Novel or Improved Machines for Making or Completing Thimbles, Pimblicos, Bat-props and like Earthenware Articles.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Novel or Improved Machines for Making or Completing Thimbles,
Pimblicos, Bat-props and like Earthenware Articles.
We, THOMAS ARROWSMITH, 158, Moorland Road, Burslem, HENRY THOMAS
ARROWSMITHI, 150, Moorland Road, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, and
JOHN ARROWSMITII, "Hill View," Alsager, Cheshire, trading as Thomas Arrow-
smith & Sons, Stilt and Spur Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This our invention has reference to novel or improved machines for use in
making or completing the making of marl or clay thimbles or thimble pins, bat-
props and like earthenware-ware articles well known by potters for use in sup-
porting ceramic-ware-articles whilst being fired, and piiblicos well known as
being used in cotton mills, fustian-mills, silk-mills and like mills or factories for
containing lubricant for, or at the lower end of revolving or revoluble spindles.
Blanks being first made by using suitable forms, block or dies as is well known
to earthenware manufacturers and others; but more especially by means of or
by using our patented apparatus described and claimed in Specification 458
dated 7th January 1898, the objects of our said invention being to expedite the
manufacture of such articles and reduce their cost of production.
In carrying our said invention into practice we make such machines or appa-
ratus of any suitable size by mounting a suitable number of metallic bearings in
suitable position upon a suitably shaped metallic bed-plate for supporting revo-
luble metallic shafts of suitable size having toothed wheels, a cam-plate or crank
and a bell-crank lever or its equivalent at or upon one end of such bed-plate, the
upper surface of the opposite end of such bed-plate having suitable bearings
attached thereto for supporting a horizontal or vertical metallic shaft having a
suitably shaped removable and revoluble mould block of suitable size, shape and
material mounted vertically or horizontally thereon, or such mould-block may be
slidable instead of rotatable.
The small toothed wheel or pinion and its horizontal shaft may be rotated by
means of a suitable handle fixed thereto, or driven or rotated by means of a
suitable band, belt, rope or the like passing around a suitable metallic or wood
pulley, wheel or jigger fixed on such pinion shaft causing such pinion to rotate
a larger metallic toothed wheel mounted on a metallic shaft above such pinion,
and having one end of a suitably shaped metallic connecting rod mounted on a
projecting pin or protuberance on or at the outer side of such larger toothed-
wheel, or to a crank formed on or fixed to such shaft, the opposite end of such
connecting rod being mounted on or connected to a suitably shaped metallic
guide-block or slipper bearing in or upon a slide, or between metallic guide-bars
formed on or fixed to such bed-plate, a toothed metallic wheel on such shaft gear-
ing into the toothed periphery of a metallic cam-plate of suitable shape and size

page_text: mounted vertically on a horizontal metallic shaft supported by suitable bearings
which cam-plate when rotated causes a metallic bell-crank lever and its connect-
ing rod beneath same to move or push a metallic lever connected to the opposite
end of such rod, and cause a pivotted metallic pawl at the upper end of such
lever to push against a suitably shaped projection formed on or fixed to the side
of the metallic mould block mounted on its rotatable shaft so as to place one of
the moulds in same in line with the die-portion of the block attached or fixed to
the fore end of the slidable guide block or slipper.
To finish or complete the making of thimbles or thimble pins we first take a
bed or sheet of clay on which are several dried or partially dried thimble-pin
blanks of the required size and break up, divide or separate such blanks from such
bed or sheet of clay on which they were formed and place or let such blanks fall
into a box or other suitable receptacle, we then sprinkle such earthenware blanks
by any suitable means with any suitable lubricant, and place such blanks by
hand in the moulds in the revoluble mould block, when such machine, is set in
motion the conical portion of the metallic die attached to the fore end of the
metallic guide-block or slipper will at its first forward stroke be forced into one
of the moulds in the revoluble mould-block containing a greased or lubricated
clay blank so as to compress such clay blank, just before the guide or slipper
block reaches the end of its backward or return stroke an adjustable projecting
metallic pin, bolt or the like screwed into or fastened to a suitably shaped metallic
upright fixed to the bed of such machine will force the slidable collar of the die-
block a slight distance beyond the conical portion of such die so that such com-
pressed thimble-blank shall not adhere to such conical portion but only to the
said die collar, the slipper or guide-block on its second forward stroke forces the
compressed clay blank or clay-thimble back into the same mould in the mould-
block and again compresses such clay-thimble, just before the guide-block or
slipper completes its second backward or return stroke the slidable collar of the
die is again forced a short distance beyond the conical portion of such die so that
such compressed clay thimble can then only adhere to such collar, if such thimble
or thimble-pin does not then fall from or leave such die, such thimble may be
loosened therefrom and caused to fall into a box or other suitable receptacle by
a slight knock or tap of the hand, or by means of a suitably shaped metallic, wood
or like suitable tapper, tappet or arm worked or operated by the machine, such
thimbles are afterwards dressed or fettled for use in the usual well known way,
a similar mode of operation being employed when making or completing the
making of pimblicos, bat-props and the like earthenware articles when using
such machines.
It will be readily understood that the mould blocks or mould wheels used
remain stationary a sufficient length of time during the forward and backward
strokes of the slipper or guide-block with the die attached to enable the greased
or lubricated clay-blanks to be placed in the moulds by hand, or be guided by
a metallic or wood shute or trough into the several moulds of such revoluble
mould blocks, or slidable mould blocks whilst the apparatus or machine is
working.
Such revoluble metallic moulds may be mounted horizontally or vertically, or
be made slidable, and the machines with such mould-blocks fixed horizontally,
vertically, or at any suitable angle.
JOHN NEWTON,
Longport, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs.,
Agent for Applicants.

page_text: Novel or Improved Machines for Making or Completing Thimbles,
Pimblicos, Bat-props and the like Earthenware Articles.
We, THOMAS ARROWSMITH, 158, Moorland Road, Burslem, HENRY THOMAS
ARROWSMITII, 150, Moorland Road, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, and
JOHN ARROWSMITII, "Hill View," Alsager, Cheshire, trading as Thomas Arrow-
smith & Sons, Stilt and Spur Manufacturers, 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 our invention has reference to novel or improved machines for use in
making or completing the making of clay or marl thimbles, bat-props and like
earthenware articles well known by potters for use in supporting ceramic-ware
articles whilst being fired, and pimblicos or steps well known as being used in
cotton mills, fustian-mills and silk-mills when glazed inside, or internally glazed
at the lower end of revolving or revoluble spindles.
The objects of this our said invention being to expedite the manufacture of
such thimbles, bat-props and like similar articles and reduce their cost of
production.
In carrying our said invention into practice we make the cast-iron bed-plate
of such machines of suitable size on which we fix or mount a suitable number of
metallic bearings for supporting revoluble metallic shafts having metallic toothed
wheels, a metallic cam-plate or crank and a cam-plate lever or its equivalent at
one end of such bed-plate, the upper surface of the opposite end of such bed-plate
having a suitable number of metallic bearings fixed or attached thereto for sup-
porting a horizontal or vertical metallic shaft having a removable and revoluble
metallic mould-block of suitable size keyed or mounted vertically or horizontally
thereon, or such metallic mould-block may be made to slide on such bed-plate
instead of being fixed or keyed on a rotatable metallic shaft.
In order that our said invention may be more readily understood and explained
in detail we have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings on which letters of
reference are marked.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Figure is a side elevation of a machine or apparatus made according to our
invention with a metallic slide or slide-block mounted thereon, such slide-block
having two suitably shaped metallic moulds or mould-blocks fastened or fixed
thereto for use in making or completing the making of thimbles from clay or
marl thimble forms or thimble-blanks made by suitable forms, blocks or dies. as
is well known by earthenware manufacturers and others; but more especially
from thimble-forms or thimble-blanks made by using our patented apparatus or
machine described and claimed in the Specification 458 dated the 7th day of
January 1898 and used by potters and others for supporting ceramic or earthen-
ware articles in seggars whilst being fired.
Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1 with the metallic or wooden-box above
same removed so as to shew more particularly the mechanism or various parts
of such apparatus or machine.
Figure 3 is an end-view or end-elevation of Figure 1 looking in the direction
indicated by arrow A.
Figure 4 is a plan view of a
revoluble horizontal metallic s
hine fitted with a metallic block keyed on a
supported by suitable bearings for use in
making with its metallic die or punger such earthenware or marl thimbles, bat-
props and the like..

page_text: Figure 5 is a side view or side elevation of such metallic mould-block shewing
six flat-places or flats on same around its periphery to each of which flats a suit-
ably shaped metallic die-block or mould may be bolted or fixed.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of the metallic lever we employ in such machines
for actuating the hard-wood or other like suitable tapper or tappet for loosening
and ensuring the dropping or falling off of the clay or marl thimble, bat-prop or
other supporting device being made from the die or plunger of such machines.
Figure 7 is a side elevation of a bat-prop.
Figure 8 is a side elevation of a thimble, and
Figure 9 a side elevation of a pimblico or step such as is made or produced by
such machines.
On reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 a is a cast-iron or similar suitable metallic
bed-plate supported at a suitable angle by suitably shaped cast-iron standards b, 2,
a revoluble steel or wrought-iron shaft e being supported horizontally by metallic
bearings d,, fitted to such bed-plate a, on one end of the shaft e we key or fix
a metallic toothed-wheel f, supported by suitable eye-bearings g, to gear with a
similar metallic toothed wheel on the metallic cranked-shaft i, and the metallic
pulley or drum j around which a leather or like suitable driving band or belt may
pass for driving such machine, or a suitably shaped cast-iron or like suitable
wheel provided with a suitable handle may be fitted on or keyed to such shaft
for enabling such machine to be worked by manual labour or power.
At the opposite side of such bed-plate we bolt or fix two or more suitably
shaped cast-iron or like suitable metallic brackets 1, 12 for supporting wrought-
iron or like suitable metallic levers m, m², m³, m pivotted thereon or thereto, one
end of the lever m being pivottally connected to the metallic cam-plate casing n
supported by and slidable on the bracket 2 between suitable guides n² fixed to
such bracket. One end of the wrought-iron or steel connecting-rod o being fitted
on or to the steel or wrough-iron cranked-shaft i, the other suitably shaped slidable
end of such connecting rod being fitted on or to a suitably shaped metallic slipper
or metallic guide fixed to or formed on the said bed-plate and fitted with or
provided with a suitably shaped steel or other suitable metallic head or plunger p
for working into the metallic-moulds or metallic die-blocks q, q2 fixed or attached
to the cast-iron or other suitable slidable metallic block fitted on or supported
by the bed-plate a and pivottally connected to the lever m.
After the selected metallic mould blocks q, q2 have been bolted or fixed to the
metallic slide-block and the corresponding plunger or die to the connecting-
rod o any suitable quantity of clay or earthenware blanks or forms made by the
apparatus or machine described in the Specification of our Patent 458 of 1898
herein before mentioned are placed in the sheet metallic or wood-box or casing s
fixed or suspended at a suitable height above such machine, and by lifting the
wood or sheet metallic shutter s2 of such box any suitable number of such clay or
marl blanks or forms may be allowed to pass from such box s through the aper-
ture 3 down the sheet metallic or wood shutes into the sheet metallic tank t
partially suspended within the tank 2 supported by a suitably shaped cast iron
or other suitable metallic bracket bolted or fixed to the bed or support of the
slide-block r, the tank is then lowered by means of the chains 3 passing over
rollers fitted to the upper side edges of the tank 2 into such tank to permit
any suitable lubricating liquid which has been placed therein to pass up through
perforations in the bottom of the tank t to lubricate the several clay or marl
blanks or forms in the tank t, which is then raised by the cords 3 and retained
at a suitable height above such lubricant or greasy liquid by the wood or metall c
catches to drain off the superfluous lubricant from the tank t, two or more of
such lubricated blanks are then placed by hand on the angularly fixed metallic
shutes at either side of such machine clear of the plunger or die to avoid all
risk of injury to the person working or feeding such machine which is frequent
when working the ordinary thimble press or machine used for making such
thimbles, bat-props and the like, the metallic cranks w alternately push the metal-

page_text: 2'
lic slides forward and cause the projections y to push against and actuate a
bell crank lever, to alternately lift metallic shutters 2 to permit one greased or
lubricated clay form at a time to roll or pass down one of the shutes on to one
of the metallic receivers or trays, the metallic tension springs keeping the
said slides against the cranks w, one of the hard-wood or metallic plungers 2
then pushes the blank from the tray into the mould-block which is in line with
or opposite such plunger, the metallic cam ³ fixed on the short shaft within
the casing n being caused to rotate by the metallic toothed wheel g³ fixed or keyed
on such shaft gearing into the metallic toothed wheel g² fixed on or at the end
of the revolving shaft i and pushing such metallic cam-casing n forward on its
slide to operate the pivotted links m, m2 m³, m to move the slide block » and
place one of the mould-blocks q, q² fixed to such slide-block opposite to, or into
a straight line with the metallic die-plunger fixed at the end of the connecting-
rodo, which plunger at its first forward stroke compresses such lubricated clay-
blank or form in such mould-block, such plunger with its connecting-rod then
recedes a certain or limited distance: but the collar of such plunger-die in moving
back is arrested, or its backward-travel stopped by a shoulder or projection
formed on or attached to the bed-plate or framing of such machine, the con-
necting-rod as it makes its next or second forward stroke causing the plunger-
die to again compress the same blank in the same mould-block. As such con-
necting-rod with its die-plunger, makes its second backward stroke, the collar
is arrested as before stated with the compressed clay-thimble adhering thereto,
the metallic cam-plate e fixed on the revolving shaft e then depresses the lower
curved end of the metallic rod 6 pivotted to the side of the bed-plate a causing
the opposite end of such rod to rise and operate the metallic bar or rod c which
actuates the tappet at its outer end to strike against the clay-thimble adhering
to the die-collar to cause such thimble and any scrap" formed during the
operation of compressing such clay-blanks to fall from such die-collar down through
an aperture or opening formed in the bed-plate on to an endless flannel or cloth
belt 6 caused to revolve at a suitable speed around wood or metallic rollers 2
fixed on metallic shafts 3 supported by suitable bearings 4 fixed to suitable
supports 5 beneath such machine, such belt being caused to revolve by means of
a half-crossed leather or like suitable driving-belt passing around a metallic
pulley 7 keyed on the revolving shaft c and a wood or metallic pulley 8 of larger
diameter keyed on the shaft 3. As such flannel or cloth belt-travels or revolves
the thimbles or compressed blanks are removed therefrom by hand and placed
in any suitable receptacle, afterwards dried and fired for use, the "scrap" being
allowed to fall at one end from the revolving band 6 into a box or other receptacle.
The supports on the same side of such band (6) being connected by an iron or
other metallic rod of suitable size having one solid end whilst the opposite end
of such rods is screwed and fitted with a nut or nuts so that such supports or
bearings may be moved apart to enable the tension of such endless band to be
regulated.
As such die-plunger recedes after, compressing the same clay blank in the
same mould twice in successive forward strokes as stated, the revolving cam n³
in the metallic casing n again operates the pivotted levers m, m³, m³, m' and
causes the metallic block r to slide and place the other mould-block into posi-
tion, or into a straight line with the plunger-die for compressing a lubricated
clay-blank pushed into such mould by the plunger 22 from the tray whilst the
previous blank or form was being compressed.
On reference to Figures 4 and 5 the selected metallic moulds q are first bolted
or fixed to the flat surfaces u on the periphery of the cast-iron, steel or other suit-
able metallic-block keyed to the revoluble metallic shaft supported by metallic
bearings a fixed to the metallic bed-plate a, the selected metallic die or plunger p
fixed to the end of the metallic connecting rod o, a wood or metallic box or
casing suspended or fixed at a suitable height above such machine, an endless

page_text: flannel or cloth belt 6, and a lubricating tank or tanks t, at the mould-block-
end of such machine similar to those shewn at Figures 1, 2 and 3.
After placing a quantity of earthenware blanks or forms as before described
into the casings, by lifting the shutter 2 of such casing any suitable quantity
of such forms may be allowed to pass through the aperture down the wood or
metallic shute into the tank at the mould-block end of such machine, the
tank t is then lowered into the tank 2 to permit lubricating liquid in such tank
to pass up through perforations in the bottom of the said tank, t to grease or
lubricate the several clay blanks placed therein, such tank is then raised by
its cords or chains 3 and suspended at a suitable height above such lubricant to
permit all superfluous lubricant to flow from or drain from the tank into the
tank 13, a lubricated clay blank or form being placed by hand in each of the
uppermost moulds q either whilst such machine is stationary, or whilst such
machine is working.
When such machine or apparatus is set in motion by an endless band or belt
passing around the metallic or other drum or pulley keyed or fixed on the
revoluble metallic shaft e, the metallic toothed-wheel f keyed on such shaft in
revolving gears into and revolves the metallic toothed-wheel h keyed on the
metallic cranked shaft i supported by metallic bearings fixed to the bed-plate
which imparts a reciprocating motion to the metallic connecting-rod o to which
the metallic plunger die p is fixed. It will be understood that the plunger pat
the end of its first forward stroke will compress a lubricated clay-blank in the
mould on the mould-block r which is in a straight line with such plunger-die,
the connecting-rod to which the die is fixed in making its second forward stroke
will again compress the same clay-blank in the same metallic mould, and as such
connecting-rod makes its second backward stroke, the metallic cam-plate c
keyed on the revolving shaft e depresses the curved end of the metallic rod c
causing such rod to rise and actuate a tappet at its outer end to strike against
the clay thimble or other clay article which may adhere to the die-collar, to
cause such article and any "scrap" formed during the operation of compressing
such clay blank in the mould g by the die p to fall from such die collar down
through an opening or aperture formed in the bed-plate on to an endless flannel
or cloth belt 6 caused to travel or revolve around wood or metallic rollers 2 fixed
or keyed on metallic shafts 3 supported by suitable bearings 4 bolted or fixed to
suitable supports 5 beneath such machine, the said endless belt being caused to
revolve at a suitable speed by means of a half-crossed leather or other suitable
driving-belt passing around a suitable pulley 7 keyed on the revolving metallic
shaft and a pulley 8 of larger diameter keyed on the metallic shaft 3.
During this second backward stroke of the connecting-rod o and die-plunger P,
the revolving cam n causes its metallic casing n to slide forward on its slide or
bracket to operate the lever 13 pivotted to the lower end of the lever k, and the
metallic levers, j, j pivotally connected to the upper end of such lever k to
cause the inner end of the metallic pawl a pivotted to the metallic lever to
engage with or push against one of the teeth cast or formed on one side of the
metallic block so as to operate or rotate such block to place another of its
moulds containing a lubricated clay-blank into position, or into a straight line
with the plunger-die for being compressed.
66
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As the belt 6 revolves the compressed thimbles or other articles are removed
therefrom by hand and placed in any suitable receptacle, whilst the scrap
formed is allowed to fall from one end of such belt into a box or other receptacle.
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:-
The construction and arrangement of machines or apparatus for use in making
or completing the making of clay or marl thimbles, bat-props, pimblicos or steps
and like similar articles, the various parts of such machines whether fitted with

page_text: a slidable mould-block, or a mould-block keyed vertically on a horizontal shaft
rotated by a pawl being arranged as shewn on the drawings hereto annexed, and
actuated as herein substantially described and set forth.
Dated this 26th day of June 1900.
JOHN NEWTON,
Longport, Stoke-on-Trent,
Agent for Applicants.