A NEW MACHINE POR CUTTING FILES, WHICH HE CALLS BERNOT'S FILE- CUTTING MACHINE
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Etienne Bernot, of Paris, in the Empire of France,
and of 4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Gentleman, for the Invention
of "A NEW MACHINE POR CUTTING FILES, WHICH HE CALLS BERNOT'S FILE-
CUTTING MACHINE."
Sealed the 27th March 1855, and dated the 16th October 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Etienne Bernot at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
16th October 1854.
I, ETIENNE BERNOT, of Paris, in the Empire of France, and of 4, South
Street, Finsbury, London, Gent", do hereby declare the nature of the Inven-
tion of "A NEW MACHINE FOR CUTTING FILES, WHICH I CALL BERNOT'S FILE-
CUTTING MACHINE," to be as follows:--"
My Invention consists in a new arrangement of machinery for cutting files.
Drawing 1 is a side élévation of the machine.
2, end elevation of the same.
A, B, is a support, susceptible of turning in any direction, and allowing the
demi-sphere C to be acted upon all over its surface by the graver D, which
remains fixed. The endless screw V is set in motion by a chain passing over

page_text: a cog wheel X, which causes the rack Co, do, on which the support A, B,
moves transversally, and hence the file Y, held by the support A, B, to advance
alternately with a regular motion before the graver D. The other parts of
the mechanism serve for directing and regulating the action of the machine.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Etienne Bernot in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
16th April 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ETIENNE
BERNOT, of Paris, in the Empire of France, and of 4, South Street, Finsbury,
London, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the eighteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Etienne Bernot, Her special license that I, the said Etienne Bernot,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Etienne Bernot, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention of "A NEW MACHINE
FOR CUTTING FILES, WHICH HE CALLS BERNOT'S FILE-CUTTING MACHINE," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Etienne Bernot, by an instrument
in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said.
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Etienne Bernot, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,.
and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say:-
My Invention consists in new mechanical arrangements for the construction
of a machine for cutting files.

page_text: ;
Drawing I. represents a front elevation of the machine (Figure 1). Drawing I.
also represents a side elevation of the machine, and a section through A, B,
and E, F, Figure I., for shewing more clearly the interior of the machine
(Figure 2).
Drawing II., plan of the whole machine (Figure 1).
Figure 2, Drawing II, represents a vertical section through the line X, X,
of Drawing II. (Figure 1).
Figure 3, Drawing II., is a section through P, O, Figure 2, Drawing II.,
and through R, S, Drawing II. (Figure 1).
Figure 4 represents a front view of the buffer, and' the manner in which the
half circular file is fixed.
Figures V. & 6 also represent the manner of fixing the three-sided and
rats-tail files.
A, B, C, D, cast-iron frame, upon which the various parts of the machine
are set up; E, F, lower part of the frame, serving as foundation to the
machine; this part is hollow internally, and by its arrangement allows the
connecting rod V. shewn by dotted lines, to work vertically, as represented in
Drawing I.; but chiefly in Figure 2, Drawing II., which, being a vertical
section, shews the working and the manner in which motion is communi-
cated more clearly. G, stone pedestal, by which the whole of the machine is
supported. The bolts a, a, are sealed into the pedestal, and run through the
iron foundation E, F, and plate O, uniting them together, so as to form but
one piece. H, cast-iron pulley, (the diameter of which may vary,) serving to
put in motion the whole of the machine. L', M, N, horizontal shaft, set in
motion by the pulley H, and mounted on a barrel L, turning round in a
socket L', forming part of the shaft L', M, N, and cogging, by means of the
lever J in J', thus setting the shaft in motion, as herein-before described.
I, fly wheel, fixed upon the barrel of the pulley, and serving to regulate the
rotative motion of the shaft L, M, N. K, K, plummer blocks, forming part
of the frame, & in which the horizontal shaft L, M, N, works. O', cam,
mounted upon and fixed to the centre 02 of the horizontal shaft, by a conical
shoulder running through it, and a screw which fastens them together, as
shewn in Figure 2, Drawing II. This cam being fixed to the horizontal shaft,
encounters during the revolution of the latter the ram beam P, Q, which
slides between two grooves V, cut in the upright of the frame, and gives to it
an ascending movement. R, ring, enclosing an excentric R'; during the
movement of the horizontal shaft, the ring R, fixed to the rod S, gives to the

page_text: latter a to and fro movement, as shewn in Drawing I. (Fig. 2), & Draws II.
(Fig. 1.) T, balance lever, jointed at the point U, V, and pivoting by means
of the axis X. This connecting rod has towards its centre a groove, which
allows it to ascend or descend, according to the catch Y. The catch Y at each
to and fro movement causes the ratchet wheel Z to turn, by pushing it before
it. The stroke of the catch Y is always calculated so as to cause the ratchet
wheel to advance one.cog at each movement.
A¹, counter catch, for preventing the ratchet wheel Z making a retrograde
movement; it is moveable on the point B³, and can, by means of the grooved
piece B, C, which receives it, advance or recede with it, according to the
required inclination. This inclination is always regulated by that of the cog
of the ratchet wheel, which varies in size, according to the degree of fineness to
be obtained. In order to prevent the rising of the catches, two springs bear
constantly on the points Y of one, and on A¹ of the other.
D', small horizontal shaft, set in motion by the ratchet wheel Z; at the
extremity of this shaft is a pinion E', upon which the cog wheel F¹ works.
This wheel is set upon a horizontal shaft G', to the middle of which is fixed
a pressure excentric H¹; the spokes which serve to form the circumference
have been calculated, so as to press continually in its rotation in a propor-
tionate manner upon a spring 1'; it only travels over three-fourths of the
circumference, and as this movement has been determined by the length of the
file, it therefore follows, that each time one of the surfaces of the file has been
cut, the wheel F¹ returns, and imparts to it its motion by means of the two
handle levers J, which form part of the said wheel F. The handles also
point at each new
serve as a mark for replacing the excentric at its starting
cutting. I', main tempered steel spring, fixed by a counter plate and two screws
to the centre of a moveable shaft K¹.
Another small spring L, also fixed to the shaft K', rests upon a stop M',
and serves to prevent the main spring 1' from taking a vertical direction,
which, owing to the mobility of the shaft K', to which it is fixed, would
otherwise take place. During the action of the machine the excentric His
constantly in contact with the main spring 1'.
It will be readily understood, bearing in mind the ascending movement
which the cam imparts to the beam P, Q, that the beam encounters the main
spring each time, and consequently the elastic force of the latter varies
according to its contact with the excentric.
The beam P, Q, is provided at its lowest end with a graver or chisel N,
which is firmly fixed by a counter plate, which, with two bolts running through
it, prevent the chisel N acting on the beam itself.

page_text: The carriage of the graver should always be perpendicular to the axis of the
beam P, Q, and consequently have its edge parallel to the surface of the file to
be cut; when once this object is obtained, the file, notwithstanding the irregu-
laritics of thickness in all its transverse sections, will always present a line of
contact parallel to the cutting edge of the graver. It will be seen by the pre-
ceding, that as the elastic force of the main spring I upon the beam varies in
proportion as the excentric performs its movements, this beam descends with
more or less force, and consequently, by means of the graver at its end, cuts
the lines upon the file always of an equal depth.
The mechanism working the excentric is arranged that it should exert the
strongest pressure upon the middle of the file, where the surface to be cut
is the largest, and that the pressure should gradually diminish in advancing
towards the extremities, and thus produce the cutting of an uniform depth.
The movement of the excentric is regulated by means of the supports A5, B5,
upon which it rests. These supports slide in grooves C³, & are fixed by a
semicircular piece D³.
The mechanism for setting the file in motion is as follows:-0³, shoulder,
forming part of the horizontal shaft M, N; in the middle of this shoulder a
handle P¹ slides, which is fixed by means of a screw bolt when its range is
determined. Q, main connecting rod, provided with a pulley R³ at its upper
part, and jointed at. its lower part in S¹. This connecting rod, set in motion
by the handle P¹, which works with the horizontal shaft M, N, gives to the
rod Ta to and fro vertical movement.
At the lower part of the rod T¹ is a small pulley U', jointed to its extremi-
ties, and which sets in motion a connecting rod V₁, suspended at its other
extremity to a pulley X, similar in construction to the pulley U¹, but which
remains fixed while it pivots on the point V₁, bolted to the framing of the
machine.
At the middle of the balance lever V₁ rests a vertical rod Z', A³, jointed at
Z³, and which also receives a to and fro vertical movement from the rod 'T' by
means of the balance lever V. This rod Z', A2, slides frictionwise in a barrel,
provided with a shoulder at its lower part, and tapped at its upper part to
receive a round nutted screw, which presses it firmly between the plate,
hercin-before described, and set on the framing of the machine & the buffer
carrier B³.
At the upper part of the rod Z, A2, is another balance lever C, jointed to
the left extremity at D, as shewn in Drawing I., provided with a pulley, also
jointed at its lower part at B2, and pivotting upon an ear fixed to the buffer
carrier B³. The right-hand side of this balance lever communicates to the

page_text: connecting rod G2, with which it is jointed, an ascending and descending
movement, which it has received from the rod Z, A. The connecting rod G²
can work in any direction, being provided at each of its extremities ³ with
universal joints.
The arched arm J³, which is fixed to the upper part of the connecting rod
G receives from the latter a to and fro movement, which it communicates to
the connecting rod L³, which, like the arm J. forms part of the shaft K2, (as
seen in Drawing I., Fig. 2,) working in two plummer blocks M*, N2. The
connecting rod L³, being attached to the small pulley M by the rod N³,
jointed to both at the points 03 and P2, gives to the pulley M³ a to and fro
motion, and causes the ratchet wheel R³ to advance one cog each time by the
pressure of the catch S2, which pushes it successively before it. To prevent
the pulley M moving too freely, it is attached to a support T, at the lower,
part of which is a ring cut in two, and reunited by two claws & two screws;
this ring rotates freely upon the shaft U2, which receives a circular movement
from the ratchet wheel R, forming part of it, by the pressure of a nut with
cap V³, against one of the shoulders of the shaft U³.
A counter catch Y2 serves to prevent the ratchet, wheel from making a
retrograde movement; this counter catch can be lengthened or shortened at
will by means of the piece, which slides in a screw bolt into an iron plate b³,
serving as support to the plummer blocks N° & M². When the length of the
catch is determined, it is merely necessary to bear strongly upon the head of
the bolt to keep at the same length the catch V2; its length and inclination
are always dependant on the fineness of the cogs of the ratchet wheel upon
which it is to act.
It will be seen, from what has been herein described, that the ratchet wheel
R³ gives a circular movement to the shaft U2; this shaft, which works in two
plummer blocks B, B', is provided at its other extremity with an endless screw
C³, which in turning advances or recedes, according to the impulse given to it
by a rack D³, with which it cogs. The rack D³, as represented in Drawing I.
(Fig. 2), and Figure 2, Drawing II., travels the whole of the length when
sliding through a semi-hollow cylinder E³, F³, provided at its lower extremity
with a groove G", serving as guide to this rack. Towards the extremities of
this rack are two stops H3, H³, serving to direct the upper part or buffer 1,
that rests upon it.
This buffer I³ is of the form of a demi-cylindrical prism, and has towards its
extremities two grooves made in it, which slide freely in a transverse direction
to the demi-prism while held by the stops H³, H³. The demi-prism, as shewn
in Figure 3, Drawing II., moves in a transverse direction to E, F, with

page_text: which it moves, with a gentle friction; it can therefore move freely round
E, F, & at the upper surface change its position from a horizontal to an
inclined position either to the right or left. At the upper part of 13 a groove
is formed through the whole of its length, and at the bottom of this groove an
iron plate m is let in, the upper surface of which represents exactly the shape
of the file. which is to be submitted to the action of the machine. Between
the file and the plate m, as well as upon the lateral side of the file, zinc bands
are placed, in order that the stroke of the beam P, Q, should not impair the
cut lines already produced.
Figure 3. Drawing II., shews the manner in which the file is fixed upon
the buffer. In this Figure the grooves made in the buffer are shewn in
section, and receive, as shewn in plan, Figure 1, Drawing II., two wedges
a, b, of which the left one is fixed and the right one moveable. This last
forms part of a screw with prolonged threads. This screw is supported by a
piece of iron fixed to I by means of rivets; if, therefore, this screw is set in
motion by means of its handle n, it causes to advance or recede the moveable
wedge to which it is jointed, and which then tightens or slackens the file
against which it is applied. The buffer 1 works longitudinally, by means
of an endless screw cogging with the rack D³, upon which it rests. It will be
readily understood, on referring to Figure 2, Drawing II., that the motion
can also be produced in a transverse direction by means of grooves made
towards the extremities of the buffer, and sliding freely in the stops H³, H³,
of the rack D³. The buffer Is has on each side of its lateral faces semi-
circular pieces a, a, (shewn in black dotted lines,) forming an axis, and
pivoting in circular grooves hollowed out in the interior of the uprights of the
support B³, by which the circular, alternate, and vertical movement is given to
the buffer carrier, and afterwards to the buffer itself. This movement is com-
bined, so as to pass from a horizontal to an oblique direction, and form an
angle which can reach 60°, and allows of regulating at will the inclination of
the cuttings of the file. When the requisite cutting tool is regulated, the
whole mechanism is stopped, to prevent any movement from top to bottom,
by means of an iron rod T, moving at its lower part e round a bolt screwed
into one of the uprights of the support. At the upper part of this rod is a
groove, in which slides a bolt f, screwed into the buffer carrier. The lateral
faces of the said rod are divided into 60 parts, so as to correspond to
the 60° of the angle that the buffer may have to describe. The bolt f then
performs the function of slider with the iron rod T, which, by means of the
divisions marked thereon, becomes a scale of vertical inclinations; if, therefore,

page_text: the nuts of the two bolts are strongly pressed, the buffer will be prevented from
moving in a vertical direction.
It will be seen by the foregoing description that the filc, the buffer, its
carrier, and the support B form but one body, which moves in a horizontal
plane, and allows the file to present itself to the graver from right to left for
the first cut, and from left to right for the second. The support is provided at
its lower part with a disc B³, in which the uprights g, g, already described, are
enclosed, and retained by bolts. A fusech passes through the centre of this
disc, and acts as a pressure bolt to the plate O. through which it also passes;
this fusech is held by a head i at its lower part, and at its upper part by a
round nut, pierced with six vertical holes, to receive the key for holding it
firm. These several movements are shewn in red in Figure 1, Drawing II.
At the centre of the disc B at K is a mark, which also serves to regulate
the cross angular cuttings. This mark, shewn by the vertical line k, l, cor-
responds to a semicircle, divided on each side into 60 degrees, begining at
the point K. It will be understood that o, begining at K, the reading of the
degrees is either from left to right, or vice versa. p is a plate, having at its
centre a groove, shewn in black dotted lines; this plate is fixed to the main
frame by means of two screw bolts. Behind this plate p is a disc, which has
at its centre r an axis of the same diameter as the above-mentioned groove.
This groove is made so as to allow the axes of the counter plate to slide from
right to left in it, and to describe in its motion an arc of a circle, of which the
points is the centre, and which pivots on the points of the plate, to which it
is held by a nut t. This movement serves only to regulate the disc, which
is fixed to the plate by means of a nut l. This disc is shown in Figure 1,
Drawing I., in black dotted lines, and in Figure 2 by the letter p². U, dove-
tailed guide, sliding freely in the disc p¹; its movement takes place from top
to bottom and from right to left, that is to say, similarly to the disc with which
it slides.
At the upper part of this guide U, at the point V, a rod is rivetted, which
acts as an axis, and serves to receive the main lever. a, arm of the lever,
jointed aty,, & u. The small arm y, z, is held at the point to the
plate when the apparatus is not in motion. At the extremity of the main
arma is fixed a cast-iron ball, which exerts a constant pressure upon the
guide U, with which it communicates by means of the rod V, which acts at
the same time as a pivot and axis of the main arm c. A', small crutch
moving at b, serving to receive the arm of the lever a, which rests upon it
at C', when the latter ceases to bear upon the guide U. This movement
'

page_text: takes place every time a new line is cut, and is represented colored red in
Figure 1, Drawing I.
Owing to the peculiar arrangement of this part of the machine, when the
guide U is once regulated by the counter plate or disc, in which it slides, it
acts as press and guide at the same time, that is to say, it always forces the
file, upon which it rests during the cutting operation, to keep parallel to the
graver N, by which the cutting is performed. The flat files are maintained
upon the buffer I by means of pressure & zine wedges, which embrace three
faces of the file submitted to the cutting.
I will now proceed to describe the manner in which the half-round & rats-
tail files are fixed upon the buffer I".
For the half-round, see Figure 4, Drawing II., a zinc plate d' is cast,
upon which the plane surface of the file (previously cut by the same process
as the flat file) rests. The concave part e, which retains one of the convex
sides of the file, is moulded upon this file. This plate is held on the buffer by
two grooves j, j', and is subjected to all the transverse movements given to
the buffer.
It will be readily understood that if a plummer block g', g', slides in the
buffer carrier E, F, and is held to the buffer by means of a groove made in
the semi-disc ', fixed to the vertical face of the buffer by two screws,
that the buffer can move transversally, and take with it the plummer
block g', g', which is kept with gentle friction by the circular cheek i', ', of
the semi-disc . Upon the plummer block g', g', is a moveable catch j, held
by a spring k. This catch forces itself into the openings 1, 1, 1, made in the
cheek of the semi-disc h', and serves to hold the file steady during the cutting
action.
It will be seen in Figure 4, Drawing II., that an opening corresponds with
the surface of the file to be cut. According to the arrangement shewn in
that Figure, only one half of the file can be cut at a time. For cutting the
other half, it suffices to mould another zinc plate in a contrary direction,
and to operate in the same manner. For cutting the three-faced files and
rats-tail form, the arrangement of plummer blocks is the same as for the
half-round file, that is to say, the bearing g', g', moves with the buffer only;
it is fixed to it by means of two screws ³, 3.
Between the internal face and the face of the buffer is a circular gorge, in
which a washer a³, about 3rd of an inch in thickness, freely moves, and is
provided with three equidistant holes, for cutting the three-faced files, and for
the rats-tail form there are ten holes. A screw V, running through the

page_text: plummer block g', g', is inserted into the buffer, and forms a projection in the
bottom of the gorge. This screw acts as a support and stop to, the washers,
which successively present their openings to this screw, according as. a
longitudinal cut is finished.
The zinc plates which receive each of the files are previously moulded upon
them (as for the half-round files), and sink into the buffer by means of
grooves made in each side. To prevent the file from moving during the
cutting operation, its end is inserted in openings made in the washers; these
openings are of the same form as the ends they are to receive.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner
of putting the same into execution, I wish it to be understood that I do not
confine myself to the precise details of construction herein laid down, as the
same may be varied; but what I claim is,
First, the peculiar arrangement of the buffer carrier for the manufacture of
files, as herein-before described and referred to in Figures 1 & 2; Drawing I.,
& Figures 4, 5, & 6, Drawing II.
Secondly, the combination of a chain, composed of levers and connecting.
rods, with ordinary or universal joints, capable of working in all directions, as
herein-before described and referred to in Figures 1 & 2, Drawing I.
Thirdly, in the arrangement of a guide set parallel to the graver, as herein-
before described and referred to in Figures 1 & 2, Drawing I., & Figure 2,
Drawing II.
Fourthly, in the arrangement of an excentric, the pressure of which is
proportionally exerted upon a spring, as herein-before described and referred
to in the Figures 1 & 2, Drawing I., & Figures 1 & 2, Drawing II.
In witness whereof, I, the said Etienne Bernot, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.