A NEW SELF-ACTING MACHINE FOR CUTTING, GRINDING, AND POLISHING GLASS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Burtles, of Manchester, in the County of Lan-
caster, Glass Manufacturer, for the Invention of "A NEW SELF-ACTING MACHINE
FOR CUTTING, GRINDING, AND POLISHING GLASS."
Sealed the 7th November 1876, and dated the 10th May 187
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Burtles at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th May 1876.
RICHARD BURTLES, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Glass Manu-
facturer. "A NEW SELF-ACTING MACHINE FOR CUTTING, GRINDING, AND POLISHING
GLASS."
My Invention has reference to a self-acting machine so arranged and constructed
that the articles to be cut, ground, and polished, or otherwise operated upon, may
be equally subdivided, fluted, or otherwise ordinarily cut, puntied, or starred, by
means of the ordinary cutting and finishing tools now in use, viz., iron wheels with
sand, emery wheels working in water or oil, and stone with water, also wood, cork,
and brushes.
Instead of the article to be operated upon being held by hand to the cutting wheel
or operating instrument, I substitute a series of motions arranged to actuate a
spindle or other appliance for holding the article to be operated upon, or to which
the articlo may be fixed. At the sides of the article when in position to be operated
upon there is or are one, two, or more revolving wheels or operating instruments,
and the machine is so arranged that as the apparatus which holds or has fixed to it
the article to be cut or operated upon leaves the cutting wheels or operating instru-
ments, or as the cutting wheels or operating instruments leave the article, the
necessary motion for dividing the article is given.
In order to a better understanding of the nature of my said Invention, I append
a sketch illustrating generally but not in full detail one arrangement of machino
according thereto, premising that I do not confine myself to the arrangement
shewn, as the principle of my Invention as herein set forth may be carried out in
other forms.
The centre spindle A is shewn as having a vertical motion, but it can be applied
horizontally or angularly as the article to be operated upon may necessitate.
This motion can be accomplished either by levers, screws, wedges, racks, pinions,
077

page_text: cams, or hydraulic apparatus. The spindle has a reciprocal motion capable of being
divided into any number of divisions, which also can be worked by rack and
pinion, ratchet motion, worm and worm wheel, change wheels, or dividing wheels.
On the spindle A if required is a master block B, which corresponds with the shape
of the article to be cut, and comes in contact with two adjustable levers C fixed
in the head stocks or slides D; these are used for carrying stones or cutting
tools E. The power for giving the revolving motion to the cutting wheels E is
transmitted through the pulleys V.
The main driving gear for effecting the rising, falling, and dividing motion of
the spindle is arranged as follows:-The shaft on which the left-hand wheel
(shewn in the sketch) revolves is lengthened, and has keyed on to it a worin F
working into a worm wheel G. At the other end of the shaft S, working on a
long key, is a worm H, which gears into a worm wheel I, the latter being keyed
on to the shaft J.
Firstly. In order to give the dividing motion I fix a cam N to the aforesaid
shaft J, and in front of the worm wheel I when the cam revolves it compresses
the spindle O, which latter transmits its motion through a pin fixed on to a collar
to the lever P; this in its turn effects the L leg Q, causing the lever R, to which
the dividing motion T is affixed, to actuate the ratchet wheel by means of a catch
fixed inside the aforesaid dividing motion. The spring on the spindle O is simply to
bring the dividing levers back again into their original position.
Secondly. The rising and falling motion of the spindle A is acquired by keying
a disc T (having a slot in it) on to the other end of the aforesaid shaft J. In this
slot is screwed up, according to the traverse required, a lever L coupled to another
lever M, thereby giving a rising and falling motion to the spindle A. This might
be arranged to work with eccentric or elliptical gear to give a slower rise and
quicker fall to the spindle.
The cutting tools are set to their work and regulated by means of screws, and
kept to their work by means of levers U and springs or weights X. In the arrange-
ment shewn a spring is applied between the collars of each of the two screws and
the slide on which the moveable slide works. The levers actuating the movement
of the stones to and from the centre (in order to take out the work) are fixed to the
moveable slides.
For indenting purposes I disconnect the lever L, and in its place couple up a
lever to the end of the hand lever K, thereby converting the hand motion into
a self-acting arrangement.
Instead of using the arrangement of dividing levers as shewn on tracing, I may
still retain the disc plate or eccentric for indenting purposes, and add on the same
shaft bevil wheels with upright shaft, skew wheels, or a pulley and band to cause
the dividing or rising and falling motion.
Overhead, or in any other position as required, is a puntying machine, which can
be worked either by straps, bands, or other gear, this being done if necessary at the
same time as the cutting machine is working, or independently.
Machinery according to my Invention may be arranged to cut or star or form
other patterns on the bottoms or other parts of tumblers or other articles.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Richard Burtles in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th November
1876.
RICHARD BURTLES, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Glass Manu-
facturer. "A NEW SELF-ACTING MACHINE FOR CUTTING, GRINDING, AND POLISHING
GLASS."
A and ma

page_text: structed that the articles to be cut, ground, and polished, or otherwise operated
upon may be equally subdivided, fluted, or any otherwise ordinarily cut, "puntied,"
or "starred" by means of the ordinary cutting and finishing tools now in use, viz.,
iron wheels with sand, emery wheels working in water or oil, and stone with water,
also wood, cork, and brushes.
Instead of the article to be operated upon being held by hand to the cutting
wheel or operating instrument, I substitute a series of motions arranged so as to
actuate a spindle or other applianco for holding the article to be operated upon, or
to which the article may be fixed. At the sides of, ro above, or below the article
when in position to be operated upon, there are in the meantime, one, two, or moro
revolving wheels or operating instruments, and the machine is so arranged that as
tho apparatus which holds or has fixed to it the article to be cut or operated upon
leaves the cutting wheel or operating instruments, or as the cutting wheels or
operating instruments leave the article the necessary motion for dividing the
article is given.
Such being the naturo and object of my said Invention, I will now proceed to
describe in detail the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or
carried into practical effect; and in order that the same may be clearly understood
I have annexed hereunto a Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof, and have marked
the same with figures and letters of reference corresponding with those in tho
following explanation thereof.
And I may here remark that although I have shown in the annexed Drawings
some of the variations of which my Invention is capable, I do not wish to limit or
confine myself to the exact arrangements therein represented, as the principle of my
Invention is capable of being carried out in a variety of other forms, or modifications
according to the particular class of article to be operated upon, and the exact naturo
of the operation to be performed.
In the Drawings and in the following description, for the sake of illustration, I
have confined myself to the cutting, grinding, and polishing of glass tumblers, as
the modifications necessary for performing these operations upon glass articles
of other forms would be merely such as any competent mechanic would be able to
carry out.
Fig. 1 in the annexed Drawings shows in sectional elevation one modification of
my Invention wherein the spindle a, a, which carries the articles to be cut, ground,
or polished is mounted in a vertical position, the upper end of the said spindle
being provided with a holding block b, b, which corresponds with tho interior form
of the article to be cut, and which presents it to the action of the revolving stones
or cutting tools c, c. The spindle a, a, has a rising and falling motion imparted to
it, and also an intermittent revolving or dividing motion, as herein-before described.
The stones or cutting tools c, c, are caused to revolve rapidly by means of straps
d, d, passing round driving pulleys keyed on their axes c, e. They are carried in slides
ff; they are kept up to their work by means of weighted levers g, g, and aro
caused to follow the form of the article as it rises and falls by means of the two
rollers h, h, working against the master block on conci, i, on the spindle a, a, which
corresponds in form to the tumbler or other article to be cut.
Their position is
adjusted by means of the screws and hand wheels j, j. On the end of the axis e of
one of the stones or cutters is keyed a worm wheel h, k, gearing with a worm
wheel, l, working on a long key on a longitudinal shaft m, m, to the other end of
which is keyed a worm n, n, actuating a second worm wheel o, o, keyed on a
tranverse shaft p, p. At the back of the wheel o, o, is a slotted disc in which is
adjusted a pin connected to the upper end of the link g, g, the lower end of which
is connected to the lower end of the spindle a, a, and it will be evident that an
alternate rising and falling motion will thus be given to the spindle. The extent of
this motion may be regulated by altering the position of the link q, q, either in tho
slotted disc or in the slot of the lever r, 7, (or both). The dividing motion, which
gives a partial revolution to the spindle a, a, each time that it falls and brings tho
glass below the action of the stones or cutters c, c, is effected the tappets 8, 8, on

page_text: the shaft p, p, acting on a bowl at the top of the rod t, t, which is connected by a
bell-crank lever u, u, and links v, v, to a ratchet or dog acting upon a ratchet wheel
keyed at or near the lower end of the spindle a, a.
"
""
Overhead may be arranged a 'punteing' or "starring" apparatus, herein-after
described (or of any other convenient construction), which will at the same time
form the concavity or the star in the bottom of the tumbler; but I prefer to effect
these operations in a separate machine.
I would here remark that this arrangement for cutting two sides of the article at
one operation is obviously only applicable where the form of the articles to be cut,
ground, or polished is perfectly true, but as in practice it is found that this absolute
accuracy of the glass articles cannot be always depended upon. I prefer to make
the machine as represented at Fig. 2, wherein two vertical spindles a, a, are
employed, each presenting one side only of a tumbler to one of the revolving stones
or cutters c, c. Each spindle is provided with a circular rack w, w, which whilst it
remains constantly in gear with the rack pinion x, x, allows of the revolution of
the spindles a, a. The alternate rising and falling motion of the two spindles is
effected by giving an alternate circular motion to the rack pinion x, x, by means of
a lever ,, which is connected by a link to a crank pin or stud 8, 8, fixed in a
revolving face plate o, o. The holding block b, b, which carries the article to be
operated upon is attached to the upper end of the spindle a by means of a bell and
socket joint at ax, and the article is guided in its ascent and descent by means
of the guides i, i, the faces of which are inclined to suit the conical form
of the tumbler.
In some cases we make these guides vertical, and place blocks of india-rubber or
other suitable substance between the spindle and the holding block, so that the
latter can give way slightly, and accommodate itself to the form of the article
under operations. The article is pressed against the inclined slides i, i, by the
weighted lever y, y, and roller =,=, as seen also in the detached plan view of this
part, Fig. 2*.
Figs. 3 and 4 are vertical sections of the arrangement used for brushing the
articles. In this case no dividing motion is required, and no rising and falling
motion, beyond what may be given by the hand lever. A continuous rotary motion
is given to the spindle a by ineans of the worm k, k, and worm wheel l, l, which
are actuated from the driving shaft c, e, by the bevel gearing n, n.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the bed plate, &c.
Fig. 6 is a front elevation.
Fig. 7, a plan view with the top plate removed.
Fig. 8, a view of one side, and Fig. 9 a view of the reverse side; and Fig. 10, a
plan view of the top plate of a modifaction of this apparatus wherein the spindle is
arranged horizontally. The spindle a is carried in a revolving bracket mounted on
a slide ff, to which a to-and-fro movement is imparted by the crank pin 1, 1, and
link 2, 2. The article to be ground or cut is fixed on the holding block at one end
of this spindle, as before, and at the other end is fixed a dividing wheel 3, 3, having
on its edge as many studs as there are divisions requisite. Each time the article is
withdrawn from the stone or cutter c, c, the stud wheel 3, 3, comes against a fixed
incline 4, 4, which causes it to turn one division, and at or before this time a
stud or roller 5 on the rocking bracket 6, 6, comes against the fixed incline plane 7,
which causes the bracket to rock and lift the spindle and the article up just before
it is turned round one division.
When the article advances to the cutter c, c, the slide f, f, is moved slowly
forward by means of the worm k, k, and wheel 1, l, but it is brought back more
quickly by the following means:-As soon as the slide ff, has completed its course
it comes against a bowl S, 8, at the top of the weighted lever 9, 9, causing it to
lower the worm k, k, out of gear with the wheel l, l, and to put the two spur
wheels 10, 10, into gear, which will bring it back with a quicker movement; but
as soon as it commences to return to its work after the spindle a has been turned
by its dividing wheel 3, 3, then the weighted lever 9, 9, becomes released, and in

page_text: falling brings the worm k, k, again into gear with the worm wheel 1, 1, and the
slide advances at the slow speed as before.
In some cases I prefer to use a weight travelling with the slide f, f, instead of the
roller,, to keep the article pressed down on to the stone or cutter, in which case
the bracket 11, 11, instead of being fixed to the frame is attached to the slido f. f.
and travels with it; and the weight is raised up off the article just before the
spindle a is turned by the dividing wheel) by its coming into contact with a bracket
or projection fixed to the frame.
Fig. 11 shows a modification of the apparatus adapted for starring the bottoms of
tumblers. The rising and falling of the spindle a must be effected as previously
described, or by other convenient automatic means. The dividing wheel is attached
to the lower end of the spindle, and turns the spindle partly round each time the
latter is brought down.
By the addition of the gearing shown in dotted lines, and removing the dividing
wheel, this arrangement may be employed for punteing or cutting concave surfaces
in the bottoms of tumblers, the spindle a having in this case a continuous revolving
motion given to it.
In both these cases the tumbler or other articlo must be kept up to the cutter
by means of a weighted lever. When the article is to be removed and changed the
weighted lever must be raised, and this will withdraw the article from the cutter,
when it can be removed and replaced by another.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into prac-
tical effect, I wish it to be understood that I claim as my Invention, the construction,
application, and combination of the various arrangements of mechanism and
appliances herein-before described and represented on the Drawings annexed for
cutting, grinding, and polishing glass by self-acting means, or any mero imitation
or modification thereof, constructed and operating in substantially the same or a
similar manner.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Burtles, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eighth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witnessed by
JOHN HUGHES,
Clerk to George Davies, C.E.,
Patent Office,
4, St. Ann's Sq.,
Manchester.
RICHARD BURTLES. (L.s.)