IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING OF NEEDLES
Year: 1836

page_text: BIRKBY S SPECIFICATION
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
BIRKBY, late of High Town, but now of Upper Rawford, both in Liversedge,
near Leeds, in the County of York, Card Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing data
at Westminster, the Seventeenth day of March, in the sixth year of His
reign, did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said John Birkby, His especial license, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said John Birkby, my exors, admors, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said John Birkby, my exors, admors, or assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times during term of years therein expressed, should and lawful might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR
MAKING OF NEEDLES;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso
that I, the said John Birkby, shall cause a particular description of the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be inrolled in His said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in part
recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto'
had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Birkby, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and th
manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and ascer

page_text: Drawing hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon,
that is to say:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 is a plan of the machinery constructed according to my Invention.
Figure 2 is a section taken from front to back, as is indicated by the dotted
line a, a. Figure 3 is another section taken from front to back, at the point
indicated by the dotted line b, b, on Figure 1. Figure 4 is a longitudinal
section of the machinery taken at the line c, c, shown in Figure 1. In each
of these Figures the same letters denote similar parts, and such is also the
case with reference to the various detached views of certain of the parts which
will be hereafter more particularly noticed. A is the horizontal plate or
bed of the machine, which is supported by the standards or legs B. C is
the main or driving shaft, which turns in a suitable bearings at D, and on
the point D, as shown in the Drawing; on to this main shaft are affixed the
fly wheel E, the fast drum F, the toothed pinion G, the bevelled toothed wheel
H, and the driving pulley I, which, by a gut band, gives motion to the holder
of the wire whilst it is in the act of being pointed, as will be hereafter fully
described. The main or driving shaft C receives motion by means of a strap
or otherwise from a steam engine or other power. J is a shaft running from
front to back of the machine. It turns in a bearing at K and on the point
at K, as is clearly shewn in the Drawing L, is a bevelled toothed wheel affixed
on the shaft J. The bevelled toothed wheel L takes into and is driven by the
bevelled wheel H. On the shaft J is also affixed the pulley or drum M,
which gives motion to the mills which produce the points to the wire and
polish the same, as will be fully explained hereafter. N is a shaft parallel
with the main or driving shaft C, and this shaft N receives motion from the
shaft C in the following manner :-0 is a small fixed axis, which is capable
of adjustment, it being fixed in a slot formed in the standard P by a screw
nut, as shown in the Drawing. On this axis O turn the pinion Q and the
toothed wheel R, the pinion Q and the wheel R being affixed to each other,
and consequently turn together. The toothed well R. takes into, and is
driven by the pinion G on the main shaft C, and the pinion Q takes into and
drives the toothed wheel S, which is affixed on the shaft N, and on the shaft
N are affixed the cams T, V, U, and W, and also the tappets or cams X and
Y. The cam T actuates the feeding motion; the cam V works the removing
and carrying motion; the cam U works the sliding motion of the cutters
cr mill, and causes them to move at the required yet varying speed; the

page_text: cam W works the shears for cutting off the suitable length of wire, all which
will be more fully described hereafter; the tappet X works the small lever
Z in such manner as to raise it off the in-coming wire at the time of feeding
into the machine. This lever Z moves on a fulcrum at Z', and is constantly
drawn downwards by the spring Z2, by which means the wire, when not being
fed into the machine, is prevented being forced backward or forward by any
motion in the hank, all which will be clearly understood on an examination
of the Drawing. The cam or tappet Y is for the purpose of lifting the lever d,
which moves on a fulcrum at d. This lever (the construction of which is
clearly shown in the Drawing) lifts the holder of the wire for the purpose of
delivering the wire which has been pointed, and to take the in-coming wire
and conduct it to the cutters or mill to have points formed thereon. On the
under part of this lever it will be seen there is a projection against which
the cam or tappet Y acts, and on the cutting or forming of which the
correctness of the performance of the other parts depends, but by forming it
as shown in the Drawing, with reference to the other parts, the working
will be correct. e is a lever which carries the feeding apparatus. This
lever e moves on the points e, as shown. f is another lever, moving on a
fulcrum at f, and is connected with the feeding apparatus by the link or rod 9.
and the other end of the lever f is constantly drawn under the machine by the
spring f. By this means the feeding apparatus is brought back to take in
a fresh feed of wire to the machine. The feeding apparatus consists of a pair
which
of pliars or chaps h, i, connected with the upper end of the lever e,
is bent at right angles, as shown in the Drawing. The chap h rests on the
short lever j, which moves on a fulcrum at j¹ on the lever e, and the chap i
is prevented being raised too high by the fixed bar k, under which it moves.
The cam T is a portion of a cylinder, the part removed leaving two inclined
planes, which act on the lever j, whilst the portion left of the cylinder at its
inner edge offers a level surface, against which the one end or tail of the
lever j rests during the time that the pliars are out of action. The Drawing
shows the pliars as having fed in the wire, and the tail of the lever j is resting
against the plane or level surface of the cam, but, by the continued motion of
the machine, the plane surface of the cam will come to one of its ends, down
which the tail of the lever j will be drawn by the spring f, which will permit
the pliars to open and leave hold of the wire and pass back to take hold
farther off; and in order to insure the pliars holding the wire sufficiently
secure, immediately the tail piece j is at the bottom of the inclined plane
the spring is added, which immediately closes the pliars on the wire at the
distance to which they are brought back. By this means the lever Z may be

page_text: caused to rise just before the tail of the lever j is acted on by the other
inclined plane of the cain T, at the same time insure the feed being
accurate, notwithstanding any motion which may be hank of wire from which
the same is being drawn. The other inclined plane of the cam T coming
against the tail of the lever j causes the same to be propelled into the machine
the pincers h, i, carrying forward the wire till the lever j arrives to the top of
the inclined plane and comes to the level surface of the cam T, where it
remains as before described during a considerable portion of the revolution of
the cam T, the pliars having a strong hold of the wire, and the machine will
then be in the position shown in the Drawing. It should be stated that the
wire is drawn through a tube or drilled hole at the point m from the bank.
The next operation of the machine is the cutting off the length which has
been fed in and beyond the fixed cutter n, which is a plate of hardened steel
affixed to a standard of the machine, as shown in the Drawing, and the wire
is guided to that position by the tube o, affixed in the standard, which carries
the fixed cutter, which is clearly shown in the Drawing. p is the moving
cutter of the shears, and moves on a fulcrum or axis at p', and p³ is the tail
piece of the moving cutter, which is acted on by the cam W, there being
means of adjustment at the tail of the moving cutter p, by which the cam's
motion may actuate the shears at the proper time, the cutter p being at all
times pressed on by a spring, as shown.
I will now proceed to describe the holder and the apparatus connected there-
with, and in order to do this more clearly I have shown various detached views.
of the parts relating to this portion of the machine. Figure 5 shows a side
view of the holder, together with the apparatus which carries it. Figure 6 is
front view of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a plan of Figure 5. Figure 8, the holder,
shown separately, and Figure 9 is a section through the holder, together
with some of the parts connected therewith. q is a lever moving on the.
points q, q, supported by standards, as is clearly shown in the Drawing. The
shape and construction of the lever q will be traced and be readily ascertained
by inspecting the various Figures of the Drawing, and this lever is prevented
rising too high by the set screw 9³, on the standard which carries the shears.
The inner end of the lever q is turned down at right angles, and forms one of
two bearings r, for the axis of the holder, and r³ is the other bearing,
which is affixed to r¹ by the screw r³, as is shown. s is a bent lever moving
on a fulcrum at s¹ on an upright fixed to the lever q. The levers has a
friction roller at its outer end which moves in and is acted on by the lever d,
which causes the lever q, with the holder and other parts connected therewith,
to rise and fall at the proper time for delivering the wire when pointed, and

page_text: for receiving a fresh supply. t is a set screw screwed into the lever q, by
which the extent of lifting of the levers is regulated, and u is another set
screw passing through the lever s, by which the extent of its movement
downwards is controlled. v is a lever which, together with the parts connected
therewith, constitutes what I call a governor. It consists of a lever moving on
an axis affixed to a projection from the under part of the levers, as is clearly
shown in the various Figures. The lever s is at all times pressed on by the
spring w, affixed to the framing of the machine, the spring w having a set
screw to¹, by which it is caused to press more or less on the lever q, and on
the extent of pressure of such spring will depend the degree of force with
which the wire (which is being pointed) will be pressed in contact with the
rotatory cutters or mill, hereafter described. x, x, are two bent levers which
move on axes on the bearings r¹, r³; their shape will be observed and under-
stood by inspecting the various Figures in the Drawing. These levers x, x,
press on the piece of wire which is being pointed near the points, one on each
side of the holder. These levers x, x, are constantly drawn upwards by the
small springs y, y, which are affixed to studs on the levers a and to the lever s,
the levers being pressed on by this levers by means of the lever v; and it is
by this means that the pressure of the spring wis transmitted to the piece of
wire which is being pointed, and by which such pressure is constantly governed
and equalized to either end of the wire, notwithstanding any inequality of the
wire or of its want of straightness, which is a very important feature in this part
of the machinery, and by which the same is caused to perform most accurately.
is the holder, shown separately at Figure 8, which is a pulley having a hollow
axis turning in the bearings r of the lever q. In the hollow axis (1) is a set
screw of hardened steel, which passes into the hollow axis of the holder, and (2)
is a lever moving on a fulcrum at (8). This lever lies within a groove which is
cut into the hollow axis in such manner that when the wire has been fed into
that axis, and the lever pressed on by the spring (4), the wire will be held most
strongly between the lever (2) and the screw (1), and will consequently revolve
with the holder when it is put in motion by the gut band (5) from the pulley I
to the pulley or holder 2. It will be seen that the lever (2) projects beyond
the outer circumference of the pulley z, by which means, when the lever q rises
as above described, the end of the lever (2) comes in contact with the inclined
stop or projection (6), offixed to the upright of the framing which carries the
shears; and in order to insure the lever (2) coming in contact with that stop
(6) the catch 7, which projects still further than the lever (2) on the pulley z,
will in its rotation, soon after the lever q has commenced rising, come contact
with the stop (8), which will hold it; and the further rising of the pulley will

page_text: bring the lever (2) in contact with the projecting stop (6), by which the lever
(2) will be opened or removed from pressing on the wire in the hollow axis
of the holder z. That wire may then be removed, and the manner of doing so
I will be described hereafter. It should be stated that the lever d is at rest
for a short time during the working of the machine, in order to insure the
catch (7) being stopped by the catch (8), which is produced by the cut of the
under part of the lever d, against which the cam or tappet Y works. It
should here be stated that the upright which carries the shears should be
capable of adjustment in order to insure the holder z being so relatively
placed with respect to the shears that the wire should be received and held by
the middle of its length, all which is clearly shown in the Drawing. And it
will only be desirable further to observe, with respect to the holder 2, that on
the pointed wire being removed from the hollow axis of the holder z, the wire
from the feeding motion is being passed into the hollow axis; and immediately
on the pliars h, i, completing the feed the shears cut off the length, and the
holder descends therewith; the lever (2) being released from the stop closes
thereon, and the wire is carried to the rotatory cutters or mill, and to the
polishers, next to be described. (9) is a sliding bar, which is controlled to
move to and fro steadily by the parallel guides (10), which are capable of
adjustment, in order to set the rotatory cutters or mill in a proper position for
working, with respect to the other parts of the machine. This bar (9) is
constantly acted on by the spring (11). which has at all times a tendency to
draw the bar (9) from the back to the front of the machine. (12) is a lever
which moves on a fulcrum at (18) on the standard (14); this lever (12) has
a link (15) hinged thereto, which presses against a projection on the bar (9), a
the link (15) being prevented falling from its work by being a half round
concave working against a half round convex. The lever (12) is actuated
by the cam U, and it is important to remark that this cam is so formed
that the mill shall pass the wire which is being cut at an equable motion,
or nearly so, commencing from the larger diameter of the rotatory cutter, g
where the wire first comes on to the mill, and proceeds to about two-
third parts of the length of those cutters at an equable motion, and then
proceeds faster the remainder of the lengths of the cutters, and returns
about the one third at the quick speed, and then for the other two thirds
at the slower speed at which it commenced. The lever d is then held up 3
for a short time by a stud on the cam Y till the part of the mill
which I call the polishers come under the pointed wire, when the holder
descends and the points come on to the polishers, which consist of two cones
covered with leather, on which is put fine emery or other suitable polishing

page_text: material. From the pulley m proceeds an endless band or strap to the pulley
formed on one of the polishers, such band or strap being guided by the friction
rollers, as shown in the Drawing; and on the polishers are affixed bevelled
toothed wheels, which taking into actuate each other. The polishers as well as
the cutters move on points which are capable of adjustment, and by means of
peculiar clutch boxes or catches, which also serve as bearings, the motion of the
polishers is communicated to the cutters. The construction of these clutch
boxes or catches will readily be understood by an examination of the various
Figures in the Drawing, Figures 10, 11, 12, which are detached views of
the cutters and polishers, and are capable of adjustment, in order to change
the angle between them, and thus to obtain the description of point required.
A very little practice will enable a workman so to set them as to arrive at the
result he desires.
I will now describe the apparatus for removing the pointed wire from the
holder z when the holder comes up to obtain a further supply. (23) is a lever
moving on points (23), which is constantly acted on by the spring (24),
with a tendency to draw that lever into the machine. (25) is the fixed chap
of a pair of pliars, the construction of which will be evident on inspecting the
Drawing, the limb of the chap (25) being affixed to the lever (23) by a pin
joint, and thus are those pliars made to work to and fro with that lever.
(26) is the limb of the moveable chap of the pliars; it turns on an axis (27).
The tail of the chap (26) is turned up at right angles, as shown in the
Drawing. (28) is a spring which constantly presses on these pliars, and (29)
is a guide or horizontal track on which the plate (30) on the fixed chap moves,
and by which it is supported and caused to move correctly to take hold of the
wire when it is brought up by the holder z; and in order to insure correct-
ness as to position of those pliars, (31) is an adjusting screw passing
through the plate (30), by which the same can be raised or lowered, and with
it the pliars. (32) is a bent lever turning on a fulcrum at (33). This lever
(32) rests on the bent or turned-up end of the limb of the moveable chap of
the pliars, and the lever (32) is actuated by the cam V, which cam consists of
a portion of a cylinder, the part thereof which is removed leaving two inclined
plains; the first coming in contact with the lever (32) closes the pliars on to
the wire. The continued rotation of the cam V draws out the pliars, and with
them the wire securely held between the chaps of the pliars, and this is the
condition in which it is shewn in the Drawing. The continued rotation of the
cam 6, so long as the plain surface thereof is continued, still retains the various
parts in the position shown, but when the second inclined plane arrives the
lever (32) descends down it, the pliars open by a spring between the chaps,

page_text: the wire is released, and the pliars go in to take hold and remove the next
portion of wire brought up by the holder z.
From the foregoing description, together with a careful examination of the
various Figures in the Drawing, a mechanic will readily become acquainted
with the construction and combination of the parts shewn and described,
and the movements which produce the feeding-in of the wire, the cutting it
into lengths, the holding and pointing, and lastly, the removing of the pointed
wire to undergo future process. When it is desired to increase or diminish that
length of wire, then the parts of the machine must be adjusted accordingly,
which a very little practice will soon enable the workman to accomplish with
facility; and in case of using smaller or larger wire, then the parts of the
machine must be accommodated thereto.
Having thus described my Invention, and the manner of carrying the same
into effect, I would remark that I lay no claim to the various parts separately
or in combination other than is hereafter more particularly pointed out
and distinctly claimed as my Improvements, nor do I confine myself to the
precise means of actuating the various parts as shown. And it should be
stated that each piece of wire so pointed at both ends, as above described, are
to be divided into two parts, and are to be grooved and perforated for the eyes,
and finished in like manner to lengths of wire pointed by hand, which is well
understood, and forms no part of my Invention. But I would have it understood
that what I claim as my Invention of Improvements in Machinery for Making
Needles, consists in the application to the process of making needles of the
various combinations of mechanical parts herein-after particularly claimed,-
First, the application of the peculiar construction of the holder z, and the
means of holding the length of wire in the hollow axis thereof, and also the
combination of the various parts which constitute what I have called the
governor, for equalizing the pressure of the two ends of the length of wire,
and the means of conducting the wire to and from the rotatory cutter or mill,
as above described, when used for the purpose of making needles, as above
described; and,
Secondly, I claim the application of the combination of the bar (9) with
the various parts connected therewith, by which the rotatory cutters or mill are
caused to pass to and fro when cutting the points, and particularly the appli-
plication of the cam U, or other similar means, to cause such rotatory cutters
or mill to vary its speed, and thereby to insure the proper gradual rounding or
tapering of the points, and also the combining two rotatory cutters set at an
angle to each other on the traversing bar (9), whereby the two ends of the
length of wire are cut at the same time, and also in combining and applying

page_text: the two polishers, with the mills and cutters, with the bar (9), when the same
are applied to the making of needles. But I do not claim such parts or com-
bination of parts for any other purposes, they being very similar in construction
and combination to the Invention for which a Patent was granted to me by
His present most Excellent Majesty, for Improvements in Machinery for
Pointing Wire, applicable for making Cards and Pins," bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty-ninth day of October, One thousand eight hundred
and thirty-five.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Birkby, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.
Signed, sealed, and delivered, by the
within-named John Birkby (party
JOHN (L.s.) BIRKBY.
JAMES WADSWORTH, Solicitor,
Millbridge, near Leeds.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Fifth day of September, in the
year of our Lord 1836, the aforesaid John Birkby came before our said
Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification afore-
said, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above
written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the
tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.