IMPROVEMENTS IN LATHES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jean Antoine Benedict de Castelberg of Chaundefonds
•
in the Republic of Switzerland for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
LATHES" a communication from Camile Piquerez a Person resident at
St Ursanne in the Republic of Switzerland
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jean Antoine Benedict
de Castelberg at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
27th November 1883.
JEAN ANTOINE BENEDICT DE CASTELBERG of Chaundefonds in the Republic of
Switzerland "IMPROVEMENTS IN LATHES [a communication from Camile Piquerez
"
a Person resident at St Ursanne in the Republic of Switzerland]
"..
This Invention has for its object improvements in lathes adapted especially for
turning the bezels and centres of watch cases.
The lathe consists essentially of two main parts; one, the head stock with the
spindle and chuck by which the work is held, and the other the carrier for the
tools with stops used in connection therewith..
The spindle which is mounted in the usual manner in bearings and driven by.a
belt has a hole bored through it from end to end, and this receives a rod or stem
which is able to slide longitudinally, but not to rotate independently of the
spindle.
The object which this rod serves is to tighten the chuck or holder upon the
work, and to release the work when finished.
The spindle carries upon its end a bell or cone in which a number of slits are
made parallel to the axis. These slits permit of the diameter of the bell being
slightly increased or diminished; it can be increased in order to expand it into
work placed upon its exterior or diminished to contract it upon work placed within
it. The expansion is effected by means of a conical button, which is fixed upon
the end of the rod or stem before mentioned traversing the spindle.
A screw is cut upon the rod at the further end which enters a nut on which a
mill head is formed. This nut is attached to the end of the spindle in such a
manner that it is free only to turo.
By turning the milled head the rod or stem with the conical button at its other
end can be drawn into the interior of the bell, and the same is thereby expanded
to an extent which is exactly regulated by the amount to which the nut or milled-
head is turned. This is indicated by a pointer and a scale marked upon the head.
[Price Bd.1

page_text: In order to contract the bell that it may clasp work within it, a collar with a
cylindrical flange is provided upon the spindle and this by means of the rod or
stem within the spindle can be thrust forward at pleasure over the tapered exterior
of the bell. The connection between the collar and the rod is by a pin and a
slotted hole.
In this way the interior of the bell can be slightly contracted to cause it to
embrace the work, and as before the exact amount of this contraction can be
regulated by the degrees of rotation given to the milled head and nut.
The tool holder consists of a block capable of turning upon an horizontal axis
situate in front of the chuck or holder and parallel to but below the level of the
spindle.
In this block four or it might be other number of cylindrical holes are bored;
these also are parallel to the spindle, and they are intended each of them to receive
a tool carrier.
The tool carrier in each case consists of a cylinder fitting and capable of sliding
to and fro within the hole. In front the cylinder is armed with a tool adapted to
the special work to be performed. Each tool carrier will be furnished with a
different sort of tool.
The tool carrier is formed with a conical neck, upon which a head is clamped by
a screw.
This head works over a guide pin in the main block; this prevents the too!
carrier turning within its hole, but allows it to be thrust forward in a longitudinal
direction; it is held back however until required for use by a spring piston let
into the block and pressing against the head of the tool carrier.
A set screw also passes through the head, and it serves to limit the forward
movement of the tool carrier. It can be set to project to any desired amount from
the underside of the head, and when so set it can be firmly clamped.
The forward movement of the tool, when the tool carrier is thrust forward by
hand is thus limited. The head is clamped upon the tool carrier and not
permanently fixed in order to facilitate the adjustment of the tool before the lathe
is set to work.
In connection with one of the tool carriers a second means is provided to
regulate its forward movement, which admits of this carrier serving two purposes.
This second means consists in an adjustable spring stop on the block itself which
can be brought into position and fixed by a screw so as to stand in front of the
head of this tool carrier. This stop on the block then arrests the tool carrier before
the stop screw in the head operates. So this tool carrier has two separate gauges
regulating its forward movement.
Corresponding to each of the tool carriers and tools, there is a stop which comes
in action when this particular tool is in use. It is capable of being turned out of
the way when not required.
Each stop consists of a block with a set screw which can be screwed in more or
less and when set to an exact position it can be clamped. The screw is hollow and
contains a spring piston within it.
The block in which are the tool carriers has a bandle by means of which it is
moved into position and controlled whilst the tool is in use.
When the block is turned over by the handle to bring the tool carrier to its
working position the block comes against the spring piston of the screw stop, which
has been previously set and adjusted. The exact manipulation of the tool is
performed by the workman, pressing upon the handle and upon the spring piston.
The stop and button are so formed that the metal turnings may not remain upon
them to impare the accuracy of the work.
An adjustable rest is provided for the use of a hand tool to remove burr and
finish the work, should this be necessary.

page_text: 3
SPECIFICATION in-
Find d
5.0
pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Jean Antoine Benedict de Castelberg in the Patent Office on the
27th May 1884.
JEAN ANTOINE BENEDICT DE CASTELBERG of Chauxdefonds in the Republic of
Switzerland. IMPROVEMENTS IN LATHES". [a communication from Camile Piquerez
"
a Person resident at St Ursanne in the Republic of Switzerland].
D
This invention has for its object improvements in lathes adapted especially for
turning the bezels and centres of watch cases.
A lathe constructed in accordance with the invention is represented by the
annexed drawings.
=
Figures 1 and 2 are end elevations, the latter partly in section.
Figure 3 is a side elevation, and
Figures 4 and 5 are plans.
:
Some of the parts are represented in section in each of the Figures 3. 4 and 5.
The lathe consists essentially of two main parts, one, the head stock with the
spindle and chuck by which the work is held and the other the carrier for the tools
with stops used in connection therewith.
The spindle a which is mounted in the usual manner in bearings and driven
by a belt has a hole bored through it from end to end and this receives a rod or
stem 6 which is able to slide longitudinally but not to rotate independently of the
spindle.
The object which this rod serves is to tighten the chuck or holder upon the
work and to release the work when finished.
The spindle carries upon its end a bell or cone c in which a number of slits are
made parallel to the axis. These slits permit of the diameter of the bell being
slightly increased or diminished; it can be increased in order to expand it into
work placed upon its exterior or diminished to contract it upon work placed
within it. The expansion is effected by means of a conical button d which as
represented in Figure 3 is fixed upon the end of the rod or stem b before mentioned
traversing the spindle a.
A screw b¹ is cut upon the rod at the further end which enters a nut e on which
a mill head e¹ is fixed. This nut is attached to the end of the spindle a in such a
manner as shown by Figure 5 that it is free only to turn.
By turning the milled head e¹ the rod or stem 6 with the conical button & at its
other end can be drawn into the interior of the bell c and the same is thereby
expanded to an extent which is exactly regulated by the amount to which the
nut e or milled head e¹ is turned. This is indicated by a pointer fand a scale
marked upon the head.
In order to contract a bell c that it may clasp work within it a collar g with a
cylindrical flange g¹ is provided upon the spindle a and this by means of the rod
or stem b within the spindle can be thrust forward at pleasure over the tapered
exterior of the bell c. The connection between the collar g and the rod b is by a
pin and a slotted hole.
In this way the interior of the bell c. can be slightly contracted to cause it to
embrace the work and as before the exact amount of this contraction can be
regulated by the degrees of rotation given to the milled head e¹ and nut e.
The bells and parts above described constituting the chuck for holding the
work are made in various sizes adapted to the work and are changed from time
to time.
The tool holder consists of a block h capable of turning upon or with an
horizontal axis h¹ situate in front of the chuck or holder and parallel to but below
the level of the spindle a.
3

page_text: In this block h four or it might be other number of cylindrical holes i are bored;
these also are parallel to the spindle and they are intended each of them to receive
a tool carrier.
The tool carrier in each case consists of a cylinder k fitting and capable of sliding
to and fro within the hole. In front the cylinder is armed with a tool adapted
to the special work to be performed. Each tool carrier will be furnished with a
different sort of tool.
The tool carrier is formed with a conical neck upon which a head m is
clamped by a screw.
This head works over a guide pin n in the main block h; this prevents the tool
carrier turning within its hole but allows it to be thrust forward in a longitudinal
direction; it is held back however until required for use by a spring piston o let
into the block h and pressing against the head m of the tool carrier.
A set screw p also passes through the head m and it serves to limit the forward
movement of the tool carrier k. It can be set to project to any desired amount
from the under side of the head and when so set it can be firmly clamped.
The forward movement of the tool when the tool carrier is thrust forward by
hand is thus limited. The head is clamped upon the tool carrier and not
permanently fixed in order to facilitate the adjustment of the tool before the lathe
is set to work.
In connection with one of the tool carriers a second means is provided to
regulate its forward and backward movement which admits of this carrier serving
two purposes. This second means consists in an adjustable spring stop 9 on the
block itself which can be brought into position to stand in the way of the head of
this tool carrier. q' is a screw carried by q when adjusted in position it is clamped
by means of another screw q²; this latter serves also as a finger key and when the
finger is placed upon it the head of the screw q¹ is brought down into the course
of the small lug m¹ on the head of one of the tool carriers. This stop on the block
then arrests the tool carrier before the stop screw in the head operates or when
this is out of use. So this tool carrier has two separate gauges regulating its
forward movement.
The spring or key stop q also is used in some cases and for some descriptions
of work to limit the return movement of tool carrier the lug m' then comes against
the head of the adjustable screw q' in the manner represented in Figure 4.
Corresponding to each of the tool carriers and tools there is a stop which comes
in action when this particular tool is in use. It is capable of being turned out of
the way when not required.
Each stop consists of a block with a set screw ¹ which can be screwed in more
or less and when set to an exact position it can be clamped. The screw is hollow
and contains a spring piston ² within it.
The block h in which are the tool carriers has a handles by means of which it is
moved into position and controlled whilst the tool is in use. When the block is
turned over by the handle to bring the tool carrier to its working position the
block comes against the spring piston of the screw stop (one or other of them)
which has been previously set and adjusted. The exact manipulation of the tool
is performed by the workman pressing upon the handles and upon the cylindrical
tool holder k.
The stop and button are so formed that the metal turnings may not remain upon
them to impair the accuracy of the work..
An adjustable rest is provided for the use of a hand tool to remove burr and
finish the work should this be necessary.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and the manner of performing the same I would have it understood that
I claim -
First The chucks or holders for mounting the work in the lathe and the means
for operating the same consisting in a rod passing through the spindle and receiving
a screw nut substantially as described.

page_text: Second. The tool holder consisting of a block with cylindrical holes in it and
moveable about an axis such holes receiving cylindrical tool carriers each having a
head which when the tool has been set in the tool carrier is clamped on to the tool
carrier and prevents it turning in the hole in the block but allows a limited
longitudinal movement substantially as described.
Third-The combination with the tool holder of adjustable spring stops
substantially as described.
Fourth-The combination with the tool carriers of adjustable stops limiting
their longitudinal movement in the holes in the tool holder substantially as
described.
Fifth A lathe adapted for turning the bezels and centres of watch cases and
having a moveable tool holder with a series of tool carriers and tools and adjustable
stops by which the tool holder can rapidly be brought to several prearranged
positions one position suited to each tool and other adjustable stops by which the
movements of the tool carriers and tools relatively to the tool holder are limited
and controlled substantially as described.
In witness whereof I the said Jean Antoine Benedict de Castelberg have
hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fourth day of May in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty four.