IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND POLISHING FLAT AND CONCAVE SURFACES ON DRINKING GLASSES, VASES, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Astley Paston Price, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR
APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND POLISHING FLAT AND CONCAVE SURFACES ON
DRINKING GLASSES, VASES, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES." A communication
from abroad by the Firm of Raspiller and Company, of Fenner Glashütte, near
Saarbrucken. Gerinany.
Sealed the 3rd September 1878, and dated the 15th May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Astley Paston Price at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th April 1878..
ASTLEY PASTON PRICE, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND POLISHING FLAT
AND CONCAVE SURFACES ON DRINKING GLASSES, VASES, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES."
A communication from abroad by the Firm of Raspiller and Company, of Fenner
Glashütte, near Saarbrücken, Germany.
This Invention has for its object the production of a machine for grinding or
cutting either flat or concave surfaces on the circumference of drinking glasses, vases,
and other like articles automatically and with a regular or uniform division, and
this object is effected by the arrangement of mechanism herein-after described.
In carrying out this Invention a support is employed which is attached to the
bed plate of the machine by a vertical screw bolt so as to be capable of revolving
on the latter in order to admit of the holding device for fixing the glass to be ground
being twined about the bolt on the bed plate, and consequently of the surface of
the glass being.suitably applied to the grindstone when the apparatus is in its
proper position; the revolving support is fixed to the bed plate by means of a. hand
screw, so that no deviation can take place during the operation of the machine,
"

page_text: Above the revolving support is arranged another piece, which is pivotted to the
former so as to be capable of oscillating on a vertical axis, and carries a long
cylinder having two standards which slide upon it. In order to prevent the latter
from turning keys are introduced, which slide in a groove formed in the said
cylinder.
In a second groove is arranged a rack, with which engage two levers placed on
the standards. In applying these levers, whose axes of rotation pass through an
elongated hole, the standards are moved along the cylinder, and after having placed
them in their correct position they are screwed up by thumbscrews.
By means of this arrangement the pivotted piece, the cylinder, and the standards 1
oscillate on common pivots between the two vertical arms of the support.
The grindstone is carried on a vertical axis, on which is also mounted a pulley,
by which it receives its motion, and a grooved pulley for transmitting motion by
means of another grooved pulley to a vertical auxiliary shaft, and through bevel
goar to a worm gearing into a worm wheel. This worm wheel, which is supported 1
in bearings attached to a fixed standard, gives motion to a horizontal shaft by the
aid of the connecting rod, fitted with universal joints at its extremities.
The connecting rod consists of a piece partially hollowed, and of another sliding
in the former. A key sliding in a key-way prevents the turning of the pieco
secondly mentioned in the hollow part, but admits of the length being varied to a 2
certain extent. The application of a connecting rod provided with universal joints
admits of the apparatus being adjusted to any angle with relation to the
grindstone.
The shaft last mentioned transmits motion, through the intervention of bevel
gearing, to another shaft, on which is mounted a cam so arranged that when its 2
projecting portion comes in contact with a friction roller, the pivotted parts before
referred to are rapidly withdrawn from the grindstone. The glass is turned for the
purpose of grinding the succeeding facets, and then allowed to move slowly towards
the grindstone.
Into the bolt turning in the upper part of one of the standards is screwed a bar 8
which carries a species of chuck for the purpose of fixing the glass to be ground.
The chuck consists of a nut and of two fork-shaped pieces turning about a pin
after the manner of shears, those parts of the fork-shaped pieces which embrace the
bar form a screw (cut in two parts), being concave towards the fore-end. By
screwing up the nut the chuck is opened at the opposite side, having fastened to it 3
wood pieces, the external form of which corresponds with the hollow part of the
glass to be inserted. These wood pieces are covered with a cap of india-rubber,
exercising thus an elastic pressure upon the inner side of the glass. By screwing
back the nut the wood pieces are returned to their original position by reason of
the elasticity of the india-rubber cap.
On the other standard is placed a chuck provided with 4 set screws, the object of
.which is to set the glass true and hold it fast, the glass being supported by and
between the two chucks. Both the chucks are capable of turning in the standards.
The rotation of the glass is effected in the following manner :-A rectangular bar
is provided fixed to and parallel with the cylinder, and which admits of a lover 4
arranged in connection with the standard, being simultaneously moved upon it.
The lever is connected to another lever by means of a fork having a bolt in the first-
mentioned chuck for its fulcrum. Upon this bolt is fastened a dividing plate
having teeth on its circumference, with which engage a pawl placed on the upper
part of another lever.
To the rectangular bar turned down at both ends is attached an arm, which at
suitable periods is driven outwards by a bar screwed into an eccentric disc. This
motion causes both levers to oscillate, and the pawl to turn forwards the dividing
plate; the stroke of the pawl is regulated by moving a screw serving to connect the
two levers to each other. As soon as the dividing plate is pushed forward by the 5
pawl the levers are brought to their original position by a spiral spring.

page_text: In order to prevent the glass from turning during this retrograde movement a
detent is provided attached to one of the standards. The glass after having made
an entire revolution is prevented from further movement by another mechanism,
without however arresting the motion of the grindstone. This mechanism consists
of a pawl applied to the pivotted piece, and of a dividing plate. The latter is
mounted on a pin fixed in a bracket of the support. The dividing plate is den-
tated on its circumference, and provided with holes, being placed in such a manner
as to correspond to the number of facets to be ground on the glass. The pivotted
piece, when moved in one direction by the eccentric disc, conducts the pawl with it,
and thus causes the latter to gear into the following tooth. During this motion
the dividing plate is kept fast by friction produced by a spiral spring.
When the pawl has pushed forward the dividing plate for the number of teeth,
corresponding to the surfaces or facets to be ground on the glass, a stop is brought
into contact with the under part of the bracket, and prevents the pivotted pieces
from advancing to the grindstone. This action, however, does not necessitate that
the machine should be-stopped, the eccentric disc being capable of passing freely
below its friction roller.
It will be understood that the glass is rotated automatically, and is removed from
the grindstone also by automatic means whilst being turned to be operated upon
another facet.
The cylindrical form of the guide, carried by the pivotted piece, is adopted in
order to prevent the deposit of impurity thereupon.
•

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Astley Paston Price in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th
October 1878.""
ASTLEY PASTON PRICE, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex.
." IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND POLISHING FLAT
AND CONCAVE SURFACES ON DRINKING GLASSES, VASES, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES.”
A communication from abroad by the Firm of Raspiller and Company, of Fenner
Glashütte, near Saarbrücken, Germany.
The said Invention has for its object the production of a machine for grinding or
cutting either flat or concave surfaces on the circumference of drinking glasses,
vases, and other like articles automatically, and with a regular or uniform division.
Heretofore the grinding or cutting of such surfaces on glasses has been executed by
manual labour on circular plates of iron; in applying sand and water the success of
the work depending upon the skill of the glass grinder or cutter.
.
In thus performing this operation by hand it frequently occurs that these cut or 1
polished surfaces are badly divided, and irregularly formed attempts have however
been made to design machines for the purpose before mentioned, but notwithstanding
that the grinding was effected by automatic means, the operation could not.be com-
pletely accomplished in an efficient manner..
By ineans, however, of the present Invention, the difficulties heretofore expe- ;
rienced have been obviated, the machine also being entirely automatic in its opera-
tion, and requiring only the introduction of the glass into a holding device, so that
one workman can attend to several machines.
In a short time and with little attention a workman can readily learn to adjust
.the machine for any number of surfaces, which are to be formed upon a glass. The
glass, after having had ground upon it all the required surfaces, and having then
inade an entire revolution, is arrested in its motion by mechanism without the
necessity for stopping the machine.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now pro-
ceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purposo shall refer to the 3
several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings represents a side elevation of a machine
constructed according to the said Invention; Figure 2 is a plan of a portion of the
same; and Figure 3 is an end view of the machine.
The remaining Figures are details, and will be herein-after referred to.
The machine is carried by a frame A, to which it is securely bolted; on the table
plate A¹ (Figure 1) of this frame is fixed the bed plate C, with the interposition of
n wooden cushion B, the support D is attached to the bed plate C by a screw bolt a
so as to be capable of revolving on the latter in order to admit of the holding device
for fixing the glass to be ground, being turned about the bolt a on the bed plate C,
and consequently of the surface of the glass being suitably applied to the
grindstone.
When the apparatus is in its proper position the revolving support D is fixed to
the bed plate C by means of a handle screw b, so that no deviation can take place
during the operation of the machine. Above the revolving support is arranged
another piece E, which is pivotted to the former by centres c, c, Figures 1 and 6, so
as to be capable of oscillating therein, and carries a long cylinder F, having two
standards Ġ, G', which slide upon it. In order to prevent the latter from turning
keys are introduced which slide in a groove formed in the cylinder F.
In a second groove is arranged a rack a', with which engage two levers d, d², placed
on the standards. In applying these levers, whose axes of rotation pass through
an elongated hole, the standards are moved along the cylinder F, and after having
placed them in their correct position they are screwed up by thumbscrews e, e.

page_text: By means of this arrangement the pieces E, F, and G, G', are capable of oscil-
lating on the cominon pivots c, c, between the two vertical arms of the support D.
The grindstone fis carried on a vertical axis K, on which are also mounted a
pulley, by which it receives its motion, and a grooved pulley for transmitting
motion by means of another grooved pulley h¹ to a vertical auxilliary shaft L, and
through bevel gear i, i, to a worm M, gearing into a worm wheel N, this worm'
wheel, which is supported in bearings attached to a fixed standard H, gives motion'
to the horizontal shaft O, Figure 3, by the aid of the connecting rod 1, fitted with
universal joints at its extremities.
The connecting rod 7 consists of a piece l, partially hollowed, and of another, m,'
sliding in the former a key sliding in a keyway of the piece l, prevents the turning
of the piece m'in the hollow part 1, but admits of the length being varied to a
certain extent. The application of a connecting rod, provided with universal joints,
admits of the apparatus being adjusted to any angle with relation to the grindstone.
The shaft O transmits motion through the intervention of bevel gearing k, k¹, to
another shaft P, on which is mounted an eccentric disc or cam Q (Figures 1 and 5)
so arranged that when the projection o¹ of this cam comes in contact with a friction
roller n, the pieces E, F, and G, G', are rapidly withdrawn from the grindstone..
The glass is turned for the purpose of grinding the succeeding facets, and then*
allowed to move slowly towards the grindstone.
Into the bolt turning in the upper part of the standard G is screwed a bar 5;
Figure 8, which carries a species of chuck R, for the purpose of fixing the glass to
be ground. The chuck R, Figures 8 and 10, consists of the nut 4, and of two
fork-shaped pieces 2 and 3 turning about a pin 1 after the manner of shears, those
parts of the pieces 2 and 3 which embrace the bar 5 form a screw (out in two parts,
Figure 7) being conical towards the fore-end. By screwing up the nut 4 the chuck
is opened at the opposite side, it having fastened to it wood pieces 6, Figures 8 and*
9, the external form of which corresponds with the hollow part of the glass to be
inserted. These wood pieces are covered with a cap 7 of india-rubber, Figure 8;
exercising thus an clastic pressure upon the inner side of the glass. By screwing
back the nut 4 the wood pieces are returned to their original position by reason of
the elasticity of the india-rubber cap.
On the standard G¹ is placed a chuck S, provided with four set screws, the object
of which is to set the glass true and to hold it fast, the glass being supported by
and between the two chucks. Both the chucks R and S are capable of turning in
the standards G and G¹.
The rotation of the glass is effected in the following manner:-A rectangular
bar o, Figures 1, 2, 3, and 5, is provided fixed to and parallel with the cylinder F,
and which admits of a lever p arranged in connection with the standard G being
simultaneously moved upon it. The lever p is connected to another lever q, Figures.
1 and 5, by means of a fork having a bolt in the chuck R. for its fulcrum. Upon
this bolt is fastened a dividing plate q¹, Figure 5, having teeth on its circumference
with which engage a pawl 8 placed on the upper part of the lever q.
To the rectangular bar o, turned down at both ends, is attached an arm r, which
at suitable periods is driven outwards by. a projection 71, Figure 5, screwed into the
eccentric disc Q. This motion causes levers p, q, to oscillate, and the pawl to turn
forwards the dividing plate. For example, if there are ten facets to be ground upon
the glass the pawl is so arranged as to move forward the dividing plate every time
to the extent of the tenth part of its circumference. The stroke of the pawl is
regulated by moving a screw ql, Figure 5, serving to connect the levers P and g to
each other. As soon as the dividing plate is advanced "by the pawl the levers are
brought to their original position by a spiral spring & placed at the end of the
arm 8.
'
In order to prevent the glass from turning during this retrograde movement a
dotent p', Figures 2 and 3, is provided, the same being attached to the standard G.
The glass, after having made an entire revolution, is prevented from further move-
ment by another mechanism,.Figure 6, without. however arresting the motion of

page_text: the grindstone. This mechanism consists of a pawl 8" (Figure 6) applied to the
pivotted piece E, and of a dividing plate t. The latter is mounted on a pin c', fixed
in a bracket d' of the support D.
The dividing plate is dentated on its circumference and provided with holes,
being placed in such a manner as to correspond to the number of facets to be ground
on the glass. The piece E when moved to the left by the eccentric disc Q (Figure 5)
conducts the pawl with it, and thus causes the latter to gear into the following
tooth. During this motion the dividing plate is kept fast by friction produced by
& spiral spring. When the pawl 8" has advanced the dividing plate to the extent
of the number of teeth corresponding to the surfaces or facets to be ground on the
glass a stop u is brought into contact with the under part of the bracket d; and
prevents the pieces E, F, and G, G', from advancing to the grindstone. This action,
however, does not necessitate that the machine should be stopped, the excentric
disc being capable of passing freely below its friction roller n.
When it is required to employ the grindstone rotating on the horizontal axis K¹, 1
Figure 4, the worm M is taken off, and the axis K' is mounted between the stan-
dards Hand H¹, provided with bearings for the reception of its centres.
The parts.of the machine are made of such a form as to prevent all liability of the
adherence thereto of the fine particles of glass proceeding from the operation of
grinding. For example, the guide F is made of a cylindrical form, whereby all 2
tendency to the deposit of particles or impurities is obviated.
In operating with the machine the following series of actions are required,—
1. To fix the glass to be ground between the chucks R and S; glasses of
irregular form can be thus centred by the set screws of the chuck S.
2. To place the dividing plate q¹ in position (several of these plates are provided 2
with a varying number of teeth, and which produce an accurate division of the
surfaces on the glass to be ground.)
3. To regulate the stroke of the pawl by means of the set screw q" (Figures 3
and 5) unting the levers p and q.
4. To place the projection u, Figure 6, in the hole, which corresponds to the 3
number of facets to be ground upon the glass.
5. To adjust the apparatus carrying the glass to be ground by turning it about
the screw a, Figure 1, and fix it afterwards by the handscrew b."
After the preliminary operations have been carried out the machine can be put
in motion. The circumference of the eccentric disc Q, Figure 5, is shaped so as to 3
allow the apparatus carrying the glass to move slowly towards the grindstone, and
to avoid thereby the breakage of the glass, which would be liable to take place if it
were subjected to a violent shock; the eccentric disc Q completes one revolution
during the time (say about 40 seconds), which is required to grind a facet upon the
glass.
When the grinding of one facet is accomplished the glass is in an automatic
manner rapidly removed from the grindstone, and at its greatest distance from the
grindstone the glass is turned for the purpose. of operating upon the next facet..
This operation is repeated until the entire number of facets are ground, whereupon
the rotation of the glass is interrupted by the stopping mechanism herein-before 4
described with reference to Figure 6.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said In-
vention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before 5
in part recited Letters Patent is,―
c
First. The construction and arrangement herein set forth of machinery or appa-
ratus for cutting and polishing flat or concave surfaces on the circumference of
drinking glasses, vases, and other like articles, the automatic rotation of the glass
and the automatic removal from the grindstone, while the glass is turned, in 5
readiness for operating, upon the following surface, all substantially as herein-before
described and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings.

page_text: Second. The use of mechanism for automatically preventing the approach of the
glass towards the grindstone after having accomplished the grinding, of all the
facets, substantially as herein-before described, and illustrated by the Drawings.
Third. The arrangement for fixing the glass, substantially as herein-before
described, with reference in particular to Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10 of the Drawings.
Fourth. The mode of transmitting the motion of the shaft L to the axis P by
means of a worm and worm wheel M, N, and of the adjustable rod m, l, provided
at its ends with univeral joints for the purpose of giving the apparatus holding
the glass any desired angle relatively to the grindstone without altering the con-
nection with the shaft L, substantially as herein-before described, and illustrated by
the Drawings.
Fifth. The circular guide F, which forms a slide for the standards G and G³, and in
combination with the rack a' and the levers d and d¹ adjustable thereupon, the
form of the guide preventing any deposit of particles of glass and impurity upon
the guide, substantially as herein-before described, and illustrated by the Drawings.
Sixth. The arrangement for turning the glass to be ground, consisting of the
eccentric disc Q, the lever s, and the rectangular bar o, substantially as herein-before
described, and illustrated by the Drawings.
Seventh. The peculiar construction of the oscillating support, which receives the
glasses, substantially as herein-before described, and illustrated by the Drawings
hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Astley Paston Price have to this my Speci-
fication set my hand and seal, the Fifteenth day of October, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-
ASTLEY PASTON PRICE. (L.S.).