller in a particular manner, such that as
soon as the tension roller is brought into action the brake ceases to
act and reciprocally, when the tension roller is out of action the brake
acts and arrests the hammer as suddenly as desired. With this object
I employ a lever L oscillating on a stud on the frame. One arm of
said lever carries the tension roller R, T, and the other a counterweight
C, P, sufficient to oscillate the lever and raise the roller R, T, where
upon the latter will no longer act on the belt, but at the same time the
counterweight abutting against the lower extremity 1, i, of a lever
pivoted at o, the upper arm 1, 8, of which lever takes under and raises
the free end of a spring plater placed beneath a fly wheel P, V, and
bolted at the other end to the guide cylinder. The upper side of the
spring R is faced faced with leather, which when the spring is raised by
the lever arm 7, 8, acts as a brake on the fly wheel P, V, and as the belt is
slackened at same time the fly wheel is almost instantaneously
stopped.
To put the hammer again in motion it is simply necessary to depress
the lever arm which carries the tension roller and so raise the counter-
weight, whereupon the pressure being removed from lever l, i, its arm 7, 8,
will be depressed by spring and the brake will be taken off the fly
wheel P, V, the tension roller at same time pressing against and
tightening the band. The greater the tension on the band so much the
faster will the pulley P, A, revolve and the hammer work with
additional force and speed.
I particularly reserve the application of the above arrangement, which
greatly facilitates the working of the hammer.
To complete the arrangement I provide a handle on the lever L of the
tension device in order that it may be worked by hand, or it may be.
connected by a rod t, r, or otherwise, with a foot lever p, by pressing
down which the tension roller may be applied with more or less pressure
upon the band, or by releasing the said foot lever the counterweight will
bring the brake into action as when operated by hand. I also reserve
these special arrangements, operated either by hand or foot, or both,
which renders the working of the hammer much easier.
Figure 5 shows another arrangement, in which the brake is free to
be worked alone whilst the machine is at full speed and without
slackening the belt; K is a brake beneath wheel P, V, mounted on a
B

page_text: lever pivoted at o, and whose arm Z is raised by a spring R. To bring
the brake into action the handle m must be pulled towards m³, which is
quickly effected, as the lever Z only requires to move from fto f¹ to bring
the brake block against wheel P, V. As soon as handle m is released
the spring R raises arm Z and releases the brake.
E
In order that the lever of the tension roller may also operate the brake
alone the tension roller R, T, is placed on the other side of the machiné
and mounted on a lever L, C, L, oscillating on a shaft C. A tappet t
on said shaft abuts against the under side of the brake K and raises it
immediately the tension roller R, T, falls below the point at which it presses 1
against the belt. But the hammer should then be stopped, as other-
wise the roller would be caused to press on the band and the tappet t
would not bring the brake K into action. It will thus be seen that imme-
diately the tension roller ceases to act it presses brake K against fly
wheel P, V, while it frees the brake when in action. The two methods ]
are thus entirely independent. I specially reserve the application of
the above arrangement. An inspection of Figure 5 will show that
the pedal is retained for working the tension roller R, T, illustrated as
in the first example illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.
I have previously mentioned that I might produce the alternate rec-2
tilinear motion of the pistons of the percussion cylinders by the direct
action of steam, or of gases or liquids under pressure, adding on a piston
whose rod is a prolongation of that of the pistons of the percussion
cylinder to be operated.
.
Figure 10 shows an example of the method of transmitting directly 2
the alternate rectilinear movement. C, y, is a steam cylinder (or gas or
liquids under pressure might be used); P, M, is its piston, and T the
piston rod.
The rod serves to connect the piston P, M, to the
pistons P, S, and P of the percussion cylinder C, F, and which are
operated from said piston P, M. The piston rod carries an arm which 3
terminates in a slide c, which works on and actuates a spiral rod similar
to that used in Merryweather's steam fire-engine, and serving to actuate
a suitable valve in the chest D to govern the distribution of steam to the
cylinder C, y. The piston rod T of the steam cylinder C, y, is coupled
to the piston rod t of percussion cylinder C, F, and imparts alternate 3
rectilinear motion directly thereto. This cylinder acts in the manner
herein-before explained, and causes the head K of suitable form to strike.

page_text: rapidly and with considerable force the blocks B submitted to its action.
E is an anvil block provided with a hardened steel face g, and fitted to.
move in guides, so that its position may be adjusted by a screw V
working in a nut E, C, and mounted in a bearing u, in which it is rotated
by a lever or hand wheel R, P. The broken fragments of material fall
through the grating o, and are afterwards sorted for use.
The distinguishing feature of the machine above described consists
more especially in the direct mode of working the pistons of the per-
cussion cylinder, and this may be applied not only to the horizontally
acting stone breaking machine as described, but also to the various other
atmospheric percussion machines, whether arranged vertically, horizon-
tally, or at any angle. For example, by placing a working cylinder C, y,
above the percussion cylinder of the vertical triple action hammer before
described, as driven by belting, I may at once impart an alternating
rectilinear motion to pistons P, S, and P.
Another main feature of the Invention thus consists in producing a
machine in which steam, gases, or liquids under pressure may be employed.
as the motive power for directly imparting a rectilinear to-and-fro motion
to the piston rods of the percussion cylinders, whether the machine be
triple acting or otherwise. I thus obtain a hammer in which the steam-
is worked at the full pressure, the air in the percussion cylinders serving to
produce the maximum of useful effect which could be obtained by working
expansively, but which cannot be usefully done in the cylinders of,
ordinary machines. If the steam be worked expansively the percussion
cylinder will render the same still more effective.
The stone breaking apparatus before described therefore illustrates but
one application of the general principle which is adapted to machinery
for upsetting, boring, or stamping, the principle of its action being such
that it may be placed vertically or at any angle, and be converted into a
hammer or other machine specified.
Figure 11 shows a similar arrangement as applied for working a
percussive rock drill. The cylinder c, y, of the drill may be operated by
compressed air or other fluid. As before, the arrows indicate the inlet
and outlet of the gas or other fluid, and the same reference letters apply
to similar parts. P, M, motor piston; D, valve chest; C, guide for
working the distributing valve through the agency of a spiral rod h;
T, piston rod; t, piston rod of percussion cylinder C, F; G, G, guides,

page_text: which it will be seen are arranged differently to those before described;
A, coupling of piston rod T, t; D¹, D³, two diaphragms (instead of
one as in the percussion cylinders before described), by which arrange-
ment five air chambers are provided with a corresponding increase of
power. It will be understood that a still greater number of diaphragms
may be employed if desired, but the two will be sufficient to explain the
action. p, p, pistons of the quintuple acting percussive air cylinder;
T, r, drill, which may be of any form desired.
The percussive cylinder C may also strike against a jumper or other
tool usually employed, according to the nature of the rock or mineral
operated on. m, hand wheel on a shaft carrying a pinion p, F¹, which
gears with a ring of teeth E for rotating the tool, or any suitable arrange-
ment may be employed, self-acting or otherwise. The toothed ring E is
connected by a groove and feather Z with the cylinder to permit of the
to-and-fro movement of the latter. The mechanism is mounted on a
suitable frame A supported on trunnions P on a suitable carriage C
running on rails or trams L. The frame A (which is broken away at j¹.
in order to show the parts in section) being pivoted on trunnions P the
drill is thereby rendered adjustable for working at any angle, it being
trained by means of the screw V. The turntable P, T, also enables
the apparatus to be inclined obliquely to the right or left.
The chief feature of the machine above described consists in the per-
cussion cylinder with five chambers, serving as a practical examplo
of the extended use to which the diaphragms before described are
applicable.
It will be evident that this five chambered cylinder may also serve for
upsetting, stone breaking, and for other purposes, or if mounted vertically
might be used as a hammer for blooming, as a crusher, or for other
purposes to which these improved atmospheric action hammers or
machines are applicable.
I have before mentioned that the several percussion cylinders may
have reciprocating motion imparted in various ways, but I would more
particularly include the method of attaching directly or by the interven-
tion of an oscillating lever, or in other manner, the motor piston worked
by steam, compressed air, or other fluid with the piston rod of the
improved multiple action percussion cylinders of this Invention, whereby
the necessary direct reciprocating motion may be imparted thereto for

page_text: working the hammers, stamps, stone breakers, and other percussion
instruments by means of air described in the course of the present
Specification or any others of a similar nature.
The percussion cylinders herein-before described may also be adapted
as a substitute for the ram of ordinary steam pile driving machines.
-
Having described the nature of the Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be
protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,—
1st. The general arrangement of that part of the triple acting atmos-
pheric hammer herein-before described consisting essentially of the
movable percussion cylinder, diaphragm D, and the pistons P and P, S,
as illustrated in Figures 1 and 6 of the Drawings, whatever may be the
manner of imparting reciprocating motion to said pistons.
2ndly. The combination of the guide cylinder with the subject of the
first claim, the whole forming a percussive machine suitable for being
fixed to a wall or other support, either vertically, horizontally, or at any
desired angle, substantially as described.
3rdly. The simplified arrangement of machine tool driven by belting,
composed of the parts referred to in claims 1 and 2, fixed to the framing,
together with fly wheel P, V, connecting rod, shaft A, and pulley keyed
on said shaft, substantially as described.
4thly. The complete machine tool, consisting in addition to the subject
of the foregoing claims of the means for transmitting, régulating, and
stopping the motion, substantially as herein-before shown and described.
5thly. The application of the above means of transmitting, regulating,
and stopping the motion to the other arrangements of hammers
referred to.
6thly. The arrangement by which the brake K of fly wheel may be
separately operated, either by hand while at full speed, or by the
automatic action of the tension device, as described and illustrated in
Figure 5.
7thly. The application of this arrangement to the other descriptions of
hammer or analogous tools, as specified.
8thly. The imparting a rectilinear reciprocating motion to the piston
rods of these improved triple action atmospheric hammers by a piston

page_text: :
፡
operated either by steam, gases, or liquids under pressure, as described
with reference to the stone breaking machine, Figure 10.
9thly. The application of the same to other multiple acting machines
provided with a percussion cylinder, as for example, to the quintuple
action percussive drill, Figure 11.
10thly. The application of the same means claimed in Clause 8 to
other arrangements of atmospheric hammers or percussive machines, as
described:
11thly. The application of multiple diaphragms to other arrangements
of atmospheric hammers or percussive machines, as described.
12thly. The application of the method of driving by belts, herein-before
described to the stone breaking machine, as described.
13thly. The application of the same motion to the drill, as described.
14thly. The application of the arrangement of stone breaker for
upsetting, stamping, or drilling purposes, as described.
:
15thly. The application of the drill arrangement of machine for stone
breaking, upsetting, or other purposes, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have
hereunto set my hand and seal,- this Tenth day of November,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-four.
Witness,
HARRY SWALES,
53, Chancery Lane,
London.
A. M. CLARK. (L.S.)