Improvements relating to the Apparatus Employed in Operating the Valves of Steam-hammers, the Valves of which are or may be Arranged to be Worked by the Attendants in Charge thereof.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application. 18th Sept.. 1895
Complete Specification Left, 18th June, 1896-Accented, 25th July, 1596
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Apparatus Employed in Operating the
Valves of Steam-hammers, the Valves of which are or may be
Arranged to be Worked by the Attendants in Charge thereof.
:
I, HAROLD FLETCHER MASSEY, of Openshaw, Manchester, in the County of:
Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to the apparatus employed in operating the valves of
steam-hammers, the valves of which are or may be arranged to be worked by the
attendants in charge thereof, and consists in improvements by which such steam-
hammers are rendered more convenient in use than they have hitherto been.
1
i
The object of the first part of my invention is to reduce the shocks to which'
the hand or hands of the attendant operating the valve or valves of a steam-
hammer in which the valve er valves is or are arranged to be worked by hand
while provision is made for the said valve or valves being moved by the movement*
of the piston or tup of such steam-hammer if the said piston be at any time in
danger of being allowed to move too far in the direction for moving the tup from:
the anvil, have hitherto been subjected when after the valve or valves has or have
been moved by hand to remove the tup from the anvil the top has acted upon the
valve or valves in order to move it or them.
According to this part of my invention, I interpose or provide between the lever
or handle by which the attendant operating the valve or valves of a steam-hammer
to which this part of my invention is to be applied moves such valve or valves
and the tripper or part upon which the tup of the steam-hammer acts when
moving such valve or valves, a spring or springs or elastic connection or elastic:
connections which I make of such strength or stiffness and elasticity that while the
operation of the valve or valves of the steam-hammer by hand may be properly
accomplished the shock to which the rod or part upon or to which the said tripper
or part is mounted or connected is subjected by the tup of the steam-haminer when
moving the valve or valves shall be sustained or absorbed to any required extent
by the said spring or springs or elastic connection or elastic connections so that
the attendant will be relieved from the whole or any required portion of such
shock. I provide a pin or any other suitable device by means of which the
connection between the said valve or valves and the lever or handle may be
rendered inelastic or unyielding whenever it may be desirable.
The second part of my invention relates to means for limiting as may be requisite
the extent of the movement of the lever or handle by which the valve or valves
of a steam-hammer is or are moved by hand or foot to admit steam to the cylinder
thereof in order to remove the tup of such steam-hammer from the anvil, in a
steam-hammer in which the valve or valves is or are. operated by hand or foot or
in a steam-hammer in which arrangements may be provided to enable the valve or
valves to be operated by band or foot when required to be so operated, and this
part of my invention has for its object the provision of means for the said purpose
which shall be more convenient in use than those hitherto provided.
According to this part of my invention I provide a cam or block of suitable
form capable of being turned into different positions as may be requisite from time
to time and provide a detent or catch or serew or other means by means of which
such cam or block may be retained in any position in which it may be required to

page_text: be retained. The said cam or block is preferably provided with a handle by means
of which it may be conveniently turned and is mounted in such position in relation
to the lever or handle by means of which the attendant operating the valve or
valves of the steam-hammer moves such. valve, or valves, that according to the
position into which such cam or block is turned the extent of the movement of such
lever or handle in the direction in which it requires to be moved to bring about
the removal of the tup of the steam-hammer from the anvil may be limited as may
be necessary or desirable. The said cam or block is so made that when turned
into one position it shall not interfere with the movement of the said lever or
handle so that when the said cam or block is in such position the said lever or
handle may whenever requisite be caused to move the valve or valves of the steam-
hammer to any extent which may be desirable.
The third part of my invention relates to steam-hammers the valves of which
are worked by hand or foot and to steam-hammers in which arrangements may be
provided to enable the valves to be operated by hand or foot when required to be
so operated and this part of my invention consists in means by which in a steam-
hammer of either of the said kinds it is rendered possible, easy and convenient to
limit as may be desirable from time to time the extent to which the lever or handle
employed to operate the valve or valves of such steam-hammer shall be allowed to
be moved in the direction in which it requires to be moved to admit steam to the
cylinder of such steam-hammer in order to cause a blow to be struck by the tup of
such steain-hammer.
According to this part of my invention I provide a cam or block of suitable
form capable of being turned into different positions as may be requisite from time
to time and provide a detent or catch or screw or other means by means of which
such cam or block may be retained in any position in which it may be required to
be retained. The said cam or block is preferably provided with a handle by
means of which it may be conveniently turned and is mounted in such position in
relation to the lever or handle by means of which the attendant operating the
valve or valves of the steam hammer moves such valve or valves that according to
the position into which such cam or block is turned the extent of the movement of.
such lever or handle in the direction in which it requires to be moved to cause a
blow to be struck by the tup of such steam-hammer to be limited as may be
necessary or desirable. The said cam or block is so made that when turned into.
one position it shall not interfere with the movement of the said lever or handle,
so that when the said cam or block is in such position the said lever or handle may
whenever requisite be caused to move the valve or valves of the steam-hammer to
any extent which may be desirable.
Dated this Seventeenth day of September 1895.
HOWARD
CHEETHAM,
Manchester, Agent to the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Apparatus Employed in Operating the
Valves of Steam-hammers, the Valves of which are or may be
Arranged to be Worked by the Attendants in Charge thereof.
I, HAROLD FLETCHER MASSEY, of Openshaw, Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, 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 relates to the apparatus employed in operating the valves of

page_text: steam-hammers, the valves of which are or may be arranged to be worked by the
attendants in charge thereof, and consists in improvements by which such steam-
hammers are rendered more convenient in use than they have hitherto been.
The object of the first part of my invention is to reduce the shocks to which
the hand or hands of the attendant operating the valve or valves of a steam-
hammer, in which the valve or valves is or are arranged to be worked by hand,
while provision is made for the said valve or valves being moved by the move-
ment of the piston or tup of such steam-hammer, if the said piston be at any time
in danger of being allowed to move too far in the direction for moving the tup from
the anvil, have hitherto been subjected when after the valve or valves has or
have been moved by hand to remove the tup from the anvil the tup has acted
upon the valve or valves in order to move it or them.
According to this part of my invention I interpose or provide between the
lever or handle by which the attendant, operating the valve or valves of a steam-
hammer to which this part of my invention is to be applied, moves such valve or
valves and the tripper or part upon which the tup of the steam-hammer acts
when moving such valve or valves, a spring or springs or elastic conuection or
elastic connections, which I make of such strength or stiffness and elasticity that
while the operation of the valve or valves of the steam-hammer by hand may be
properly accomplished, the shock to which the rod or part upon or to which the
said tripper or part is mounted or connected is subjected by the tup of the steam-
hammer when moving the valve or valves shall be sustained or absorbed to any
required extent by the said spring or springs or elastic connection or elustic
connections so that the attendant will be relieved from the whole or any required
portion of such shock. 1 provide a pin or any other suitable device by means of
which the connection between the said valve or valves and the lever or handle may
be rendered inelastic or unyielding whenever it may be desirable.
One mode of carrying this part of my invention into effect is illustrated in
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in vertical section of a part of a steam-hammer
to which all three parts of my invention are applied,
Fig. 2 is a side elevation at right-angles to Fig. 1 and upon a larger scale, of a
part which is shown in Fig. 1; and
Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken upon the plane indicated by the line (a) (a)
of Fig. 2, and with certain parts shown in side elevation in order that the figure
may be clearer. The same letters of reference are employed to indicate the same
parts in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
The steam-hammer of which part is illustrated in Fig. 1 is a steam-hammer of
the kind in which slides are employed and in which the slides and cylinder are
supported by standards placed side by side and made to overhang so that the
cylinder and tup may be vertically over the anvil used in the steam-hammer.
In Fig. 1, (A) is one of the standards of the steam-hammer, the second of such
standards which does not appear in the said figure being omitted in order that the
parts between such standards may be clearly shown. The standard (A) is provided
with slides (A') and serves with the other standard of the steam-hammer to
support the cylinder (B) and valve-box (C). The cylinder (B) and valve-box (C)
and the piston (D) and slide valve (E) mounted and arranged to work in such
cylinder (B) and valve-box (C) respectively are arranged in the ordinary manner,
(C) being the channel by which steam is supplied to the cavity (C2) formed
around the circumference of the valve and (C3) (C4) the passages through
which the exhaust steam issuing from the ports of the cylinder escapes to the
exhaust pipe connected to the steam-hammer. The glide-valve (E) is ordinarily
moved by means of a valve-rod (F) and a lever or handle (G) capable of being
oscillated upon a stud (G¹) secured in the standard (A). The valve-rod (F) is
made to embrace a tripper or arm (H) capable of being oscillated upon a stud (H¹)
secured in the standard (A). The tripper or arm (H) is mounted in such position
that if at any time the attendant in charge of the machine having moved the

page_text: valve (E) downwards in order to cause the tup (I) of the steam-hammer to be
-raised from the anvil in conjunction with which it acts, fails to raise such valve (E)
at the proper time and so prevent the tup (1) from being raised too high, the
tup (1) in rising will act upon the tripper or arm (H) and raising it will raise the
valve (E) and so cause steam to be supplied to the part of the cylinder (B) which
is above the piston (D) and so prevent the tup (1) from being raised too high.
The spring (J). which according to this part of my invention is interposed
between the lever or handle (G) and the tripper or part (H) upon which the
tup (1) of the steam-hammer illustrated in Fig. 1, acts, when moving the valve (E),
is contained within a sleeve (J) and is compressed to a suitable extent between a
shoulder (J 2) formed in the interior of the sleeve (J) and a washer (J 3) bearing
against a nut (J 4) screwed and secured by a pin (J5) in position upon the lower
end of the part (F 2) of the valve-rod (F). In the lower end of the sleeve (J¹)
is screwed a plug (J 6) which is provided with jaws (J 7) through which and
through the lever or handle (G) passes a piu (G 2) which serves to connect the
sleeve (J) to the lever or handle (G) and is secured in position by means of a pin
and collar. The spring (J) is made of such strength and compressed to such an
extent between the washer (J 3) and the shoulder (J 2) that while ordinarily
movement will be transmitted from the lever or handle (G) to the valve (E)
without the sleeve (J) being moved in relation to the valve-rod (F) so that the
valve (E) may be moved in the manner requisite by the attendant in charge of
the steam-hammer, such spring (J) will be further compressed and allow the
valve-rod (F) to be moved in relation to the sleeve (J) if the tup (1) in rising
strike the tripper or arm (H) violently, and thus the spring (J) will relieve the
attendant in charge of the steam-hammer of the whole or any required portion of
the shock imparted to the valve-rod (F) by the top (1) acting upon the tripper
or lever (H). Through the sleeve (J) and the valve-rod (F) respectively are
formed holes (F.4) (J8) in which a pin or any other suitable device may be
inserted in order that the connection between the lever or bandle (G) and the
valve-rod (F) may be rendered inelastic or unyielding whenever it may be
necessary or desirable for the purpose of testing the freedom or otherwise of the
movement of the valve (E) or for any other purpose.
Instead of only one spring (J) being employed there may be provided two or
more such springs or there may be provided an elastic connection or connections of
any suitable kind.
Although only shown in the accompanying drawings as applied to one form of
steam-hammer, this part of my invention may be applied to any other form
of steam-hammer in which the valve or valves is or are arranged to be worked by
hand while provision is made for such valve or valves to be moved by the move-
ment of the piston or tup of such steam-hammer if the said piston or tup be at
any time in danger of being allowed to move too.lar in the direction for moving
the tup from the anvil.
The provision in accordance with this part of my invention of a spring or
springs or elastic connection or elastic connections between the lever or handle by
which the attendant operating the valve or valves of a steam-hammer of the kind
to which this part of my invention relates and the tripper or part upon which
the top of the steam-hammer acts when moving such valve or valves greatly
reduces or altogether absorbs the shocks which in the absence of such spring or
springs or elastic connection or elastic connections would be sustained by the
said attendant when the tup of the steam-hammer moved the valve or valves
thereof.
The second part of my invention relates to means for limiting as may be
requisite the extent of the movement of the lever or handle by which the valve
or valves of a steam-hammer is or are moved by hand or foot to admit steam.to
the cylinder thereof in order to remove the tup of such steam-hammer from the
anvil, in a steam-hammer in which the valve or valves is or are operated by hand
or foot or in a steam-hammer in which arrangements may be provided to enable

page_text: the valve or valves to be operated by hand or foot when required to be so operated
and this part of my invention has for its object the provision of means for the
said purpose which shall be more convenient in use than those hitherto provided.
According to this part of my invention, I provide a cam or block of suitable
form capable of being turned into different positions as may be requisite from
time to time and provide a detent or catch or screw or other means by means of
which such cam or block may be retained in any position in which it may be
required to be retained. The said cam or block is preferably provided with a
handle by means of which it may be conveniently turned and is mounted in such
position in relation to the lever or handle by means of which the attendant
operating the valve or valves of the steam-haminer moves such valve or valves,
that according to the position into which such cam or block is turned the extent
of the movement of such lever or handle in the direction in which it requires to
be moved to bring about the removal of the tup of the steam-hammer from the
anvil may be limited as may be necessary or desirable. The said cam or block is
so made that when turned into one position it shall not interfere with the
movement of the said lever or handle so that when the said cam or block is in
such position the said lever or handle may whenever requisite be caused to move
the valve or valves of the steam-hammer to any extent which may be desirable.
One mode of carrying this part of my invention into effect is illustrated in
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings, which has already been referred to, and by
Figs. 4 and 5 thereof, which with Fig. I also serve for the illustration of the third
part of my invention. Fig. 4 is a side elevation on a larger scale than Fig. 1, and
Fig. 5 is a side elevation taken at right angles to Fig. 4. The same letters of
reference are employed to indicate the same parts in Figs. 1, 4 and 5.
In Figs. 1, 4 and 5 (K) is the cam or block capable of being turned into
different positions which is provided according to the second part of my invention.
The cam or block (K) is provided with a knob or handle (K8) and is secured by
means of a pin (K 7) upon an axle (K2) capable of being turned in a bearing
formed to receive it in the arm (M¹) of a bracket (M) which is secured upon the
Fast
standard (A) adjacent to the handle or lever (G) hereinbefore mentioned.
upon the axle (K 2) there is mounted a disc or plate (K 5) formed with a suitable
number of notches (K 6) in suitable positions and in a hole or guide formed in
the bracket (M) is mounted a detent (O2) against the lower end of which bears
a spring (0). The spring (O) causes the detent (O2) to bear against the dise
or plate (K) and engage with any notch (K 6) of the plate or disc (K 5) which
may be brought opposite to it, and thus the detent (02) will hold the plate or
disc (K 5) in any position in which it may be desirable for it to be retained. The
plate or dise (K 5) serves to retain the detent (O2) in the hole in the bracket (N)
in which it is mounted. The hole (O3) in the arm (M) of the bracket (M)
allows the ingress and egress of air to and from the hole in which the
detent (O2) is mounted. By means of the knob or handle (K8) the cam ors
block (K), axle (K 2) and plate or disc (K 5) may be readily turned. The cam
or block (K) is as is clearly indicated in the accompanying drawings so formed
that the different parts of the circumference are at different distances from the
axis of the axle (K 2) and such cam or block (K) is mounted in such position in
relation to the lever or handle (G) that by the said cam or block (K) being
turned into different positions in relation to the lever or handle (G), different
parts of the portion (b, c, d,) of the circumference of such cam or block (K) may
be presented to the lever or handle (G) so as to limit in different degrees the
extent of upward movement permitted to such lever or handle (G), and thus the
extent to which the slide-valve (E) may be moved to allow steam to act upon
the lower side of the piston (D). The cam or block (K) is also as is clearly
indicated in the accompanying drawings so made that when turned into the
position in which the part (d, e, b,) of its circumference is presented to the handle
or lever (G) the movement of such handle or lever (G) throughout the distance

page_text: corresponding to the whole range of movement permitted to the valve (E) by
the formation of the valve-box (C) shall not be interfered with by the said
cam or block (K) and consequently when such cam or block (K) is in the said
position the said lever or handle (G) may whenever requisite be caused to move
the valve (E) to any extent which may be desirable.
Although only shown in the accompanying drawings as applied to one form of
steam-hammer, this part of my invention is applicable to any other form of steam-
hammer in which the valve or valves employed is or are or may be arranged to be
operated by hand or 'foot.
The employment in a steam-hammer, in which the valve or valves is or are or
may be arranged to be operated by hand or foot, of the means provided in
accordance with this part of my, invention to enable the extent to which the
attendant in charge of the steam-hammer may move the lever or handle employed
in conjunction with the valve or valves of such steam-hanımer in order to raise the
tup of such steam-hammer from the anvil used therewith to be varied as may be
requisite or desirable enables the limitation of the extent of movement of the said
handle or lever in the said direction and the variation of such limitation to be very
readily effected in accordance with the requirements or convenience of working in
order that damage to the steam-hammer due to the tup of the steam-ham.ner
being caused by unskilful or careless manipulation to be too violently raised from
the anvil used therewith may be prevented from occurring and the formation and
arrangement of the cam or block provided in accordance with this part of my
invention so that it is capable of being turned so as not to interfere with the
movement of the said lever or handle throughout the whole range of movement
corresponding to the extent of movement permitted to the valve or valves of the
steam-hammer by the formation of the valve-box or valve-boxes in which it or
they is or are mounted, enables the freedom of manipulation sometimes necessary
and required or desired by very skilful operators to be secured whenever
necessary or desirable.
The third part of my invention relates to steam-hammers, the valves. of which
are worked by hand or foot, and to steam-hammers in which arrangements may
be provided to enable the valves to be operated by hand or foot when required
to be so operated and this part of my invention consists in means by which in a
steam-hammer of either of the said kinds it is rendered possible, easy and con-
venient to limit as may be desirable from time to time the extent to which the
lever or handle employed to operate the valve or valves of such steam-hammer
shall be allowed to be moved in the direction in which it requires to be moved to
admit steam to the cylinder of such steam-hammer in order to cause a blow to be
struck by the tup of euch steam-hammer.
According to this part of my invention I provide a cam or block of suitable
form capable of being turned into different positions as may be requisite from time
to time and provide a detent or catch or screw or other means by means of which
such cam
or block may be retained in any position in which it may be
required to be retained. The said cam or block is preferably provided with a
handle by means of which it may be conveniently turned and is mounted in such
position in relation to the lever or handle by means of which the attendant
operating the valve or valves of the steam-hammer moves such valve or valves
that according to the position into which such cam or block is turned the extent
of the movement of such lever or handle in the direction in which it requires
to be moved to cause a blow to be struck by the top of such steam-hammer to be
limited as may be necessary or desirable. The said cam or block is so made that
when turned into one position it shall not interfere with the movement of the said
lever or handle, so that when the said cam or .block is in such position the said
lever or handle may whenever requisite be caused to move the valve or valves
of the steam-hammer to any extent which may be desirable.
One mode of carrying this part of my invention into effect is illustrated by

page_text: Figs. 1, 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings, which have already been referred
to, the same letters of reference being employed to indicate the same parts in each
of such figures.
In Figs. 1, 4 and 5 (K*) is the cam or block capable of being turned into different
positions which is provided according to the third part of my invention. As the
cam or block (K*) and the parts used therewith are similar to the cam or block (K).
and the parts used therewith in every respect, except in so far as the cam or
block (K) being employed to limit the upward movement of the valve (E), is
placed below the lever (G) and the detent (02*) employed with such cam or
block (K) tends to move downwards in the hole in which it is mounted, I shall
apply to the cam or block (K*) and the several parts thereof or used therewith,.
the same letters of reference as are applied to the corresponding parts of or used
with the cam or block (R) but with the addition of a cross (x) and allow the
preceding description of the construction and arrangement of the cam or block (K)
to serve for the cam or block (K*), the differences between the two cams or blocks
being obvious from the accompanying drawings.
Although only shown in the accompanying dra vings as applied to one form of
steam-hammer, this part of my invention is applicable to any other form of steam-
hammer in which the valve or valves employed may be arranged to be operated
by hand or foot.
The employment in a steam-hammer in which the valve or valves is or are or
may be arranged to be operated by hand or foot of the means provided in.
accordance with this part of my invention to enable the extent to which the
attendant in charge of the steam-hammer may move the lever or handle employed
in conjunction with the valve or valves of such steam-hammer in order to move.
such valve or valves in the direction for causing a blow to be struck by the
tup of the steam-hammer may be varied as may be requisite enables the limitation.
of the extent of movement of the said handle or lever in the said direction and the
variation of such limitation to be very readily accomplished in accordance with
the requirements or convenience of working in order that damage to the steam-
bammer or the articles being operated upon due to the tup of the steam-hammer
being caused, by unskilful or careless manipulation, to strike too violent blows,.
may be prevented from occurring, and the formation and arrangement of the cam
or block provided in accordance with this part of any invention so that it is capable
of being turned so as not to interfere with the movement of the said lever or
handle throughout the whole range of movement corresponding to the extent of
movement permitted to the valve or valves of the steam-hammer by the formation.
of the valve-box or valve-boxes in which it or they is or are mounted enables the-
freedom of manipulation sometimes necessary and required or desired by very
skilful operators to be secured whenever necessary or desirable.
It is obvious that the three parts of my invention may be applied separately or
two or all together.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a steain-hammer in which the valve or valves is or are arranged to be.
worked by hand and provision is made for such valve or valves being moved by
the movement of the piston or tup of such steam-hammer if the said piston be at.
any time in danger of being allowed to more too far in the direction for moving
the tup of the steam-hammer from the anvil employed in conjunction with it; the
combination with the lever or handle by means of which the valve or valves of
such steam-hammer is or are moved by the attendant operating it or them and the
tripper or part upon which the tup of the steam-hammer acts when moving such.
valve or valves, of a spring or springs or elastic connection or elastic connections
provided or interposed between such lever or handle and tripper or part for the:
purposes and substantially in the manner herein before described.

page_text: 2. In a steam-hammer the valve or valves of which is or are or may be operated
by hand, the combination with the handle or lever by means of which the attendant
operating the valve or valves of such steam-hammer moves such valve or valves of
a cam or block such as is herein before described capable of being turned into and
held in different positions and so formed and arranged for the purpose and
substantially in the manner herein before described that when turned into certain
different positions it will limit in different degrees the movement of the said handle
or lever in the direction for moving the said valve or valves to bring about the
removal of the tup of the steam-hammer from the auvil employed in conjunction
therewith, and when turned into another position it will not interfere with the
movement of the said handle or lever throughout the space corresponding to the '
whole range through which the said valve or valves may be moved in the valve-box
or valve-boxes in which it or they is or are mounted.
3. In a steam-hammer the valve or valves of which is or are or may be operated"
by hand the combination with the handle or lever by means of which the attendant
operating the valve or valves of such steam-haminer moves such valve or valves, of
a cam or block such as is herein before described, capable of being turned into and
held in different positions and so formed and arranged that when turned into
certain different positions it will limit in different degrees the movement of the said
handle or lever in the direction for moving the said valve or valves to bring about
the striking of a blow by the tup of the steam-hammer and when turned into
another position it will not interfere with the movement of the said handle or lever
throughout the space corresponding to the whole range through which the said
valve or valves may be moved in the valve-box or valve-boxes in which it or they
is or are mounted.
Dated this Seventeenth day of June 1896.
HOWARD CHEETHAM,
Manchester, Agent to the Applicant.