IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR FRAMING MATCH SPLINTS PREPARATORY TO APPLYING TO THE SAME THE INFLAMMABLE OR IGNITABLE COMPOSITION
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Evans, of Newton Heath, Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR
FRAMING MATCH SPLINTS PREPARATORY TO APPLYING TO THE SAME THE
INFLAMMABLE OR IGNITABLE COMPOSITION." A communication from abroad
by Ebenezer Benton Beecher, of Westville, Connecticut, United States of
Americas
Sealed the 28th August 1877, and dated the 28th June 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Evans at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th June 1877.
GEORGE EVANS, of Newton Heath, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster:
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR FRAMING MATCH SPLINTS PREPARATORY TO
APPLYING TO THE SAME THE INFLAMMABLE OR IGNITABLE COMPOSITION." [A com-.
munication from abroad by Ebenezer Benton Beecher, of Westville; Connecticut;
United States of America.]
This Invention relates to further improvements in the machinery described in
the Specification of former Letters Patent, dated 6th November 1876, No. 4293;
and is designed to simplify the construction of such machinery, and to render the
same more efficient than heretofore in its operation.
The novel features of the present Invention consists mainly,―
First. In the combination with the binding band or tape; by means of which the
frame of match splints is formed, of a secondary or auxiliary band adapted to act in
connection with the first for the purpose of holding the match splints more securely
in the subsequent stages of manufacture.
Secondly. In the combination with the continuously revolving count wheels,
which convey the splints from the receiving cylinder to the setting wheels, of novel
connecting and disconnecting mechanism of simple construction, by means of the
motion is communicated to the setting wheels and their connections when the
splints follow each other properly in successive order, but which will cease to act
when a splint is wanting.
}
:

page_text: By means of this construction the setting mechanism is made independent of the
continuously revolving count wheels, and is caused to act in accordance with the
number of splints actually received, and the frame is thereby filled with a con-
tinuous series of splints, whether these are delivered regularly by the count wheels
or not.
The said Invention consists, thirdly, in the combination with the aforesaid con-
necting and disconnecting mechanism, and the setting and framing mechanism,
of an intermediate check wheel adapted to prevent the force applied to the binding
tape from acting to move the same when the setting wheels are stopped.
The coil of the main belt is sustained by any proper journal located at any
suitable point. The end of this belt carried through guides if necessary to the
holding and feeding mechanism, and thence to the splint frame drum; as described
in the aforesaid Specification.
The coil of the secondary belt is located at any proper point in a plane above the
lower belt. The end of this belt is carried through a proper guide to the winding
drum.
The splints are set, as described in the said Specification, upon the main belt, and
the auxiliary belt is drawn in over the latter. By means of this arrangement the
splints will be caused to lie between two thicknesses of belting, the order being
as follows: The main belt, the splints, the auxiliary belt, the main belt, and
so on.
The frame having been completed it may be removed from the machine, and
treated in the ordinary manner to provide it with the usual match composition.
When it is desired.to unroll the frame the upper or auxiliary belt should first be
unwound one turn for the purpose of changing the relative positions of the belts, so
that in unwinding, the matches will lie between them.
A
The connecting and disconnecting mechanism are as follows, that is to say:They
comprise the hopper, the receiving cylinder, the count wheels, and the setting
wheels, by means of which the splints are delivered to the winding band or belt.
Suitable recesses are formed in the periphery of the count wheels, which are
adapted to receive the splints from the cylinder, and convey them to the setting
wheels. Bent levers are pivoted to studs projecting from the face of one of the
count wheels. The bent end of these levers extends into the recess of the count
wheels, which is adapted to furnish a proper bearing for the match splint. The
long arm of the said levers extends inward toward the axis of the wheel.
casting or block is secured to the count wheel in such manner as to revolve with
it; 'this block is provided with radial recesses. Shuttles are placed in the said recess,
is adapted to move in a longitudinal direction to a limited extent. The said
shuttles are securely fastened in their proper position by a ring or rings. A cam
arranged over the aforesaid count wheel is adapted to press the splints into the
recess for the purpose of actuating the bent levers; a fixed can piece is provided;
by means of which the shuttle pieces are moved in one direction. A sliaft, suitably
supported in any proper bearings, is provided at one end with a spur wheel or
pinion, the teeth of which are adapted to engage successively with the projecting
ends of the shuttles, when the latter are thrust out of the casting; on the other
end of this shaft is located the check wheel.
The purpose for which the aforesaid check wheel is employed will be understood
from the following description :-The receiving cylinder and counting wheels have
a continuous movement when the machine is in action. The setting wheels are
actuated by this movement only when a splint is depressed by the action of the
cam before described.
In connection with the setting wheels the mechanism for holding and feeding
the belt is also actuated. The splint frame mandrel, however, is independently
actuated by a friction belt receiving movement from the main source of power. It
follows, therefore, that force is constantly exerted to wind the frame belts upon the
drum, whether the setting wheels are in motion or not; and when the said setting

page_text: wheels are disconnected for the count wheels, as above described, this force, unless
restrained, may wind the belt without its proper complement of match splints.
In the former Specification; before referred to, a friction drag was described, the
same being employed to restrain this force, but the aforesaid check wheel is designed
to supersede this drag.
The said check wheel is located on the end of the shaft of the spur wheel, and
consists of a disc having its periphery provided with a series of inclined plates or
planes overhanging upon one side. Gear wheels are provided to actuate the
mechanism for holding and feeding the belt, as described in the said former Specifi-
cation. One gear wheel is provided with a series of pins which lie in the plane of
the movement of the check wheel, the construction being such that this gear wheel
can only revolve as its pins are successively driven or released by the revolution of
the said check wheel.
By means of this construction it follows that all the movements of the spur
wheel will be positively communicated by the check wheel to the setting and
framing mechanism, but the force applied to turn the frame drum cannot be exerted
through the connecting mechanism to turn the check wheel when the latter is
stationary. The shaft of the check wheel should be set at an angle, so that its
inclined planes will engage with the pins of the gear wheel at one point only.
If desired a modified form of shuttle may be employed, consisting of a round
rod; this shuttle may be inserted in place from one side, in which case the ring
used with the square shuttle may be dispensed with,

page_text: "
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said George Evans in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th December 1877.
GEORGE EVANS, of Newton Heath, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR FRAMING MATCH SPLINTS PREPARATORY TO
APPLYING TO THE SAME THE INFLAMMABLE OR IGNITIBLE COMPOSITION." A com-
munication from abroad by Ebenezer Benton Beecher, of Westville, Connecticut,
United States of America.
This Invention relates to further improvements in the machinery described in
the Specification of former Letters Patent, dated 6th of November 1876, No: 4293,
and is designed to simplify the construction of such machinery, and to render the
same more efficient than heretofore in its operation.
The novel features of the present Invention consist mainly,-
First. In the combination with the binding band or tape, by means of which the
frame of inatch splints is formed, of a secondary or auxiliary band adapted to act in
connection with the first band for the purpose of holding the match splints more
securely in the subsequent stages of manufacture.
Secondly. "In the combination with the continuously revolving count wheels,
which convey the splints from the receiving cylinder to the setting wheels, of novel
and very simple connecting and disconnecting mechanism, by means of which
motion is communicated to the setting wheels and their connections, when the
splints follow each other properly in successive order, but which will cease to act
when a splint is wanting or absent.
By means of this construction the setting mechanism is made independent of the
continuously revolving count wheels, and is caused to act in accordance with the
number of splints actually received, and the frame is thereby filled with a con-
tinuous series of splints, whether these are delivered or not delivered regularly by
the count wheels.
The said Invention consists, thirdly, in the combination with the aforesaid con-
necting and disconnecting mechanism, and the setting and framing mechanism, of
an intermediate check wheel adapted to so control the force applied to the binding
tape, as to prevent the action of this force to remove the said binding tape when
the setting wheels are stopped.
In the accompanying Drawings,—
Figure 1 is a plan of the aforesaid machine with the present improvements
applied thereto; Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the same.
Figures 3 and 4 are elevations of opposite sides of the said machine.
Figure 5 shows detached a modification of the arrangement of guide roller for
the tape.
Figure 6 is a view drawn to an enlarged scale of the connecting and discon-
necting mechanism and the check wheel of the said machine.
Figure 7 is a side elevation, shewing a part of the count wheel; and Figure S is
a side elevation of the check wheel and the gear wheel with which it engages.
Figures and 10 show a modified form of shuttles; and Figure 11 is a side
elevation of the main and auxiliary frame belts of the said machine.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawings.
I will first describe the aforesaid secondary band or belt,―
A represents the coil of the main belt, which may be sustained by a journal
located at any suitable point. The end of this belt is carried through guides if
necessary to the holding and feeding mechanism, and thence to the splint frame
drum, as described in the Specification of the said former Letters Patent.
B represents the coil of the secondary belt, which is located at any proper point
in a plane above the lower belt, as shown. The end of this belt is carried through
a guide, as shown, to the winding drum.
The splints are set as described in the said Specification, upon the main belt, and 5
the auxiliary belt is drawn in over the latter, as shewn in Figure 11. By this
arrangement the said splints will be caused to lie between two thicknesses of

page_text: belting, the order being as follows:-The main belt, the splints, the auxiliary belt,
the main belt, and so on.
The said frame having been completed may be removed from the machine, and
treated in the ordinary manner to provide it with the usual match composition.
When it is desired to unroll the frame the aforesaid upper or auxiliary belt should
first be unwound one turn for the purpose of changing the relative position of the
belts, so that in unwinding them the matches will lie between them.
This necessity will be understood when it is considered that when the frame is
formed, although the splints in the same wind of the coil are not between the.belts,
still those in the adjacent windings will lie between them; that is to say, a series of
splints will lie between the auxiliary belt of one wind of the coil and the main belt
of the next wind.
Now if the outer belt should be unwound one turn the relative positions of the
belts will be changed, the outer oue becoming the inner one; and if the coil. be
thus unwound the splints will lie between the belts.
I will now proceed to describe the connecting and disconnecting mechanism.
C, Figure 2, is the hopper; D, the receiving cylinder; E; E; are the count wheels ;
and F, F, the setting wheels, by means of which the splints are delivered to the
winding band or belt.
e, e, Figure 7, are suitable recesses in the periphery of the count wheel, which
are adapted to receive the splints from the cylinder, and convey them to the said
setting wheels.
el, Figure 6, represents one of a series of bent levers, which is pivotted at its
angle to studs projecting from the face of one of the count wheels; e² represents a
bent end of this lever extending into the recess of the count wheels, and which is
adapted to furnish a bearing for the match splint; es represents the long arm of the
lever, which extends inward toward the axis of the wheel; e represents a casting
or block secured to the count wheel in such manner as to revolve with it, and
which is provided with radial recesses e, Figure 7; e represents a block or shuttle
lying in the said recess, and which is adapted to move in a longitudinal direction to
a limited extent; e represents a ring, by means of which the shuttles or blocks e
are securely fastened in their proper position; es represents a cam arranged over
the count wheel, and which is adapted to press the splints into the recess for the
purpose of actuating the lever e¹,
G represents a fixed cam piece properly supported, and by means of which the
shuttle pieces are moyed in one direction.
H represents a shaft suitably supported in bearings, and which is provided at
one end with a spur wheel or pinion h, whose teeth are adapted to engage succes-
sively with the projecting ends of the shuttles when the latter are thrust out of the
casting, as herein-after described. On the other end of this shaft is located the
check wheel.
The operation of this mechanism will be readily understood. The said count
wheels receive in the recesses e the splints from the cylinder D. As these splints,
in the revolution of the said wheel, pass beneath the cam es, the short arm of the
lever c¹, as shown in the dotted lines, Figure 6, is consequently depressed, and the
long arm is moved to cause the shuttle to slide outward. By means of this move.
ment the latter is caused to project into the plane of movement of the spur wheel h,
and to serve as a cog or tooth to give it movement (as the wheel E revolves) for a
determined distance. By the movement of this spur wheel the setting wheels are
moved through the intermediate connecting mechanisin to a corresponding extent.
If, however, a splint is wanting or absent, the lever e¹ is not actuated, and hence
the shuttle is not moved, and no tooth is presented to engage with the spur wheel.
As the latter remains stationary the setting wheels of the winding band will not
be moved, and consequently no vacant spaces are left in the frame.
The shuttles, after being thrown out to engage with the spur wheel, are returned
to their former position by the action of the cam G, against which they are carried
by the continued revolution of the wheel.

page_text: I will now proceed to describe the check wheel. The purpose for which this
wheel is employed will be understood from the following description:-The receiving
cylinder and counting wheels have a continuous movement when the machine is in
action. The setting wheels participate in this movement only when a splint is
depressed by the action of the cam above.described. In connection with the said
setting wheels the mechanism for holding and feeding the belt is also actuated.
The splint frame mandrel, however, is independently actuated by a friction belt
receiving movement from the main source of power; therefore, force will be con-
stantly exerted to wind the frame belts upon the drum, whether the setting wheels
are in motion or not; and when the said setting wheels are disconnected from the
count wheels, as above described, this force, unless restrained, may wind the belt
without the proper complement of the match splints.
In the said former Specification a friction drag was described, the same being
employed to restrain this force, but the aforesaid check wheel is designed to super-
sede this drag.
I, Figures 6 and 8, represents the check wheel, which, as above specified, is located
on the end of shaft H of the spur wheel h; this wheel is a disc having its periphery
provided with a series of inclined plates or planes overhanging upon one side, as shown.
J represents a gear wheel engaging with a gear wheel K, which actuates the
mechanism for holding and feeding the belt, as described in the said former Specifi-
cation. The gear wheel J, it will be observed, is provided with a series of pins j,
which lie in the plane of the movement of the check wheel I, the construction
being such that this wheel J can only revolve as its pins are successively driven or
released by the revolution of the wheel I.
With these parts so constructed all the movements of the spur wheel will be
positively communicated by the check wheel to the setting and framing mechanism,
but the force applied to turn the frame drum cannot be exerted through the con-
necting mechanism to turn the check wheel when the latter is stationary. The shaft
of the check wheel should be set at such an angle that its inclined planes will engage
with the pins of the gear wheel at one point only.
The further operation of the said machine is fully described in the said former
Specification, and hence need not be herein set forth.
If desired a modified form of shuttle may be employed, as shown in Figures 9
and 10. This shuttle consists of a round rod, and may be inserted in place from
one side; and the ring used with the square shuttle may be dispensed with.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, and the manner of performing the
same, I wish it understood that I claim in a machine for framing match splints,-
First. In combination with the main belt the auxiliary belt, as above described
and for the purpose specified.
Second. The connecting and disconnecting mechanism, as above described and
for the purpose specified.
Third: In, combination with the count wheel and the setting and framing
mechanism, the check weel, as above described and for the purpose specified.
Fourth. The combination of parts comprising the cam e³, the lever e¹, and the
shuttle, as above described and for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The combination of parts comprising the cam, the lever, the shuttle, the
spur wheel, the check wheel, and their connections, as above set forth and for the
purpose specified.
:
In witness whereof, I, the said George Evans, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.