Year: 1899

page_text: I, GEORGE BOYCE TENNANT, of 608, Franklin Street, in the City of Johnstown,
County of Cambria, State of Pennsylvania, one of the United States of America,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement : -
My invention relates to new and useful improvements in metal-shearing
machines, with particular reference to those designed for cutting steel I-beams,
channels, rounds, squares, or other sections.
It is the object of my invention to produce a machine for the above purpose
which is durable, simple, and accurate in operation, and particularly to construct
said machine in such a manner as to adapt it to cut various sizes of material
without the usual inconvenience, cost and delay in removing and replacing the
cutting knives or dies for various sizes and sections of material. In the execu-
tion of orders for certain kinds of steel-bars, and particularly structural shapes-
such as angles, beams, chaunels, Z-bars, T-bara, plates, squares, rounds, and the
like,-
―a large stock of long bars is usually kept on hand, from which are selected
the various sizes necessary to execute un order, and said long bars are thereupon
cut into the lengths required by means of a shear. In order to properly und
expeditiously execute an order including a wide range of sizes, it has been
customary to use a large number of shears or cutting tools which work simul-
taneously on the different sectious; but this necessarily requires a very large
and expensive equipment. If, on the other hand, it is attempted to change the
cutting knives of one tool to suit the requirements of one or more particular
orders for material, this is a long, tedious, and costly operation, during which
the product of the plant is seriously reduced and the expense proportionately
increased, for the reason that metal shears as heretofore constructed require that
the top knives, the bottom knives and the bed for the latter should be taken out
and replaced by other sizes or shapes as may be necessary, which operation
requires about an hour's time for the large tools adapted for cutting the heaviest
sections.
Although the drawings of my machine show it to be adapted for use in cutting
I-beams it may also be used for cutting any section of bars, and, further than this,

page_text: it may be used for punching various sized or shaped holes, if desired. In order,
however, to simplify this description and the drawings, I will confine myself to
the explanation and illustration of its use in connection with shearing 1-beams.
It is the object of my invention to obviate the difficulties above mentioned and
to provide a shear the knives of which can be changed in a few seconds to cut
any section desired.
With the above objects in view my invention resides and consists in the novel
construction and combination of parts shown in the accompanying four sheets
of drawings, which form part of this specification, and in which similar characters
of reference denoto like parts.
Referring now to the various sheets of drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation
of one form of my improved machine, the bed and base of which are broken away
and shown in partial central vertical section; Figure 2 is a central vertical cross
section through the machine shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a horizontal cross
section on the line 3-3, of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional
plan taken on the line 44 of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 5 is a front sectional
elevation of a modified form of my machine, showing a different construction
of the lower knife holder or bottom turret and means for discharging the scrap
from same, and it also shows a modified form of construction and operation for the
side knives or clamps; Figure 6 is a vertical sectional elevation of another modi-
fied form of my machine, showing still a different arrangement of the lower knife
holder or bottom turret and meaus for discharging the scrap from same, together
with a modified form of the upper knife holder or top turret, which latter is so
constructed and arranged as to be removed and replaced in a manner different
from that shewn in the previous figures; Figure 7 is a horizontal cross section
on the line 7-7, Figure 6; Figure 8 is a central vertical cross section through
the lower plunger and upper knife holder or top turret, taken on the line 8-8
of Figure 6.
Referring now to the various characters of reference marked upon the different
drawings, A is the base of my machine, which is shown to be made of a single
casting.
B is the bed of the machine, and C is the upper frame, consisting of suitable
uprights and the cross head D, connecting the same at their tops. The uprights
are each provided with a way or guide E, upon which the cross head slides.
The cross head is operated downward for the purpose of producing a cut by the
fluid pressure cylinder G and is returned upward by the fluid pressure cylinder H,
both of which are connected with sources of fluid pressure supply controlled by
means of valves not shown on the drawings.
The smaller or counterbalance cylinder II has its plunger connected to the
shear head or cross head by means of the links 1, which are secured thereto by
means of the shaft or pin M, which also passes through the adjustable upper
knife holder or top turret J, which latter is carried by the cross head F aforesaid.
To the lower extension K of the cross head F the adjustable upper knife holder
or turret J is attached and adapted to be turned on its shaft M and locked in
proper position by means of the key N, the keyways in the cross head F and the
turret being so located that the various blades or tools mounted on the turret J
can be brought into proper operative position when the keyways in the different
parts are contiguous, so that the key N may be introduced therein.
The top turret or upper knife holder J carries upon it various sizes of blades
or tools (), each of which is adapted for a particular size of work and which by
turning the turret J can be brought into operative position so as to register with
corresponding bottom knives R or dies in the block Q below.
Within the bed are formed suitable bearings P in which the lower knife holder
or bottom turret Q is rotatably mounted, and said bottom turret Q contains a serica
of dies or lower knives R, of varying sizes to correspond with the upper knives
aforesaid. This lower turret Q is locked in its proper position by means of the
key S (shown in Figure 1) and the keyways in this and the bed B are so arranged

page_text: attached to said blade holder to operate the same during its cutting stroke, and a
secondary fluid pressure cylinder and connections also attached to said blado
holder to return the same to its normal or non-operative position.
9. In a beam shear of the class described, a die block revolvably mounted in the
base thereof and provided with a series of different sized knives or dies, one or
more side knives with apparatus for clamping and operating upon the sides of
the bars to be cut consisting of fluid pressure cylinders and connections, a recip-
rocating blade holder carrying various sizes of blades to correspond with those in
the bottom die block, and means for operating said blade holder.
10. In a metal shear of the class described, the combination with a cutting
knife and means for operating the same, of a revolvable die holder mounted in
suitable bearings supported in the frame, said die holder being annular as to its
general form, and having a central opening into which the scrap or cuttings are
delivered, and an inclined trough or pan located within said central opening for
discharging said scrap therefrom.
11. In a metal shear of the class described the combination with a cutting
knife and means for operating the same, of a revolvable bottom die holder mounted
in suitable bearings supported in the frame, said die holder being cylindrical as
to its general external form and provided with a conical opening forming its
interior surface into which the scrap or cuttings are delivered and by means of
which conical surface said scrap or cuttings are discharged therefrom.
Dated this 7th day of November 1899
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.