Improvements in or applicable to Machines for Grinding Razors.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 11th Sept., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or applicable to Machines for Grinding Razors.
[ HEINRICH WOLFERTS of Ladwehr near Solingen, Germany, Manufacturer,
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 said invention has for its object certain improvements in machines for grinding
razors.
In the manufacture of razors, the hollow-grinding of the blade contributes chiefly
to the cost of production, occupying as it does so much time and requiring very
careful attention more particularly to prevent overheating of the blade. Machinery
has therefore been designed to effect the hollow-grinding, but the work turned out
has been found to be incomplete, subsequent finishing by hand being necessary. This
is due to the fact that in consequence of the somewhat curved form little corners
remain unground at each end of the razor-back, on both sides of the cutting edge,
since these ends do not come into the course of operation of the grinding rollers.
These four corners have therefore to be finished off by hand.
The object of the present invention is an automatic machine, as shown on the
accompanying drawings, to which reference is hereinafter inade, for hollow-grinding
razors in a manner answering all requirements, obviating all danger of overheating of
the blade and rendering finishing by hand wholly unnecessary. One attendant is
sufficient for three or four machines, hence a great economy is effected in the cost of
labour.
The working of the machine is such, that the whole length of the razor to be
ground n (Fig. 1 to 4) being introduced with the edge foremost between two rotating
stones 88, the blade, simultaneously with its forward movement between the stones,
receives a to and fro oscillating motion in the direction of its length. The surface
offered to the stones is thus being continually changed, so that the steel cannot be
overheated by too long grinding on one and the same part. Furthermore, by reason
of the oscillating motion of the blade, the ends of the back also are presented to the
stones, whereby the simultaneous grinding of the corners e (Fig. 1) is effected.
Another feature of the machine is the application of a wedge k (Fig. 2) for effecting
the forward motion of the razor between the stones. This wedge, by reason of its
gradually rising surface, imparts an advance movement, adapted to the particular form
of the section of the blade coming under operation for the moment, in such manner
that during the period of grinding, equal work is performed on all portions of the
blade from edge to back. That is to say, the advance of the blade can be so regulated,
that without being dependent upon the will of the machine minder, the forward
motion at the commencement-that is at the time of grinding the edge-is effected
relatively faster, and towards the back relatively slower. This regulation further
prevents unequal heating of the blade during the grinding process. Finally the
machine embraces an automatic disengaging device, which on completion of the
grinding process stops the further operation of the wedge, and leaves it free for being
carried back to its first position.
The grinding stones 88 (the diameter of which corresponds to the degree of
hollowing to be given to the blade, and the length to the length of the blade) are
borne by the two plumber-blocks a a, adjustably movable on the supports a¹ a¹,

page_text: relatively to one another by means of screws a² ². The razor to be ground rests with
its back on a bearer b, rotatable about the bolt 61, which connects the bearer with the
rod c passing through the foot of the twin support and the table t. This rod c carries
at its lower end a carriage d, having bearing-arms d', in which rotates a crankshaft d
the connecting-rod of which shaft grasps a lever d at its upper end, said lever
being secured to the bearer b. On rotation of the shaft d², the bearer bis thus
oscillated about the pivot-bolt b'. The carriage d travels on the vertical guide-
piece f¹ of the hanger ƒ (Fig. 2 and 5) secured under the table t. The rod c is on
one side cut away at c (Figs. 1, 2, 5, and 6) the upper face of this notch being
formed as a wedge shaped nose c* (Figs. 1 and 2). In this notch, under the nose c
lies the wedge, the front end of which is supported by the bracket g whilst the rear
end is secured by a pin to the tooth-rack h; said rack travelling laterally in
the guide (Figs. 2 to 6) and being operated by the tooth-wheel i on the shaft i.
By means of the worm-gear o 01 02 03 (Figs. 3, 4, and 5) motion is transmitted to this
shaft from the shaft n, which is rotated by the pulley P, driven from the main
shaft. The shaft n also drives the crankshaft d², by means of grooved pulleys n¹ n²,
for the purpose of attaining the to and fro motion of the bearer b.
The driving pulley p is loosely mounted on the shaft n and only drives the latter
when the coupling mechanism p₁ has been brought into engagement with it. A double
armed lever r, having its fulcrum in the arm 1, grips the neck p² of this coupling
mechanism, its other end being connected to the horizontally moving rod q. This
rod passing through the framing of the machine to the bearing q¹, carries at its
other end a head-piece u against which the end of a lever v, pivotally mounted on
the arm ¹, bears when the coupling p is in engagement with the driving pulley
(Fig. 5). The lever v (shown with the rod in front elevation in Fig. 7) is so
arranged, that the wedge k comes in contact with it, when this wedge, operated by
the toothed rack h, has arrived at its end position. The somewhat rounded off end
of the wedge now passes under the lever raising it up so far until its nose is
elevated above the head-piece u. The rod q operating under spring pressure, is now
set free and by the spring q is thrown from its position in Fig. 5, to that shown in
Fig. 6, whereupon the lever brings the coupling mechanism p¹ out of engagement
with the pulley p. This pulley being loosely mounted rotates now without driving
the shaft n, so that the operation of the toothed-rack hand likewise the further
advance of the wedge k, and the oscillation of the bearer 6 of the razor, ceases. The
Inovement of the rod q also effects a lateral movement of the wedge k, into the
position indicated in Fig. 6, the wedge having a notch in it, which enables
it to pass over the pin g² (Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6) which up to this point has acted
as guide, retaining it during its forward motion in the lateral notch cl of the
rod c.
The manner of working is as follows:
The forged razor is laid with its back on the oscillating bearer b, and by means of
the tanghole, hung on to a pin w, projecting laterally from the arm w¹ of the
bearer b. The razor hangs on this pin with some amount of play, so that a rigid
straining is avoided, and the blade can adjust itself between the stones 8 8. At the
commencement of the grinding process, the razor lies in the position shown in 4
Figs. 1 and 2, between the stones 88, which have been previously adjusted to the
correct distance apart. In this position the wedge k lies with its front end under
the nose c of the rod c. Whilst now the stones driven by the pulleys zz, rotate in
the direction towards each other, the wedge k is slowly moved forward by the toothed-
rack h, operated as above described by the driving pulley p, standing in engagement 5
with the coupling mechanism p¹ (position Fig. 5) and the rod c is thus slowly"
elevated by the gradual rise of the sloping face of the wedge as it passes under the
nose e. In this way the razor (continually cooled by appropriate conduction of water)
is pushed always further and further between the stones 8 8, as will be clearly
understood. At the same time the bearer bis oscillated to and fro by the rotation 5
of the crankshaft d², which, simultaneously with the rod c, receives an upward
movement in its bearings by means of the carriage d. The razor is thus continually

page_text: oscillated to and fro, in the direction of its length, between the stones. The parts
operated upon by the stones are consequently being perpetually changed, so that just
as in grinding by hand, one and the same part of the blade never remains under
constant-operation for any length of time, so that over-heating of the steel during
grinding is avoided. By reason of the oscillation of the blade, the ends of the back
also come within the range of operation of the stones, when the blade has reached the
position necessary for the predetermined degree of hollow grinding, and which
position cannot be exceeded. In this manner the corners e (Fig. 1A) of the curved
back of the razor, on both sides of the edge, are ground off.
The lift of the rod c and razor m, is regulated by the form of the sloping surface
of the wedge ; thus by altering the form of the wedge the degree of lift can be so
controlled at will, that the stones can be caused to operate equally on every part of
the blade during grinding, and therefore the razor at the commencement, where the
stones have less inaterial to grind away, is raised relatively faster, whilst in grinding
the back, relatively slower. In order to enable easy insertion of wedges suited to
different razors, the wedge is most advantageously constructed in two parts, the
upper of which can be readily placed upon pins k³ (Fig. 2) in the lower.
When the sloping surface of the wedge has wholly passed under the nose c², the
latter now descends into the free space behind the wedge the rod c falling and the
razor being drawn out from between the stones 88. At the same time the notch 2
in the wedge has come into a position in line with the guide-pin g, the wedge
being now laterally displaced into the position shown in Fig. 6, by the pressure
exerted by the rod q. The toothed wheel i is set in engagement with the shaft i¹ by
means of a coupling, and turns loosely on the shaft when the coupling is brought
out of gear. By means of the handle h', the toothed-rack h, and with it the
wedge, can now be drawn back from the position shown in Fig. 6, the wedge being
brought again, by means of the flat spring (Figs. 5 and 6), into the original
straight position, with its free end lying before the notch c² of the rod c.
This rod,
with the carriage d, has descended somewhat, so that the ground razor can be
conveniently lifted out of the bearer 6 and a new one inserted, upon which the
process of grinding can be commenced again. The necessary elevation of the rod c
for the purpose of introducing the front end of the wedge k into the lateral notch e²,
is effected by means of a hand-lever f, having its fulcrum on the pivot bolt f³ in the
hanger f, its short arin taking under a crosspiece of the carriage d.
On setting the coupling mechanism pl in engagement with the driving pulley p.
by means of the handle for commencement of new work, the head-piece u is drawn
back under the lever v, with the rod q, whereupon the lever v descends of
itself into the position shown in Figs. 1 and 7 and again lies in front of the
head-piece u.
In order that the advance of the razor may also, if desired, be stopped during
grinding, the lever (Figs. 3 to 6) is supplied with a handle 2, and the rod
made up of two parts, one of which slides within the other. The coupling
mechanism p1 can thus be thrown out of engagement by hand by operating the
handle of the lever 1, the outwardly lying part of the joint-rod q which is
connected to the tubular part lying towards the interior of the machine, by a pin q
running in a slot g³ (Fig. 5)-then sliding into the companion part. The shaft n is
thus brought to rest, whilst the motion of the inner lying part of the joint rod g
is also stopped by the lever v.
The pulleys zz driving the stones, are alternately mounted on pulleys of
various sizes,--also of diameter greater than that of the stones-can be
substituted.
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 razor grinding machine substantially as and for the purpose herein before set
forth and described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

page_text: 2. A razor grinding machine, in which the razor (m) with edge foremost is
introduced between two stones (8 8), rotating in the direction towards each
other, and simultaneously with the forward motion, caused to oscillate. to and
fro in the direction of its length, so that the part presented to the stones is
being continually changed, and a grinding off of the edges (c) of the razor-back
effected, substantially as described.
3. A razor grinding machine as claimed in Claim 2 in which the forward motion
of the razor, for the purpose of presenting from edge to back a like amount of work
to the stones during the grinding process is effected by a wedge (k), having a
correspondingly rising incline or surface, substantially as described.
4. A razor grinding machine as claimed in Claim 3 in which the forward motion
of the wedge (k) is stopped by means of a disengaging device (v, q, r) the wedge
itself throwing out a lever (v) which holds the rod (g) of the disengaging nechanisın,
substantially as described.
Dated this 4th day of August 1897. ·
E. T. WHITELOW, A.M. Inst. C.E..
70 Deansgate, Manchester, Agent for the Applicant.