IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SHAPING SLOTTING PLANING OR OTHERWISE WORKING METALS APPLICABLE ALSO TO WOOD-WORKING MACHINES "
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Percy Ruskin Allen of Victoria Works Belvedere Road
Lambeth in the County of Surrey for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR SHAPING SLOTTING PLANING OR OTHERWISE WORKING
METALS APPLICABLE ALSO TO WOOD-WORKING MACHINES
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Percy Ruskin Allen at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd March 1883.
"
PEROY RUSKIN ALLEN of Victoria Works Belvedere Road Lambeth in the
County of Surrey "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SHAPING SLOTTING
PLANING OR OTHERWISE WORKING METALS APPLICABLE ALSO TO WOOD-WORKING
MACHINES
"
My Invention relates to machinery for shaping slotting planing or otherwise
working metals and is applicable also to wood-working machines.
As applied to slotting and shaping machines the object of my Invention is to
reduce the length of time required to change the stroke of the cutting tool or to
alter the position that the stroke takes place relatively to the bed of the machine.
The said Invention also relates to an improved form of tool-holder or head for
carrying the cutting tool on the end of the ram. In the ordinary forms of slotting
and shaping machines, a reciprocating motion is imparted to the rain carrying the
tool by means of a crank-motion and connecting rod. One end of the connecting-
rod being attached to the ram by an adjustable clamp. The crank movement is
usually made with a variable throw so that the length of stroke of the cutting tool
may be varied by altering the crank and the relative position that the stroke
takes place in by altering the connecting rod in the ram. Thus in shaping
irregular work, it is quite possible to control the stroke of the tool so that it only
reciprocates where it has active work to do, but to enable these alterations in the
stroke of the tool to be made, it is necessary to stop the machinery each time and
where the work is very irregular it is often the practice to let the tool rua
continuously with the maximum stroke required rather than stop the machine to
adjust it at those places where a smaller stroke would suffice.

page_text: Another disadvantage of the existing arrangement is that when the throw of the
crank is altered, it is generally necessary to alter the band on the cone pulley to
keep the cutting speed of the tool right.
In machines constructed according to my Invention the stroke can be altered
from Zero to the maximum without stopping or diminishing the speed of the
machine and without altering in any way the cutting speed of the tool and the
position in which the cut takes may be also altered without stopping the machine.
To enable this to be done, I impart movement to the tool by means of a screw or
screws instead of the usual crank motion already referred to.
In shaping machines of a small size for certain purposes, I impart motion to the
tool by means of a right and left handed screw cut on the same shaft which
revolves parallel to the axis of the ram. These screws may be cut so that they
intersect or cross one another but I prefer to keep them separate. Two half nuts
fixed on a spindle in the ram may be made to engage with either the right or left
handed screw on the shaft which is kept running in the same direction and thus a
reciprocating motion is imparted to the ram. I prefer to impart the cutting motion
'to the tool by means of the front screw, i,e, the one nearest to the front of the
machine where the work is. The other screw which moves the ram backwards
when the tool is not cutting may made of a coarser pitch so as to obtain the quick
return or a double or triple threaded screw may be employed and its half-nut cut
to correspond. The half nuts are so arranged that when the spindle to which they
are attached is in a certain position neither of them engage the screws and the
ram remains stationary while the screw revolves. When the front nut engages
with its screw the ram moves forward and when the back nut engages, the ram
moves backward. The spindle is shifted to cause either of these nuts to engage by
means of an arm or equivalent device which comes into contact with stops at each
end of the stroke, these stops can be clamped in any position in a groove on the
side of the machine and the distance between them determines the length of the
stroke.
By preference I make the threads of the screws of a saw tooth section, that is
straight on the front or driving side and inclined on the back, the top and bottom
being rounded.
To keep the half nuts in gear with the screws, I arrange a spring or weight so
that when the spindle is in a central position and the nuts are clear, the spring is
fully extended or the weight is at its highest position so that whichever way the
spindle is turned the spring or weight tends to keep it there.
To enable the movement of the ram to be arrested or reversed independently of
the stops a handle is fixed to the spindle in a convenient position for the attendant
*to manipulate it.
This handle moves in a slot in the ram whenever the movement is, reversed, but
it is fitted with a spring catch or its equivalent so that the attendant
can instantly
bring the spindle to a central position with the half nuts clear of the screws but
besides this method of stopping the tool it must be understood that any of the
ordinary arrangements for stopping the machine by means of shifting the belt to a
loose pulley or by means of friction clutches may be employed
In machines of a large size I prefer sometimes to employ two screws placed side
by side and cut both half nuts on one block which is attached to the spindle of
the ram, so that when the spindle is turned in either direction the half nuts come
in contact with their respective screws These screws may be either respectively
right and left handed and caused to rotate in the same direction or they may be
both right handed or both left handed and caused to rotate in opposite directions
To obtain the quick return during the back or non-cutting portion of the stroke
the screw which imparts to the back movement to the ram may be made of a
quicker pitch than the other or it may be made double or triple threaded, or it
may be made of the same pitch and thread and be rotated at a greater speed or
'the quick return may be made of a combination of these methods such as a double
threaded screw running at a quicker speed The screws may be driven from one

page_text: belt by means of suitable gearing or they may be driven by two or more belts
ropes or their equivalents. As already described the reversing motion is imparted
to the tool by means of an arm, which strikes stops on the side of the machine.
The face of the saddle on which these stops are fixed has a series of holes in it and
pegs can be inserted in these holes for the stops to be pushed up against, thus the
attendant can measure off the variations that will be required to suit the length of .
the stroke before the tool actually arrives at that point when the tool has
arrived at the point when the stroke has to be altered, he can immediately alter
it by pushing the stop up against the peg, thus no time is lost in making the
adjustments.
To enable a very fine adjustment to be made I make the pegs eccentric, the
amount of eccentricity being equal to the space between two adjacent holes, thus
a very fine adjustment can be made by turning the peg round on its axis, so, that
the stop is moved backwards and forwards. This combination of stops with holes
and eccentric pegs for obtaining fine adjustments is applicable to shaping machines
fitted with other forms of driving gear than the screw arrangement I have
already described and is applicable to planing, slot-drilling, milling machines lathes
and certain forms of wood working machinery and those instances in which
stoppages or reversal of the mechanism is determined by adjustment of stops. In
some instances instead of clamping the reversing stops for the ram on to the bed I
fix them on a bar which can be either elevated or rotated on its axis, so as to
cause different combinations of reversing stops to act on the arm and this may be
done either by hand or automatically, this may be done automatically by causing
the bar to be controlled by means of a template or former which it traverses over
as the head stock feeds along the bed or a series of stops may be employed to
effect the same end. Where very delicate work is being done the reversal may be
accomplished by means of an electro magnetic apparatus, which stops or reverses
the movement of the ram by means of a finger, acting upon contact studs and it
will be understood that the lateral feed of the tool over the work may be obtained
either by moving the, headstock and the ram along the bed over the work which
is stationary or by having the headstock stationary and moving the table and the
bed may of course be provided with the ordinary, circular manual arrangement
To obtain the feed motion at the proper time viz. when the tool is clear of the
work at the latter end of the back stroke and just previous to commencing the
cutting stroke I sometimes employ a device by which a rod is automatically
clamped to the ram and moves along with it, at this time the movement of this
rod being made to impart a motion to a ratchet which actuates the feed in the
usual manner or in another arrangement I cause the act of turning the spindle to
tighten an arrangement of links which are kept continually vibrating but merely
act upon the feed mechanism when held in a certain position.
Another portion of my Invention relates to Improvements in the heads carrying
the tools of shaping and slotting machines. In shaping Machines which are made so
as to be adapted for working out internal curves the portion carrying the downward
feed slide and tool box is usually made so that it can be rotated on the end of the
ram by means of a worm segment and a worm this is expensive to make and is
apt to get slack. According to my Invention I cause a noveable piece carrying
the slide steel box to turn on a circular boss on the end of the ram being kept in its
place by means of a screw, or bolt passing through both. One end of this bolt may
be conveniently arranged to take the thrust of the spindle. A "T" headed groove
or its equivalent is formed on the outside of the moveable portion A swivelling
nut can be clamped in any position in this groove while another similar swivelling
nut turns on a boss on the ram. A right and left handed screw fitted with a
handle or hand wheels passes through both these nuts.thus when the screw is
rotated in one direction the nuts are caused to approach one another when it is
rotated in another direction they recede from one another and thus as one nut is
clamped to the moveable head it causes the head to rotate on its axis and
consequently feeds the tool in the arc of a circle. When the limit of the feed

page_text: motion has been reached the swivelling nut in the moveable head may be
unclamped and the moveable head can be turned round on the ram the nut
reclamped and the circular feed given to the tool in some fresh position Instead
of a right and left handed screw a differential screw may be employed in this
case the adjustinent would be more delicate This arrangement of circular feed
motion may be employed in some forms of slotting machines such as those used
for slotting out locomotive frame plates. The combination of two half nuts with
revolving screws as already described may be applied for working slot-drilling or
grooving machines and also milling and grinding machines and the combination
can also be advantageously employed for certain classes of wood working
machinery in which variable reciprocating motion is desired to be given to the
work or tool, as for instance in machines for gaining and grooving railway carriage
frames.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Percy Ruskin Allen in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
1st September 1883.
PERCY RUSKIN ALLEN of Victoria Works Belvedere Road Lambeth in the
County of Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SHAPING SLOTTING
PLANING OR OTHERWISE. WORKING METALS APPLICABLE ALSO TO WOOD WORKING
MACHINES
"
My Invention relates to machinery for shaping slotting planing or otherwise
working metals and is applicable also to wood working Machines.
As applied to slotting and shaping Machines the object of my Invention is
to reduce the length of time required to change the stroke of the cutting tool or
to alter the position that the stroke takes place in relatively to the bed of the.
Machine.
The said Invention also relates to an improved form of tool holder or head for
carrying the cutting tool on the end of the ram. In the ordinary forms of
slotting and shaping machines a reciprocating motion is imparted to the ram
carrying the tool by means of a crank motion and connecting rod one end of the
connecting rod Leing attached to the ram by an adjustable clamp. The crank
movement is usually made with a variable throw so that the length of stroke of
the cutting tool may be varied by altering the throw of the crank and the relative
position that the stroke takes place in by altering the adjustable clamp by which
the connecting rod is attached to the ram. Thus in shaping regular work it is
quite possible to control the stroke of the tool so that it only reciprocates where it
has active work to do but to enable these alterations in the stroke of the tool to
be made it is necessary to stop the Machine each time and consequently where the
work is very regular it is often the practice to let the tool run continuously with
the maximum stroke required rather than stop the machine to adjust it at those
places where a smaller stroke would suffice.
Another disadvantage of the ordinary arrangements is that when the throw of
the crank is altered it is generally necessary to alter the band on the cone pulley
to keep the cutting speed of the tool right.
心
In machines constructed according to my Invention the stroke can be altered
from zero to the maximum stroke without stopping the Machine or diminishing
its speed and without altering in anyway the cutting speed of the tool and the
position in which the cut takes place may be altered without stopping the
Machine or diminishing its speed To enable this to be done I construct the
machine according to my Invention so that movement is imparted to the tool by
means of screws instead of by means of the hereinbefore mentioned crank
arrangement.
And in Order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now,
proceed more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer
to the several Figures on the accompanying drawings which represent the
application of my Invention to certain classes of Machines as hereinafter
described from which its application to analogous machines will also be readily
understood.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section Figure 2 is an end elevation and
Figure 3 is a plan showing the application of my Invention to a small shaping
machine, Figure 4 is a detail shewing the operating screw and half nuts in transverse.
section.

page_text: In the said machines I impart motion to the tool by means of a right handed
and a left handed screw a a' cut on the same shaft a³ which revolves parallel to
the airs of the ram A The said screws a a' may be cut so that they intersect
or cross one another but I prefer to keep them separate as shewn in the
drawing.
Two half nuts b and b¹ are fixed on a spindle c in the ram A so that they can
be made to engage the one with the right handed and the other with the left
handed screw on the Shaft a³ which is kept running in the same direction and
thus a reciprocating motion can be imparted to the ram A in either direction
I prefer to impart the cutting or forward motion to the tool by means of the front
screw a that is to say the one nearest to the front of the machine where the work
is fixed the other screw a¹ which moves the ram backwards when the tool is not
cutting may be made of a quicker pitch so as to obtain a quick return of the
tool. A double or a triple threaded screw may be employed its half nut being of
course cut to correspond The half nuts b and b' are so arranged that when the
spindle c to which they are fixed is in a certain position neither of them engages
with the screws a a' and the ram remains stationary while the screw revolves
This position of the said spindle and nuts is shewn in Figure 4.
When the front half nut b engages with its screw a the ram A moves forward
and when the back nut 6' engages with its screw a¹ the ram moves backward
The spindle c is rocked (to cause either of the nuts b or b¹ to engage) by means of
an arm c¹ or equivalent device which comes into contact with stops d and d¹ at
each end of the stroke, the said stops being arranged so that they can be clamped
in any position in a groove e in the side of the machine (see Figure 4) and the
distance between them when so adjusted determines the length of the stroke of
the tool.
By preference I make the threads of the screws a a¹ of a saw tooth section that
is straight on the front or driving side and inclined on the back as shewn clearly
in Figure 1 the top and bottom being rounded.
To keep the half nuts in gear with the screws during the necessary period I
arrange a spring f (or weight) so that when the spindle c is in a central position
and the nuts b 6' are clear as shewn in Figure 4 the spring fis fully extended (or
the weight is at its highest position) so that whichever way the Spindle is turned
the spring (or weight) tends to keep it in that position.
To enable the movement of the ram A. to be arrested or reversed when necessary
independently of the stops d d'a handle may be fixed to the spindle in a con-
venient position for the attendant to manipulate it as shewn at a in Figure 5 and
Figures 10, 11, and 13.
This lever has a V projection which can be engaged with a corresponding
V groove in the ram so that when the handle is moved over the said projection
and groove engage together and retain both nuts disengaged. A slot in the ram
is provided as shewn for the lever x to rock in whenever the movement is reversed
but it being fitted with a catch or its equivalent as aforesaid the attendant can
instantly bring the spindle to a central position with the half nuts clear of the
screws but besides this method of stopping the tool it must be understood that any
of the ordinary arrangements for stopping the machine by means of shifting the
belt to a loose pulley or by means of friction clutches or other means may be
employed.
Figures 5 to 13 represent the application of my Invention to a large shaping
machine shewing the screws a a arranged side by side in place of in line as
herein before described.
Figure 5. is an elevation partly in longitudinal section Figure 6 is a transverse
section and Figure 7 a horizontal section of the machine Figure 8 and 9 are
respectively side and end elevations of the excentric peg hereinafter described.
Figures 10. 11 12 and 13 are respectively a front elevation a plan and elevations
of the two sides shewing the general arrangement of the machine.
The two screws a and a¹ are placed side by side both the half nuts 6 and 6¹

page_text: being cut on one block which is attached to the spindle c of the ram so that when
the spindle is turned in either direction the half nuts come in contact with their
respective screws. These screws may be either respectively right and left handed
and caused to rotate in the same direction or they may be both right handed or
both left handed and caused to rotate in opposite directions. To obtain the quick
return of the tool during the back or noncutting portion of the stroke the screw
which imparts the back movement to the ram may be made of a quicker pitch
than the other or it may be made double or triple threaded or it may be made of
the same pitch and thread and be rotated at a greater speed or the said return
motion may be given by means of a combination of these devices such for instance
as by a double threaded screw running at a quicker speed. The screws may be
driven from one belt by means of suitable gearing or they may be driven by two
or more belts cords or their equivalent. As already described with regard to the
arrangement Figures 1 to 4 the reversing motion is imparted to the tool by means
of an arm c' which strikes stops d d' on the side of the machine. The face of the
saddle on which these stops are fixed has a series of holes gg in it into which
pegs (shewn in detail in side and end elevation in Figures 8 and 9) can be
inserted for the said stops to strike against. By this means the attendant can
measure off the variations that will be required to suit the length of the stroke
before the tool actually arrives at that point where the stroke has to be altered for
he can immediately alter it by pushing the stop up against the peg and thus no
time is lost in making the adjustment. I prefer to make the pegs h eccentric the
amount of eccentricity being equal to the space between two adjacent holes g g.
By this means a very fine adjustment can be made between the holes by turning
the peg round on its axis. This combination of stops with the holes and eccentric
pegs for obtaining fine adjustments is applicable to shaping machines fitted with
other forms of Driving gear than the screw arrangement I have already described
and is applicable to planing, slot-drilling, and milling machines, lathes, and certain
forms of wood working machinery and to all machines in which stoppages or
reversal of the mechanism is determined by means of adjustable stops. In some
instances instead of clamping the reversing stops for the ram on to the bed I fix
them on a bar which can be either elevated or rotated on its axis so as to cause
different combinations of reversing stops to act on the arm and this may be done
either by hand or automatically. It may be done automatically by causing the
bar to be controlled by means of a template or former which it traverses over as
the head stock feeds along the bed, or a series of stops may be employed to effect
the same end. Where very delicate work is being done the reversal may be
accomplished by an Electro magnetic apparatus which stops or reverses the move-
ment of the ram by means of a finger acting upon contact studs, and it will be
understood that the lateral feed of the tool over the work may be obtained either
by moving the headstock and the ram along the bed over the work which is
stationary, or by having the headstock stationary and moving the table and the
bed may of course be provided with the ordinary circular mandril arrangement.
To obtain the feed motion at the proper time namely when the tool is clear of
the work at the latter end of the back stroke and just previous to recommencing
the cutting stroke. I sometimes employ a device shewn in Figures 5 and 6. and in
Figures 10 to 13 by which a rod i is automatically clamped to the ram A and moves
along with it the movement of this rod being made to impart a motion to a ratchet
which actuates the feed in the usual manner. As shown in the drawing longi-
tudinal motion is imparted to the rod i by means of a washer 2 which moves with
the ram A During the cutting stroke and while the tool is moving back over the
work the washer is maintained perpendicular to the axis of the rod i by a spring 2²
but immediately before the reversal of the motion at the end of the back stroke the
washer is tilted and caused to grip the rod i by means of a finger i³ fixed to a
spindle * provided at one extremity with a small lever i³. This lever i³ is so
arranged that it comes in contact with an inclined surface d³ (figure 13) on the
reversing stop d' just before the lever c is acted upon by the said stop. The rod i

page_text: is thus caused to travel with the ram A for a certain portion of the stroke and this
movement of the rod i is transmitted to the feed motion by the intervention of
suitable arrangement of links and levers acting on a ratchet in the usual manner.
According to another arrangement I cause the act of turning the rocking spindle c
to tighten an arrangement of links which are kept continually vibrating but merely
act upon the feed mechanism when held in a certain position.
Another portion of my Invention relates to improvements in the heads carrying
the tools of shaping and slotting machines.
.
This part of the Invention is illustrated in Figures 1. 2. 3. 10. 11. 12 and 13.
In shaping machines which are made so as to be adapted for working out internal
curves the portion carrying the downward feed slide and tool box is usually made so
that it can be rotated on the end of the ram by means of a worm segment and a
worm this is expensive to make and is apt to get slack. According to my
Invention I cause a moveable head piece k carrying the slide and tool box to turn
on a circular boss on the end of the ram being kept in its place by means of the
head m of the screw or bolt m' which passes through the piece k and the ram One
end of this bolt may be conveniently arranged to take the thrust of the spindle c
as shewn clearly in Figure 1 A T headed groove n or its equivalent is formed on
the outside of the moveable piece k A swivelling nut o can be clamped in any
position in this groove by means of a locking bolt q while another similar swivelling
nut o turns on a boss o³ on the ram A right and left handed screw p fitted with.
à handle or hand wheels p' passes through both these nuts o and o' as that when
the screw p is rotated in one direction the nuts o o' are caused to approach one
another and when it is rotated in the reverse direction the said nuts recede from
one another and thus as one nut is clamped to the moveable head piece k it causes
the said head piece to rotate on its axis and consequently feeds the tool in the arc
of a circle. When the limit of the feed motion has been reached the swivelling
nut in the moveable head piece k. may be unclamped and the said moveable head;
piece can then be turned round on the ram A and the said nut be reclamped and
the circular feed given to the tool in some fresh position.-Instead of a right
and left handed screw a differential screw may be employed in which case the
adjustment could be effected with greater delicacy This arrangement of circular
feed motion may be employed in some forms of slotting machines such as those
used for Slotting out Locomotive frame plates.
Figures 14 and 15 are vertical sections at right angles to each other shewing the
application of my Invention to a slotting machine. Figure 16 is a side elevation
of the upper portion of the same and Figure 17 is a plan of the machine Figure 18
is a horizontal section shewing the screws and screw nuts The screws are arranged
vertically but the mechanism resembles in all essential respects those herein before
described and the corresponding parts are marked with the same letters of reference
so that a repetition of the description of the said parts is unnecessary. The screws
a a are rotated by gearing as shewn clearly in the drawing..
:
The combination of two half nuts with revolving screws as already described may
be applied for working slot-drilling or Grooving Machines and also Milling and
Grinding machines and the combination can also be advantageously employed for
certain classes of wood working machinery in which variable, reciprocating motion
is desired to be given to the work or tool as for instance in machines for " "gaining "
and grooving Railway Carriage frames.
The application of my Invention to these machines will be readily understood
from the foregoing description and drawings.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and. the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is
First. In machinery for shaping slotting planing or otherwise working-metals or
wood or the like the employment of screws or of a screw with threads in reverse
"

page_text: directions in combination with nuts arranged and operated for giving a variable
adjustable stroke and return of the tool or operating part substantially as and for
the purposes herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
Second. In machinery for shaping slotting planing or otherwise working metals
or wood or the like or machines of an analogous nature the employment of holes g
and eccentric pegs h substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
Third. The arrangement of adjustable head piece for giving an adjustable circular
feed to the tool or operating part of machines the class mentioned substantially as
hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Fourth. In shaping slotting and planing machines or other machines of an
analogous kind for working metals or wood the arrangement of rod i and washer i
combined and operating substantially as and for the purpose herein before described.
In witness whereof I the said Percy Ruskin Allen have to this my Specifi
cation set my hand and seal this thirty first day of August One thousand eight.
hundred and eighty three.
PERCY RUSKIN ALLEN (LS.)