IMPROVED APPARATUS OR MACHINERY FOR CUTTING, TRIMMING, OR SHEARING SHEET METAL
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVED APPARATUS OR MACHINERY FOR CUTTING, TRIMMING, OR SHEARING
SHEET METAL." A communication from abroad by George Holmes Perkins, of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Sealed the 14th December 1877, and dated the 18th June 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th June 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVED APPARATUS OR MACHINERY FOR
CUTTING, TRIMMING, OR SHEARING SHEET METAL.." [A communication from
abroad by George Holines Perkins, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of
America.]
My Invention relates to apparatus which has an endless apron or band passing
around a drum, between the faces of which and the band a plate of metal may be
so introduced as to be fed to the cutters and cut, trimmed, or sheared, without
slipping, twisting, or lateral displacement. It also has an adjustable feed chute and,
a self-adjusting guiding wheel for feeding the plate true to the apron. The cutters
in the said apparatus are adjustable relatively to different widths of plates; and I
provide means for regulating the tension of the feeding and holding apron, and for
removing the drums and rollers. I arrange a guide on the feeding chute for
directing the plates plates to the guiding wheel.
The said apparatus or mechanism may be used for cutting, trimming, and shearing
either of the sides of the metal sheet, and will rapidly and reliably feed the sheet,,
prevent buckling thereof, and present it truly or accurately to the cutters.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th December 1877.
.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVED APPARATUS OR MACHINERY FOR
CUTTING, TRIMMING, OR SHEARING SHEET METAL" A communication from
abroad by George Holmes Perkins, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of
America.
This Invention relates to an apparatus which has an endless apron or band caused
to bear against a drum, between which and the band a plate of metal may be in-
troduced, so as to be fed to the cutters and cut, trimmed; or sheared without liability
to slipping, twisting, or lateral displacement. It also has an adjustable feed chute,
and a self-adjusting guiding wheel for feeding the plate truly to the apron. It is
also provided with means for rendering the cutters adjustable relatively to different
widths of plates; also with means for regulating the tension of the feeding and 1
holding apron; also with means for removing the drums and rollers, the said rollers
having adjustable bearings. It also has a guide on the feeding chute for directing
the plates to the guiding wheel.
•
The said apparatus also includes mechanism for cutting, trimming and shearing
either of the sides of the metal sheet, and means for rapidly and reliably feeding
the sheet, preventing buckling thereof, and presenting it truly or accurately to the

page_text: drum is mounted. The heads e¹ at the portions through which passes the shaft are
screw threaded, and engage with the screw threads on the shaft. On the heads e¹
there are fitted circular or band cutters F, which rotate with the drums, and on the
shaft there are placed discs G, which are adapted to bear against the cutters For
heads e, or both. By properly rotating the shells d, they will advance to or recede
from each other, and thereby decrease or increase the width of the drum D, thus
providing for cutting, shearing, or trimming plates of different widths. Jam
nuts gare fitted to the shaft to hold the shells of the drum in their adjusted
positions.
It is also evident that by slackening the nuts g and discs G, the cutters F may be
displaced for purposes of grinding or sharpening.
The drum D is constructed of two hollow shells; sleeves, or cylinders h, which
aro supported on the bearing shaft j, and they are fitted thereto by screw threads,
so as to be capable of advancing to or receding from each other, and thus decrease or
increase the width of the drum D¹. On the shaft j, adjacent to the cylinders h,
there are fitted circular or band cutters H, which are held against the cylinders h,
and the latter held in adjusted positions by means of discs k and jam nuts m. The
adjustment of the drum D¹ provides means for cutting, shearing, or trimming plates ·
of different widths.
It is also evident that by slackening the nuts m and discs k, the cutters H may
be displaced for purposes of grinding or sharpening. The cutters F, H, may how-
ever be removed from the drums D, D', and adjustably fitted independent thereof,
and employed without the drum D'. They will be located at the sides of the
drum D, coincident with the perimeter thereof.
I may also employ various other methods of adjusting the cutters, forms of which
are shown in Figures 9, 10, and.11.
The journals B¹ of the rollers B, B, have their bearings or bosses S, S, fitted to
the frame A by sliding joints, and in order to hold said bearings the adjusting screw
rods or bolts a are connected to them, as has been stated. To the bearings there
aro also connected screw rods or bolts a¹, which extend at or about a right angle to
the rods or bolts a, and they pass through vertical slots T in the sides or adjacent
portions of the frame A. The bearings S' of the journals D" of the drum D¹ are
held to their positions by the rods or bolts b, and likewise rods or bolts b', which
latter also pass through the slots T in the frame A. While these provisions admit
of the adjustments of the tension of the apron E and the drum D', the bearings S, S¹,
may be readily released and removed, whereby the displacement of the rollers B
and drum D may be readily accomplished. Moreover the screw rods or bolts a
and a, b and b, hold the respective bearings S, S¹. at points at a right angle to each
other, and prevent shifting of the respective rollers B, B, and druin D', whereby the
apparatus will operate reliably.
'
J represents the feed chute, which consists of a table or board mounted on an
axis and arranged diagonally, its lower end being adjacent to the apron E at a point
between the roller C and drum D, and adapted to be presented to the apron at said
point at various angles, the axial bearing of the chute permitting the same, set
screws or nuts, or both, being provided for holding the chute in its adjusted
positions.
To one side of the chute there is pivotted an arm K, on which is journalled a
shouldered wheel L, a portion of the circumference of which projects into the space
above the chute, as more readily seen in Figure 8, and it is forced towards the chute
by means of a spring n suitably applied.
M represents a table which is located above the roller C, and hinged to the
feed chute J, the axial rod p of the table extending across the chute above the face
thereof.
N represents an elevated platform which is mounted on a standard P, secured to
the frame A, and preferably adjustable thereon.
The operation is as follows:-The plates or sheets of metal are placed on the
platform N, and the operator occupies a seat R located convenient to the platform,

page_text: Power will be communicated to one or all of the rollers B, so as to impart motion
to the endless apron E and the drum D, it being however evident that when power
is communicated to one of the rollers B the movement of the endless apron will
cause the rotation of the other roller B, the roller C, and drum D. A plate is now
placed on the chute J, and directed under the rod p, so as to come in contact with
the wheel L under the shoulder thereof, whereby the plate will be forced against
the side or upright portion of the chute opposite the wheel L, and thus guided down
the chute true to the apron E by which it is drawn in between the drum D
and the apron, and carried to the cutting points of the cutters F, H, where its sides
are cut. The band continues to draw and carry the plate, and then conveys it
from the cutters clear of the drum D, so that it may be removed by hand from
the apron, or directed to a place of deposit or collection.
It will be seen that the band E takes firm hold of the plate prior to and
during the cutting operation, so that it will not slip, twist or shift Interally, and
the work will be uniform and reliable.
As there is variation in the thickness of metal plates or sheets, and it is requisite
to direct them to the apron E, at an angle that will not cause the latter to be cut
when reached by a plate, the chute J, having an axial motion, may be set at the.
required angle to prevent the cutting of the apron by the plate.
It will be also noticed that the cutters are so located, and the parts generally
so disposed, that the cutters are properly guarded and accidents are thereby
prevented.
Referring to Figures 12 to 18 (embodying the second portion of my Invention),
A represents the frame for supporting the working parts of the apparatus, and
B represents the main shaft mounted thereon; C represents a shaft which is
mounted on the frame A above the shaft B, and has connected to it arms a, a, b, d,
to the arms d, of which there is connected by an arm e an arm f, which is pivotted
to the frame A, and has its lower end adapted to come in contact with a cam g
secured to the shaft B, whereby reciprocating rotary motions will be imparted
to the arms a, a, b, in one direction, the return motion being imparted by the
action of a spring a', which is fitted on a rod pivotted to the frame and passing
through a guide a swivelled to the arm b.
To the arms a, a, there are pivotted slides D, whose forward or inner ends
are rested on an inclined table E, which is supported on the upper portion of
the frame A.
To the forward ends of the slides D there are adjustably secured fingers F, and
above said fingers there is located a table G, which is secured to the upwardly
extending sides of the table E in an inclined position. On the sides of the table E.
there is mounted the axial rod of a swinging gate H, which in its normal position
rests against the inner or lower end of the board G, and it is brought and held
against the same by the action of a spring k suitably applied.
To the axial rod of the said gate H there is connected a jointed arm m, which is
jointed to an arm n, which pivotted to the side of the frame A is moved in one
direction by a cam g¹ secured to the main shaft B, the other direction being imparted"
by the action of the spring h.
The lower edge of the gate H is curved, as more clearly shown in Figure 15,
and it carries on its inner side thereof a foot or feet p, as more clearly
shown in Figures 14 and 15, said plate being adapted to sweep over the inclined
table E.
On the upper face of the table E there are secured plates p¹, which extend
longitudinally and occupy positions under the side feet
P of the gate H.
Secured to a support q is a loosely hung guide roller or arm J, whose face or
lower end is nearly in contact with the upper face of the table E, and to said
table near the inner or lower end thereof there is pivoted a gate K which closes
against the table, and it is held closed by the action of a jointed lever 8, connected
to a lever s¹, which pivotted to the frame A, is engaged and held at different

page_text: [intervals by a cam s" on the main shaft B, and a spring §™ suitably applied and
secured.
The inner end of the table E and its gate K are located adjacent to drums, which
are mounted on the frame A, and an endless belt is passed around said drums and
other drums, in order to convey the metal sheet from the table E to the cutters or
shearing blades.
To the rocking arm b on the shaft C, there is pivotted a longitudinally extending
rod L, whose inner end is formed with a shoulder b', which is adapted to engage
with a shoulder or pin on the upper side or one end of an elbow lever M, which
pivotted to a support attached to the table E near the lower end of the same receives
motion in one direction by the action of said rod L, and in the other direction by
the action of a spring M¹ suitably applied.
On the inner or lower limb of lever M there is adjustably secured a pin or
tooth N, which extends horizontally, and passes through the adjacent side piece t of
the table E, so as to be caused at certain times by the action of the lever M to press
against a spring plate P, which is secured at one end to the inner face of said side
piece, so that its lower end is free to be pressed inward or towards the opposite side
of the table, said lower end of the spring extending to the upper face of the
table E.
The connections of the several arms will be adjustable, so as to adjust the
throw of relative parts, and thus adapt the apparatus for work of different
capacities.
The operation is as follows:-Power will be communicated to the main shaft B,
whereby rocking motions will be imparted to the shaft C. When the fingers F have
made a half return the gate H opens, and a sheet of metal placed on the table G
will fall therefrom and be directed to the table E, and under the roller J against the
gate K, which being firmly held closed by the action of the cam 8" and inter-
mediate parts arrests the sheet. The rod L advances, and its shouldered end engages
with the elbow lover M, so as to force in the pin N, and consequently the spring P;
so that the sheet of metal will be pressed by said spring against the opposite side
piece of the table E, and thus placed square or true on the table, whereby the
subsequent cutting or shearing will be true.
In order to cause a quick return motion of the pin N a portion of the underside
of the rod L is inclined or tapering as at L¹, and this portion rides on a standard L",
which rises from the support for the elbow or crank lever M adjacent to the same,
see Figure 12, so that as the rod advances the standard causes it to elevate and thus
clear the shoulder of the elbow lever, whereby the latter is not controlled by the
rod, and owing to the spring M³, the said lever rapidly assumes its norinal position,
carrying with it the pin N. The fingers now advance, and the cam 811 is in such
position that it does not control the lever s¹, 8, but the gate K is held closed by the
spring a The sheet is now carried forward by the fingers, and it overcomes the
power of the said spring 8111, so that the gate opens, and the sheet passes thereunder,
after which the sheet is caught by the endless belt and directed to the cutters
and the gate K then again closes against the table. The gate H again opens, and
the second sheet falls on the table E, and it is engaged by the fingers F, and carrried
forward, the successive operations continuing, the work being expeditiously, reliably,
and uniformly accomplished.
When the sheet reaches the table E, its sides rest on the plates p¹, the side feet
2 bearing against the upper face of the sheet. The lower curved edge of the gate
K pressing against the sheet somewhat bends the latter, and in this condition the
said sheet is advanced, the bend or curvature being preserved after the sheet leaves
the gate by the action of the roller J, which presses down the middle of the sheet
while the sides of the latter continue to rest on the plates p¹. By these means the
sheet will be stiffened, and it will be readily forced forward and prevented from
buckling or resisting the advance motion.
R, R, represent guides for directing the clippings from the cutters, and S repre-

page_text: sents wipers, whose heads or faces are in contact with the cutters of the drum or
drums, the objects whereof are well-known.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim the above-described improved apparatus comprising,-
First. An endless apron or band caused to bear against a drum, between which
and the apron the metal plate to be cut is introduced and fed by the movement of
said apron and drum to cutters and shears, as above set forth.
Second. The adjustable feed-chute, as above set forth and for the purpose
specified.
Third. The self-adjusting guide wheel, as above set forth and for the purpose
specified.
Fourth. The cutters adjustable relatively to different widths of plates, as above set
forth and for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The divided drums, as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Sixth. The means for regulating the tension of the feeding and holding apron,
as above set forth.
Seventh. The means for removing the said drums and rollers, as above
set forth.
Eighth. The rollers provided with adjustable bearings, as above set forth and
for the purposes specified.
Ninth. The fingers in combination with the tables and gate, as above set forth
and for the purpose specified.
Tenth. The arresting gate in combination with the table, as above set forth
and for the purpose specified.
Eleventh. The setting spring with its pin in combination with the carrier-rod
and standard, as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Twelfth. An apparatus or machine for cutting, trimming, or shearing sheet-metal,
consisting of the parts constructed and combined as shewn in the accompanying
Drawing and operating as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
X17M DADT TAIZT