IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES EMPLOYED IN SHIP BUILDING, PART OF WHICH ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Bollinger, of the Teesdale Iron Works,
Stockton-on-Tees, in the County of York, Engineer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES EMPLOYED IN SHIP BUILDING, PART OF WHICH
ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 21st January 1863, and dated the 28th July 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Bollinger at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, ou the
28th July 1862.
I, HENRY BOLLINGER, of the Teesdale Iron Works, Stockton-on-Tees, in the
County of York, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES EMPLOYED IN SHIP BUILDING, PART OF
WHICH ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists, first,. in an improved cutting machine for cutting
off the ends of angle iron or other shaped bars, but chiefly intended for cutting
off the ends of curved ships' frames. I employ a water reservoir, and place
upon it one or more. force. pumps for forcing water through a pipe into
hydraulic cylinder provided with trunnions or brackets,.. so that it can be
placed at any required angle. To the cylinder is fitted a piston or plunger,
to the upper end of which is fixed. a shear, which acts alternately in con-
junction with one or other of two stationary blades or shears fixed to the frame-
work of the machine. The pipe leading to the cylinder is provided with a
stop-off valve, and also a gland for keeping it tight. When the cylinder, is

page_text: placed at the required angle, and the moveable shear in its lowest position,
the bar to be cut is placed between the shears, water is then forced into the
cylinder under the plunger or piston, so that it may be forced upwards and
cause the shears to cut off the end of the bar. The stop-off valve is now shut
either by a self-acting arrangement or by hand, so that the water in the
cylinder shall flow back into the reservoir. As soon as the communication
between the cylinder and pumps is cut off the operative throws a clutch
into gear, and causes a worm to revolve and give motion to a worm wheel
provided with a crank pin connected by a rod with the hydraulic cylinder.
If the crank is turned a certain number of degrees, it will place the cylinder
in a reverse position at any required angle, and by means of a rod, jointed at
ono end to the piston, and at the other sliding on a stud fixed to the frame-
work, the piston is forced back as soon as the end of the slot comes in contact
with the stud, and expels the water back again to the reservoir. If the bar
to be cut is placed between the fixed blade or shear on that side and the
shear on the piston, and water pumped into the cylinder, the end of the bar
will be cut off on the opposite end to the first cut.
Secondly, in an improved blowing machine for supplying air to furnaces.
In order to cut .heavy angle or other shaped bars of metal used in building.
ships, I cause the bars to be heated in a furnace, and to effect this process
with rapidity I employ instead of a fan a blowing machine, having a stationary
piston and moveable cylinder. On a bed plate is mounted a column or.
pipe, to which the piston is cast or fixed. The cylinder is fitted to the piston,
and has reciprocating motion imparted to it by cranks and connecting rods.
The column or pipe serves as inlet and outlet, and contains a valve having an
alternate revolving motion imparted to it by a cam or other contrivance. In
the valve are openings, which correspond with similar openings through the
pipe and piston, one half of which communicate with the space above the
piston, and the other half with the space below. This arrangement may be
used for exhausting gas, and for blowing engines to work blast and other
furnaces, and worked by hand or motive power.
Thirdly, in improvements in rivetting machines for rivetting the beams and
ribs of ships, and other parts which can be rivetted up before putting them in
their places, and also for rivetting marine and other boilers, bridges, and
metal girders. I employ a strong frame, upon which are mounted bearings
or carriages supporting a shaft, upon which is placed a noveable clutch, which
can be thrown in or out of gear with a corresponding clutch, forming part of
or fixed to the solid part of an eccentric which is louse on the shaft. To tho
eccentric shaft motion is communicated by means of a spur wheel gearing into

page_text: a pinion on the driving shaft. The motion imparted by the eccentric is
communicated to the slide containing the die holder by means of a connecting
rod of a peculiar construction on the principle of the "knee joint," and may
be called a compensating or safety connecting rod. It is made double by
preference, so as to consist of parts easily manufactured, and is formed by eight
small rods joined together by pins, so that the rods together with the eccentric
ring and the joint piece may be considered as one distinctive part. On each'
side above and below this rod there is a spring, which springs are held together
by bolts and washers. Four of the rods are made on one side a little deeper
than the others, so as to prevent their centre lines forming a smaller angle
with each other. As soon as a pressure acts greater than necessary to form
a rivet head the springs will be compressed and the rod shortened, and thus
the machine relieved from excessive strain. The machine is also partly self-
acting, so as to throw itself out of gear as soon as the return stroke is com-
pleted, this is effected by causing an arm or rod fixed to the slide to act upon
a lever, and throw the clutch out of gear, when the machine will be ready for
another stroke. The mechanism above described is also applicable to rivet-
making machines, stamping presses, coining, and other machines, where an
excessive strain has to be avoided.
Fourthly, in an improved universal slotting and drilling machine, either
portable or stationary. The portable slotting machine is for paring off the
ends of ribs, beams, keels, and similar parts, either square, or in an angle to
their length. I employ a bed plate, upon which are mounted two brackets
provided with bearings, which support two other brackets forming parts of a
cast-iron table. The driving shaft gives motion by bevil wheels to a slotted
disc in front of the machine. This disc rotates, and by a moveable crank pin
communicates a reciprocating motion by means of a connecting rod to the
slide or tool holder, which works in a dovetail groove. The disc is provided
with a tooth or projection placed in such a position as to set a cam in motion
when the crank pin has reached its highest point. The cam gives motion by
a rod to a ratchet wheel for turning the screw or worm, which causes the table
to revolve, so that the tool may move in a circular direction. The ends of
girders or beams may be slotted at a right angle to their length, or at any
other desired angle, for in whatever position the slide and table is placed, the
bevil wheels will always be in gear and transmit motion to the slide. This
apparatus may be either portable or stationary, and by adapting proper chisels
or drills may be. used for slotting, shaping, mortising, or drilling at any
required angle.
Fifthly, in an improved double-acting shaping machine with revolving

page_text: cutters to be used in constructing vessels and in constructing the machines
before described.
Shaping machines with revolving cutters have generally been made single
acting, and, therefore the hollow spindle wears unequally in the bearings in
consequence of the different pressure, and after a short time the centre line of
the spindle will not be parallel with the table carrying the material to be
operated upon, and exact work is impossible. These difficulties are obviated
in my improved double-acting shaping machine constructed as follows:-The
cast-iron standard or frame is provided with suitable bearings and slides. To
the first shaft are keyed the cone pulleys and pinions, which transmit motion
to the hollow spindle carrying the cutters at each end, which are fixed to a
spindle keyed to the hollow spindle. The machine is provided on each sido
with compound slides, with vertical and horizontal adjusting motion as well
as horizontal feed motion.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Henry Bollinger in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th January 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
BOLLINGER, of the Teesdale Iron Works, Stockton-on-Tees, in the County of
York, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-sixth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Henry Bollinger; Her special licence, that I, the said Henry Bollinger,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Henry Bollinger, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES EMPLOYED IN SHIP BUILDING, PART OF WHICH ARE
APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Henry Bollinger, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and

page_text: in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Henry Bollinger, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed; to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement (that is to say):-
This Invention consists, first, in an improved cutting machine for cutting
off the ends of angle iron or other shaped bars, but chiefly intended for cutting
off the curved ends of ships' frames.
Secondly, in an improved blowing machine for working blast and other
furnaces.
Thirdly, in improvements in rivetting machines for rivetting the beams and
ribs of ships and other parts which can be rivetted up before putting them
in their places, and also for rivetting marine and other boilers, bridges, and
metal girders.
Fourthly, in an improved universal slotting and drilling machine, either
portable or stationary.
And, fifthly, in an improved double-acting shaping machine with revolving
cutters to be used in constructing vessels, and also the machines before
mentioned.
These improvements will be clearly understood by the following description
thereof, reference being had to the accompanying five Sheets of Drawings, and
to the figures and letters marked thereon.
In Sheet 1, Fig. 1 is a front elevation, and Fig. 2 a plan of my improved
machine for cutting off the ends of angle iron or other shaped bars. Before
describing the machine it is to be understood that with machines for cutting
off the ends of angle iron shaped ships' ribs, it is necessary to use right
and left-handed shears, as it would not be practicable to have one pair of
shears only, which would necessitate the elevating of the curved bar high in
the air.
a represents a water reservoir, upon which is or are mounted one or more
force pumps b, b', driven by gearing c, c', to which motion is communicated
by means of a pulley d and strap; d' is a loose pulley for stopping the
machine. The pumps b, b', force the water through a pipe e into a bydraulic
cylinder f, provided with trunnions or brackets g, g'. The cylinder is mounted
on a strong frame h. To the cylinder is fitted a plunger or piston i, to the
upper part of which is fixed the shear k, which acts alternately in conjunction
with one or other of the stationary.blades or shears, l, fixed to the frame-.

page_text: work h of the machine; h' represents a guide bar for the piston:i, and h³,
³, stops to limit the travel of the cylinder. The pipe e leading to the
cylinder is provided with a stop-off valve m, and also a gland n for
keeping it tight. A water pipe o serves to convey the water back again to
the reservoir a.
. The action of the machine is as follows:- When the cylinder is placed at
the required angle and the shear k in its lowest position, the bar to be cut is
placed between the shears and the stop-off valve m, shut either by hand or a
self-acting arrangement, water is then forced in the cylinder f under the
piston i, so that it may be forced upwards and cause the shears to cut off tho
end of the bar. The stop-off valve m is now opened either by hand or by a
self-acting arrangement, so that the water in the cylinder f shall flow back
into the reservoir a. As soon as the communication between the cylinder f
and the pumps 6, 61, is cut off, the operative throws a clutch'p into gear;
which causes a worm g to revolve and give motion to a worm wheel > provided
with a crank s and a crank pin t, connected by a rod u with a crank.v, keyed
to the trurinion or bracket g of the hydraulic cylinder. It will also be advan-
tageous to have the connecting rod u provided at one end with a short slotted
hole instead of a circular one, so that the attendant is not required to stop off
exactly at the end of the stroke. The worn wheel r may thus revolve
without taking the cylinders back again. A link or rod w is jointed at one
end to the piston i, and at the other end it is formed with a slot, through
which a stud x, fixed to the framework h, is placed. If the crank s is turned a
certain number of degrees it will place the cylinder f, and with it the piston i
and shear k, in a reverse position at any required angle, and by means of the
link or rod w the piston i is forced back as soon as the end of. the slot comes
in contact with the stud x, and expels the water back again to the reservoir
through the pipe e, the operied stop-off valve m, and, the waste water pipe o.
When the bar to be cut at the other end is placed between the fixed plate or
shear on that side, and the shear k fixed to the piston i, and the stop-off'
valve m shut, then if water is pumped into the cylinder f, the end of the bar
will be cut off on the opposite end of the first cut.
In Sheet 2, Fig. 1 represents a side elevation, Fig. 2 a vertical section,
and Fig. 3 a horizontal section of my improved blowing machine. On a bed
plate a is mounted or cast a column or pipe b, to which the piston c is fixed or
cast. The cylinder d, which is fitted to the piston c, is placed slightly
excentric in regard to the column b, to keep it in its proper position without
using guide bars for that purpose. The cylinder d. has a reciprocating motion
imparted to it by crank pins e, or: cranks and connecting rods f. The columu.

page_text: •
or pipe 6 serves as an inlet or outlet, and contains a valve g, having an
alternate revolving motion imparted to it by a cam h or other equivalent
contrivance. In the valve are openings i, , which correspond with similar
openings k, k¹, through the piston and column, one half of which k commu-
nicate with the space above the piston, and the other half A, A, with the space
-below.
The same arrangement may be used for exhausting gas or for blowing
engines to work blast and other furnaces, and worked by hand or motive
power.
In Sheet 3, Fig. 1 is a side elevation, Fig. 2 a plan, Figs. 3 and 4
detached views drawn to an enlarged scale of my improved rivetting
inachine.
i a represents a frame, upon which are mounted pedestals b, b, supporting a
shaft c, upon which is placed a moveable clutch d, which can be thrown in
and out of gear with a corresponding clutch e, forming part of an eccentric f,
which is loose on the shaft c. To the eccentric shaft c motion is communi-
cated by means of a spur wheel g gearing into a pinion h on the driving
shaft i by means of a fixed pulley k. On the same shaft are also mounted a
loose pulley and a fly wheel l. The motion imparted by the eccentric f is
communicated to the slide m containing the die holder n by means of a
connecting rod o, which is of a peculiar construction on the principle of the
knee joint, and may be called a compensating or safety connecting rod.. It is
double, by preference, both horizontally and vertically, so as to consist of
parts easily manufactured; but it may be made so as to consist horizontally
of single parts only or vertically, instead of double knees only, one may be
used and the pressure of the spring counteracted by a straight bar, supported
on one end by, the slide m, on the other by the eccentric ring p.
The safety or compensating connecting rod o is represented on a larger
scale in Figs. 3 and 4, and is forined by eight small rods joined together by
pins, so that the rods, together with the eccentric ring p, may be considered
as one distinctive part. On each side above and below this rod there is a
sping 9, 9, which springs are held together by means of bolts r, r, and
washers s, s; four of the rods are made on one side t, t, a little deeper than
the others, so as to prevent their centre lines forming a smaller angle with
each other. As soon as a pressure acts greater than necessary to form a
rivet head the springs will be compressed and the rod shortened, and thus tho
machine relieved from excessive strain. I also apply a similar compensating
apparatus to rivet-making, stamping, coining, and other machines where au
excessive pressure is to be avoided. To the die holder n, forming part of the

page_text: slide in, is mounted the moveable die or snap u, which, in conjunction with
the die or snap v on the holder w, forms the rivet head.
The machine is also partly self-acting, so as to throw itself out of gear as
soon as the return stroke. is completed. This is effected by causing a rod æ,
fixed to the slide m, to act upon a lever y, which gives motion to the lever,
and throws the clutch d out of gear, when the machino will be ready for
another stroke. By means of the handle end of the lever y, in connection
with the lever, the attendant can throw the clutch d in gear again, and the
forward stroke commences. The lever y is so constructed that the end which
comes in contact with the rod can be lowered so as. to clear the rod x in
throwing the clutch in gear.
In Sheet 4, Fig. 1 is a plan, with part in section, of my improved universal
slotting machine; Fig. 2, a front elevation of the same with the slide in its
central position; Fig. 3, a front elevation with the slide on the end of its
travel; Fig. 4, a side elevation. with the slide in a position for cutting in a
right angle to the length of tho object; Fig. 5, a side elevation with the
slide placed for cutting at an angle to the object.
This machine consists of a bed plate a, upon which are mounted two
brackets b, b', provided with bearings c, c', which support two other brackets
d, d¹, forming parts of a cast-iron table f. Upon the driving shaft c is fixed
a fly wheel g, provided with a handle h. Upon the same shaft is fixed a
bevil wheel i, which gives motion by the bevil wheel / to a slotted disc / in
front of the machine. This disc rotates, and by means of a moveable crank
pin m and connecting rod n, communicates a reciprocating motion to the slide
or tool holder o, which works in a dovetail groove. The disc is provided
with a tooth or projection p. placed in such a position as to set a cam 7 in
motion when the crank pin m has reached its highest point. The cam 9
gives motion by a rod r to a ratchet wheel s, for turning the screw or worm t,
gearing into a corresponding circular rack u bolted to the table f. This
causes the sliding or moveable table v to revolve so that the tool may have the
feed motion in a circular direction, and the cuts will represent radial lines
with regard to the centre of the moveable table v. The ends of girders or
beams may be slotted at right angles by this machine, as represented in
Figs. 2, 3, and 4, or at any desired angle, as shewn in Fig. 5; for in what-
ever position the slide and table is placed, the bevil wheels will always remain 3
in gear, and transmit motion to the slide. If the machine has to work at an
angle, as shown in Fig. 5, the table f is held in its proper place by means of
set screws passing through the brackets 6, 6, and the two circular slotted.
brackets y, y', which form part of the table f..

page_text: Should the apparatus be required for slotting at a right angle only to the
object, the table f may be cast in one piece with the brackets b, b. This
apparatus may be either portable, as illustrated in the Figures, or stationary,
or pulleys may be substituted instead of a fly wheel, so that it can be worked
by motive power, and by adapting proper chisels or drills, it may be used for
slotting, shaping, mortising, or drilling at any required angle.
.
* If it is desired to use the machine as a drilling machine, bevil gearing will
have to be substituted in place of the slotted disc 2; and a vertical spindle
mounted on the moveablo table vin two bearings, as usual with drilling
machines, is provided with a bevil wheel to receive motion from the bevil
wheel which takes the place of the slotted disc l.
In Sheet 5, Fig. 1 represents a sectional elevation, Fig. 2 a plan, and
Fig. 3
front elevation of my improved shaping machine with revolving
cutters to be used in the construction of vessels, and in constructing the
machines before described.
Shaping machines have generally been made single-acting, and therefore
the hollow spindle wears unequally in the bearings in consequence of the
different pressure, and after a short time the centre line of the spindle will
not be parallel with the table carrying the material to be operated upon, and
exact work is impossible. These difficulties are obviated in my improved
double-acting machine constructed as follows:-The cast-iron standard or
frame a is provided with suitable bearings b, b, b', 6', and slides c, c. To the
first shaft d are keyed the cone pulleys e and pinions f, f, which transmit
motion by means of geared wheelsig, g, to the hollow spindle h, carrying the
cutters i, i, at each end, which are fixed to a spindle k by means of keys 1, 1,
to the hollow spindle h. The machine is provided with compound slides m, m,
with vertical and horizontal adjusting motion as well as horizontal feed motion.
This machine may be used to shape the nuts, bolt heads, cotters, keys, bearing
brasses, and other parts of machinery not described above.
Having now described the nature and particulars of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, I desire it to be
understood that I am aware that bars have been before cut by hydraulic
machinery actuated by force pumps, and therefore I do not claim the system
of doing so; but what I claim is,―
First, the general arrangement and construction of machinery for cutting
angle iron or other shaped bars.
Secondly, the general arrangement and combination of parts for blowing
machines and exhausting apparatus worked by hand or motive power.
Thirdly, in rivetting machines, the combination of levers for enabling the

page_text: machine, after the completion of a stroke, to be always ready for a fresh
stroke, and also in rivet-making, stamping, coining, and other machines whero
excessive strain is to be avoided, the employment of the safety or compen-
sating connecting rod.
Fourthly, the improved universal slotting or drilling machine.
And, fifthly, the double-acting shaping machine, as all such improvements:
are herein described and illustrated in the accompanying five Sheets of
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Bollinger, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
HENRY BOLLINGER. (L.S.)