Improvements in, and in Mechanism or Apparatus for use in, the Manufacture of Nuts for Screw Bolts and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Sept., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 11th June, 1900-Accepted, 4th Aug., 1900
Improvements in, and in Mechanism or Apparatus for use in, the
Manufacture of Nuts for Screw Bolts and the like.
We, EPHRAIM ASTON, of 144, The Green, Darlaston, in the County of Stafford,
Bolt Maker, and ARTHUR ASTON, of Malt Mill Lane, Blackheath, near Dudley,
in the County of Worcester, Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the manufacture of hexagon and octagon nuts, and
has for its objects to cheapen the manufacture, by materially lessening the amount
of scrap produced, and also by avoiding the formation of frazing at the face of
the nuts, which is expensive in subsequent removal.
The invention comprises both improvements in the process of manufacture,
and mechanism or apparatus for use therein.
In the manufacture of hexagon nuts, according to this invention, a bar from
which nuts are to be produced has its forward end sheared to a V-shape, of
which the sides of the V correspond to and are intended to form two of the
adjacent side faces of a nut, and the bar is then passed between the operating
tools with its two broader faces horizontal.
Two V-shaped sideway compressing and cutting tools then advance into the
opposite vertical sides of the bar and cut off a portion to form a nut. The
opposite side faces of each of these tools incline towards one another up to their
cutting edge at an angle which leaves the faces of the division, which they
cause in the metal of the bar, at the angle with the sides of the bar which two
adjacent side faces of a hexagon nut make with one another. These sideway
cutting tools operate at such distance back from the V-shaped forward end of
the bar that the part cut off from the bar by the operation of the tools is of a
hexagonal shape. Immediately below the part of the bar which is cut off by
these tools, is a fixed hexagonal die, of the size in plan of the intended nut;
and the two inclined faces at the back of this die are continued upwards for
the thickness of the bar, or somewhat higher. When the bar is passed in
between the tools, its V-shaped end comes against the upward inclined faces
of the die, which act, therefore, as a gauge. The sideway cutting tools, by
forcing outwards the metal from each of their side faces as they enter the bar,
cause the thickening up of the metal at opposite sides of the division, none of
the metal displaced being wasted. The part which is being cut off by these
tools is compressed between their rear side faces and the upwardly extended faces
of the die.
A vertical punch, of the diameter of the required hole through the nut,
descends upon the metal which has been cut off from the bar and carries it down
into the die, and on to a lower punch, which is also of the diameter of the
required hole through the nut, and which has been moved up to meet the

page_text: descending metal. As the upper punch continues to descend, after it has
carried the metal down into the die and upon the lower punch, it enters the
metal; and the operation of the two punches thus forms the hole through the
nut, except for a wad or thickness of metal which remains between the punches,
and also causes the main portion of the metal which has been displaced by the
punches to flow into the remaining portion of the metal and thus tightly com
press the mass of the metal within the die, which both improves the metal and
ensures its taking the exact shape of the die.
A hexagonal plunger, which is just an easy sliding fit within the die, sur-
rounds the upper punch, and is formed with a lower face which is adapted to
produce the required snap face of the nut; and a corresponding plunger surrounds
the lower punch, and is formed with a plain upper face. The lower plunger
is brought up into the die, and is brought against the face of the metal which
is being operated upon, either simultaneously with the commencement of the
metal coming upon the lower punch, or preferably very quickly thereafter so
as to allow the metal to be forced down somewhat over the lower punch.
At a certain stage in the descent of the upper punch, the lower punch descends
also, and the continued descent of the two punches causes the wad or thickness
of metal between them to be carried down into the lower plunger, such wad or
thickness being, of course, punched out by the descent of the upper punch.
Immediately the wad or thickness of metal has been punched out of the par-
tially formed nut, the upper plunger is brought down upon the top of the metal
and compresses it between itself and the lower plunger, whereby the upper
face of the metal is shaped as required, and the lower face is made true. The
two plungers then descend, carrying the metal out of the die and thus releasing
it also from the upper punch. The lower plunger and punch are moved down
clear of the metal, as it is being forced out of the die by the upper plunger; and
when the metal is clear of the die it is thrown out sideways by a revolving arm.
The wad which has been punched out of the nut, is exposed at the top of the
lower punch by the descent of the lower plunger below the top of the punch,
and this wad is, also, thrown off sideways by the revolving arm.
The movements of the operating tools are, of course, timed to repeat the
operations above described, fer the formation of further nuts.
When the first nut has been formed from a bar, the forward end of the remain-
ing portion of the bar is left, as will appear from the above description, of
a V-shape corresponding to two of the adjacent side faces of a nut, and these
faces are brought up against the upwardly extended faces of the die prior to
the operation of the sideway cutting tools in the formation of a further nut.
It will now be seen that no scrap is formed in cutting off hexagonal pieces
of metal to form the nuts, except in the case of the first and last nuts which are
to be formed from a bar. A bar, therefore, from which nuts are to be formed,
may be of smaller section than would be required for the formation of nuts
of the same size from a bar in the ordinary manner, and great saving of metal
is thus effected. The method and tools employed, according to this invention,
avoid also the formation of frazing at the face of a nut, and thus avoid the
expense of removing frazing which is incidental to the manufacture of nuts
in the ordinary manner.
The various tools employed are operated by means of suitable cams or the
like, as will be well understood by persons having a knowledge of nut forging
mechanism.
In the production of octagon nuts, according to this invention, the method
and mechanism are substantially the same as above described for the production
of hexagon nuts, except that the sideway operating tools do not meet by a dis-
tance equal to the width of a side face of a nut, and the cutting off of this side
is effected by the upper plunger which forces the metal down into the die instead
of the metal being carried down simply by the upper punch. It may be explained,
however, that in the production of hexagon nuts the metal may be carried down

page_text: into the die by the upper plunger, if desired, though at present there appears
to be no special purpose in doing this.
Dated this 8th day of September 1899
STEPHEN WATKINS & GROVES,
Wolverhampton, Agents for the Applicants.
improvements in, and in Mechanism or Apparatus for use in, the
Manufacture of Nuts for Screw Bolts and the like.
We, EPHRAIM ASTON, of 144, The Green, Darlaston, in the County of Stafford,
Bolt Maker, and ARTHUR ASTON, of the same address (formerly of Malt Mill
Lane, Blackheath, near Dudley, in the County of Worcester), Mechanic, 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: —
This invention relates to the manufacture of hexagon and octagon nuts, and
has for its objects to cheapen the manufacture, by materially lessening the amount
of scrap produced, and also by avoiding, in the case of hexagon nuts, and largely
so in the case of octagon nuts, the formation of frazing at the face of the nuts,
which is expensive in subsequent removal.
The invention comprises both improvements in the process of manufacture,
and mechanism or apparatus for use therein.
In the manufacture of hexagon nuts according to this invention, a bar from
which nuts are to be produced has its forward end sheared to a V-shape, of
which the sides of the V correspond to, and are intended to form, two of the
adjacent side faces of a nut. The shearing of the end may be effected either
while the bar is cold, or, preferably, when the bar has been heated, and, in such
latter case, by certain of the tools hereinafter d'escribed. The bar is then passed,
or is further passed, between the operating tools until its V-shaped end is
brought into a concave V-shaped portion of a stop or gauge; and it is convenient
to arrange the tools to operate in such manner that the bar is passed between
them with its two broader faces horizontal. Two V-shaped sideway compressing
and cutting tools then advance into the opposite vertical sides of the bar and
cut off a portion to form a nut.
tions of each of these tools incline towards one another up to their cutting edge,
The opposite side faces of the operative por-
at an inclination which leaves the faces of the division, which they cause in
the metal of the bar, at the inclination with the sides of the bar which two
adjacent side faces of a hexagon nut make with one another.
cutting tools operate at such distance back from the V-shaped forward end of
These sideway
the bar that the part cut off from the bar, by the operation of the tools, is of
hexagonal shape. Each of these cutting tools is formed, also, with a V-shaped
rojecting portion, which enters the side of the bar at such distance backwards
herealong, from where the V-shaped portions previously described enter, as
o form considerable indentations in the sides of the bar in position therein
shere the V-shaped portions previously described will enter after the next
orward movement of the bar. thus relieving the work which would otherwise
ave to be performed by such portions of the tools. Immediately below the
art of the bar which is cut off by the sideway operating tools, is a fixed hexagon
ie, forming a bed tool, of the interior size, in plan, of the intended nut; and
vo of the inclined faces form the back of the interior of this die and are con-
nued upwards for the thickness of the bar or somewhat higher, these upward

page_text: continuations of the faces forming the stop or gauge against which the bar is
pushed each time it is moved forwards. The sideway operating tools, by forcing
outwards the metal from each of their side faces as they enter the bar, cause
the thickening up of the metal at opposite sides of the division, none of the
metal displaced being wasted. The part which is being cut off by the sideway
operating tools is compressed between the rear side faces of such tools and the
upwardly extended faces of the die.
A vertical plunger, which is just a sliding fit within the die, is brought down
upon the metal which has been cut off from the bar by the operation of the
sideway tools; and a vertical plunger, which is also a sliding fit within the die,
is brought up some distance into the die, and the upper plunger continuing to
move down carries the metal into the die, and compresses it between itself and
the lower plunger, thereby shaping the upper and lower faces. The ends of the
plungers are shaped as required to give the desired shape to the opposite faces
of the nut. A punch, of the diameter at its lower end of the required hole
through the nut, passes down the axis of the upper plunger, and a corresponding
punch passes up the axis of the lower plunger. The end of the upper punch
is level with the end of the upper plunger while the metal is being carried down
into the die, but the lower punch stands up somewhat above the lower
plunger while the metal is brought down upon the lower plunger
and compressed between the two plungers, and thus a portion of the required
hole through the nut is formed by the lower punch. When the metal has been
compressed between the two plungers, the lower punch is free to move down
below the top of the bottom plunger; and the plungers remain stationary while
the upper punch moves down and punches the hole clear through the metal,
carrying the wad or burr into the lower plunger. The two plungers then move
down again, the lower one more rapidly than the upper, and the nut is forced
out through the bottom of the die, and from off the upper punch, by the upper
plunger. The lower plunger is carried down so far in relation to the lower punch
as to leave the burr or wad of metal which has been punched out from the nut
clear above the top of the plunger. The nut, and burr which has been punched
out therefrom, are thus left clear of both the plungers and punches, and in
case they do not fall clear from between the tools they are thrown out sideways
therefrom by suitable mechanism, such as a reciprocating arm.
The movements of the operating tools are, of course, timed to repeat the
operations above described, for the formation of further nuts.
When the first nut has been formed from a bar, the extreme forward end of
the remaining portion of the bar is left, as will appear from the above descrip-
tion, of a V-shape corresponding to two of the adjacent side faces of a nut, and
the end of the bar is brought up against the upwardly extended faces of the die
prior to the operation of the sideway cutting tools in the formation of a further
nut. The bar is left, also, after a nut has been cut off therefrom, with two
side indentations caused by the rear projections of the sideway tools.
It will now be seen that no scrap is formed in producing hexagonal pieces
of metal to form the nuts, except in the case of the first and last nuts which
are to be formed from a bar. A bar, therefore, from which nuts are to be formed,
may be of smaller section than would be required for the formation of nuts of
the same size from a bar in the ordinary manner, and great saving of metal is
thus effected.
The method and tools employed, according to this invention, avoid also the
formation of frazing at the face of a hexagon nut, because the metal is not
sheared by the phinger which carries it into the die, and thus the expense of
removing frazing, which is incidental to the manufacture of nuts in the ordinary
manner, is avoided.
The various tools employed are operated by means of suitable cams or the
like, such as in the manner hereinafter more specifically shewn.
In the production of octagon nuts, according to this invention, the method and

page_text: mechanism are substantially the same as above described for the production of
hexagon nuts, except that the sideway operating tools do not meet by a distance
equal to the width of a side face of a nut, and the cutting off of this side is
effected by the upper plunger.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood, we will proceed. to
describe the same by reference to the drawings herewith, which illustrate
mechanism by which the nuts are made in the improved manner above described,
the tools in use being shewn as for the formation of hexagon nuts.
The machine is shewn as duplex, that is to say, as if provided with a set of
tools at each end.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of one of the ends of the machine. Figure 2 is
a side elevation of the machine, shewing the right hand end thereof as a vertical
section taken through the centre. Figure 3 is a sectional plan of one end of
the machine, taken on line ea of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a sectional plan of
such end of the machine, taken on line yy, of Figure 1, but with the upper
plunger and punch omitted: Figure 5 is a plan view shewing the arm for
throwing out the nut and wad clear of the tools, sufficient only of the parts of
the mechanism being shewn to illustrate the relation of the arm to the tools.
Figure 6 is a repetition, to an enlarged scale, of a portion of the section shewn
at the right hand side of Figure 2, for the purpose of more clearly shewing
the tools and Figure 7 is a repetition, to an enlarged scale, of a portion of the
plan shewn by Figure 4, in order to bring out the tools more clearly.
AA are the main standards of the machine, which are securely bolted down
to the foundation, or to a bed plate. C is a shaft to which the power is trans-
mitted from a prime mover through the fast pulley of a pair of fast-and-loose
pulleys BB and D is a fly-wheel on such shaft. E is a pinion, carried by the
shaft C, which drives upper and lower shafts and G through the medium of
spur wheels H and J and K is a pinion, on the shaft C, which drives shafts L
and M carried in bearings at opposite sides of the machine, through, the medium
of spur wheels NO. The shafts F and G are carried in bearings within the
standards A A, and project some distance beyond the outer faces of the standards.
As both ends of the machine are similarly constructed, it will be sufficient.
in describing the tools and method of operating them, to describe a single set
of the apparatus such as appears at each end of the machine. In practice, the
mechanisms at the opposite ends of the machine are arranged to alternate in
their operations. so as to avoid unnecessary strain on the driving gear; but,
for the sake of greater clearness of illustration, these mechanisms are shewn
as if they performed the same functions simultaneously.
A main upper slide P is capable of sliding in vertical guides which are
carried at the upper portion of the standard, and this slide is constantly pulled
in an upward direction by means of springs Q, through the medium of "vertical
rods b levers and links d, of which the levers are fixed upon a way-shaft c
which is carried in bearings fixed to the standard. The slide P is pressed in
a downward direction by means of cams R and S (the latter shewn by broken
lines in Figure 1) which are carried by the corresponding projecting end of the
shaft F and revolve within an opening P¹ of the slide. The bottom of the
opening P is formed of a stepped shape, giving an upper surface f upon which
the cam S bears and a lower surface upon which the cam R bears, and it is
convenient to form the cams R and S in the same piece of metal. The lower
portion of the slide P carries vertical guides between which a supplementary
slide T is capable of sliding. This slide T is capable of a limited vertical move-
ment only in relation to the slide P, which movement is controlled by a stud i
which projects from the slide P into a slotted hole of the slide T; and the
slide T may be pressed down through such limited distance of travel, in relation
to the slide P. by a cam U which is also carried by the projecting end of the
shaft F. A link V is fixed at its lower end to the slide T. and is connected with
the end of the shaft F by means of a pink which passes through a slotted hole Z

page_text: formed through the upper portion of the link. This link, consequently, prevents
the slide T from falling below a predetermined fixed point. A spring is inter-
- posed between a flange or table M', which projects from the slide P, and the
lower end of the slide T, to ensure that the slide T will be held up in relation
to the slide P as high as the pin i will admit, when the slide T is not being
pressed down by the cam. U and the metal is not being forced by the plunger A
from off the punch C¹. A hollow plunger A', having its operative portion
hexagonal in transverse section, corresponding to the nuts to be produced, is
fixed at its upper end, by means of a set-pin, within a gland B which is fixed
to the underface of the flange or table 1 of the slide P; and a punch C¹, having
its operative portion of the diameter of the required holes through the nuts,
is fixed at its upper end to the slide T and passes from thence down the axis of
the plunger A The punch is shewn as fixed to the slide T by screwing its
upper end into a pair of half nuts m which are let into the slide and are tightly
clamped by a clamp which is tightened against the outer half nut m by means
of set-pins o.
in
A vertical slide D¹, corresponding to the slide P, but with the portion which
corresponds to the lower end of the slide P uppermost, is capable of sliding
between guides p fixed to the lower portion of the standard A; and a supple-
mentary slide E¹, which corresponds to the slide T above described. operates
between vertical guides carried by the slide Dt. A hollow plunger F¹ corre-
sponding to the plunger A¹, is carried by the upper end of the slide D¹ and
stands upwards therefrom, and a punch G¹, corresponding to the punch C, is
carried by the slide El and passes up the axis of the plunger F. The plunger Fl
and punch G¹ are fixed to their respective slides similarly as the plunger A¹
and punch C, and have a common vertical axis therewith. A stud projects
from the slide D¹ into a slotted hole ¹ of the slide E', thus ensuring that the
slide will have a limited vertical movement only in relation to the slide 1D)'.
The slide D is moved upwards by means of a cami H¹ which is fixed upon the
corresponding projecting end of the shaft G and revolves within an opening J¹
of the slide and this slide is moved downwards by its own gravity, or, in the
event of the gravity not being sufficient, by a cam K¹ (which is conveniently
formed in one piece of metal with the cam H¹) which presses upon a step
the bottom of the opening ; and a springs is carried at the bottom of the
slide D to break the shock in case of the latter falling suddenly. The slide E¹
is moved upwards, through its limited distance of travel in relation to the
slide D, by a cam L¹ fixed upon the corresponding projecting end of the shaft G.
Horizontal slides N¹, at opposite sides of the vertical axis of the plungers
and punches, are capable of sliding endways between guides t fixed upon a
table Q which stands out from the face of the standard in position between the
slides P and D¹, and these slides N¹ are operated by cranks of the shafts L
and M, through the medium of links T. To the forward ends of these slides
are fixed tool holders R', and in each tool holder is fixed a tool $. A detached
plan view of the portions of these tools which project from the holders R¹ is
shewn to a still larger scale than that of Figure 7, by Figure 7. Each tool S¹
is formed, as seen on plan, with a V-shaped projection a¹, of which the inclined
sides are at such angles with one another, and with the line of direction of the
movement of the tool, that when pressed into the side of a bar from which nuts
are to be formed they shape one of the hexagon sides of each of two of the
intended nuts. Each tool is formed, also, as seen on plan, with a V-shaped
projection 61, of which the inclined sides make angles with one another, and with
the line of direction of the movement of the tool, which correspond with those
of the projection ; but the projection 6' does not stand forwards so far as the
projection a, and is spaced away from the apex of the projection a' the distance,
or approximately so, of the width of an intended nut measured across between
two of the opposite angles. The shanks of the tools S¹ may be dovetailed into
the holders, and be then securely fixed by set pins o¹; and the holders are shewn

page_text: as fixed to the slides N¹ by .bolts which pass into hollow portions M¹ of the
slides P. A bed tool U is carried within a holder which is let into the
table Q. The holder has a Hange e' which drops into a corresponding rabbet
of the table, and the bed tool U is formed of an exterior taper shape to fit
5 within a tapered hole bored through the holder V. The bed tool has a hole
formed down its axis which is of a hexagonal shape, as seen on plan, corre-
sponding to the size of the intended nuts; and the vertical axis of this tool is,
of course, common with the vertical axis of the plungers and punches. The
two sideway operating tools S₁ are mounted to slide over the top of the tool U¹,
and are in such position in relation thereto, as seen on plan, that when brought
together the rear inclined faces of the projections a form continuous upward
extensions of the forward inclined faces of the hole through the bed tool U',
such hole being formed with two of its opposite angles at its forward and rear
sides respectively. A projecting portion stands up from the faces of the bed
tool, somewhat more than the thickness of an intended nut, and extends
around the back of the hole therethrough and as far forwards, on each side, as
to nearly the forward ends of the two side faces; and the inner faces of this
projection are formed as an upward continuation of the hole through the tool.
The bed tool U₁, and the holder V, are securely fixed by a cramp W, which
bears at one end upon the table Q and at the other end upon the tool U¹, and
is itself tightened down by a bolt q which passes down through the table.
A lever ', pivoted at beneath the table Q, is formed with an arm which
terminates in a broad end m'. A rod is connected with the rear end of the
lever, and passes from thence through the standard A and terminates in an
anti-friction roller o². The lever and arm
shewn by Figure 5, that the end m' of the arm is some little distance back from
are normally in such position, as
the vertical axis of the tools, so as to allow of the operation of the tools; and
the arm is normally maintained in this position by means of a spiral spring pl
which presses a collar ql of the rod against a stop-piece rɩ.
doubly inclined plane is carried by the wheel O, (to operate the rod n' at one
A cam-piece, or
end of the machine, and a corresponding cam-piece is carried by an
which is fixed upon the shaft M, to operate the rod n' at the other end of the
arm 0³
machine), and once in each revolution of this wheel (or arm) the cam-piece comes
into contact with the roller at the rear end of the rod n', and, moving such
rod back against the pressure of the spring p', moves in the arm bringing
its end m' across the axis of the tools.
We will now describe, by reference to the tools and machinery illustrated, the
method of producing the nuts.
A bar from which nuts are to be produced is smaller in section than a bar from
which nuts are produced in the ordinary manner, by reason of the fact that,
except for the small waste of metal at each end of the bar, there is no waste of
he metal except for the burrs or wads which are punched out in the formation
f the holes. As an example of the size of a bar which is required,, according
o this invention, for the formation of nuts of the usual proportions, it may be
tated that a bar for the formation of three-eighths inch nuts should be eleven-
ixteenths of an inch wide by eleven thirty-seconds of an inch thick. The bar
heated for some distance along its leading end, and is then advanced between
pair of guides s¹ which are fixed upon the table Q of the machine, until its
nd is stopped against the upward projection f¹ of the bed tool U₁. The sideway
ols St then advance into the opposite sides of the bar, and the apices of the
ortions a meet at the middle of the bar, while the portions b¹ of these tools
dvance a considerable distance into the bar on opposite sides thereof. Upon
e completion of the inward movement of the tools S¹, or immediately there-
ter, the plunger A' and punch C¹ are brought down upon the top of the metal
hich is beyond the tools S¹, the plunger being brought down by the operation
the cam R upon the surface g of the slide P, and the punch being brought

page_text: down by the stud of the slide
pressing upon the bottom of the slot of the.
slide T; and shortly following this movement of the upper plunger and punch,
the plunger and punch G are brought up, the former to a point within the
bed tool which is about three times the thickness of the intended nut below
the upper surface of such tool, and the latter about an eighth of an inch higher
(for a three-eighths inch nut). The plunger is brought up by the cam it'
bearing against the upper side of the hollow of the side, and the punch
is brought up a portion of the distance by the stud of the slide 1 which bears
against the upper end of the slot of the slide and the remaining distance
by the cam which causes the siot to advance in relation to the stud i'.
After the plunger A has come down upon the metal, the tools S' are drawn
outwards again, and the plunger A' and punch continue to be moved down in
the manner already described, carrying the metal which is beyond the tools S
down into the bea tool U'. During the last described operation of the plunger A
and punch C, the plunger and punch 6, after reaching their upward posi-
tions, remain stationary, being maintained in position,, respectively, by a portion
of the cam H' which is struck from the centre of the shalt G, and by a portion
of the cam L' which is also struck from the centre of such shart. The plunger A'
presses the metal which has been carried down into the bed tool between
itself and the plunger and over the portion of the punch G₁ which stands
up above the plunger F', thus shaping the top and bottom of the nut and
causing an initial formation of the lower end of the hole; and then the plunger A'
also remains stationary, under the operation of a portion of the cam R which
is struck from the centre of the shart F; and while the two plungers remain
stationary the punch is moved down by the cam C bearing upon the upper
end of the slide T, and punches the hole through the metal. As the punch C¹
punches out the metal, the cam L' performs a downward movement thus allowing
the burr to press down the punch ', and the burr is carried down into the
plunger F. The cam H now moves down, and the plunger follows, its
downward movement being caused by the gravity of the slide 1) or by the
operation of the cam K against the bearing surface of the slide; and the
plunger A is moved down by the cam S bearing upon the surface f of the
slide P, and carries the nut from off the punch and through the bottom of
the bed tool U', the punch C being held from moving downwards, during such
operation by the link V. The plunger moves down flush with the top of the
punch G, thus exposing the burr at the top of the plunger.
The arm is then operated to move inwards and clear the burr, and also the
nut (if the latter has not already fallen clear), from. between the tools.
The slide T is moved up again in relation to the slide 1' by the spring r
the slide (carrying with it, of course, the slide T) is moved up by the
springs Q.
If the forward end of a bar, from which nuts are to be produced in the manner
of this invention, is independently sheared to a V-shape corresponding to the
shape of the two inner faces of the projection f of the bed tool U, there is no
further waste of metal at that end of the bar; but if, as is preferred, the plain
square end of the bar is pushed hot between the tools carried by the machine,
the piece of metal first cut off is, of course waste.
When octagon nuts are produced in the manner of this invention, opposite
fat faces of the octagon are formed at the backs and fronts of the plungers and
interior of the bed tool; and the forward projections of the sideway operating
tools do not meet by a distance equal to the width of a side face of the nut.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is:-
1. In the manufacture of hexagon and octagon nuts from a bar, forming by

page_text: means of tools operated in a press, indentations in opposite edges of the bar,
prior to carrying the metal for a nut into the female die or matrix, substan-
tially as described.
2. In the manufacture of hexagon and octagon nuts from a bar, forming, by
means of tools operated in a press, V-shaped indentations in opposite edges of
the bar, prior to carrying the metal for a nut into the female die or matrix,
which indentations, in the case of hexagon nuts, meet at the middle of the bar,
and, in the case of octagon nuts, are a distance across between their inner ends
of the width of one of the intended flat sides of a nut, the opposite sides of each
indentation being at an angle with the side of the bar which corresponds, or
approximately so, with the anglè which two adjacent sides of a nut make with
one another, substantially as described.
3. In apparatus for use in the manufacture of hexagon and octagon nuts
from a bar, a pair of tools which operate in directions transverse to the direction
of operation of the tool which carries the metal for a nut into the female die
or matrix, and which pair of tools from indentations in the opposite edges of
the bar, substantially as described.
4. In the manufacture of hexagon and octagon nuts from a bar, carrying the
metal for a nut into the female die or matrix, and after the hole has been
punched therethrough carrying the metal out through the opposite side of the
die, substantially as described.
5. In apparatus for use in the manufacture of hexagon and octagon nuts
from a bar, a tool which is operated to carry the metal for a nut into the female
die or matrix and, after the hole has been punched through the metal, is
advanced to carry the metal through the die, substantially as described.
6. In apparatus for use in the manufacture of hexagon and octagon nuts
from a bar, the combination, of a tool which carries the metal through the
female die or matrix, with a pair of tools which operate in directions transverse
to the direction of operation of such tool, and which pair of tools form indenta-
tions in opposite edges of the bar, substantially as described.
7. In the manufacture of hexagon and octagon nuts from a bar, carrying the
metal for a nut into the female die or matrix, compressing it in such die
between tools, punching out the burr, to form the hole through the metal, in
the direction in which the metal has been carried into the die, and carrying
the metal out through the opposite side of the die to that through which it has
been carried in, substantially as described.
8. In apparatus for use in the manufacture of hexagon and octagon nuts
from a bar, a primary tool which is operated to carry the metal for a nut into
the female die or matrix, a secondary tool between which and the primary tool
the metal is compressed within the die, a punch which punches the burr, pro-
duced in forming the hole through the metal. into the secondary tool, and a
tool which is within the secondary tool and is utilized in ejecting the burr there-
from, the said primary tool being operated to carry out the metal for the nut
from the die after the hole has been punched therethrough, substantially as
described.
9. In apparatus for use in the manufacture of hexagon and octagon nuts
from a bar, a primary tool which is operated to carry the metal for a nut,
preferably downwards, into a female die or matrix, a secondary tool between
which and the primary tool the metal is compressed within the die, a punch
which punches the burr, produced in forming the hole through the metal, into
the secondary tool, a tool which is utilized in ejecting the burr therefrom, the
said primary tool being operated to carry out the metal for the nut from the
die after the hole has been punched therethrough, and means, such as a pivoted
arm. by which the burr (and the nut, also, if such does not otherwise fall clear
is thrown out clear of the tools, substantially as described.
10. The improved method of producing hexagon and octagon nuts from a bar,

page_text: substantially as described, and illustrated, by way of example as applied to the
production of hexagon nuts, by the drawings herewith.
11. The combination of tools for use in the improved method of producing
hexagon and octagon nuts from a bar, operating substantially as described with
reference to the drawings herewith.
Dated this 9th day of June 1900
STEPHEN WATKINS & GROVES,
Chartered Patent Agents, Wolverhampton, Agents for the Applicants.