Improvements in Round Files and in Machinery for Cutting Files.
Year: 1896

page_text: c
Date of Application, 3rd Nov., 1896
1000
1007
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Round Files and in Machinery for Cutting Files..
I, JULIUS EDWARD Vos, of 49 George Street, Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention: to be as
follows:-
This invention which has been communicated to me from abroad by Alfred.
Weed, of Anderson, in the State of Indiana, one of the United States of America,...
Engineer, consists firstly in improvements in round files, and secondly in improve-.
ments in machinery especially intended for cutting round files but adapted for
cutting files of other shapes...
Heretofore round files as made by hand have been cut by first operating upon.
the blanks with a cutter beginning at the point and cutting from the point to
the heel and then turning the blank part way round and again beginning
at the point and cutting to the heel and so on until the entire surface is cut.
by a series of parallel cuts made successively. Round files have also. been made
in such a way that the teeth have been uniform in character from the point. to
the butt and as a result the teeth at the points of the files have never been
perfectly formed, and the files produced have been of a very unsatisfactory quality
and have had the points comparatively blunt..
In the production according to this invention of a file superior in character to
those heretofore produced the mode of cutting heretofore followed. is departed
from as will be hereinafter described.
The file-blank to be employed in the formation of a file according to this. inven-
tion is of the same form and character as the blanks used in cutting round files
by hand in the usual manner. Operations are begun upon this blank by means
of an ordinary tool which may be operated by hand, or in a machine, and with
this tool a series of cuts are made upon a spiral line or course beginning at the
point of the blank and extending continuously, thereby forming a spiral line
of cuts from the point to the heel. Instead however of this line of cuts being
made uniform in character the turns of the spiral near the point are closer together
than elsewhere and expand or separate towards the butt, whereby it is made
possible to preserve as clear a cut of the teeth at the point as at the middle or
butt of the file, so that all parts of the file are equally well adapted to perform
the operations required.
Not only is a file produced according to this invention in the manner above
described much superior to those hitherto made by machinery, but it is also
superior to the ordinary hand cut files as it will take hold of the metal and can
be effectively used for a much greater length of time than files cut by hand by a
series of cuts in longitudinal rows as heretofore.
.
The edge of the cutter may be held or set so that each cut coincides throughout
its length with the spiral line of cuts. If desired however the incisions may be
made each at an angle to the said spiral line in which case the teeth will constitute
a series of separate incisions upon but not exactly coinciding with the said line.

page_text: In the formation of a round file according to this invention there may be formed
one spiral line of cuts or two or more spiral lines of cuts formed in the manner
herein before described.
The improvements constituting the second part of this invention consist in con-
structing and arranging the parts of a file cutting machine in the manner which
will be hereinafter described.
The frame of a machine constructed according to this part of the said invention
is constructed in any suitable manner and arranged to support a sliding carrier
carriage or bed which is guided to move longitudinally on the said frame under
the action of a lever actuated by a cam and provided with a slot receiving a
pin projecting from the carrier. The cam may be in the form of a block having
an inclined edge which bears against a roller upon the said lever and a threaded
recess to act in conjunction with a worm upon a shaft receiving motion by means
of suitable gearing from a wheel to which motion is suitably imparted and a
spring connected to the said lever and the frame of the machine tends to keep the
said roller in contact with the cam above mentioned.
When the file blank to be operated upon is a round blank it requires to be
revolved as well as carried with the carriage and the carriage is therefore pro-
vided with a revolving holder which may constitute the end of a shaft and be
provided with a socketed end to receive the tang of the blank and may extend
through a bearing in the carriage so as to be able to turn without moving longi-
tudinally therein. Rotary motion is imparted to the said holder by providing
the shaft on which such holder is formed or mounted with an extension which
may be provided with a feather or key or be of a rectangular or other suitable.
transverse section and extend through the hub of a bevel wheel which is arranged
to turn in bearings provided in or upon the framework of the machine and is
driven by means of another level wheel to which rotary motion is suitably
imparted.
The cutter to operate upon the blank is carried by a reciprocating holder which
may be of any suitable construction and he operated in any suitable manner.
For instance a revolving cam mounted upon a shaft may be employed to raise
the reciprocating holder and an indiarubber or other spring may be provided to
move the said reciprocating holder downwards and another indiarubber or other
spring may be provided in order that the speed and force of the blows of the cutter
may be regulated as may be desirable from time to time..
The head in which the reciprocating holder is mounted is arranged so as to be
capable of being moved vertically and may be arranged in any suitable manner,
but is preferably mounted at the end of an arm capable of being oscillated upon
or about a shaft extending through a stationary overhanging arm connected with
the frame of the machine and the said head is preferably provided with flanges
provided with slots through which pass the bolts connecting the said head to
the arm upon which it is mounted, and thus made capable of being turned to alter
the angle of the tool in relation to the file-blank and then secured in position. The
said head may be provided with a slot to permit the passage of the shaft which
actuates the cutter or tool and so formed that the said shaft may not interfere
with the raising and lowering of the said head.
In order that the movable head may rise and fall with the contour of the file
and in order that at the same time an uniform depth of cut may be always
secured there is combined with the said head an adjustable presser foot which
may consist in a curved bar extending through a rod which slides in suitable
bearings upon the head and may be secured by means of a set-screw after being
set in position, the end of the foot bearing upon the face of the blank so that
the head aforesaid occupies always the same position in respect to the said face
whatever may be the curvature or other change in form of the latter.
As in the case of a round file it is necessary to turn the blank and at the same
time it is desirable to have a permanent anvil upon which it can rest during the
operation of the tool, an anvil is provided in the form of a block resting upon

page_text: or secured to the frame of the machine and having a notch to receive the file
and situate directly below the cutter.
It has been found that in the production of a file according to this invention it is
very desirable to vary the character of the cut made by the cutter employed, that
is to say to cut the teeth upon a closer spiral at the point of the file than at the
centre and near the heel thereof, an in order that this may be accomplished
the bed above mentioned is arranged to be moved slower at the beginning of
operations than after the point of the file has been cut. The movement of the
said bed in the said manner is accomplished by the cam above mentioned being
made with an edge which is curved for a part of its length so as to secure a
slower motion of the said bed at the beginning of operations than afterwards.
Instead of the cam above described formed as a wedge or block with an inclined
or curved edge and moved by means of a screw, a circular or disc cam of proper
shape and moved in any suitable manner may be employed.
Any suitable means may be employed for imparting motion to the various
parts above described, but it is preferred to make the shaft upon or about which
the arm carrying the head above mentioned is arranged to be turned, the driving
shaft of the machine, and to provide it with three pulleys, one to receive the strap.
or belt by which the machine is to be driven, the second to receive a strap
or belt imparting motion to the shaft by which the cutter or tool is actuated and
the third to receive a strap or belt to transmit motion to the shaft actuating the.
cam aforesaid. Upon the shaft which actuates the cutter or tool is mounted a
pulley which by means of a belt transmits motion to a wheel connected to the.
bevel wheel by which the file-blank being operated upon is caused to revolve. By
these arrangements the tension of the strap or belt to transmit motion to the
cutter is prevented from being effected by the raising and lowering of the head
in which the tool-holder is mounted, and by suitable changes in the pulleys
employed being made from time to time as may be desirable the relative speed.
of operation of the several parts of the machine may be changed as may be requisite.
If the above described means for revolving the file-blank be put out of action
the machine may be used in the cutting of files which are not round.
Dated this Second day of November 1896.
HOWARD
CHEETHAM,
Manchester, Agent to the Applicant.
Improvements in Round Files and in Machinery for Cutting Files.
I, JULIUS EDWARD Vos, of 49 George Street, Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained.
in and by the following statement:-
This invention which has been communicated to me from abroad by Alfred
Weed, of Anderson, in the State of Indiana, one of the United States of America,
Engineer, consists firstly in improvements in round files, and secondly in improve
ments in machinery especially intended for cutting round files but adapted for
cutting files of other shapes.
Heretofore round files as made by hand have been cut by first operating upon
the blanks with a cutter beginning at the point and cutting from the point to
the heel and then turning the blank part way round and again beginning
at the point and cutting to the heel and so on until the entire surface is cut
by a series of parallel cuts made successively. Round files have also been made

page_text: in such a way that the teeth have been uniform in character from the point to
the butt and as a result the teeth at the points of the files have never been
perfectly formed, and the files produced have been of a very unsatisfactory quality
and have had the points comparatively blunt.
In the production according to this invention of a file superior in character
to those heretofore produced the mode of cutting heretofore followed is departed
from as will be hereinafter described with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the
accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a round file
illustrating the improvements in round files in which this part of this invention
consists, Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the point of the file and Fig. 3 is an enlarged
view of the point of the file illustrating teeth formed at an angle different from
that of the teeth of the file illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.
The file-blank (Z) to be employed in the formation of a file according to this
invention is provided with a tapering point and otherwise is of the same form.
and character as the blanks used in cuttng round files by hand in the usual
manner. Operations are begun upon this blank by means of an ordinary tool
which may be operated by hand, or in a machine, and with this tool a series of
cuts are made upon a spiral line or course (a) beginning at the point of the blank
and extending continuously, thereby forming a spiral line of cuts from the point
to the heel. Instead however of this line of cuts being made uniform in character
the turns of the spiral near the point are closer together than elsewhere and
expand or separate towards the butt, so that the spaces between the adjacent
windings of the spiral line of teeth are wider towards the heel of the file, whereby
it is made possible to preserve as clear a cut of the teeth at the point as at
the middle or butt of the file, so that all parts of the file are equally well adapted
to perform the operations required.
Not only is a file produced according to this invention in the manner above
described much superior to those hitherto made by machinery, but it is also
superior to the ordinary hand-cut files as it has been found that in filing soft metal
such as brass it will take hold of the metal and can be effectively used for a
much greater length of time than files cut by hand by a series of cuts in longitu-
dinal rows as heretofore.
The edge of the cutter may be held or set so that each cut coincides throughout
its length with the spiral line of cuts as indicated in Fig. 2. If desired however
the incisions may be made each at an angle to the said spiral line as indicated
in Fig. 3 in which case the teeth will coustitute a series of separate incisions
upon but not exactly coinciding with the said line, the ends of the cuts of one
series being intermediate between those of the preceding series.
In the formation of a round file according to this invention there may be formed
one spiral line of cuts or two or more spiral lines of cuts formed in the manner
hereinbefore described.
In the formation of a round file with two or more spiral lines of teeth formed
in the manner herein before described each of the spiral lines of cuts formed in
the said file is commenced at the point of the file and made to extend to the heel
in the manner herein before described, the operation being repeated as often as
may be necessary for the whole surface of the blank to be covered or formed in
the manner requisite with teeth arranged upon spiral lines.
The improvements constituting the second part of this invention consist in
constructing and arranging the parts of a file-cutting machine in the manner
which will be hereinafter described in reference to Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompany-
ing drawings in which Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional elevation and Fig. 5 a plan
of a file-cutting machine embodying the improvements in file-cutting machines in
which this part of this invention consists.
The frame (A) of a machine constructed according to this part of the said inven-
tion is constructed in any suitable manner and arranged to support a sliding
carrier, carriage or bed (B) which is guided to move longitudinally on the said
frame under the action of a lever (E) actuated by a cam (D) and provided with a

page_text: a
slot receiving pin (9) projecting from the carrier, carriage or bed (B). The
cam (D) may as shown be in the form of a block having an inclined edge which
bears against a roller (15) upon the said lever (E) and a threaded recess (16) to
act in conjunction with a worm (17) upon a shaft (7) receiving motion by means
of suitable gearing from a wheel (8) to which motion is suitably imparted and a
spring (s) connected to the said lever (E) and the frame (A) of the machine tends
to keep the said roller (15) in contact with the cam (1) above mentioned. If
the cam (D) be in its lowest position at the beginning of operations the rotation
of the shaft (7) carries the cam upwards and gradually pushes outward the lever (E)
moving with it the carrier, carriage or bed (B) together with the file-blank which
is supported thereby.
When the file-blank to be operated upon is a round blank it requires to be
revolved as well as carried with the carrier, carriage or bed (B) and the carrier,
carriage or bed (13) is therefore provided with a revolving holder (10) which may
as shown constitute the end of a shaft and be provided with a socketed end to
receive the tang of the blank (X) and may extend through a
bearing in the
carrier, carriage or bed (B) so as to be able to turn without moving longitudinally
therein. Rotary motion is imparted to the said holder (10) by providing the
shaft (10") on which such holder is formed or mounted with an extension which
may be provided with a feather or key or be of a rectangular or other suitable
transverse section and extend through the hub (12) of a bevel wheel (13) which
is arranged to turn in bearings provided in or upon the framework (A) of the
machine and is driven by means of another bevel wheel (14) to which rotary
motion is suitably imparted.
The cutter (y) to operate upou the blank (X) is carrier by a reciprocating
holder (5) which may be of any suitable construction and be operated in any
suitable manner. For instance as is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 a revolving cam
mounted upon a shaft (6) capable of being revolved in the head (4) in which the
reciprocating holder (5) is capable of being slidden may be employed to raise
the reciprocating holder (5) and an indiarubber or other spring contained in the
upper part of the head (4) and compressed between a plunger to which the holder (5)
is connected and the lower end of a tubular screw (4") screwed into and adjusted
in position in the head (4) may be provided to move the said reciprocating holder
downwards and another indiarubber or other spring (4) may be provided in
order that the speed and force of the blows of the cutter may be regulated as may
be desirable from time to time. Through the tubular screw (4") passes a rod (45)
connected to the plunger connected to the tool-holder (5). The rod (4) is pro-
vided with a nut (4) and a washer (4) between which and a hand-wheel (4)
formed with a screw screwed into the screw (4") the spring (4) is compressed.
By the hand-wheel (4°) being turned so that the spring (4) is compressed more
or less as may be desirable the speed and force of the downward movements of
the cutter (y) may be regulated. The said arrangement of cam and springs to
move and regulate the movement of the cutter (y) forms no part of the present
invention.
The head (4) in which the reciprocating holder (5) is mounted is arranged so
as to be capable of being moved upwards and downwards and may be arranged in
any suitable manner, but is preferably mounted at the end of an arm (G) capable
of being oscillated upon or about a shaft (19) extending through a stationary
overhanging arm (C) connected with the frame of the machine and the said
head (4) is preferably provided with flanges (20) provided with slots (21)
through which pass the bolts (22) connecting the said head (4) to the
arm (G) upon which it is mounted, and thus made capable of being turned
to alter the angle of the tool (y) in relation to the file-blank (X) and then secured
in position. The said arm (C) is provided with a slot indicated by dotted lines in
Fig. 4 to permit the passage of the shaft (6) which actuates the cutter or tool (y)
and so formed that the said shaft (6) and arm (C) may not interfere with the
raising and lowering of the head (4) and shaft (6)."

page_text: In order that the movable head (4) may rise and fall with the contour of the
file-blank and in order that at the same time an uniform depth of cut may be
always secured there is combined with the said head (4) an adjustable presser
foot which may as shown consist in a curved bar (25) extending through a rod (23)
which slides in suitable bearings upon the head (4) and may be secured by
means of a set-screw (24) after being set in position, the end of the foot (25)
bearing upon the face of the blank (X) so that the head (4) aforesaid occupies
always the same position in respect to the said face whatever may be the curvature
or other change in form of the latter.
As in the case of a round file it is necessary to turn the blank and at the same
time it is desirable to have a permanent anvil upon which it can rest during the
operation of the tool, an anvil is provided in the form of a block (27) resting upon
or secured to the frame of the machine and having a notch to receive the file-blank
and situate directly below the cutter (y).
In the production of a file according to this invention in the manner herein-
before described in reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the character of the cut made
by the cutter employed is varied that is to say the teeth are cut upon a closer
spiral or closer spirals at the point of the file than at the centre and near the
heel thereof, and in order that this may be accomplished the carrier, carriage or
bed (B) above mentioned is arranged to be moved slower at the beginning of
operations than after the point of the file has been cut. The movement of the
said bed in the said manner is accomplished by the cam (1) above mentioned
being made with an edge which is curved for a part of its length so as to secure
a slower motion of the said bed at the beginning of operations than afterwards.
Instead of the cam above described formed as a wedge or block with an inclined
or curved edge and moved by means of a screw it is evident that a circular or
disc cam of proper shape and moved in any suitable manner may be employed.
Any suitable means may be employed for imparting motion to the various parts
above described, but it is preferred to make the shaft (19) upon or about which
the arm (G) carrying the head (4) above mentioned is arranged to be turned.
the driving shaft of the machine, and to provide it with three pulleys (29) (30) (31),
one that is the pulley (29) to receive the strap or belt (32) by which the machine
is to be driven, the second, that is the pulley (30), to receive a strap or belt (33)
imparting motion to a wheel (34) upon the shaft (6) by which the cutter or
tool (y) is actuated and the third, that is the pulley (31) to receive a strap-or
belt (37) to transmit motion to a pulley (8) upon the shaft actuating the cam (D)
aforesaid. Upon the shaft (6) which actuates the cutter or tool is mounted a
pulley (36) which by means of a crossed belt (38) transmits motion to a wheel (51)
connected to the bevel wheel (14) by which the file-blank (X) being operated upon
is caused to revolve. By these arrangements the tension of the strap or belt (33)
to transmit motion to the cutter (y) is prevented from being affected by the
raising and lowering of the head (4) in which the tool-holder (5) is mounted and
by suitable changes in the pulleys employed being made from time to time as
may be desirable the relative speed of operation of the several parts of the machine.
may be changed as may be requisite. The vertical movement of the pulley (36)
being slight does not affect the tension upon the crossed belt (38).
It is evident that by a machine of the construction hereinbefore described being
employed in cutting round file-blanks, the blanks operated upon may be fed at
any speed which may be desirable and at a varying speed in order to vary the
pitch or inclination of the spiral line or spiral lines on which cuts are made to
form teeth upon the blanks and that it may be also rotated at any speed which
may be desirable and that whatever may be the position of the blank being
operated upon in respect to the cutter the cuts will always be the same.
If the above described means for revolving the file-blanks be put out of action
by the belt (38) being removed from the pulleys (36) (51) the machine may be
used with some of the advantages aforesaid in the cutting of files which are
not round.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A round tapering pointed file having teeth cut upon a spiral line extending
from the point of the file to the heel thereof and having the spaces between the
adjacent windings of the spiral line of teeth wider towards the heel substantially
as hereinbefore described.
2. A round tapering pointed file having several series of teeth cut upon spiral
lines extending from the point to the heel and having the spaces between the
adjacent windings of each of the spiral lines of teeth wider towards the heel of
the file substantially as hereihbefore described.
3. The combination is a file-cutting machine of a head supporting the cutter-
holder and its operating means and capable of being moved upwards and down-
wards, a sliding carriage, and a blank-holder, means for rotating the said
blank-holder, an anvil arranged to occupy a position beneath the blank and
beneath the cutter in the said cutter-holder, a cam for imparting to the carriage
a longitudinal movement at varying speeds so that the spaces between the adjacent
windings or lines of teeth cut upon a file shall be wider towards the heel of the
file, all constructed, arranged and operating for the purposes and substantially in
the manner herein before described.
4. In a file-cutting machine, the combination of a revolving holder for the
blank to be operated upon turning upon a sliding carriage and formed with a shaft
extending therefrom, a cam for imparting to the said carriage a longitudinal
movement at varying speeds so that the spaces between the adjacent windings
or lines of teeth cut upon a file shall be wider towards the heel of the file, a
pivoted arm (G), a cutter-head supported thereon, means for securing the head
in different positions upon the arm (G), a cutter-holder (5) and shaft (6), an
anvil arranged to occupy a position beneath the blank and beneath the cutter in
the said cutter-holder, a púlley (34) upon such shaft (6) and a pulley (30) upon a
shaft concentric with the pivot of the arm (G) and a band passing over the said
pulleys (34) (30), bevel wheels (13) (14) one having a hub to receive the shaft
extending from the blank-holder, a pulley (51) on the bevel wheel (14) .and a
belt passing around the said pulley (51) and around a pulley (36) upon the
shaft (6), all constructed, arranged and operating for the purposes and substan-
tially in the manner hereinbefore described.
Dated this Thirtieth day of July 1897
HOWARD
CHEETHAM,
Manchester, Agent to the Applicant.