Improvements in Machinery for Forging or Shaping Nails and other Articles.
Year: 1885

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Forging or Shaping Nails and
other Articles.
We, BERNARD PEARD WALKER, of Llanberis Cottage, Moseley, in the County of
Worcester, Mechanical Engineer, CHARLES BOSWORTH KETLEY, of 128, Colmore
Row, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Mechanical Engineer, and THOMAS
DEYKIN CLARE, of South Road, Handsworth, in the County of Stafford, Merchant,
do hereby declare the nature of our invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR FORGING OR SHAPING NAILS AND OTHER ARTICLES to be as follows:-
"
Our Invention relates to that class of machinery in which articles are produced.
from a metal rod by means of a series of blows given in a rapid succession by four
hammers arranged round the axial centre line and acting alternately in pairs on
opposite sides of the said rod, the action of the hammers being governed or
controlled by a model or pattern interposed between their fulcra similar to that
described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to the beforesaid Bernard.
Peard Walker dated the 13th of November, A.D. 1868, N° 3446.
The said machinery has heretofore been restricted to only partly making and
perfecting the nails or other articles the separating of the nails or other articles
from the rod being in most cases performed in another machine and in making such
nails the blade or shank only was perfected the head being afterwards formed by
a separate machine.
"The chief object of our Invention is to provide means whereby the said machinery
or apparatus will automatically perfect the head or ends and thus finish the various
articles forged or shaped by it. It can then be employed to rapidly manufacture
nails and other articles from a metal rod intermittently fed in between the hammers
and will be especially applicable to the manufacture of horse shoe nails.
Invention has also for its object to provide an improved arrangement of mechanism.
for actuating the hammers whereby a more effective, blow is obtained than
heretofore.
Our
One part of our Invention consists in applying to the said machinery a peculiar.
arrangement of automatic feeding device whereby the metal rod is fed in between
the hammers. This we accomplish as follows: In the front of the machine we
provide a slide which is moved to and fro in suitable guides by means of a cam or
other arrangement on a revolving shaft and a lever pivotted to the framework of

page_text: the machine and to the slide and held by a spring in contact with the surface of
the cam.
Attached to the said slide and moving with it is a pair of spring tongs
or their equivalent and in front of the slide is a pair of stationary spring tongs or
their equivalent. The moving tongs grip the metal rod and draw it through the
stationary tongs and feed it in between the hammers. At the proper time the
moving tongs return and take a fresh grip on the rod it meanwhile being held fast
by the stationary tongs. The approach of the slide to the hammers is limited by
adjustable screws.
Another part of this Invention consists in providing means whereby the model
or pattern is moved independently of the metal rod. Heretofore the model or
pattern has been rigidly connected to the tongs or other appliances which hold the
metal rod and has moved in concert therewith and the motion of the hammer faces
has been governed and controlled by the motion of the metal rod but according to
our said Invention we move the model or pattern by a cam on a revolving shaft
and a lever pivotted to the framework or otherwise and to the model or pattern.
By moving the model or pattern independently of the metal rod we are enabled to
forge or shape articles having a sharply curved contour and to separate them from
the rod by the action of the hammers.
.
Another important feature of this Invention consists in applying to the said
machinery or apparatus means whereby a head is formed upon the end of the
metal rod before the rod is acted upon by the hammers. This part of our Invention
enables the said machinery or apparatus to automatically perfect and finish nails
and other similar articles with great rapidity whereas heretofore it could only be
applied to forging or shaping their shanks. This we accomplish as follows: In
front of the hammers and supported by the framework of the machine is a pair of
gripping dies which are opened and closed by the action of a cam on a revolving
shaft and levers pivotted to the frame. The metal rod is fed in between the
gripping dies by the forward motion of the intermittent feeding device herein before
described. The rod coming to rest the gripping dies close and hold it. The fore-
part of the rod protrudes from the dies and a heading tool advancing compresses
the said forepart and forms therefrom the head. While the rod is being held by
the gripping dies the moving tongs of the feeding device make their backward
stroke and take a fresh grip on the rod: the gripping tools now open and the
headed rod is fed forward. At the same time the hammers are brought to act on
the rod by the action. of the model or pattern moving between their fulcra and
they gradually close and forge or shape it from head to point to a nail or other
article in conformity with the shape of the said model or pattern. Ultimately the
nail or other article is separated from the rod leaving a piece protruding through
the gripping dies to. form the head of the next. The model or pattern now partly
withdraws from between the hammer fulcra and causes the hammer faces to open
and the finished nail or other article falls away. The gripping dies now close on
the rod, the heading tool advances, the gripping dies open, the rod is fed forward,
the hammers operate and another nail or other article is formed as before.
Sometimes the action of the hammers alone is not sufficient to point and separate:
the nail or other article from the rod as above described and we then provide two
moving cutting tools supported by the framework of the machine and worked by
cams on a revolving shaft and levers pivotted to the frame. The cutting tools
close by the action of the said cams and separate the finished nail or other article
from the rod directly after it has been formed by the hammers and they leave the
forepart of the rod protruding through the gripping dies to form the head of the
next as hereinbefore described.
We sometimes find it necessary to employ a "knocker-off" tool worked by a
lever and cam to ensure the finished nail or other article falling away.
We use the said cutting tools and "knocker-off" also when we are forging or
shaping articles other than nails. The above mentioned revolving cam shafts may
either be geared together with ordinary gearing or all the revolving cams may be
fixed. on one and the same shaft..

page_text: The said metal rod from which articles are forged or shaped according to our
Invention may either be worked hot (it having been previously heated in a suitable
furnace) or cold according to the kind of metal operated on and the class of article
required to be produced.
Our said Invention further comprises an improved arrangement of mechanism
for actuating the hammers. We carry this part into operation as follows: A ring
surrounds but does not touch the hammer levers near the ends which carry the
forging tools. The said ring is vibrated rapidly about its centre in suitable
bearings provided in the framework of the machine by a crank pin on a revolving
shaft or other suitable means. Rapid vibratory motion is communicated from the
ring to the hammer levers by four links having ball and socket joints at either end.
The links are attached to the ring in such positions that the opposite hammer
levers close and open together. Springs press the hammer levers and keep the
links in contact with the said hammer levers and with the ring.
CHARLES BOSWORTH KETLEY,
128, Colmore Row, Birmingham,
Agent for the Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Forging or Shaping Nails and
other Articles.
We, BERNARD PEARD WALKER, of Llanberis Cottage, Moseley, in the County of
Worcester, Mechanical Engineer, CHARLES BOSWORTH KETLEY, of 128, Colmore
Row, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Mechanical Engineer and THOMAS
DEYKIN CLARE, of South Road, Handsworth, in the County of Stafford, Merchant,
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 reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the
letters and Figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
Our Invention relates to that class of machinery in which articles are produced
from a metal rod by means of a series of blows given in a rapid succession by four
hammers arranged round the axial centre line and acting alternately in pairs on
opposite sides of the said rod, the action of the hammers being governed or
controlled by a model or pattern interposed between their fulcra similar to that
described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to the beforesaid Bernard
Peard Walker dated the 13th of November, A.D. 1868, N° 3446.
The said machinery has heretofore been restricted to only partly making and
perfecting the nails or other articles the separating of the nails or other articles
from the rod being in most cases performed in another machine and in making such
nails the blade or shank only was perfected the head being afterwards formed by a
separate machine.
The chief object of our Invention is to provide means whereby the said machinery
or apparatus will automatically perfect the head or ends and thus finish the various
articles forged or shaped by it. It can then be employed to rapidly manufacture
nails and other articles from a metal rod intermittently fed in between the hammers
and will be especially applicable to the manufacture of horse shoe nails.
Invention has also for its object to provide an improved arrangement of mechanism
for actuating the hammers whereby a more effective blow is obtained than here-
tofore.
Our
On the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a
machine for forging or shaping nails and other articles embodying our Invention ;
and Fig. 2 is a sectional plan of the machine illustrated by Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross
sectional elevation of the machine on line X. X of Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 is a cross
sectional elevation of the machine on line Y. Y. of Fig. 1 shewing the mechanism
for actuating the hammers; Fig. 5 illustrates part of the same parts as Fig. 4 but
in different positions; Fig. 6 shews a side view of part of the mechanism for
actuating the hammers; Fig. 7 is a general plan of the machine; Fig. 8 is a cross
section in the line of two of the hammers and Fig. 9 shews part of the same parts
illustrated by Fig. 8.but in different positions; Fig. 10 is a front view, Fig. 11 a
back view, Fig. 12 a sectional elevation and Fig. 13 a sectional plan of the tool box
of the same machine separately as hereinafter fully described.

page_text: A is a framework for supporting the various moving parts of the machine
and B, B1, B2, B3 are the four hammers arranged to operate alternately in pairs on
opposite sides of the metal rod C when fed in between them as hereinafter
described b, b', 62, 63, are the fulcra respectively of the said hammers which rest
upon the model or pattern D interposed between them and 63, 63, 64, 6* are the
hammer faces by which the rod C is forged as hereinafter described.
One part of our Invention comprises an improved arrangement of mechanism for
actuating the hammers. We carry this into operation as follows: A ring E
surrounds but does not touch the hammer levers B¹, B1, B2, B2, near the ends which
carry the forging tools or hammer faces 63, 63, 6, 6. The said ring E is vibrated
rapidly about its centre in a suitable bearing or bearings e provided in the frame-
work A of the machine by means of a crank pin f on the revolving shaft F or by
other suitable means. The shaft F has a pulley fi at one end by which it is driven
and preferably attached to the shaft F by the spring friction cone f' which will
allow the pulley F to slip round the shaft in case of the hammers coming into
contact with any extraordinary obstruction. Rapid vibratory motion is com-
municated from the ring E to the hammer levers B¹, B1, B2, B2, by four links G
having ball and socket joints at either end. The links G are attached to the ring E
in such positions that the opposite bammer levers, that is B1, B1 and B2, B³, close
and open together. Springs H connected at one end hi to the frame A and at the
other end to the hammers by the links I press the hammers outwardly and keep
the links G in contact with the said hammers and with the ring E. In Fig. 4 the
crank pin f is shewn on its bottom centre and the ring E in a corresponding
position and the hammers B¹, B¹, are closed and the hammers B2, B2, are open
and in Fig. the crank pin f is shewn on its top centre and the ring E in a
corresponding position and the hammer levers B¹, B¹, are open and the hammer
levers B2, B3, closed.
Another part of this Invention consists in providing means whereby the model.
or pattern D is moved independently of the metal rod C... Heretofore the model or
pattern has been rigidly connected to the tongs or other appliances which hold the
metal rod and has moved in concert therewith and the motion of the hammer faces
has been governed and controlled by the motion of the metal rod, but according to
our said Invention we move the model or pattern D by a cam J on the revolving
shaft K which acts upon one end of the lever L which is pivotted at 12 to the
framework A or otherwise and is connected at its end 13 to the model or pattern D.
The model or pattern D is free to slide on the shaft M' which latter forms the
header as hereinafter described. The shaft K is driven by the pulley ¹ which also
acts as a fly wheel. By moving the model or pattern D independently of the metal
rod C as above described we are enabled to forge or shape articles having a sharply
curved contour and to separate them from the rod by the action of the hammers
which could not be done if the model or pattern D moved in concert with the
rod C.
Another part of our Invention consists in applying to the said machinery a
peculiar arrangement of automatic feeding device whereby the metal rod is fed in
between the hammers. This we accomplish as follows:-In the front of the
machine we provide a slide M which is moved to and fro in suitable guides m¹ by
means of a cam m³ on the revolving shaft K and a lever m³ pivotted to the frame-
work A of the machine and to the slide M and held by a spring m* in contact with
the surface of the cam m². Attached to the said slide M and moving with it is a
pair of spring tongs m³ or their equivalent and in front of the slide M is a pair of
stationary tongs or gripping dies n¹, n². The bottom gripping die n¹ is stationary
and it can be adjusted vertically by the wedge bolt n³. The top gripping die n² is
moveable it being connected to the lever N which is pivotted at nt and connected
at n by the link n to the lever n' which latter is pivotted at one end n³ the free
end thereof n being caused to press against the cam n10 on the revolving shaft K
by means of the spring n". The stationary tongs or dies n¹, n², being open the
moving tongs m³ grip the metal rod C and draw or force it through the stationary;

page_text: tongs or dies n¹, n³, and feed it in between the hammers. At the proper time the
moving tongs m return to their backward position (see Figs. 1 and 2) and take a'
fresh grip on the rod C it meanwhile being held fast by the stationary tongs or
gripping dies n¹, n. The approach of the slide to the hammers is limited by
adjustable screws or other suitable means as for instance by the form of-the cam m³
against which the lever m³ is pressed as above described.
Another important feature of this Invention consists in applying to the said
machinery or apparatus means whereby a head is formed upon the end of the metal
rod before the rod is acted upon by the hammers. This part of our Invention
enables the said machinery or apparatus to automatically perfect and finish nails
and other similar articles with great rapidity whereas heretofore it could only be
applied to forging or shaping their shanks. This we accomplish as follows: In
front of the hammers and supported by the framework A of the machine are the
pair of gripping dies n¹, n³, above described which are opened and closed by the
action of the cam 10 on the revolving shaft K and levers N and n pivotted to
the frame as above described. The metal rod C is fed in between the gripping
dies n, n, by the forward motion of the intermittent feeding device herein before
described. The rod C coming to rest the gripping dies n³, n³, close and hold it by
the action of the cam 10. The fore part c of the rod C protrudes from the
dies n¹, n², and a heading tool P on the end of the shaft M¹ advancing compresses
the said fore part c and forms therefrom the head. Any suitable arrangement may
be employed for actuating the heading tool P but we prefer the arrangement of
mechanism illustrated which consists of a lever pivotted at its lower end p¹ to the
frane A, its upper end p³ fitting in a slot in the shaft M¹. A cam p³ on the
shaft K acts on a projection 2 on the lever p and at the proper time holds it
backwards as shewn. A spring p acts on the lever and forces it and the
header P forwards to form a head as above described when the projection p' is
released by falling into a recess 2 in the cam p³. While the rod C is being held
by the gripping dies n¹, n², the moving tongs m³ of the feeding device make their
backward stroke and take a fresh grip on the rod C; the gripping tools n¹, n³, now
open by the action of the cam 10 and the headed rod C is fed forward. At the
saine time the hammers B¹, B1, B2, B2, are brought to act on the rod C by the
action of the model or pattern D moving between their fulcra and they gradually
close and forge or shape it from head to point to a nail Q or other article in
conformity with the shape of the faces d of the model or pattern. Ultimately the
nail Qor other article is separated from the rod C leaving a picce protruding
The model or
through the gripping dies n¹, n' to form the head of the next.
pattern D now partly withdraws from between the hammer fulcra b¹, b², b², b³,
(see Fig. 9) and causes the hammer faces bª, 63, 64, 64, to open and the finished
nail Qor other article can fall away. The gripping dies n', n*, now close on the
rod C, the heading tool P advances as before, the gripping dies n¹, n², open, the
rod C is fed forward, the hammers operate and another nail or other article is
formed as before.
Sometimes the action of the hammers B¹, B1, B2, B2 alone is not sufficient to
point and separate the nail or other article from the rod C as above described and
we then provide two moving cutting tools R¹, R' supported by the framework A
of the machine and worked by cams r¹, r², on the revolving shaft K and levers
3, pivotted to the frame A at 5, The cutting tools R1, R2, close by the
action of the said cams r¹, r³, and separate the finished nail or other article from
the rod directly after it has been formed by the hammers and they leave the fore
part of the rod protruding through the gripping dies n¹, n², to form the head of the
next nail or other article as herein before described.
We sometimes find it necessary to employ a. "knocker-off" tool S worked by a
lever S and a projection S' on the cam p³ or otherwise suitably arranged to strike
the finished nail or other article and cause it to fall away.
We use the said cutting-off tools R1, R2, and the "knocker-off" tool S also when
we are forging and shaping articles other than nails.

page_text: We prefer to use a tool box T as illustrated by Figs. 10, 11, 12 and 13 having
suitable slots or grooves in which fit the gripping dies n¹, n², and the cutting-off
tools R¹, R³.
All the revolving cams may be fixed on one and the same shaft K as above
described and illustrated in the drawings or they can be fixed on separate shufts
and geared together with ordinary gearing as we do not limit ourselves to the
précise details and arrangement of mechanism for actuating the various tools as
herein described and illustrated as the same may be varied without departing from
the spirit of our Invention.
The said metal rod from which articles are forged or shaped according to our
Invention may either be worked hot (it having been previously heated in a
suitable furnace) or cold according to the kind of metal operated on and the class
of article required to be produced.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is
1. In a machine for forging or shaping nails and other articles in which the
action of the hammers is governed or controlled by a model or pattern interposed
between their fulcra, the construction and use of the improved mechanism for
driving the hammers herein before described and illustrated, that is to say, the
ring E arranged to vibrate around the hammers and the four links G for imparting
motion from the ring E to the hammers, the said ring, links and hammers being
maintained in contact together by springs and arranged to operate as herein
described and illustrated.
2. In a machine for forging or shaping nails and other articles, in which the
action of the hammers is governed or controlled by a model or pattern interposed
between their fulcra, the application and use of mechanism for moving the said
model or pattern independently of the rod from which the nails or other articles
are formed as and for the purposes herein before described.
3. In a machine for forging or shaping nails and other articles in which the
action of the hammers is governed or controlled by a model or pattern inter-
posed between their fulcra, the construction of a stationary gripping or holding
mechanism consisting of a fixed and a moveable die adapted for holding the rod
from which the nails or other articles are to be formed with a moveable gripping
mechanism or tongs as set forth whereby the said rod is moved through the
stationary gripping mechanism and then held by the stationary gripping
mechanisin while the moveable gripping mechanism is moved to take a fresh
grip on the said rod, as herein before described.
4. In a machine for forging or shaping nails and other articles in which the
action of the hammers is governed or controlled by a model or pattern inter-
posed between their fulcra, the combination of a stationary gripping or holding
mechanism consisting of a fixed and a moveable die adapted for holding the rod
from which the nails or other articles are to be formed with a moveable heading
tool for forming a head upon the end of the said rod while it is being held by the
said gripping or holding mechanism as herein before described.
5. In a machine for forging or shaping nails and other articles in which the
action of the hammers is governed or controlled by a model or pattern inter-
posed between their fulcra, the combination of a stationary gripping or holding
mechanism consisting of a fixed and a moveable die adapted for holding the rod
from which the nails or other articles are to be formed with a pair of cutting tools
arranged to meet together in front of the said gripping tools so as to separate or
almost separate the nail or other article from the rod and then to retire therefrom
as hereinbefore described.
6. In a machine for forging or shaping nails and other articles in which the
action of the hammers is governed or controlled by a model or pattern inter-
posed between their fulcra, the combination with the said hammers as set forth

page_text: of the following elements; namely, first, a stationary gripping device for holding
the rod from which the nails or other articles are to be formed; second, a heading
device for forming a head upon the end of the said rod while held by the gripping
device; third, a feeding device for feeding forward the said rod while it is being
operated upon by the said hammers; and fourth, a pair of cutting-off tools for
separating or almost separating the nail or other article from the rod.
7. The improved machine for forging or shaping nails and other articles herein-
before described and illustrated consisting of the following parts, in combination,
that is to say, first, the stationary gripping device n¹, n³, for holding and releasing
the rod from which the nails or other articles are to be formed; second, the
heading tool P for forming a head upon the end of the said rod while held by the
gripping device n¹, n; third, the feeding tools m¹ for feeding forward the said
rod; fifth, the four hammers B¹, B1, B2, B2 operated by the ring E; sixth, the
model or pattern D arranged to move independently of the said rod, and seventh,
the pair of cutting-off tools R1, R2, for separating or almost separating the nail or
other article from the said rod all the said parts being arranged and operating
substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and illustrated.
Dated this 93rd day of December 1885