IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURING OF NAILS, RIVETS, SCREWS AND PINS
Year: 1844

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Nineteenth day of September, in the eighth year of Her
reign, did; for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Newton, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said William Newton, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, and such others as I, the said William Newton, my executors,
administrators; or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein mentioned,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales; the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in all Her Majesty's
Colonies and. Plantations abroad, and in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey,
Alderney, Sark and Man, an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY TO
BE EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURING OF NAILS, RIVETS, SCREWS AND PINS," being
a communication from a Foreigner residing abroad; in which said Letters
Patent is contained a proviso obliging me, the said William Newton; by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and
ascertain: the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed; and to cause the same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's
High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately

page_text: after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by tho
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
William Newton, do hereby declare that the nature of the said Invention,
and the manner in which is to be performed, are particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference being had
to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon (that is to say):-
These Improvements in Machinery to be Employed in the Manufacture of
Nails, Rivets, Screws and Pins apply,-
Firstly, to the manufacture of that description of nails which are commonly
used in France, having round shafts with points and solid heads, formed
by crushing the end of each piece of metal, rod or wire into a knob or boss.
Secondly, to forming, by similar means, heads upon short bolts of metal used
for rivetting plates together.
Thirdly, to producing, by the like means, heads upon small wire shafts for
screw blanks, that is, the blank shafts of screws, previously to the threads
being cut round them; and,
Fourthly, to manufacturing wire pins, to be used for dressing or sticking
into garments.
As the leading features of this improved machinery for manufacturing
dressing pins embody also the means of producing the heads of the nails,
rivets, and screws mentioned as the three first objects, I shall first proceed
to describe the improved machinery as constructed for making dressing pins.
In the accompanying Drawings Fig. 1 is an elevation of the complete
machine for heading and pointing dressing pins, and afterwards sticking
them in rows into papers for the market. Fig. 2 is a horizontal view
of the same as it would appear when seen from above. Fig. 3 re-
presents an elevation of the opposite side of the machine to that shewn
at Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is an elevation taken at the left-hand end of
Figures 1 and 2. Fig. 5 represents a longitudinal section, taken vertically
through the middle of Fig. 2; and Fig. 6 a transverse section, taken near
the ends of Figures 1 and 2 in the dotted line Z, Z, in all which Figures
similar letters of reference indicate the same parts of the machine. A, A, A,
is the framework and standards of cast iron; B, B, the main cam shaft, driven
by a band and pulley C. For the better illustration of the minute parts of
the machine I have represented the following sectional and partial views
upon double the scale of the preceding Figures. Fig. 7 is a horizontal
Bection, shewing the principal working parts, taken in the dotted line Y, Y,

page_text: Fig. 8, that is, at the level in which the wire a, a, a, to form the pins is fed
in, and through the sliding guides b, b, and stationary guide c, the holding
dies d, d, and heading punch e, and also through the several cams fixed upon
the driving shaft B within the framework. Fig. 8 is a vertical section, taken
also in the line in which the wire a, a, a, is fed into the machine, coincident
with the dotted line X, X, in Fig. 4. Fig. 9 is a transverse section, taken
vertically through the holding dies d, d*, in the dotted line W, W, of Fig. 7;
and Fig. 10 is also a transverse section, taken vertically through the
guides b, b, in the dotted line V, V, of Fig. 7. The wire a, a, a, to form the
pins is coiled upon a reel placed near the end of the machine, and having
been straightened in its progress in the usual way, is introduced between tho
guides b, b, at the left-hand end of Figures 7 and 8, where it is passed
onward in its entire length through the guide c until the end of the wire
reaches a little distance beyond the holding dies d and d*. The one holding
die d is stationary, being firmly fixed to the framework by two oblique screws
ff, which allows the die to be very accurately adjusted; the other holding
die dis fixed by similar adjusting screws f*, f*, to a lever g, which lever
is securely attached to and hangs upon a vertical plate spring h, fastened to
the framework by oblique screws i, i, as shewn in Figs. 2 and 7. By this
mode of attaching the lever g it hangs perfectly free, and is not subject to
any friction against the framework. A picce k, which I call a "shoe," having
an inclined plane, is inserted between a rib on the back of the lever g and
the wedge formed on the side of a slider . The under side of this slider
bears upon the framework, as shewn in Fig. 9, and is confined by a cap plato
at top, which allows it to slide freely to and fro. A spring hook m, at one
end of the slider (see Fig. 7) forces its reverse ends up against a cam n on
the main shaft; hence it will be perceived that as the main shaft revolves, the
larger radius of the cam n coming round drives back the slider 1, and by
the wedge action of the slider against the inclined planes & causes the
lever g to force up the moveable die d against the fixed die for the purpose
of holding the pin wire fast between them. A cam o on the main shaft acts
against the back of the vertical lever p, to which the heading punch e is affixed
by oblique screws r,r, as shewn in Fig. 8. This lever is firmly attached as the
former to a plate spring q, fastened to the framework below, in order that it may
vibrate or work free from the friction of any rubbing surfaces. The cam s upon
the main shaft is the agent for pinching the length of wire firmly between the
upper and lower sliding guides b, b; and the larger cam w, also on the main shaft
outside the framework, causes the sliding guides to move to and fro for feeding in
the wire after every pin has been made, as will be explained. All the cams upon

page_text: the main shaft are shewn detached at Figures 11, drawn in their proper forms
and proportions, as well as in their relative positions one to another; and Fig. 12
shews them in profile, all fixed upon the shaft in the positions in which they
ought to stand. In the commencement of the evolutions of the machinery
(the several parts being then situate as shewn in Figures 7 and 8, and the
length of wire inserted between the guides as far as the outer edge of the
stationary guide c) the cam s upon the main shaft (see Fig. 8) raises the tail.
end of a bent lever t, which has a screw stud u set in it near its fulcrum.
This stud u is by these means pressed down upon the upper sliding guide b, and
which guide having a slight degree of elasticity, as shewn by dots in Fig. 8,,
becomes depressed under the stud, whereby the length of wire between the
guides is held firmly, as in a pair of chaps. In order to bring forward a
length of wire sufficient to make one pin, the larger radius of the cam w upon,
the main shaft comes round, and causes a portion of its periphery from 1 to
2 to act upon the end of a lever a below. This bent lever x is fixed upon a
fulcrum shaft y mounted in the framework, and upon the same shaft there is
also fixed another lever z, nearly at a right angle to the former, the upper end of
which lever is by a joint, shewn dotted in Fig. 8, attached to the sliding
guides b, b. It will now be seen that by the larger radius of the cam w acting
upon the lever a, that lever will be depressed, and at the same time the other.
lever will be advanced into the situation shewn, by dots carrying the sliding.
guides b, b, with it, by which means the wire pinched between the sliding.
guides b, b, as before described, will be moved onward through the stationary
guide c, and its forward end take the position between the dies d and din
front of the punch e, as shewn in Fig. 7. As soon as this has taken place
the die d closes upon the wire, which is then held fast between the dies, the
closing of the dies being effected as before said by the rotation of the cam n.
The heading die or punch e is now to be brought forward, which is effected by
the rotation of the cam o upon the main shaft. The larger radius of this
cam o at now acts against an antifriction shoe piece intervening between the
cam and the vertical lever p (sce Fig. 8), when, by the advance of the lever,
the die or punch e is forced up against the end of the pin wire a, and the die
crushes or upsets the end of the wire for the purpose of partially forming
thereon the head of a pin. As this cam o continues revolving, a portion of its
periphery, having a slightly diminished radius, at 2, comes against the spring
lever p, and allows it and the heading die to recede a little, at which time a
similar diminution in the radius of the cam n at 2 allows the slider to recede,
and consequently permits the spring lever g to move and open the holding
dies by which the wire a is released. At this period an increased radius of

page_text: the cam w at 3, as it revolves,, will come round and act upon the lever x, and
dépress it still more, which will also cause the lever to advance the holding
guides b, b, a very short distance, and thereby to project the end of the wire
sufficiently forward toward the punch e to give that increased quantity of metal
which is: necessary to complete the head of the pin. When this has been done,
that is, the end of the wire advanced between the dies d, d*, the point 3 of the
camn will cause the died to close and hold the wire firmly, immediately
after which the point 3 of the cam o will project the punch e against the end
of the wire, and by further crushing the metal complete the head of the pin;
after which the header is allowed to recede, as in Fig. 8, by the shorter radius
of the cam o, and of the cam n coming round, and the dies d, d*, also to open.
The end of the wire having been formed into. a. boss or head; the length of
wire is now to be cut off to constitute a-pin, which is done by means of a steel
cutter (a): attached to a lever (h), contiguous to the stationary guide. This
lever. (h), mounted upon a shaft (c) having a coiled spring (d), is acted upon
by a lateral cam (e) upon the side of the. driving pulley C, represented in
Fig. 2. This cam (e), as the driving pulley revolves, comes against the tail, of
the lever (6), (see Figures 2, 5, 8, and 10), and by depressing the opposite end
of that lever causes the steel cutter (a) to move downwards, and cut off the
pin from the length of wire, which pin may then fall down into a receptacle
below, or into the channel which conducts it to the pointing apparatus about
to be described. The form of the cutter. and its appendages is shewn in. three
detached views at Fig. 13. (a) is the steel piece or cutter screwed to the
nose of the lever (b), and (f) is a guide, having a notch or recess at the end
which bears upon the wire and holds it. steadily whilst it is being cut off.
Whilst the pin is being cut off from the length of wire the smaller radius. of
the cam s.coming round causes the lever t and stud u to release the pressure
upon the upper guide b, which then ceases to confine the wire; the lesser
radius of the cam w. then operating upon the lever x, allows the coiled
spring to force back the: guides b, b, and lever.z a distance equal to the
length of one pin, where they remain until, by the rotation of the main shaft
all the cams are brought again into operation, and the evolutions of the
machine pinch and advance the wire, head its end, and cut it off in the way
described. I may here state, that precisely the same forms and constructions of
machinery and modes of operating, as above described, are applicable to the
making of the kind of nails first alluded to, and also to the making of rivets
and screw blanks, the second and third objects of. my Invention; only, it is to
be observed, that the machinery must be made larger and stronger in all its
parts, according to the articles required to be manufactured. When I desire

page_text: to point the ends of the pins without removing them from the machine in
which they have been headed and cut off, I place immediately under the
cutter (a) and dies d d*, above described, a conducting apparatus formed by
two plates shewn at (g) in Fig. 5, which pass through an opening made for
that purpose in the heading lever p. The upper part of this apparatus has
inclined V-shaped sides within for the purpose of directing the pins into a
descending groove or channel (7) below, which channel, formed by two parallel
plates, is just wide enough to allow the shaft of the pin to enter it, but its edges
prevent the head of the pin falling through. Hence the pins are compelled to
take upright positions in this channel, and in that way, by their own gravity, slide
down the inclined planes (h) into a transverse horizontal channel (i). This
will be best seen in the section of this part of the machine, taken horizontally
and upon a larger scale at Figures 14. A transverse vertical section of this
part detached is shewn at Figure 15, which is taken in the dotted line U, U,
of Fig. 14. The groove (i) is formed by a stationary ledge () fixed
to the framework and a horizontally sliding bar (i), (i), supported upon
brackets (m), (m). The face of this bar, and also of the ledge (h) which
forms the channel (i) for the pins to pass along, may be covered with leather,
or some slightly elastic material, for the purpose of preventing them from
slipping whilst they are undergoing the operation of pointing. Two upright
standards (n), (n), affixed to the framework carry the centres, upon which
a vibrating bracket frame (0), (0), is suspended. This bracket frame sup-
ports the axle upon which the mill roller or rotary cutter (p) employed for
grinding the points of the pins is fixed. The cutter is made to revolve by
means of bands and pullies (9), (2), (2), leading from a large pulley (r) on
the main shaft of the machine, which band passes over a small pulley (s) on
the axle of the mill or grinding roller (p), and thereby gives it a very rapid
rotary movement. The shafts of the pins fed into the channel (i), as
described, are made to turn round as they pass along the channel by a
reciprocating movement given to the sliding bar (i). This movement of the
bar (i) is effected by a vibrating lever (t) hung upon a bracket extending
from the framework, best seen in Figures 2, 3, and 4, which lever at its
upper end is acted upon by an oblique-faced cam (u) on the main shaft.
Hence, as the shaft revolves, the lower end of the lever (t) is made to push the
bar (i) in one direction, and the bar is forced back again by a vertical spring
(v), shewn in Figure 6. In order that the mill roller or rotary cutter (p)
shall be made to grind or cut the points of the pins to conical forms, the roller
and. its axle as they revolve are caused to vibrate vertically, which is effected
by means of an upright rod (w), the lower end of this rod being attached

page_text: to the vibrating lever frame (o), as shewn in Fig. 14, and its upper end to an
excentric (a) on the main shaft.
The means by which the pins are made to progress along the channel (i),
and are delivered when the pointing has been completed, is now to be
shewn. It is obvious that the merely reciprocating movements of the sliding
bar (i) would only carry the pins to and fro without progressing them; to
effect this object therefore, I employ a finger (y), extending from a lever (=)
by the side of the machine, the fulcrum of which lever is below, and this lever
is acted upon above by a cam on the main shaft of the machine, as seen in
Figures 1 and 4. Now, every time that the main shaft revolves, the cam
moves this lever (5) and causes the finger (y) to push the bar (i) a little
distance back in its bearings, which is allowed by a small free space behind it,
the spring (v) keeping the bar at other times in contact with the pins. This
forcing back of the bar (i) happens every time that the cam on the main
shaft comes round, and which takes place when the sliding bar is performing
its retrograde movement. In the receding movements of this bar, the friction
being thus relieved, the pins are brought back only about two thirds of
the distance that they were previously advanced, consequently, by the succes-
sive advancing movements of the bar the pins are gradually carried onward
and discharged out of the channel, and delivered into a receptance at the end.
The receptacle into which the pins fall from the pointing machine is a trough
or inclined passage, shewn best in the section Fig. 5, at A*, where they
promiscuously fall and descend to a series of parallel channels or grooves B*,
being upon an inclination and formed as the inclined part of the channel (g),
before described. Here a rotary brush C may be employed for the purpose
of raising up the pins as they fall and assist in bringing them into erect
positions. At the bottom of these channels the pins are all stopped by an
upright plate D*, kept in its position by springs, shewn in dots at Fig. 5.
The pins thus situated stand in a range at equal distances apart, when a
straight plate E* is brought down as a plunger, which forces the row of pins
into a strip of paper F*, plaited into folds in the notches formed by a rib and
groove in the plates G* and H*, the latter of which is slidden forward to
pinch the paper by a cam or by any other convenient means. These parts of
the machine are worked by mechanism shewn in the Drawings, and actuated
by suitable means connected with the main rotary shaft.
Having now described the construction of the Improved Machinery to be
Employed in the Manufacture of Nails, Rivets, Screws, and Pins, I desire it
to be understood that I claim, in reference to the heading of metal rods or
wire for the above purpose,-
Firstly, the general construction and arrangement of the parts of the

page_text: machinery, and their mode of operating for the accomplishment of that object,
as set out in the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly, mounting the movable dies d* and e upon spring levers, by which
friction and wearing is to a very great extent avoided.
Thirdly, the means of effecting what I call a "double upset," that is,
crushing the end of the rod or wire for forming the boss or head of the
nail, rivet, screw, or pin, by two or more operations of a single heading punch.
and pair of holding dies, the rod or wire being brought forward between the
holding dies a short distance by the sliding guides after the first or partial.
crushing of the metal. has been effected, in order to supply a sufficient
additional quantity of metal to complete and perfect the form of the boss or
head when the second! pressure of the punch is brought up' against it.
Fourthly, as respects, the pointing of pins, I claim the alternating lateral
movements of the sliding: bar by which the pins are turned in opposite.
directions during the action of the mill roller, and the mode of causing the
alternating bar to advance the pins, so that they, shall be discharged from; the
channel when the pointing is complete..
Fifthly, the vibratory movements given. to the mill, roller or cutter, by
which the pins are more perfectly pointed; and;;
Sixthly, the adaptation of a series of conducting channels. or grooves for
leading the pins in regular order to the strip of paper in which they are to be
stuck in rows, and also the means of forcing them into the plaited paper by a
plunger, as shewn.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Newton; have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this: Nineteenth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundredi and forty-five.
A. H. LYNCH.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the same Nineteenth day of March,
in the year above mentioned, the aforesaid William Newton came before.
our Lady the Queen. in. Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification.
aforesaid; and all and every thing therein contained, in form above written.
And also the Specification: aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of
the Statute in that case made and provided..
Inrolled the same Nineteenth day of March in the year above written.