Machine for Cutting Leaf Gold and other Leaf Metal.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Apr.. 1894
Complete Specification Left, 7th Jan., 1895-Accepted, 23rd Feb., 1805.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Machine for Cutting Leaf Gold and other Leaf Metal.
1, GEORGES FAUBERT of 22 Rue du Faubourg du Temple, Paris in the
Republic of France, Gold Beater, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
:-
The cutting of leaf gold and other leaf metal, intended to be placed in books,
which hitherto has always been effected by hand is a very tedious and very delicate
operation, requiring great skill in the employée performing this work.
The present invention has for its object the production of a machine enabling
this operation to be mechanically effected and it consists of a special arrangement
giving to two parallel cutters a short longitudinal motion at the same time that
they are pressed on the leaf metal to be cut.
The accompanying drawings represent an example of the principal arrangements
of my machine.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the machine.
Figure 2 is a front view.
Figure 3 is a section drawn on the line 1. 2 showing the grooved cam and
Figures 4, 5 and 6 are respectively a section drawn on the line 3. 4 of Figure 6,
a cross section and a plan of the cutters and their operating arrangement.
In all the figures like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference.
The apparatus is carried by a framing a and is driven by a pulley 6 keyed upon
the shaft which latter carries a pinion gearing with the wheel c mounted
loosely on the shaft c'. A suitable arrangement of apparatus for connection by
pedal and for automatic disconnection enables the wheel c to drive the shaft c¹ or
to run loosely thereon.
In the arrangement represented the connection of the wheel e with the shaft c' is
effected by the action of a light pressure of the foot on the pedal P; in this move-
ment the rod is lowered carrying with it the piece which is terminated by a
roller against which bears the projection c carried by the sleeve c; the rod c³
also causes to descend the piece c' whose end is engaged in a recess formed at a
convenient part of the projection e, the sleeve being then pushed by the springs c
is caused to engage with the sleeve co which is solidly fixed to the wheel c; the
pedal is then freed, the rod c² and the piece resume their initial position by the
action of a spring enclosed in the box e and the roller is again applied to
the sleeve c'.
When the shaft e¹ has made one revolution, the projection by coming into
contact with the roller c will force the sleeve backwards and in order properly
to regulate its position, the end of the piece c', which is pushed against the
projection by the action of a spring enclosed in the box centers the recess c³ ;
the disconnection of the wheel c and shaft c¹ is thus automatically, effected.
To connect the wheel c and shaft c¹ it is necessary again to depress the pedal,
the same operations being again produced.
It is evident that other convenient means may be employed for connecting and
disconnecting the wheel c with its shaft c'.
The shaft c carries the cams d. e which are arranged so that at the end of one
revolution the cutter shall have effected its two cuts. These cams d and e operate
the connecting rods and 9 and give them a to and fro motion which I will describe
hereafter; for this purpose these connecting rods carry rollers f, g'; the roller f
1

page_text: .
is always in contact with the cam d, consequent on the latter being a grooved cam,
see Figure 3, and the roller g¹ bears constantly against the came by the action of a
spring and they are guided in their motion by forks f², 9² carried by their ends
and which fit the shaft c'.
The connecting rod operates the lever arm, keyed upon the shaft which
carries the lever frame i, the cross part of this latter carries the piece k which
has an internal incline, against which the cutter carrier / can slide, this latter
which has a slot m is held by a pin n lodged in the piece k.
g
This cutter carrier / carries rods o. p upon which the cutter blades y are mounted,
these latter which have one angle rounded to avoid tearing the metal leaf to be cut,
are held by sleeves r at the ends of which are screwed the nuts ; the shaft o is
screw threaded along its entire length and carries a hand wheels by means of
which the distance apart of the cutter blades can be varied. One of the rods, the
rod P, for example, may be provided with graduations by which the distance apart
of these blades is indicated.
l
The cutter carrier is held against the inclined plane of the picce k by the action
of coiled springs a.
The piece carries a rod supported by the frame k³ but capable of turning
freely around the transverse shaft of said frame. This latter is carried by the
framing a fixed above the frame a.
The piece has an internal space in which is located a cam keyed upon the
shaft k, which carries a lever upon which acts a cam keyed upon the shaft i,
a spring keeps the lever in contact with the cam . The cam k has for its
object to prevent the cutter carrier / and consequently the blades of from moving
backwards as soon as the piece k commences to rise.
The connecting rod g which is operated by the cam e, is jointed to the pawl
levert mounted loosely on the shaft tas is also the bevel wheel t2 which is solidly
fixed to the ratchet wheel t, this latter is formed with four teeth and is operated
by the pawl carried by the pawl levert. The bevel wheel gears with the
bevel wheel which is fixed solidly to the plate or bed v¹ upon which the leaf metal
to be cut is placed; for this purpose this plate or bed is covered with leather or
other suitable substance.
When the leaf metal to be cut is placed on the plate or bed 1, a slight pressure
is exerted on the pedal P, and the connection of the wheel c with its shaft c¹ is then
effected as before described. The shaft c receives a rotary motion by means of
the wheels c and 2 and of the pulley b. The cam d in rotating causes the frame i
to swing through the intervention of the connecting rod f, and lower the cutting
blades q. Consequent on the construction of this cam, they are lowered at first
quickly to within 5 centimeters of the bed, then slowly until the cutter bears with
a light pressure on the leaf metal, at this moment the frame i continues to descend
sharply, and consequent on the arrangement of the inclined plane it forces the
cutter holder to move backward quickly carrying with it the rods o. p upon which
the blades are fixed.
When the cutter holder is at the end of its stroke, the cam forces the frame i
to rise, to half of the total height, but the cam k³ prevents the cutter holder / from
returning to its first position in order to prevent tearing the leaf metal, then the
cam k³, carried by the shaft i' by coming against the lever causes the axis k* and
consequently the cam to turn, thereby enabling the cutter holder to resume its
initial position by the action of the springs .
The came then causes the ratchet wheel to turn to the extent of one tooth,
that is to say, a quarter of a revolution, by means of the connecting rod g, pawl
levert and pawl u, it therefore follows that the plate or bed o by turning a quarter
of a revolution, presents to the cutters the two other sides. The cutter then again
descends as before described, effects it cut and as soon as it has completed it, it
returns to its initial position as before described.
At this moment the shaft c' has made a complete revolution and the disconnection
of the wheel c¹ therewith is effected automatically as before described.

page_text: To effect a new cut it is only necessary to press again on the pedal.
The cams d and e are so arranged that each time the shaft c' makes a revolution,
the cutter blades are lowered twice in order to effect the two cuts and that the bed
may be turned a quarter of a revolution in the interval.
My apparatus enables gold and other metal leaf to be cut much more rapidly
than heretofore and it can be operated by any one, even by an apprentice.
Dated April 17th 1894.
GEORGES FAUBERT of 22 Rue du Faubourg du Temple, Paris, in the
Republic of France, Gold Beater, 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 :-
The cutting of leaf gold and other leaf metal, intended to be placed in books,
which hitherto has always been effected by hand is a very tedious and very delicate
operation, requiring great skill in the employée performing this work.
The present invention has for its object the production of a machine enabling
this operation to be mechanically effected and it consists of a special arrangement.
giving to two parallel cutters a short longitudinal motion at the same time that
they are pressed on the leaf metal to be cut.
The drawings accompanying my Provisional Specification represent an example
of the principal arrangements of my machine.
Figure is a longitudinal section of the machine.
Figure 2 is a front view.
Figure 3 is a section drawn on the line 1, 2 showing the grooved cam and
Figures 4, 5 and 6 are respectively a section drawn on the line 3, 4 of Figure 6,
a cross section and a plan of the cutters and their operating arrangement.
In all the figures like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference.
The apparatus is carried by a framing a and is driven by a pulley keyed upon
the shaft 6, which latter carries a pinion gearing with the wheel c mounted
loosely on the shaft c. A suitable arrangement of apparatus for connection by
pedal and for automatic disconnection enables the wheel c to drive the shaft c' or
to run loosely thereon.
In the arrangement represented the connection of the wheel e with the shaft c'
is effected by the action of a light pressure of the foot on the pedal P; in this
movement the rod is lowered carrying with it the piece c which is terminated by
a roller c against which bears the projection e carried by the sleeve c; the rod c*
also causes to descend the piece c' whose end is engaged in a recess e formed at a
convenient part of the projection c, the sleeve e being then pushed by the springs c
is caused to engage with the sleeve 10 which is solidly fixed to the wheel c; the
pedal is then freed, the rod and the piece c³ resume their initial position by the
action of a spring enclosed in the box and the roller c is again applied to
the sleeve c³.
When the shaft c¹ has made one revolution, the projection c³ by coming in
contact with the roller ct will force the sleeve c backwards, and in order properly
to regulate its position, the end of the piece c', which is pushed against the pro-
jection by the action of a spring enclosed in the box centers the recess c³; the
disconnection of the wheel c and shaft c is thus automatically effected.

page_text: To connect the wheel c and shaft c'it is necessary again to depress the pedal, th
same operations being again produced.
It is evident that other convenient means may be employed for connecting and
disconnecting the wheel c with its shaft c¹.
The shaft c¹ carries the cams d, e which are arranged so that at the end of one
revolution the cutter shall have effected its two cuts. These cams d and e operate
the connecting rods f and g and give them a to and fro motion which I will
describe hereafter; for this purpose these connecting rods carry rollers f¹, g¹; the
roller is always in contact with the cam d, consequent on the latter being a
grooved cam, see Figure 3, and the roller g¹ bears constantly against the cam by
the action of a spring 9 and they are guided in their motion by forks f, g, carried
by their ends and which fit the shaft c'.
The connecting rod foperates the lever arm h, keyed upon the shaft which
carries the lever frame i, the cross part of this latter carries the piece k which
has an internal incline, against which the cutter carrier can slide, this latter
which has a slot m is held by a pin n lodged in the piece k.
This cutter carrier / carries rods o, p.upon which the cutter blades are mounted,
these latter, which have one angle rounded to avoid tearing the leaf metal to be cut,
are held by sleeves r at the ends of which are screwed the nuts ; the shaft o is
screw threaded along its entire length and carries a hand wheels by means of
which the distance apart of the cutter blades can be varied. One of the rods, the
rod p, for example, may be provided with graduations by which the distance apart
of these blades is indicated.
The cutter carrier is held against the inclined plane of the piece k by the
action of coiled springs ..
The piece k carries a rod & supported by the frame but capable of turning
freely around the transverse shaft of said frame. This latter is carried by the
framing a fixed above the frame a.
The piece has an internal space in which is located a cam keyed upon the
shaft, which carries a lever 4 upon which acts a cain keyed upon the shaft,
a spring k' keeps the lever in contact with the cam ko. The cam has for its
object to prevent the cutter carrier and consequently the blades from moving
backwards as soon as the piece k commences to rise.
1
The connecting rod g which is operated by the cam e, is jointed to the pawl lever t
mounted loosely on the shaft t' as is also the bevel wheel 2 which is solidly fixed to
the ratchet wheel 3, this latter is formed with four teeth and is operated by the
pawl n carried by the pawl lever t. The bevel wheel t* gears with the bevel wheel v
which is fixed solidly to the plate or bed upon which the leaf metal to be cut is
placed for this purpose this plate or bed is covered with leather or other suitable
substance.
When the leaf metal to be cut is placed on the bed or plate », a slight pressure
is exerted on the pedal P, and the connection of the wheel e with its shaft c' is
then effected as before described. The shaft e' receives a rotary motion by means
of the wheels c and band of the pulley b.
The cam d in rotating causes the frame i to swing, through the intervention of
the connecting rod f, and lower the cutting blades q. Consequent on the con-
struction of this cam, they are lowered at first quickly to within 5 centimeters of
the bed, then slowly until the cutter bears with a light pressure on the leaf metal,
at this moment the frame i continues to descend sharply, and consequent on the
arrangement of the inclined plane it forces the cutter holder to move backward
quickly carrying with it the rods o. p upon which the blades are fixed.
When the cutter holder is at the end of its stroke, the cam d forces the frame i
to rise, to half of the total height, but the cam prevents the cutter holder l
from returning to its first position in order to prevent tearing the leaf metal, then
the cam ko, carried by the shaft by coming against the lever causes the axis k⭑
and consequently the cam k to turn, thereby enabling the cutter holder / to resume
its initial position by the action of the springs z.

page_text: The came then causes the ratchet wheel t³ to turn to the extent of one tooth,
that is to say, a quarter of a revolution, by means of the connecting rod g, pawl
lever and pawl, it therefore follows that the plate or bed by turning a
quarter of a revolution, presents to the cutters the two other sides. The cutter
then again descends as before described, effects its cut and as soon as it has
completed it, it returns to its initial position as before described.
At this moment the shaft c¹ has made a complete revolution and the disconnection
of the wheel c therewith is effected automatically as before described.
To effect a new cut it is only necessary to press again on the pedal.
The cams d and e are so arranged that each time the shaft c' makes a revolution,
the cutter blades are lowered twice in order to effect the two cuts and that the bed
may be turned a quarter of a revolution in the interval.
My apparatus enables gold and other metal leaf to be cut much more rapidly
than heretofore and it can be operated by any one, even by an apprentice.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The arrangement of machine by means of which leaf gold or other leaf
metal can be cut mechanically by means of parallel knife blades, capable at will of
adjustment in distance from each other, these blades having a short longitudinal
motion at the same time that they are pressed upon the leaf gold or other leaf
metal to be cut, the said leaf metal being placed upon a plate or bed which
makes a quarter revolution each time the cutter is raised therefrom, substantially
as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.
2. In the class of machine herein described, the arrangement and combination of
the cutter carrier and of the piece k which carries it and giving motion to them by
means of levers and cams substantially as herein shown and described with
reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6.
3. In the class of machine herein described, the combination of the cutter
carrier, the piece and the plate or bed v¹ upon which the cutter carrier is brought
down, the driving being effected by means of levers and cams, substantially as
herein shown and described with reference to Figures 1. 2. 3.
4. The combination and arrangement of machine for cutting leaf gold and other
leaf metal substantially as herein shown and described.
Dated January 7th 1895.
By HARRIS & MILLS,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.