Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 13th May, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 15th Sept., 1898-Accepted, 5th Nov., 1898
I, ALFRED WILLIAM REDDING, Manager of the Cambridge Firewood Company, of
Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, in the County of Cambridge, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to mechanism for the manufacture of square fire-lighters of
the kind known as "Cambridge" and comprises a shaft driven by suitable power upon
which is keyed a cam by which a slide is reciprocated and carries forward with each
movement an endless chain or the cam may act directly on the chain which chain
running over loose pulleys one placed at each end of the machine and is formed
of a series of blocks each adapted to receive the pieces of wood to form one fire-
lighter.
The slips of wood, previously cut to the required length, are fed by hand into the
blocks which then pass on and under a lever which closes over and holds them in
position while a cross piece is driven in at each end into a series of notches cut in
the slips by suitable mechanism either before or after they are fed into the
machine.
This motion is accomplished by slides working from excentrics on the before
described shaft, the said shaft also carries a cogged wheel or other suitable arrange-
ment by which it is driven from any of the usual sources of power.
Over nearly the centre of the machine is a vertical frame with fixed hoppers above
which latter are placed changeable hoppers which are removed, filled with the said
crosspieces and replaced as the operation goes on.
Weights are provided for pressing the cross-pieces contained in the hopper down-
wards into the working mechanism.
Mechanism may also be attached by which an endless chain or belt takes the newly
formed fire-lighters as they are transferred thereto by hand, and carries them through
a vessel containing melted rosin.
Cams and mechanism are provided for stopping the blocks of the chain at the
required point and allowing them to pass when the fire-lighters are completed.
Dated 2012 1
1000

page_text: 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:-
My invention relates to mechanism for the manufacture of square fire lighters of
the kind known as "Cambridge" and comprises a shaft driven by suitable power
and upon which is secured a cam giving a step-by-step motion to an endless chain
running over two pulleys, one at each end of the 'machine, the said chain being
formed of a series of blocks or boxes each adapted to receive the pieces of wood to
form one fire-lighter.
The slips of wood, previously cut to the required size, are fed by hand into the
blocks or boxes which then pass on and under a lever which closes over and holds
them in position while a cross-piece is driven in at each end into a series of notches
cut in the slips by suitable mechanism either before or after they are fed into the
machine.
I will describe my invention by reference to the accompanying drawings in
which
:-
Fig. 1 is a side elevation and Fig. 2 a plan of one of my improved machines
both views being partly broken away to expose certain parts which would otherwise
be hidden from view.
Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are transverse sections of the same taken respectively on the
lines 3-3, 4-4 and 5-5 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 is a plan of a portion of the endless chain of blocks or, as they are
hereinafter called, boxes.
Fig. 7 is a view showing the three boxes represented in Fig. 6, two in side
elevation and the third in longitudinal central section.
Fig. 8 is a transverse section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6.
Fig. 9 is a view representing a development of the chain-operating cam.
Fig. 10 is an isometric view of one of the fire-lighters constructed in the machine
and
Fig. 11 is an isometric view of one of the slips of wood of which the said fire-
lighter is constructed.
Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are drawn to a scale larger than that to which Figs. 1 to 5 are
drawn.
Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the various figures of the
drawings.
In constructing a machine according to this invention I secure a table or horizontal
frame A on or to the upper ends of suitable standards A¹, the said table being
formed with longitudinal guides or ledges a in or on which travels the before-
mentioned endless chain B which at the two ends of the machine passes, over the
grooved pulleys C. The pulleys C are secured on shafts c c mounted in bearings
supported on the standards A¹ the shaft c¹ at the delivery-end of the machine also
having secured on it a preferably flanged pulley C¹ which operates a band D having
ribs or projections d. The chain B as shown most particularly in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 is
composed of a number of blocks b connected together by links b¹ and each of which
is formed with a series of recesses or pockets 62 for receiving the wooden slips
which, in conjunction with the cross-pieces the particular form of fire-lighters
constructed in this machine, are composed.
of
On each of the blocks b is pivotted an anti-friction roller with which engages the
rib e e¹ of a cam or drum E provided also with a rib or projection e² which extends
around that half of the drum E around which also extends the straight or non-inclined
part e of the rib e e¹ as shown most particularly in Fig. 9.
The cam or drum E is secured on a shaft F supported in bearings f carried by the
standards A¹ this shaft which is hereinafter termed the "cam shaft "being rotated by
spur wheels from the first-driven shaft F¹ which may be rotated by any suitable
means. The cam rib e e', as shown most clearly in Fig. 9, is of such shape that during
one half of each rotation of the cam E the inclined or helical part e¹ of the said rib by
engaging with the back of one of the chain rollers 63 moves the chain onwards to

page_text: the extent of the length of one of the blocks b and during the remaining half of the
rotation the straight portion e of the rib e e¹ by bearing against the back of the last
named roller prevents any backward movement of the chain forward movement of
which, during this latter period being prevented by the rib e2 bearing against the
front of the next following roller 3 as shown clearly in Fig. 1.
On the upper face of the table A are secured two blocks G each having a vertical
passage g communicating with a hopper G¹ secured to the said block, and a horizontal
guide or passage gl in which a plunger G2 is caused to reciprocate so as to push the
cross-pieces, descending from the hopper G¹, one by one towards the centre of the
machine.
Each of the plungers G2 as shown most clearly in Fig. 3 is connected by links g²
to the swinging ends of the lever arms g³ secured to a rocking shaft which is
oscillated by means of an eccentric f² secured on the before-mentioned cam shaft F,
the motion being transmitted from the eccentric to the rocking shaft g¹ through an
eccentric rod f³ and a lever arm g³, the latter of which is secured to the said rocking
shaft. Above the fixed hoppers G¹ are provided detachable hoppers G³ of which for
each machine there are preferably two, or any other desired number of additional
ones in reserve ready for application to the same machine, it being advantageous to
have at least two of these hoppers fully charged with the cross-pieces ¹ ready to
take the place of the two detachable hoppers then on the machine immediately these
latter shall become empty or discharged. The fixed hoppers G¹ and detachable
hoppers G3 are provided with openings go for exposing on view the cross-pieces a¹
therein and thereby enabling an attendant to ascertain when it is necessary to apply
the fully-charged hoppers G³. Each of the hoppers G³ is provided with a slide or
valve which is closed when the hopper is being filled, and opened, as shown in
Fig. 1, or entirely withdrawn, after the said hopper has been applied to the fixed
hopper G¹. Into the upper end of the detachable hoppers G are inserted weights G4
which press downwards the column of cross-pieces in the hoppers G¹ and G³
and ensure that the lowermost of the said cross-pieces shall descend to the front of
the plungers G2 at the instant that these latter, in their outward movement shall
have been moved from below the said column of cross-pieces. The weights G+ may
conveniently be attached to cords g³ passing over suitably arranged pulleys (not shown
in the drawings) so as to allow the attendant to raise then when it is necessary to
change the hoppers G³.
Between the fixed hoppers G¹ I provide a lever H pivotted in hearings h secured
to the table A and provided at its swinging or vibrating end with an anti-friction
roller ¹. This roller h¹ engages with a cross-bar h² connected to the upper ends of
two vertically moveable rods a guided in the table A and fixed brackets a¹ and whose
lower ends are connected to a second cross-bar provided with an anti-friction
roller 5 always held in contact with a cam f4, shown clearly in Fig. 4, by spring ho
encircling the rods 3 and bearing against the underside of the table A and against
pins or projections protruding from the rods h³. At the underside of the lever H
I provide a block 7 whose underface is preferably covered with india rubber or other
suitable resilient material.
The cam is secured on the cam shaft F and is arranged so that at one part of its
rotation it allows the springs ho to draw down the block h' on to and retain it in
contact with the slips x then beneath it whereby the said slips are prevented from
noving, this operation taking place simultaneously with the period of rest of the
chain B and inward movement of the plunger G2, and at another part of its rotation
it raises the said block h clear of the slips this operation taking place
simultaneously with the onward movement of the chain and outward movement of
the plungers G².
To prevent the chain B from leaving the way or groove a along which it is
intermittently moved, I secure plates 2 Figs. 2 and 4, to the upper face of the
table A in such position that they project over the edges b' of the blocks b.
At a convenient part of the machine between the hoppers G¹ and the end at which
the wooden slips x are inserted in the blocks b, I provide a vertically moveable

page_text: frame I comprising two horizontal guides i, which may be connected together by a
bridge-bar conveniently cast in one piece with the said guides, two rods 2 free to
reciprocate vertically in suitable guides and rigidly connected at their upper ends to
the guides and at their lower ends to a cross-bar 3. The cross-bar is as shown
clearly in Fig. 5 is provided at its centre with an anti-friction roller adapted to
bear on a cam ♬ secured on the cam shaft F, this contact being always maintained
by means of two springs encircling the vertical rods 2 these springs 2 tending
constantly to depress the frame I. In the guides i is mounted so as to be free to
move only in a horizontal direction therein, a bar 20 carrying or formed in part with
a block whose underside is preferably faced with indiarubber or other resilient
material and on which acts a spring which tends always to move the said block
farther away from the hoppers G¹.
J are two saws fixed to the table A in such position that as the slips x are moved
past them they cut notches or recesses 2 Fig. 11 in the end of the said slips, these
saws being of a thickness suitable for cutting notches of the desired width.
K is a removable cover for protecting the chain B against sawdust or other
obstacles falling on to it from the upper part of the machine.
When the before described machine is started and fully charged hoppers have been
applied its operation may be described as follows.
An attendant stationed adjacent to the cam drun E, from a supply or pile of the
wooden slips x convenient to his hand places one of such slips in each of the block
recesses 62 as these latter are successively moved by the cam c¹ into a position
convenient for this operation; the slips at this stage are merely of rectangular form
the end notches 2 Fig. 11, not having been formed. The continuously rotating
cam E alternately moves onwards the chain B to the extent of the length of one of
the blocks b and holds the said chain so that it cannot be moved either backwards or
forwards.
When the block 6 fully charged as before described with the wooden blanks x
reaches the before-mentioned block this latter at its next descent (which is
simultaneous or substantially simultaneous with the operation of the cam rib e¹ on
the chain rollers 6³) is caused to bear upon the said blanks and hold them firmly in
position while they are being pushed onwards past the saws J, the block i then
moving along with the blanks against the influence of the spring . By these
means the notches or recesses ² are formed in the ends of the slips x. When the
chain is next brought to rest, the cam raises the frame I and the block 17 being
thereby noved out of contact with the blanks 2 is immediately returned by the
spring to its normal position.
The blocks b filled with the notched slips 2 are next brought beneath the
block h which, during the period of rest of the chain B, is depressed on to the said
slips as shown in Fig. 4 so as to hold them firmly in position while by means of the
eccentrics f the plungers G2 are moved inwards so as to force the two then lower-
most of the cross-pieces a¹ which are contained within the hoppers G G³ towards
each other and into the notches x formed in the ends of the slips . The block h
is then raised by the cam f4, the plungers G2 are moved outwards, and simultaneously
therewith the chain B is moved onwards so as to remove the then completed fire-
lighter from beneath the block 7, the fire-lighter being afterwards lifted out of or
off the chain B by an attendant and placed as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2 on
the band D, which may be used for passing the said fire-lighter through a bath of
melted rosin or the like.
The fire-lighters constructed by the before described machine as shown in Fig. 10
each comprise five slips and two cross-pieces ¹, but it will be readily appreciated
that there may be fewer of the slips x it being necessary for such altered construction
merely to omit placing slips in certain of the recesses or pockets 62 of the chain
blocks b.
The before described apparatus may be modified without departing from the
essential features of the invention for example, instead of operating the chain B in
the manner illustrated, which however is the preferred manner, may operate it

page_text: through the medium of a spring controlled slide moved in one direction by a
cam (similar to the cam e¹) and in the other direction by its controlling spring, the
said slide carrying a spring controlled or other pawl for engaging with teeth or
projections at the underside of the blocks.
The chain-blocks b, instead of being adapted to receive five of the slips a
previously described may be adapted to receive less or more than that number.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1) A machine for use in the manufacture of fire-lighters such as shown in Fig. 10
which automatically forms notches or recess in the slips x and inserts cross-pieces in
the said notches or recesses substantially as herein before described.
(2) In a machine for making fire-lighters an endless chain of blocks such as b
each provided with recesses or pockets for receiving the slips of which the fire-
lighters are to be constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
(3) In a machine for making fire-lighters the combination with an endless chain
such as claimed in the preceding claiming clause of mechanism for intermittently
moving it onwards substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
(4) In a machine for making fire lighters the combination with an endless chain
adapted to carry slips such as x of which the firelighters are to be constructed, of a
plunger such as G2 and means for reciprocating the said plunger so as to force cross-
pieces into notches or recesses formed in the slips x substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(5) In a machine for making fire-lighters the combination with an endless chain
adapted to carry slips such as x having notches or recesses in their ends of a hopper
such a G¹ for containing cross-pieces to be inserted into the notches or recesses, and
a reciprocating plunger working beneath the hopper and adapted at each inward
stroke to remove a cross-piece from the hopper and force it into the notches or
recesses substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
(6) In a machine for making fire-lighters the combination with an endless chain
of blocks adapted to carry slips of which the fire-lighters are to be constructed, and
means for intermittently moving the said chain onwards, of saws for forming notches
or recesses in the ends of the slips substantially as hereinbefore described with refer-
ence to the accompanying drawings.
(7) The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete machine
for making fire-lighters substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Dated the Fifth day of September 1898