Improvements in Machines for Shearing and Clipping Wool and Cutting Hair.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Dec., 1892-Accepted, 18th Feb., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Shearing and Clipping Wool and
Cutting Hair.
We, WILLIAM SILVER, Engineer, NATHAN COHEN, Auctioneer, both of
Tamworth, in the Colony of New South Wales, and BENJAMIN FRANCIS
MARKS, Merchant, of Pitt Street, Sydney, in the said Colony, 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 machine shears, and consists in novel constructions and
combinations of power-levers, tension-levers, tension-mechanisins, and bearings and
settings for the vibrating parts.
Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings are illustrative of a class of
constructions in which the tension-lever is of the third class and has its fulcrum in a
bracket projecting rearwardly from a central spindle or pivot about which vibration
occurs;
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate constructions wherein the tension-lever is supported at
one end on a point in the machine case;
Figure 9 shews a construction wherein the spindle carries a combined power- and
tension-lever;
Figure 10 shews a construction wherein the lever is mounted in the spindle in
such a way as to have perfect adjustment therein, vibratory motion being imparted
to the spindle through a rearwardly-projecting lever and communicated thence
through the forked lever to the cutter;
Figures 11 to 14 relate to a construction wherein the tension is applied by
canting the comb-plate, instead of, as in the other designs, by acting on the
vibrating levers or parts connected therewith.
Figures 1 to 12 are each partial longitudinal sections through the machines ;
Figure 13 is a plan, and Figure 14 a transverse section of the construction to which
Figures 11 and 12 relate.
In all the designs except that shewn in Figure 6, the lever or arm carrying the
cutter-fork, and ordinarily called the tension-lever, may be drawn out of the
machine without taking it to pieces, in order to clear it from the grease, dirt and
clippings which collect thereon.
Whenever the expression "without taking the machine to pieces," or words to
that effect, is used in this Specification, it may be understood to mean that no parts
of the machine are to be opened or taken apart which are designed to remain
permanently fixed, and which should not be taken apart except for purposes of
repair.
Referring to Figure 1, 1 is the case of the machine, 2 the main bearing, 3 the
cover-plate, 4 the nut in part 3, 5 the footstep-bearing and shoe in part 1 concentric
with the nut 4, 6 are hollow tension-screws, 7 is the shoe therein carrying a stem
which passes through the upper end of the part 10 and terminates in a spherical or
conical point 8, which bears on the tension-lever; the spindle 10 is provided with a
rearwardly-projecting arm or bracket-piece 9, and is seated in the parts 5 and 6 ;
11 is the tension-lever having a turned shank which passes through a slot or hole 12
in the part 10, and whose rear end is sustained in the fork-carrier 13 on the rear
end of the part 9, in which it is locked by the key-piece 14. 15 is the tension
locking spring. The mechanism shewn for converting the rotary motion of the
shaft 16 into reciprocating motion, and for applying that motion to the vibrating
parts, is not novel, and there may be substituted for it any other known mechanism

page_text: capable of effecting the same purpose. The same observation applies to all the
other designs illustrated. The construction of the footstep-bearing may be
according to either of the designs shewn in Figure 1, 2, 4 or 6. The spindle 10
and the bracket 9 vibrate in a fixed horizontal plane, but the forward end of the
tension-lever 11 is capable of vertical adjustment about the carrier 13; the slot 12
being of sufficient size to allow the necessary depth of travel. Tension is applied
by screwing down the part 6, whereby the point 8 is pressed on the lever 11. The
slot 12 is a neat fit at the sides for the lever 11, and the parts therefore work
together smoothly. To remove the lever 11, the comb 17 and cutter 18 are taken
off, the tension-screw 6 run back and the fork inverted, whereby the key 14 is
brought opposite the mouth of the U-shaped carrier 13, when the lever may be
drawn out. It can be easily reset by reversing this operation.
When the arrangement shewn in Figures 2 and 3 is used, the application of
tension locks the tension-lever in the power-lever, and prevents it from being drawn
out until the tension-screw is slacked back.
In lieu of making the whole tension-lever withdrawable, the same principle of
construction can be applied to machines in which the fork or claw is pivoted to the
shank of that lever, by constructing the pivots in such a way that the fork or claw
can be lifted out at will. A number of simple mechanical contrivances can be
devised for this purpose by any mechanic; thus a spring-catch may be provided, or
the pivot may be formed as a bayonet-joint which will allow the requisite degree of
transverse play.
On reference to Figure 2, it will be seen that the principle of construction is
identical with that of the machine shewn in the previous figure; the only structural
difference is the placing of the carrier above instead of below the tension-lever, and
the supporting of the rear end of that lever on a point 19 fitting into a cup 20, or
vice versa. The bracket 9 is shewn to terminate in two cheeks between which an
overhung eccentric pin may work to effect the vibration of the levers. It will,
however, be obvious that the principle of construction of the carrier 13 and of the
key-lock 14 may be easily applied in this design. When the point and cup-
construction is used, as shewn in this figure, and also in Figures 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8,
the lever 11 may be square instead of round in section; but where it is grasped at
the sides, it must be swelled and turned spherical, so as to be capable of free
adjustment.
The construction shewn in Figure 3 is practically a combination of those shewn
in the two preceding figures; the bracket 9 is both above and below the lever 11,
aud is extended forward and formed into two cheeks 21 which grasp the lever 11
at the sides. These cheeks may be made to connect the upper and lower parts of
the carrier. It will be noticed that the shoe 7 and stem and point 8, shewn in
this figure, differ slightly in form from those shewn in the previous figures; but all
three forms of this part are interchangeable.
Figure 4 is illustrative of a construction which is in principle practically identical
with that shewn in Figure 1, except as regards the tension-mechanism. An inter-
mediate lever 22 is here used; it is fulcrumed at 23 in the bracket-piece 26
springing from the spindle 10; its end 24 receives tension from the point 8, and it
transmits tension through the point 25 to the lever 11.
Figure 5 illustrates a construction similar to that shewn in Figure 3, with the
exceptions that the upper portions of the spindle 10 and of the bracket 9 are
omitted, and the screw 6 is made solid and formed to a point 27 which bears on the
lever 11.
The construction illustrated in Figure 6 combines some of the advantages possessed
by the machines already described with a vibrating lever through which the centre
spindle passes. The central portion 29 of the tension-lever 28 is formed into a
spherical-bottomed cylindrical cup, in which the spherical head 30 of the tension-
piece 31 sits and adjusts itself. The central spindle 32, on which the bracket 33 is
formed, has its bottom bearing in the footstep 5 and its top bearing in the tension-
piece 31, which latter in turn finds a bearing in the tension-screw 6 whose shoe 7
3

page_text: bears on its head. There is no novelty in the construction of the parts 28, 32
and 33; a construction being known in which these parts are used, the spindle 32
having its top bearing in the tension-cup whose lower end is made to bear on the
tension-lever.
The compound spindle formed of the parts 31 and 32 and co-acting with the
parts 29 and 30, and the screw-cap with shoe bearing on the part 31, having true
bearings, perfect action is obtained. The point or carrier 19 and the sphere 30
allow the tension-lever to adjust itself transversely so as to distribute the tension
equally upon the cutter; and the upward and downward thrusts, due to the
application of tension, are taken on points. In a modification of this design, the
bottom end of the tension-piece 31 is not a fit for, and does not bear on, the bottom
of the cup 29; but a bracket is sprung from the part 31 and formed to a point
which bears down on the tension-lever 11 between the centre and the forked end.
The designs shewn in Figures 7 and 8 differ from each other only in that in the
former the tension-lever is of the third class and in the latter of the first class:
the construction of the tension-lever is, however, practically identical in both cases.
Referring to Figure 7, the spindle or pivot 34 has its bearings in the parts 5 and 6;
the upward thrust being taken on the point 8. The central portion of the part 34
is formed like a box, and through the box-like portion the tension-lever 11 passes,
and from it extends rearwardly a bracket 9 to which vibration is communicated.
The rear end of the lever 11 is fulcrumed on a permanent point 35 in the case, and
the spherical point 36 bears on it between the point and its forked end, and applies
tension to it. The part 37 of the lever 11 is made spherical at the sides, so that it
will always be in true contact with the sides of the box-like portion of the
spindle 34, and yet be always capable of adjusting itself transversely. A ball,
working between races, may be substituted for the spherical point 36, with the
object of reducing friction. In the design shewn in Figure 8, the fulcrum and the
point of application of tension are transposed; the point 35 being at the end of a
screw 38, which screw may be provided with the thumb-cap, or formed to receive or
engage with or be engaged by a key or spanner. A nipping spring, to lock the
screw when adjusted, should also be provided.
Referring to Figure 9, only one lever 39 is used. It acts as both power- and
tension-lever, and its central portion 40 is turned cylindrical to fit a hole bored
through the middle portion of the spindle 41, between its top and bottom bearings.
The construction of the tension-cap is practically identical with that of the like
part in the designs shewn in Figures 5 and 6. When tension is applied, the
spindle and lever move bodily downwards and vice versá; the lever at the same
time settling itself in the spindle so as to distribute the tension equally upon the
cutter. The rear end of the lever is flattened at the sides, so as to fit the oscillator
which is shewn in Figures 11 and 13. The lever is prevented from drawing
forward out of the spindle by the key-piece 42. In setting up the machine, the
lever is held sidewise and is then inserted, rear end first, in the hole in the part 40
of the spindle 41; there being at one side of this hole a slot through which the
key 42 passes.
When it has been pushed home, it is given a quarter turn to bring
it erect and set the feather 42 against the solid metal, whereby the parts are locked
together firmly but in such a way that the lever can turn freely in the spindle to
effect transverse adjustment on the cutter.
In the design shewn in Figure 10, a short lever 43 screwed into a cylindrical
rolling piece 44, which is set in a hole bored across the central portion of the
spindle, which, with its connections, is almost identical in construction with that of
the spindle in the design shewn in Figure 4. Vibratory motion is communicated to
the spindle and lever through the tail-piece 45 of the spindle. The piece 44 can
roll in its seating and so allow the forked lever, which is screwed into it, to move
vertically; and the screw on the lever 43 is made sufficiently free to allow the fork
the necessary transverse adjustment on the cutter.
Referring to Figures 11 to 14, it will be seen that the construction of the central
spindle and of the lever is practically identical with that shewn in Figure 9, with

page_text: the exception that both bearings are permanent. Tension is obtained by acting on
the comb, whose carrier 46 is formed into two legs 47, which are pivoted by a
pin 48 to the main case. To the sides of this carrier, two pieces 49, connected by
a yoke 50, are secured; and in the yoke is made or set a nut in which the tension-
screw 50 works, taking its bearing on the cover-plate 52. 53 is the tension locking
spring and detent. This construction results in a machine that is completely
closed. It will be understood that there may be substituted for the spindle and
lever shewn any other known form of such mechanism (without its attached tension
parts) as can be fitted into the machine.
There is no novelty in the use, in combination, of a power-lever of the first class
vibrating in a fixed horizontal plane, a tension-lever fulcrumed on such power-lever
and acted upon by tension-mechanism, and a forked arm pivoted or flexibly con-
nected to the shank (so that the fork may distribute the tension transmitted to it
by the lever); but in such combinations, the shank of the tension-lever (when that
lever is a single bar-not made as shewn in Figure 6-and passes through the
centre of vibration) has heretofore been incapable of rocking crosswise of the
power-lever so as to adjust the tension and distribute it equally on both sides of
the cutter.
According to the present invention, the tension-lever with its fork is
made of a single solid casting or forging, and not as has been described already,
and as heretofore used, in two pieces, entailing the use of attachments and con-
nections. There is no novelty in the broad principle of causing all the vibrating
parts and their connections to move bodily downward upon the cutter for the
purpose of applying tension thereto.
No claim is made in respect of the mechanism for transforming the rotary motion
of the shaft into reciprocating motion and for applying such motion to the levers,
as shewn in Figures 1 and 11.
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. In a shearing machine, the combination of a power-lever of the first class
vibrating in a fixed plane, tension-mechanism, and a single-bar tension-lever acted
upon by the said tension-mechanism and supported or mounted in the power-lever
in such a manner that it may roll freely relatively thereto to effect distribution of
tension upon the cutter, substantially as described.
2. In a two-lever shearing machine, mounting or supporting the tension-lever on
the power-lever substantially as herein described and in such a manner that it will
be locked therein when tension is applied, but may be freely withdrawn and reset
when the tension is relieved without taking the machine to pieces.
3. In a shearing machine wherein the tension-fork is an attachment to the tension-
lever, constructing the said fork in such a manner that it may be lifted off the said
lever, and reset thereon without taking the machine to pieces, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
4. In a shearing machine wherein the tension-lever and tension-fork are formed
of a single piece of metal, constructing the said parts in such a manner that they
may be withdrawn from the machine and reset therein without taking the machine
to pieces, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
5. The combination and arrangement of the parts 6 to 14, substantially as
described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.
6. In a two-lever shearing machine, the employment of an intermediate lever,
such as 22, between the tension-cap and the tension-lever, substantially as described
with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
7. The combination and arrangement of the power-lever with its hub or spindle,
tension-lever mounted in or upon said power-lever, and tension-cap having a point
which bears on the tension-lever at the centre of vibration, substantially as herein
described, and illustrated in Figure of the accompanying drawings.
J
8. The combination with the parts 6, 28, 29, 32 and 33, of the parts 8; 30 and 31,

page_text: substantially as described with reference to Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings
and for the purposes set forth.
9. The combination and arrangement of the parts 6, 11, 34, 35, 36 and 37, substan-
tially as described with reference to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings and for
the purposes set forth.
10. The combination and arrangement of the parts 11, 34, 35, 36 and 38, substan-
tially as described with reference to Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings and for
the purposes set forth.
11. In one-lever shearing machines wherein tension is applied by moving the
lever down bodily upon the cutter (in contradistinction from machines in which the
outer end only of the tension-lever moves), pivoting the tension-lever in the spindle
in such a manner that it will be capable of rolling transversely in order to distribute
tension equally on both sides of the cutter, substantially as described with reference
to Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings.
12. In a two-lever shearing machine wherein the power-lever vibrates in a fixed
plane, pivoting the tension-lever in the spindle by screwing it freely into a rolling
piece fitted in a cylindrical hole bored across said spindle, whereby it is capable of
vertical adjustment at the forward end to apply tension and of transverse adjust-
ment to distribute the same, tension-mechanism being made to act on said tension-
lever; substantially as described with reference to Figure 10 of the accompanying
drawings.
13. The herein-described method of applying tension in a shearing machine, con-
sisting in moving the comb relatively to the cutter perpendicularly (or approximately
80) to the plane of vibration of the cutter.
14. In a shearing machine, the combination, with a lever or levers vibrating in a
fixed plane and operating the cutter, of a swinging or canting comb and tension-
mechanism, substantially as and for the purposes herein described.
15. In a shearing machine, the combination, with the machine-case and tension-
screws, of the parts 46 to 50, substantially as described with reference to Figures 11
to 14 of the accompanying drawings and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 30th day of December 1892.
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Chartered Patent Agent.