Improvements in Machines for Making Sheet Metal Lathing and in the Manufacture of such Lathing.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 6th June, 1894-Accepted, 5th Jan., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Making Sheet Metal Lathing and in
the Manufacture of such Lathing.
I, GEORGE HAYES of No. 71 Eighth Avenue in the City, County and State
of New York, United States of America, Civil and Mechanical Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a machine for manufacture of lathing from sheet-metal
and consists of the construction and arrangement of certain rolls between which
the sheet is slitted at intervals throughout in straight lines longitudinally but
diagonal lines alternately so that the slits shall "break joint."
Also of the construction and arrangement of certain rolls located rearwards of
the cutting rolls before mentioned wherein the sheet passing between after being
slitted becomes corrugated throughout longitudinally and the slits therein opened
out into apertures of proper size to afford suitable "key" for plaster and the
sheet as corrugated expanded to the width of the plain sheet or "blank" and the
usual "take up
or drawing in of the metal overcome that the finished lathing
may cover the same amount of surface as in its previous flat condition.
It also consists of the combination of cutting rolls and corrugating rolls in the
same machine coupled together by suitable gearing and also with the driving
shaft als the means of adjustability in respect to certain of the rolls, and also
certain modifications in respect to the rolls.
It also consists of the construction of peculiarities in configuration of the
hereinbefore mentioned corrugating rolls whereby the slits are widened or expanded
into proper apertures for reception of plaster and the edge metal of the same is
turned over backwards from the openings and formed as lips or barbs to become
embedded in the plaster and aid in holding the plaster to the sheet the formation
is such that when completed a species of "dovetail" hollow is formed between the
edgemetal of one aperture and that of the adjacent corresponding aperture
the hollow of the corrugation constituting its back-into the space so formed
the mortar forms a perfect dovetail and is held rigidly and with enduring
permanency.
It further consists of the products of this machine to wit:-the lathing made
thereby it being when finished a corrugated expanded and apertured lathing sheet
having all the rigidity derived from corrugations throughout full surface covering
power derived from its expansion and ample apertures and adaptability for securing
plaster to its surface.
It also consists of the method of making a lathing sheet from a flat blank which
will be corrugated and apertured and contain at completion as many square inches
as the original flat blank-or more-other methods of expanding sheet-metal involve
a loss in a line transverse to the direction of expansion--gaining for instance in
width but losing in length-also other methods of corrugating involve a loss in
width but my method gains without losing anywhere.
The machine is constructed with framework essentially like machines in general
and the style of frame and material thereof may vary.
At the front the two rolls for making the slits are arranged-preferably with the
cutting roll proper above-so that the roll receiving the thrust is below to carry
the sheet the upper roll is formed as a shaft forming a core or foundation upon
which is placed a series of annular cutting edges equidistant apart-between every

page_text: two a washer or separating ring all keyed to the shaft so as to turn therewith and
all held closely together between an abutment at one end of shaft within the frame
and a nut threaded on at the other end of shaft also within the frame-the cutting
edge of the cutting rings is divided all around the circumference into sections of
suitable length say 1 or 2 inches in length by deep transverse notches-so
they appear as segmental cutters and are so arranged on the shaft that the slits cut
in the sheet will "break joint that is they will be in straight lines longitudinally
but diagonal lines transversely.
"
The carrying roll is formed with alternating annular ridges and hollows either
as rings or solid the ridges fitting between the cutters of the upper roll and of
suitable face and width to carry the sheet metal and aid in the operation of slitting
the bollows receiving the cutting edges of the cutters as they revolve and pass
through the sheet.
When the ridges and hollows are formed by rings they are secured upon the
shaft by key and threaded nut analogous to the arrangement described for the
cutter rolls.
At a suitable distance behind the cutter rolls are arranged the corrugating rolls
one above the other so that the sheet in passing through will keep a horizontal line
these latter rolls may also be made of separate rings upon a shaft secured as in the
other case and alternately as ridges and hollows the ridges of the one entering to a
suitable distance between the ridges of the other according to the required depth
and shape of corrugations required for the sheet metal when made in the solid the
conformation is analogous.
All the rolls in the machine may be journalled in movable bearings but preferably
the lower front and rear rolls are so as to admit of sheet-metal of varying or
different thickness passing through in the front rolls the cutting edges pass through
the sheet so that the sheet remains flat until it reaches the rear rolls where the
ridges are formed in such manner that the sheet must bend into corrugations either
on a line with the slits so that one row of slits is at the ridge of the corrugations as
appears to one face and the next row of slits in the hollows that is the preferable
manner but the arrangement may be such that the slits come in the slopes of the
corrugations in either case as the slits "break joint" they become expanded as the
strain comes across every alternating slit centrewise consequently the slits open into
apertures and the sheet being gripped at each end of the rolls and also by the bends
which form quickly as the apertures give the sheet must and will remain of the
full width as before corrugating the usual "drawing in" of the metal in corrugating
being obviated by the ready opening of the slits into apertures.
When the cutters make the slits they give the edge-metal a bend outwards from
the plane of the sheet owing to their width and rounding of the faces laterally the
slight bend of the sheet metal serves as a starter for lips tongues or barbs which
are afterwards perfected in the corrugating rolls whereas the bend of the corrugation
forms the lips of the aperture are thrown more outwardly assuming a somewhat
curved shape-in many instances sufficient but where more curving is desirable I
form the lower roll with between every two corrugating ridges a lesser ridge rising
in the middle of the hollow just sufficient to touch the apex line of the downwardly
projecting bend of the corrugation in the sheet-metal and in the centre line of the
aperture of each alternating line of slits the lesser ridge then enters as the rolls
revolve between the lips of the apertures and its pressure and rounded face combine
to turn backwardly the lips with a roll giving them the most desirable shape for
grasping plaster each side of the lesser ridge in the hollow between the corrugating
ridges by the above construction a hollow is formed into which the roll of the lips
is received and which may also aid in forming them.
It sometimes is desirable to make a flat lathing sheet in this machine this may
be done by lowering the lower roll by adjustment of its movable bearings and also
by a lateral adjustment which will bring the ridges of its corrugations opposite to
those of the upper roll-this latter adjustment is also provided for.
The lathing sheet when finished is corrugated in longitudinal bends with one to

page_text: face the apertures with projecting straight or rolled back tongues and in the hollow
apertures preferably without tongues or lips projecting although these apertures may
also be formed with projecting tongues or lips as desired.
The machine described its devices and combinations the product as a lathing
sbeet finished and ready for sale and use and the method of making a lathing sheet
by slitting corrugating and expanding slits into apertures in the corrugating rolls
constitute the subject matter of this invention. I do not confine myself to any
exact shape of aperture nor to any exact shape for the cutting and forming edge of
the die or cutter as they may vary considerably according to their destined use and
to suit the application of various kinds and qualities of plaster to be used thereon
but the form of cutter must be such that it will cut a slit adapted to widen expand
or open out when strained by the corrugating rolls.
Dated this 6th day of December 1893.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Machines for Making Sheet Metal Lathing and in
the Manufacture of such Lathing.
I, GEORGE HAYES of 71 Eighth Avenue in the City County and State of New
York, United States of America, Civil and Mechanical Engineer, 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:-
My invention relates to the manufacture of certain sheet metal lathing and
consists of a specially and peculiarly constructed machine with various combinations
of parts and devices of which it is composed and rendered effective for its purpose
also of the new or improved lathing a product of the machine and also of the new
or improved method by which the lathing is produced, all as hereinafter more fully
described and finally pointed out in the claims reference being had to the
accompanying drawings-in which :-
Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of the machine illustrating its general exterior
character.
Fig. 2 is a front elevation of about one third of the length of a pair of rolls
with gearing used in the machine for slitting cutting puncturing punching or
otherwise opening the sheet metal at intervals throughout-a piece of metal is
shown between them as being operated upon.
Fig. 3 is a cross section of the rolls of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a front elevation (about one third their length) of a pair of rolls with
gearing used in the machine for corrugating expanding and finishing the sheet
after it has been slitted or otherwise opened at intervals throughout,
Fig. 5 is a cross section of the rolls of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of both sets of rolls as arranged in the machine with
a sheet of metal between them an arrow shows the direction in which it moves
dotted lines circular shows intermediate gearing located outside the frame.
Fig. 7 shows front elevations of two modifications of the corrugating rolls.
Fig. 8 is a front elevation of a portion each of corrugating rolls formed in the
solid metal.
Fig. 9 shows sectionally a portion of the solid rolls of Fig. 8 enlarged with a
piece of sheet metal between them.
Fig. 10 is a face view of a piece of lathing as made in the machine illustrating
stages of manufacture the upper end of the figure shows the sheet slitted or

page_text: opened at intervals preparatory to corrugating and the lower end of the figure
shows the sheet as corrugated and the cuts expanded laterally leaving the sheet of
the same breadth as at the commencement.
Fig. 11 is a front elevation of a portion each of corrugating rolls formed solid
similar to Fig. 8 but in this case extra grooves have been formed therein to
accommodate raised lips or tongues etc. turned outwardly from apertures in the
sheet metal as it passes through.
Fig. 12 shows sectionally enlarged a portion of the rolls of Fig. 11. with a sheet
of metal between them illustrating the advantages of the extra grooves.
Fig. 13 is a face view similar to Fig. 10 of a piece of lathing varying from that
shown in said figure in respect to openings in the sheet.
Figs. 14 to 25 inclusive are perspective views illustrating forms of lathing
sheets made in this machine and by the method of operation herein described.
On the drawings:-A indicates the parts of the machine frame.
B a table or shelf upon which the blank sheets are laid one by one and fed to
the machine.
C is a table or shelf whereon the finished lathing sheets are received from the
machine.
The machine is provided with four operating rolls; D and E are the two front
rolls as a set and F and G are the two rear rolls also as a set-the front rolls
prepare the sheet of metal for the operation of the rear rolls.
A plain flat sheet of metal B' laid upon table B enters between rolls D and E
in the direction shown by arrows in Figs. 1 and 6 to be first slitted punched or
otherwise opened or cut through at intervals throughout its surface preparatory to
being corrugated between rolls F and G each of the rolls D and E are advan-
tageously formed as a shaft having thereupon a series of narrow faced rings
arranged suitable distance apart with between every two rings a separating
ring or washer of lesser diameter all keyed and secured to the shaft to turn
therewith and constitute the operating face.
The projecting rings of the upper roll D are formed as cutters or dies advan-
tageously after the manner shown in Fig. 3 and the lower roll is adjusted thereto
so that between every two projecting rings of its face matrices are provided to
receive the thrust of the cutters or dies of the upper roll.
The projecting rings of the lower roll are also arranged to project upwards
between the cutters of the upper roll so that the sheet in passing through is
supported thereby when being cut slitted or otherwise opened at intervals.
The lower roll E may be formed of solid metal with the shaft entire, lathe
formed, if desired-but as carriers and matrices to its surfaces analogous to those
before described.
The sheet of metal continuing onwards next reaches rear rolls F and G between
which it also passes.
A stripper formed of rods at intervals apart properly framed and supported is
shown at H-Fig. 6-serving to keep the sheet level or in direct line between the
front and rear sets of rolls.
The rolls F and G also may be constructed as rings and washers upon a shaft
analogous to the formation described for rolls D and E so that a surface formation
is constituted as shown in Figs. 4 and 7-instead of forming the rolls F and G of
rings and washers upon a shaft as described they may be lathe formed in the solid
metal after the manner shown in Figs. and 9 or 11 and 12 their surfaces
rendered in annular ridges and grooves analogous to those formed by the rings and
washers.
In either case space must be provided between them at certain points wherein
the web of metal around the slits can move freely as the slits expand-as for
instance at a Figs. 9 and 12 while at points b (same figures) the rolls must bind
upon the sheet of metal between them sufficiently to prevent lateral movement.
This construction of rolls F and G whereby ridges and grooves are formed in a
sheet of metal by expanding a slitted sheet between fixed points is a special

page_text: feature of this invention the sheet corrugated therein must remain all through of
the same breadth (after the ridges and hollows are formed) as the original breadth
when in flat state and without contraction or loss of area so that the finishe 1
lathing sheet will cover the same surface and no loss of covering capacity is
incurred.
The rolls D and E are geared together also the rolls F and G and by inter-
mediate gear wheels the two sets are brought to rotate in unison. A driving shaft
is suitably geared therewith having the usual fittings for power fly-wheel belt
pulleys etc.
In constructing the cutting dies when lips tongues or barbs are desired for the
lathing I give them all or certain of them a sharp slitting edge and receding
therefrom to one or both sides a form of surface that will cause a turn of the
edgemetal of the slit outwardly to one face of the sheet so that as the slits expand
in the rear rolls F and G such raised metal will turn sufficiently to stand as lips
tongues or barbs to assist the apertures in securing plaster to the finished lathing
sheet.
The arrangement and form of the cutters or dies must be such that slits or
openings made thereby will "break joint" in alternating lines-as shown in
Fig. 10 or that certain of them "break joint" as shown in Fig. 13 to enable an
expansion to take place as the sheet of metal passes between the corrugating
rolls F and G.
I find it is very advantageous to place the cutter rolls uppermost (but they
may be reversed whenever desired) and arrange the corrugating rolls to follow
properly.
Heretofore all methods of corrugating sheets of metal have resulted in
contracting the sheet in breadth which increases cost for covering a given
surface of wall.
By the machine herein described and system of manufacture an apertured
lathing sheet is produced deriving the full amount of strength and rigidity from
corrugation without loss as there is no contraction the sheet is corrugated
expandingly and all the extra surface beyond or outside the plane of the original
flat sheet or blank is allowed for and results from the lateral expansion of the
slits or interval openings in the metal and the lathing sheet remains exactly or
approximately the same in breadth length and outline as the flat sheet from which
it was made.
Figs. 10 and 13 show the face of the lathing sheets in process of formation the
upper end of each represents the sheet slitted or opened at intervals as by the
cutters and the lower part of each represents the sheet corrugated having passed
the rear set of rolls the cuts in the sheet having opened under the pressure and
become apertures for reception of plaster.
The corrugating rolls are shown immediately above said figures.
In Fig. 10 the slits in the sheet are all single and alternately break joint.
In Fig. 13 certain of the slits are arranged as pairs in two lines and between
every two such sets is a single line of slits breaking joint therewith.
The slits cuts or openings in the metal may be a thin cut or a wider cut or an
opening formed by punching out a portion of the metal entire or an opening
formed by both cutting and punching in which the metal is not entirely removed
but turned outwardly along one edge or both edges of the openings at sides or
ends after the manner shown in the several figures.
Figs. 14 to 25 inclusive illustrate in perspective lathing sheets as made in this
machine and method of manufacture herein described-they are all alike in respect
to the openings of the metal by slitting or otherwise cutting at intervals and all
are corrugated expansively as described although differing in minor details.
Fig. 14 illustrates the simplest form to wit single thin cuts expanded laterally
in corrugating.
Fig. 15 illustrates a similar form but having the edge metal of the slitted
apertures turned outwardly as lips.

page_text: Fig. 16 illustrates another manner of forming the edge-metal of the cuts on the
ridges leaving it to stand as tongues or hooks to grasp or become embedded in
plaster.
Fig. 17 shows another modification in respect to the edge-metal of the apertures
also the corrugations are formed angular.
Fig. 18 shows parallel cuts opened along near the ridges of the corrugations
the metal of the ridge between forming a loop beneath which plaster will set.
Fig. 19 shows a similar formation to Fig. 18 but the edge-metal of the twin
apertures turned outwardly below ridge plane
Fig. 20 is similar to Fig. 18 but the edges of the loops are turned upwards
above the ridge plane and concave between.
Fig. 21 has edgemetal of cuts near the ridges turned upwardly but the cuts
are not in pairs-all the cuts break joint throughout.
Fig. 22 shows another modification in which lipped openings in the hollows
occur arranged in pairs with lips turned backwards from the openings and towards
each other a single line of expanded apertures occur in each ridge.
Fig. 23 shows a similar formation to Fig. 22 the apertures in the hollows
however are not in pairs-but all break joint.
Fig. 24 shows another modification in which expanded slits form a single
line of apertures in each ridge-and a single line of openings (in which the
-edge-metal is turned outwardly end wise as tongues) is arranged in each hollow.
Fig. 25 shows a similar arrangement of apertures in ridges and hollows as in
Fig. 24 but the apertures are formed in the machine by dies which punch out
metal entire leaving no tongues or lips to the openings-the openings are formed
as slots and expanded laterally in corrugating.
Thus it will be seen that I do not confine myself to size shape or manner of
forming the slits cuts or openings in the metal and they may be with tongues lips
etc. or without but they must be of such character as will admit of a lateral
expansion under the pressure of the corrugating rolls-so that the excess of surface
in the sheet necessary for the ridges or hollows or both ridges and hollows bent
either way beyond the plane of the original sheet or flat blank will be allowed for
and result from the expansion of the openings in the metal as before described.
By making the corrugations deeper or more shallow the amount of expansion
may be increased or lessened but in all cases it results in expansion by corrugating.
The ridges remain straight from end to end of the sheet and its length is not
diminished in any degree from that of the original flat blank and no thinning of
the metal occurs.
The corrugated lathing will cover the same area as would the flat sheet from
which it was made.
The expansion may be arranged to take place in both ridges and hollows or in
either alone by varying location of openings adjusting the cutters or dies as desired
to suit and feeding the sheets to meet the change.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a machine for the manufacture of sheet metal lathing a pair of rolls
adapted to slit aperture or cut through a sheet of metal at intervals throughout
its length in combination and acting in conjunction with a pair of corrugating
rolls adapted to corrugate said slitted (or apertured) sheet while at same time
expand the said slits or openings therein.
2. A machine for manufacturing sheet metal lathing containing in combination
a set of two rolls as annular cutters and matrices adapted to slit or aperture a
metal sheet and a set of two rolls as corrugators adapted to corrugate such slitted
or otherwise apertured sheet and expand the openings therein substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
3. The combination in a machine of the two rolls F and G the exterior surface

page_text: of each formed to a system of annular ridges and hollows which at certain points
grip a sheet of metal between while intermediate of such points the metal is forced
out of plane to a configuration of ridges and hollows as set forth.
4. In a lathing machine the combination of two pairs of rolls such as DE
and F G each constructed as described and all geared together to operate in
unison upon sheet metal as and for the purposes set forth.
5. The method of producing corrugated apertured sheets of metal lathing from.
flat sheets as herein described by first making openings in and through the inetal
at intervals throughout then corrugating the sheet by compressing the same at
intervals across its breadth and pressing out of plane the intervening portions.
thus expanding the openings therein whereby each metal sheet so treated is
converted into a finished lathing sheet without loss of its original area or outline.
6. A corrugated slitted sheet of metal in which the corrugations are allowed for
by lateral expansion of the openings in the metal substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
7. A sheet of metal lathing having the metal slitted or cut through at intervals
throughout and corrugated expandingly substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
8. A corrugated apertured sheet of metal lathing the apertures therein having a
portion of edge metal of their initial cuts turned outwardly and the corrugations.
allowed for by the lateral expansion of the apertures as set forth.
Dated this 6th dore of June 1801
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.