Shovel Plates and similar Articles.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Mar., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 28th June, 1887.
Shovel Plates and similar Articles.
We, LOUIS WACHE, and ROBERT JAMES, both of 57 Trafalgar Street, Sheffield, in
the County of York, Engineers and Shovel plate manufacturers, 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 :-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the method of, and to certain
improvements in machinery for shearing or cutting out shovel plates, spades, and
similar articles (hereinafter referred to and comprehended under the general term
"shovels") from a steel, iron, or other metal sheet or plate.
Hitherto shovels have been most generally manufactured from metal strips of about
the width of the blade of the shovel, such strips being firstly sheared into lengths
equal to about that of the desired shovel, and such severed lengths then having the
two corner pieces above the blade and on each side of the shank punched out. In
such method these corner pieces represent so much scrap or waste as regards the
manufacture of shovels.
It has been proposed to avoid the greater portion of this waste by cutting or
stamping the shovels from metal sheets or plates of a width equal to about the length
of the shovel plate, in such a manner as that each stamping operation other than the
first and last of the machine on such sheet or plate is effective for the whole width of
the plate in partly forming two adjacent shovels so that the adjacent shovel plates are
cut out from the metal sheet side by side in reversed positions, in other words so
that the metal between the blades of every two alternate shovels forms the shank of
the intermediate shovel, and the metal between the shanks of every two alternate
shovels forms the blade of the intermediate shovel.
Different methods have been proposed for carrying this latter system of operation.
into practical effect, one of which is described in the Specification of our former
Application for Letters Patent No. 4249 dated March 26th 1886, and another of
which is described in the Specification of Clark and Shephard's Application for
Letters Patent No. 4910 dated 8th April 1886.
In the method described in our said Specification, the manufacture of the shovel is
completed in two operations of the machine as regards its formation with a tapered
shank (which all varieties of shovels are required to have), and with a taper blade,

page_text: and the edges of the blade only need to be sheared or trimmed off if a parallel sided,
pointed, round nosed or other shaped blade is required.
In the method described in the said Clark and Shephard's Specification, the shovel is
formed with both a parallel sided shank, and with a parallel sided blade, and hence it
is necessary in all cases to subsequently trim or shear the edges of the shanks (as in
the system firstly herein before referred to) to the required tapered form, (thus
necessitating in every case a certain amount of waste,) in addition to subsequently
trimming the edges of the blade as may be required to produce a taper-sided, pointed,
round-nosed or other shaped blade.
In both such methods, the rounded corners required at the junctions of the shank
with the blade of the shovel to avoid the liability of the plate tearing at such parts,
require to be stamped out subsequently to the manufacture of the shovel plate
according to such niethods, as the cutters described in both such Specifications are
not adapted to cut out such rounded corners, and this is effected by stamping out side
pieces from the top edges of the blade, involving a certain amount of waste and
rendering it necessary to sacrifice the length of the blade to a small extent or to make
the plate of a sufficient length to accommodate this waste.
One of the special objects of the present Invention is to avoid the present necessity
for such subsequent stamping operations, which involve waste of time, labor and
material, and to shear shovels in the manner illustrated in Figs. 1, of the accom-
panying drawings complete as regards the cutting out of the tapered shanks, the
horizontal or inclined treads, the rounded corners at the junctions of the shanks and
blades, and the tapered blades of adjacent shovels, effecting all such operations at one
and the same time and by one operation of the shearing machine, so that in addition
to the necessary operations of trimming the end of the blade and the end of the shank
as required, it will only be required to subsequently trim the edges of the blade if a
parallel sided, round-nosed or other shaped blade is required, so that there will be a
less number of operations and absolutely no waste except as lastly aforesaid.
Moreover, such hereinbefore referred to methods of operation have hitherto been
carried into effect in stamping machinery the construction of which has involved the
labor of continuously turning over the heavy metal sheet (from which the shovels are
cut as aforesaid in adjacent reversed positions) after each single stamping operation
of the machine, as such machines will not permit of the metal plate being passed into
or through the machine for any greater distance than about the width of an ordinary
shovel plate and this entails a further very considerable waste of time and labor.
Another of the special objects of the present Invention is to adapt and construct
the shearing machine in such a manner as to permit of the herein described improved
method of manufacture being carried out without necessitating the repeated turning
of the metal sheet, and to allow of the latter being simply fed forwards after each
shearing operation, by which means we are enabled to shear off the shovels in pair-
blanks each of which can be subsequently readily handled and reversed in position
and inserted in the machine for being sheared cut or slit into two equal sized shovels
complete as aforesaid.
To the ends herein before referred to, the present Invention consists in the herein
described improved method of shearing or cutting out the shovels, and in the herein
described improved construction of the shears or cutters, and in the herein described
improved construction and arrangement of the shearing machine.
On the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1, represent our improved method of cutting
out the shovels, and Figs. 2, to, 8, represent our improved cutters and machinery for
carrying such method into effect, Fig. 2, representing the front elevation of the
machine, Fig. 3, a side elevation thereof, Fig. 4, a sectional plan view of Fig. 3, on
the plane, a, b, showing the botton set of cutters, Fig. 5, a like view on the plane, c-d,
showing the top set of cutters, Figs. 6, to, 8, are detail views of the improved cutters
and are hereinafter more particularly referred to.
The said improved method of manufacture, vide Figs. 1, consists in shearing the
shovel blanks from a metal plate or sheet, 9, made of a width equal to about the
length of the shovel plate and of an indefinite length, by shearing or cutting them

page_text: therefrom in adjacent reversed positions, the plate being at each operation of the
machine advanced between the cutters of the machine (without being turned over)
and severed along the line, 10, into pair-blanks of the size of two of such adjacent
reversed shovel blanks, each of which pair-blanks when a series thereof has been cut
is subsequently reversed in position and replaced into the machine, and slit along the
line, 11, into two equal sized shovels; the direction of the parts, a, of the dividing
lines, 10, 11, being in all cases at an angle other than a right angle to the longitudinal
centre of the plate, 9, so as to form a tapered shank and a tapered blade; and the
direction of the parts, b, of the said lines, 10, 11, being either on or parallel with the
longitudinal centre of the plate, 9, or at an inclination therewith as shown at, 6*, and
the corner junctions, c, of such parts, a, b, of the said lines, 10, 11, being of a curved
formation, with the special object aforesaid of forming the tapered shanks, the hori-
zontal or inclined treads, the rounded corners at the junctions of the shanks and blades,
and the tapered blades of any number of shovels cut out as aforesaid complete in an
equal number, plus one, of operations of one and the same machine.
The said improved cutters are made in sections respectively adapted to cut the
parts, a, b, (*,) and, c, of the lines, 10, 11.
A complete set of cutters consists of top and bottom sets, each of which, if all the
parts are separately considered, consists of two straight sections, a', adapted to cut
the parts, a, one straight section, &, adapted to cut the parts, b (x) and two curved
sections, c', adapted to cut the parts, c.
The sections, e, may be made separately from the sections, a', 61, vide Fig. 7, but
they are preferably either both made in one with the section, 6,-vide Fig. 8, or each
of them made in one with the adjacent section, a', vide Fig. 6.
The sections, a', may be made of any required length so as to cut plates of all
widths which will go in the machine. Each of such sections may be fitted to the
machine so as to be adjustable from or towards the other in the directions of the
arrow, d, and as regards their endway adjustment in the directions of the arrow, e, but
in general practice it is found sufficient that only one of such sections of each set of
cutters (opposite ones of the two sets) should be adjustable, as but comparatively
small adjustments are required, or such opposite ones may be adjustable as regards
the directions of the arrow, d, and the other opposite ones may be adjustable as
regards the directions of the arrow, e.
The sections, , or, b, c, are made of various lengths, and are respectively
removably adaptable between, and are variously shaped so as to fit between the
sections, a¹, c¹, or the sections a', and by such means the formation of the tread of
any desired width and shape, and of the said rounded corners can be readily effected.
The cutting faces of all the sections are ground to an obtuse angle, and the sections, a¹,
of the top set of cutters are set at an inclination, vide Fig. 2, so as to simultaneously
catch hold of the inserted metal plate at its opposite sides, and gradually effect the
cut inwards towards the centre of the plate.
The adjustability of the movable sections, a', which are adjustable in the directions
of the arrow, d, is ensured by bolting them as at, 12, to parts, 13, projecting from set
plates, 14, which are capable of adjustment in the required directions relatively to
their top and bottom supporting parts, 15, 16, by being formed with opposite bevelled
edges, 17, which work between similarly formed guiding plates, 18, and the said
supporting parts, 15, 16, respectively, to which latter the guiding plates, 18, are at
other times firmly bolted as at, 19, and to which the set plates, 14, are also bolted as
at, 20, the latter bolt holes being elongated to permit of the adjustment of the
plates, 14.
As but a very small extent of adjustability of the other sections, a', in the
directions of the arrow, e, is required, sufficient provision therefor is afforded by
elongating, in the direction of the desired adjustment, the bolt holes through which
pass the bolts, 21, which secure such sections to parts, 22, projecting from the said
parts, 15, 16, and occupying a relatively fixed position thereon.
When such latter provision for permitting of the adjustment of the sections, a³, in
the directions of the arrow, e, is afforded, provision is also made for the said intermediate
cutting sections which are variously shaped as aforesaid to be correspondingly shifted,

page_text: that is so as to occupy a position parallel with or in a more or less oblique direction
relatively to the longitudinal centre line of the plate, 9, and this may be most
advantageously effected by the insertion or removal of suitably sized packing wedges
or pieces as shown at, 23, between or from between the back sides of such intermediate
sections and their supporting parts, 13, 22, to which they are bolted as at, 24.
When it is only required to manufacture shovels without variation of the direction
of the tread, then it will be sufficient only to provide for the adjustment of the said
opposite sections, a', in the directions of the arrow, d, and for the removal and
replacement of the said intermediate cutting sections of appropriate length.
Such of the sections of the cutters as are not required to be adjustable are securely
bolted in their proper positions, to similar projecting parts, 22, as aforesaid.
The plate, 16, which supports the bottom set of cutters is removable and can be
adjusted in any required position on the sole or bed-plate, 25, of the machine, by
means of set-screws, 26, working in attached supports, 27, bolted to the front of the
machine as at, 28, and the plate, 16. can be firmly secured to the sole-plate, 25, in any
such position, by bolts, 29.
The plate, 15, which supports the top set of cutters may form part of or may be
separate from and firmly bolted to a vertically reciprocating slide, 30, in the latter
event greater facilities are afforded for removing and adjusting the top cutters as may
he required.
The sets of cutters are preferably set at an inclination to the face of the machine
corresponding with the desired obliquity of the cut relatively to a line at right angles
to the longitudinal centre of the metal plate which is to be sheared into shovel plates,
in order to permit of such plate being fed straight into the machine. It is not
'necessary that the sets of cutters should be further adjustable for this purpose if
different degrees of obliquity are required at different times, as this would introduce
unnecessary complication into the machine which has to do heavy work and is most
advantageously made as solid as possible, because any slight variation from what may
be regarded as the normal taper of the shank of the shovel plate, may be obtained, if
required, by feeding the plate into the machine at a corresponding lateral deviation
from a line at right angles to the face of the machine. The desired obliquity of the
cut may, however, be obtained even when the sets of cutters are arranged parallel
with the face of the machine, but not so advantageously, as this entails the necessity of
feeding the metal plate into the machine in an oblique direction.
The slide, 30, operating the top set of cutters works in vertical side guides, 31, one
of which is fitted with a removable part, 32, which is normally bolted in position as
at, 33 the side guides forming part of a bridge shaped casting, 34, the side
supports, 35, of which rise from the opposite sides of the sole-plate, 25, and thus
permit of the plate from which the shovels are to be cut being passed through the
machine, or into it for a distance at least equal to the width of a shovel-pair-blank as
hereinbefore referred to.
The slide, 30, receives its movements by means of a cranked shaft, 36, the crank
pin, 37, of which works in a sliding block, 38, working in a recess, 39, in the
slide, 30. The crank shaft, 36, is supported by and works in the casting, 34, and is
rotated by gearing, 40, from an upper shaft, 41, which is supported in bearings, 42,
suitably arranged, and is operated by a band wheel, 43, which is put in and out of
gear by means of a lever, 44, operated from a treadle or by a hand lever.
45, represents removable gauges which are firstly set at the back of the machine
so as to permit of the plate being fed forwards the distance between the lines, 10,
after each cut, and which are afterwards placed forwards so as to permit of the pair-
blanks being slit into equal sized shovels along the lines, 11, as aforesaid.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is :-
1. The herein before described improved method of shearing or cutting out shovel
plates, substantially as described with reference to Figs. 1, of the accompanying
drawings.

page_text: 2. The shearing off of the shovel blanks transversely from a metal plate or sheet
made of a width equal to about the length of the shovel, in pair-blanks in adjacent
reversed positions complete as aforesaid, and each of which is subsequently reversed
and inserted in the machine and sheared into two equal sized shovel blanks complete
as aforesaid.
3. The cutting out of the horizontal or inclined treads together with the rounded
corners at the junctions of the shanks and blades of adjacent shovels at the time and
by the one operation of dividing or severing such shovels from the metal sheet or
plate so as to avoid all waste at such parts, substantially as hereinbefore described.
4. The .hereinhefore described improved construction of the shearers or cutters,
substantially as described with reference to Figs. 6, to, 8, of the accompanying
drawings.
5. The construction of the cutters in sections partly adjustable, or in removable
and adjustable sections, separate or combined as aforesaid, respectively adapted to cut
the shanks or blades, the horizontal or inclined treads, and the curved corner junctions
of the shanks and blades, of adjacent shovels, substantially as herein before described.
6. The application of the removable, or removable and adjustable intermediate
sections of various lengths and shapes adapted for cutting the horizontal or inclined
treads and the curved corner junctions, between the sections adapted to cut the shanks
and blades of adjacent shovels.
7. Setting the cutters at an inclination to the face of the machine corresponding
with the desired obliquity or normal obliquity of the cut of the shears relatively to a
line at right angles to the longitudinal centre of the metal plate which is to be sheared
into shovel plates, substantially as and for the purpose herein before described.
S. The hereinbefore described improved construction and arrangement of the
shearing machine substantially as described with reference to Figs. 2, to, 5, of the
accompanying drawings.
9. Combining the guides of the top or vertically reciprocating set of cutters with
side supports rising from the sole plate, and between which the sheet of metal to be
sheared is fed, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
Dated this 29th day of March 1887.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.