IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR BEATING GOLD AND OTHER LAMINE OF METAL
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Bostwick Ruggles, of Paterson, in the
State of New Jersey, and Lemuel Wright Serrell, of the City of
New York, both in the United States of America, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR BEATING GOLD AND OTHER
LAMINE OF METAL."
Sealed the 29th September 1853, and dated the 11th April 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Bostwick
Ruggles and Lemuel Wright Serrell at the Office of the Com-
missioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the 11th April 1853.
WE, ROBERT BOSTWICK RUGGLES, of Paterson, in the State of New
Jersey, and LEMUEL WRIGHT SERRELL, of the City of New York, both
in United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR BEATING GOLD AND
OTHER LAMINE OP METAL" to be as follows:--
We construct a machine, with the requisite hammer levers and other
apparatus, to receive a mould of skins and gold plates or leaves, similar
A

page_text: tho that used by gold beaters; and move the said mould in a manner to
receive the blows precisely similar to those effected by hand; and every
given number of blows on the mould by the hammer a peculiar com-
bination of levers and weights turns the mould over, so as to beat on
the other side without stopping the machine.
The motion that places the mould each successive blow of the hammer
in the proper position to receive the said blow is effected by a grooved
cam, which is partially rotated each stroke of the hammer; and every
complete revolution of this cam the mould is turned over by means
connected thereto; and between this cam and the mould there are
levers with adjustable fulcrums, so that a given motion from the cam is
made to give greater or less motion to the mould, to extend its area of
motion as the gold or other metallic leaf is spread by the beating.
We thus are enabled to beat gold or silver leaf, or foil, or any other
lamina of metal, in a manner corresponding with the ordinary manual
process, causing the blows of the hammer (which, of course, is driven
,by competent power) to fall with certainty on the desired part of the
mould, and cause the said blows to fall on the centre of the mould on
.commencing, and then extend the area of motion of said mould, and, by
consequence, the operation of the hammer, as the metallic leaf is enlarged
in size.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Robert Bostwick Ruggles and Lemuel Wright
Serrell, in the Great Seal Patent Office, on the 11th October
1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we,
Robert Bostwick Ruggles, of Paterson, in the State of New Jersey,
and Lemuel Wright Serrell, of the City of New York, both in the
United States of America, send greeting.
2
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her 3
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the six-
"teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,

page_text: give and grant unto us, the said Robert Bostwick Ruggles and Lemuel
Wright Serrell, Her special licence that we, the said Robert Bostwick
Ruggles and Lemuel Wright Serrell, our executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as we, the said Robert Bostwick Ruggles
and Lemuel Wright Serrell, our executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at
all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
might lawfully make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle
of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR BEATING
GOLD AND OTHER LAMINE OF METAL," upon the condition (amongst others)
that we, the said Robert Bostwick Ruggles and Lemuel Wright
Serrell, by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals, or
under the hand and seal of one of us, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Robert Bostwick Ruggles and
Lemuel Wright Serrell, do hereby declare the nature of our said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment, reference being had to the drawing hereunto annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):
We would first premise that the object of our Invention is to furnish
means for beating laminæ of metal by machinery, in a manner corre-
sponding exactly with the operations effected by the ordinary hand
process; and, as the operations performed by this machine are numerous,
we shall divide the same into classes, for the easier understanding of the
whole process, as follows:-First, a cursory description of the ordinary
hand process; this being necessary to the full understanding of the same
process when effected by this machine. Second, the hammer and parts
connected to give a motion corresponding to that given by the human
arm in beating gold. Third, the means used to lift the mould con-
taining the laminæ of metal from the anvil, and turn the same over,
12

page_text: replacing it with the opposite face, resting on the anvil, termed herein
the "turn over motion." Fourth, the means of giving an extended
motion to the mould, so as to cause a given number of blows of the
hammer to be struck on a greater area, so as to follow up the plates or
leaves of metal as they are extended in size. Fifth, the means used
to cause the blows of the hammer to fall on the right place on the
mould, whether beating what is called the "centre motion," the
'diagonal motion," or "the planing motion;" these various characters
of beating being necessary for the perfecting of the operation. Sixth,
the variations which are the mere equivalents of the mechanical means
herein described: some of these variations have been used, but we believe
the entire machine herein described and shewn to be the most perfect
in arrangements and operation. Seventh, disclaimers and claims.
We would here remark, that although the operations, for the sake of
clearness, are divided, the parts are combined together to form only one
complete machine.
First, the ordinary hand process.-The gold-beaters skins, properly
prepared with lime in the usual manner, or proper leaves of animal
parchment, receive thin square plates of metal in their centre, and these
skins, placed together, form what is usually called the "mould;" this is
usually covered with bands of parchment to keep the mould together.
The beating is commenced in the centre, and the mould turned over
about every thirty-two blows; and when the metal has commenced to
extend itself it will usually split at the middle of each side the work-
man then commences beating one blow in the centre, and beats out on
the centre line towards the middle of oue side as far as the metal is
extended to, and then beats on the line of the side towards the corner;
so proceeding with all four quarters of the mould, striking about thirty-
two blows on the side, and then turns the mould over; the object of this
beating being to carry out the corner diagonally thicker than the other
part, so that the next style of beating shall cause the leaf of metal to
be of an even thickness. This next style of beating is to commence
in the centre and beat out diagonally to the corner, and then along one
side, thus proceeding all around the mould, striking in all cases about
thirty two blows on one side, and then turning the mould over and s

page_text: 66
beating on the other side, and extending the area of beating as the
metal is extended; this diagonal beating causing the leaf or plate of
metal to be nearly square, and of an even thickness. This first beating
from the rolled plate of metal is called the "cutch," and extends the
metal to about four times its original area, forming what is called
"foil;" this is then to be divided into quarters, and beat in precisely
the same manner as before described; this is usually called beating the
"shodar;" and, when extended to about four times the area, it is again
quartered and beat, in what is usually called the "mould," into leaf. It
will now be borne in mind that this machine effects all these operations,
the same means being required for each; and the term "mould "is used
herein to avoid repetition in all the processes, whether beating the
cutch," the "shodar," or "mould," to form the leaf, and also is applied
to what is termed the "planing," that is, placing the gold beater skins
between paper, and then beating the mould thus formed all around the
edges, and either decreasing or extending the area of beating, so as to
beat evenly all over the surface, the object of this beating being to
clean the skins in the usual manner; and the workman, during all the
processes, has to "rifle" the mould, that is, working it in his hands so
as to separate the skins and let the atmosphere penetrate, so as to pre-
vent the skins sticking together; and during the process of beating
gold it is necessary to "anneal" it by heat in the usual manner, to
make it tough, and cause it to work easily. These various operations,
set forth in the foregoing, with the exception of the "rifling" and "an-
nealing," are performed by our machine; and by bearing the hand
process in mind the understanding of the various parts of this machine
will be much facilitated.
Second, the hammer.-In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1, is a
general plan of the complete machine, but with the hammer head and
handle removed to shew the parts beneath. Fig. 2, is a complete side
elevation, & Fig. 3, is a plan of all the parts below the line A, A, of
Fig. 2. The other Figures are separately referred to, and the like
marks of reference denote the same parts in all the Figs.
plate, turned flat in the centre, with a hole to receive the steady pin of
a vertical column C, fitted to take an even bearing on the plate B,
B, is the bed

page_text: and beneath the anvil D, which is a flat smooth plate of proper size
and thickness; and on this the mould is laid, and retained or placed in
its proper position to receive the blows of the hammer. a, a, are rods,
screwed into the anvil D, having nuts beneath the bed plate B, to per-
manently connect the plate B, to the anvil D. The plate B, is set on
a proper foundation, to make the machine secure. b, is a part of the
top bed frame, attached to the under side of the anvil at the back, and
is formed as a fork 1, which rises at the part 2, to a level with the anvil,
and is connected by a curved fork 3, to the bed plate c, of the hammer.
This plate c, is sustained on a frame E. F, is a fork, bolted to the frame
E, and connected to a centre piece F. 1, that is attached to the column C,
by a flanch 4. On the plate c, are two vertical side frames G, with
journals 5, carrying the main shaft d, to which competent power is
applied to rotate it; and the power should be communicated through
conical drums or pullies, so as to increase or decrease the speed, as may
be required. e, is a cam on the shaft d, between the frames G, having
one, two, or more projections, but here shewn as two, to operate on and
depress the projection or cam 6, which is formed with a boss, which has
trunnions, or a shaft, set in journals 8, in the frame G. e 1, is a socket
on the boss 7, which receives the hammer handle f, which may be of
wood or metal, wood being preferable; and 10, 10, are bolts and nuts
to secure the handle into the socket; the socket being formed as a three
sided box, has a slight swell in the inside of the back, between the
bolts 10, so that by tightening the bolts 10, so that by tightening the
bolts 10, the other end of the hammer handle, with the hammer f. 1,
is adjusted horizontally, which, with the handle of the correct length,
causes the hammer f. 1, when it falls, to strike on the centre of
the anvil D, precisely over the centre of the column C, and con-
sequently on the centre on the eentre of the mould, when properly
placed on the anvil. f. 2, is an india-rubber spring that is supported by
a plate 12, sustained on a continuation of the bolts 11, of the journal
box 5, which spring f. 2, is attached by a bolt 13, and adjusted to give
the required pressure. Any proper springs may be used to send the
hammer down, and the operation of this part is that the points of the
cam e, taking the projection 6, on the hammer tail, as the cam and

page_text: shaft rotate in the direction of the arrow, raise the hammer, and this
taking in its ascent the spring f. 2, compresses it; and as soon as the point
of the cam e, clears the projection 6, the hammer falls with an ac-
celerated velocity and force, aided by the spring f. 2, and the hammer,
striking on the mould, rebounds, which rebound is followed up by the
cam causing the hammer to compress the spring f. 2, as before; and when
the machine is running very fast the accelerated velocity of the hammer
in ascending will sometimes cause the point of the hammer cam 6, to
jump away from the cam e, but this is taken by the spring f.2, which in
its turn sends the hammer down with an accelerated velocity. The
hammer thus requires free play, without any other checking motion
than the spring, the cam e, always, causing the hammer to raise high
enough on slow motions; this operation on the hammer being similar
to a man's arm, which carries the hammer high enough, and then pulls
it down, though in beating fast the elasticity of the mould is such as to
cause the hammer to ascend by the rebound, the power being applied
to send it down.
Third, the turn-over motion. The mould has now to be turned
over every certain number of blows of the hammer, which herein is
every thirty-two blows, but may be more or less, although we prefer and
use that number. On the main shaft d, between the driving pulley and
the frame G, we place two cams g. 1, g. 1, attached by a collar around the
shaft, which, as the shaft rotates, communicate motion to a vibrating
lever 9, set on a fulcrum 14, (see detached Fig. 4,) which lever is kept
to the cams by an india-rubber or other spring, 16. 15 is a joint on
the lever g, connecting a rod h, to the lever, which rod at the other end
is connected to a paul or click i. g. 2, is an india-rubber or other spring,
to keep the click i, into the teeth of the main horizontal cam H, which
is on a vertical shaft k. 17 is a connecting link, to keep the click i, to
its place; and the motion communicated by the cams g. 1, is to be suffi-
cient to take up and move the cam one tooth at a time, and the spring
16, is to be sufficiently strong to draw the click i, back. There being
two cams e, and two cams g. 1, on the same shaft d, there will be one
tooth on the cam taken up each blow of the hammer; and the positions
of the cams e, and g. 1, must be such relatively with each other that tlie

page_text: cam H, is moved as the hammer rises, and the click i, takes up another
tooth as the hammer falls. The shaft h, is set in a journal 18, on the
end of the part b, of the frame; and the lower end of the shaft k, is
turned smaller, and passes through a guide hole 19, through the frame
F. 1. 20, is a bush, around the shaft near the lower end, supporting the
weight of the cam on the shoulder formed by the shaft being turned off
smaller; this bush 20, is sustained by screws passing through the sides
of an eye in the long horizontal supporting lever I, which is sustained by
a fulcrum 21, on the frame E; see Fig. 3. The longer end of the lever is
formed as a handle 22; and a spring latch 23, on the side of the lever I,
is made with a thumb piece near the handle 22, and a pin at the other
end passing through the lever, and entering holes in a plate l, attached
to the side of the column C; and this plate 1, has a guide arm l. 1, out-
side the lever I, to keep the lever in place, but allow its vertical mo-
tion the plate l, has three holes in it; one, 24, in the centre; one, 25,
above the centre; and a third, 26, below the centre. It will now be seen
that when the pin of the spring latch 23, is in the hole 24, the cam H,
stands in the central position shewn in Fig. 2, but when the pin of the
latch 23, is withdrawn by forcing the other end of the latch against the
lever I, the cam H, is either raised or lowered by the lever I, and
retained in that position by allowing the pin of the spring latch 23, to
enter the holes 25, or 26. The object of this raising and lowering the
cam will be explained hereafter.
The cam H, is formed with thirty-two teeth around its edge, the
teeth being narrower than the rim of the cam, as shewn in Figs. 2,
and 11; and the cam is formed as a thin wheel, connecting the hub with
the rim, as seen in Fig. 11. It will be now understood from the fore-
going that the click i, taking up one tooth each blow of the hammer,
giving one complete revolution of the cam H, every thirty-two blows;
and to prevent the cam being drawn back as the click i, is drawn
back, we place a retaining click m, with a spring on a pin 27, on the
part b, of the main frame; the end of this click is formed wide, so as to
take the teeth of the cam whether the same is raised up or lowered
down. The operations performed by this cam H, as hereafter set forth,
during part of its revolution, tends to rotate the cam in the direction in

page_text: which it is turned by the click i. To prevent this we attach a friction
clamp n, set on a parallel pin 28, so as to allow the clamp to slide up
and down as the cam H, is raised or lowered. This clamp is formed as
a fork from the pin 28, the jaws of which lie above and below the rim
of the cam; and a small projection against the periphery above the
teeth prevents the clamp from turning in towards the centre of the
cam by its rotation; and around each of the clamps we put leather or
similar substance, and have a screw 29, to give the requisite pressure
to cause sufficient friction to prevent the cam running partly around,
but not enough to prevent the cam from being moved by the click i.
Around the shaft k, between the parts b, and F, of the frame, we place
an eye and set nut with an arm.n. 1, which is adjusted to take, at the
proper point of the revolution of the shaft, the pin n. 2, of a latch 30,
see Figs. 2, and 3. This latch 30, is so set on a centre pin n. 3, that
the arm n. 1, rotating with the cam H, turns it on its centre n. 3, until the
partial rotation of the two releases the pin n.2, from the arm n. 1. The
centre pin n. 3, is set on the under side of the part b, of the frame, and
also a spring 31, to replace the latch 30, to the required position, which
is determined by a small pin in the frame b. On the frame F. 1, are
two journals 32, taking a cross shaft o. 1, which receives between its
journals a long lever v, so set that when raised up behind the latch 30,
it is retained thereby this lever is furnished with an arm o. 2, passing
through a slot or mortice in the bed F. 1, which slot is long enough
to allow the arm o. 2, to move about 80° with the shaft o. 1; and
on the outside ends of the shaft o. 1, are two cranks p, p. 1, set at
about an angle of 45° with the horizontal line, at the time when
the lever o. 2, is behind the latch 30: the crank p. 1, has a competent
weight p. 2, attached, and the crank p, receives on the crank pin the
vertical rod 34, which passes up to the parts that turn over the mould,
as hereafter described. The lower end of the shaft k, that passes
through the guide 19, in the frame F. 1, has a crank o. 3, on its lower end,
set in the same direction as the arm n. 1; and this crank o. 3, has around
its pin a thick washer that takes one end of a chain or catgut 33, that
is attached to the eye on the end of the arm o. 2. This chain 33, is
:

page_text: adjusted to the length between the eye on the arm o. 2, at the time the
lever o, is behind the latch 30, and the crank pin at the time the pin of
the crank o. 3, is furthest away from the eye of the arm o. 2. The object
of this arrangement is to give the shaft o, about the quarter of a revolu-
tion, with a very quick motion, and then replace the same slowly; by
this means giving a very sudden pull on the rod 34. The operation of
this part is as follows:-The shaft k, as it is rotated by the cam H, brings
the arm n. 1, just up to the pin n. 2, as the hammer raises and as it falls,
taking up a notch on the cam immediately that the hammer commences
to raise again, and the cam to move another partial rotation; the arm n. 1,
removes the latch 30, and the chain 33, hanging down loose at this
point, the lever 0, falls by its own weight, in addition to the weight p. 2,
giving the shaft o. 1, a very powerful and instantaneous motion, which is
communicated by the crank p, and rod 34, to the parts that turn over
the mould. The lever o, falling, moves the arm o. 2, so as to draw the
chain 33, tight, or nearly so; and the cam H, progressing a notch at
each blow of the hammer, rotates the crank o. 3, pulling on the arm o. 2,
until the crank pin reaches its furthest point from the eye of the arm 0.2,
at which time the lever o, has been raised, so as to take the face of the
latch 30, removing it, and passing behind the lip of the latch; the spring
31, returning the latch 30, so as to hold up the lever o, until again dis-
engaged by the arm n. 1. The cam H, in completing its revolution,
brings the crank o. 3, on the side towards the arm o. 2, slackening the
chain 33, ready for the previously described operations to be again per-
formed. Stop-blocks may be placed to catch the lever o, and weight p. 2,
when they, have fallen to the proper point, thereby taking the strain off
the chain 23, shaft o, and cranks. The parts that hold and turn
over the mould consist of a frame s, which is made to receive the parts
that move the mould horizontally, as hereafter described; and this
frames, has small projections, which we form by the head of a steel
screw in the under side, which slide on the anvil, relieving the friction
of the parts. This frames, has two small bearings r. 1, on the back
angles of the frame, which receive a small cross shaft r, which has two
crank arms 35, secured permanently to the shaft r, and the outer ends

page_text: of these crank arms 35, are e jointed at 36, to the arms 37, of the mould
frame t; this being formed, as shewn, to allow of a parchment or other
band being slid on, to hold the mould in the place marked t. 1, Fig. 1;
and a proper filling is to be placed between the frame t, and the mould,
so as to retain the mould in place, if it should be too small to fill the
inside of the frame t. The arms 37, have each a pin 40, taking the
slotted end of a connecting link 38, which is attached by a pin 39, to
the frame s, on the cross line of the centre of the mould frame t.
q, is
a lever, set on the shaft r, between one crank 35, and the bearing r. 1,
on a round part of the shaft r, so that the lever q, is allowed to turn on
the shaft: this lever q, takes on its extremity, by a fork and pin, the
upper end of the rod 34. On the side of the lever g, are supports, that
receive a sliding latch 41, with a spring around it, to press the point of
the latch towards the shaft r, so as to take above a projection t. 2,
behind one of the crank arms 35. The latch 41, has a pin 42, secured
in it, which passes through a slot in the lever q. t. 3, is a fork, coming
up on each side of the lever q, taking the pin 42: the faces of this fork
t. 3, are formed as a curve, increasing in distance from the centre of the
shaft: this fork t. 3, is supported on a plate t. 4, screwed to the frames,
and extending inwards towards the frame t, and having near its inner
end a screw 43, which is so set as to take the under side of the crank
35, and by its height determine the position to which the cranks 35
descend to. +, is a spiral spring around the shaft 1, one end of which
is attached to one crank 35, the other end attached to the frames; and
this spring is partly unwound or wound up, so as to tend to force the
ends of the cranks 35, down on to the anvil; and the spring must be
adjusted to give the proper amount of operative force to effect the
object hereafter specified. The operation of these parts is as follows,
reference being had to Figs. 1, 2, and 6-The rod 34, having the very
sudden motion given to it each rotation of the cam H, as before described,
the moment the hammer commences to lift pulls on the lever q, drawing
it down; and by its latch 41, taking the projection t. 2, gives the shaft,
about one-sixth of a revolution; and as the lever q, descends, the pin 42,
taking the fork t. 3, withdraws the latch 41, from the projection t. 2, the

page_text: fork t. 3, being so shaped as to effect this at the right point. The partial
rotation of the shaft r, lifts the cranks 35, and by the joint 36, to the
arms 37, in the centre line of the frame t, lifts the frame t, up, which,
if no other force operated on it, would be lifted bodily up, which is the
case until the pins 40, take the ends of the slots in the links 38, which
turn on their centre 39, drawing down one edge of the frame t, giving
it a rotary movement on the joints 36, until the pins 40, come into the
line of the centres of the joints 36, and 39; and at this moment the
latch 41, being disengaged from the projection t. 2, the spring + comes
into operation, to force the cranks 35, and joints 36, down towards the
anvil; and the momentum of the mould and frame having placed the
pins 40, on the other side of the centre line, the mould is returned to
place, the side resting on the anvil, which was previously upwards, and
the links 38, being the other side of the centre line, are ready to
turn the mould back again, replacing the mould, with one face on the
anvil, in its previous position. We would here remark, that the parts
will fall into and resume their proper position on the anvil without the
spring but we have found that the semi-rotation given by the sudden
operation of the rod 34, to the mould frame t, causes what is the
highest and quickest moving edge in turning over to strike with a blow
on the anvil, unless the centre is forced down at the same time to
cause the mould to come down flat on the anvil. The operation of
replacing the lever o, previously described, causes the rod 34, to rise,
carrying with it the lever g; the bevelled side of the latch 41, taking
under the projection t. 2, is forced in against the operation of its spring
until the point of the latch rises above the face of the projection t. 2,
when the spring forces the latch 41, into place again, ready to operate
as before. The object of the screw 43, under the crank 35, is to sus-
tain the cranks 35, and mould frame t, at the height required for the
frame to be central, with different thicknesses of moulds that may be
placed therein.
Fourth, the means to regulate and extend the area on which the blows
of the hammer operate.-44, is a jaw on the frames, forming a centre for
an X formed parallel motion u, composed of two bars jointed in their

page_text: centre, one end of one bar being jointed at 44, and one end of the
other bar sliding between jaws u. 1, on the frame s, with a pin in a slot
through the jaws u. 1; the other ends of these bars pass under, and have
pins 45, sliding in a slot in a bar u 2, which is slightly raised from, and
secured to, the anvil parallel to its front edge. The object of these
parallel motion bars is to allow the frame s, to move in any direction,
but always keep its edges parallel with the edges of the anvil, and with
the bars u. 2; and the sizes of these parts must be such as to allow
sufficient motion to be given to the mould, to present all parts to the
hammer. On the right side of the frame s, (these terms, right and left,
being applied, as they would be, to an attendant standing facing the
machine at the front of the anvil,) we have a plate attached or formed
with the frame s, which has a slot 46, running parallel to the right
edge of the anvil; and a similar slot 47, in the back of the plate or
frame s, at right angles to the slot 47, receives the pin 48, of a right
angle crank v, which is set on a step 49, on the back of the anvil D,
forming the fulcrum; and the other arm v. 1, of the right angle crank
extends towards the front of the machine, and takes, by a slightly
elongated hole, the pin 55, of the left side lever x, which is made nearly
or quite parallel in width, and passes through an adjustable fulcrum 53;
and near the end of the lever a, is a pin 61, which communicates a
definite motion to this end of the lever a, and moves it at the right
time, by means and as hereafter described. The slot 46, receives the
pin 54, on an arm w. 1, of the parallel lever w, which has a pin 56, to
which the moving power is applied; and 53, are two fulcrums, each of
which receives one of the levers through it. These fulcrums 53, are
that receives the lever,
made as a block, with a mortice through it,
and allows it to slide freely; and on the under side of each fulcrum-box
is a trunnion, passing through a hole in a slide v. 4, where it is secured,
but allowed to turn by a nut, see Fig. 5, which represents a section of
the slide v. 4, and fulcrum. All around the edges of the anvil D, is a
deep groove v. 2, for the purpose of catching any particles of gold that
may be blown out from between the skins of the mould by the operation
of the hammer on the air: between the skins there will be more or less

page_text: of this, and with a brush it is to be drawn together and removed.
And next, outside this groove, on the right and left sides of the anvil, is
a groove v. 3, receiving, by side grooves in the same, the slides v. 4, see
Fig. 7; these slides, v 4, have teeth on their under side, which take.a
pinion 50, one under each slide; and both pinions are set on a shaft 51,
supported in bearings 52, and passing through a hole in the column C,
with a crank handle v. 5, by which the pinions are rotated. The parts
that take the pin 56, of the lever w, and the pin 61, of the lever x,
prevent the levers moving endwise, and give them a definite movement
at the proper time, as shewn hereafter. Now, if the fulcrums 53, are
set by moving the slides v. 4, by the pinions 50, and crank handle, so
as to. stand in the centre of the length of the levevers w, and x, between
the pins 54 and 56, and 55 & 61, then any motion given to the
levers w, or a, by the pins 56, or 61, will give a motion to the mould
of the same extent; and by bringing the fulcrums 53, nearer the pins 54,
and 55, the motion will be less, being proportioned to the length of the
lever on each side of the fulcrum; so that, with a given motion by the
pins 56, and 61, a motion can be produced on the mould, from almost
nothing, up to as much or more motion than is given to the pins 56,
and 61, by merely sliding the fulcrums along; and the levers w, and a,
when at their quiescent position, being parallel with the slides v. 4, the
moving of the fulcrums does not alter the position of the mould in the
least degree. Thus we are enabled to move the mould a greater or less
amount from a given motion, thereby either increasing or decreasing
the area of the part of the part of the mould on which the hammer
operates, so as to follow up the extension of the leaf or lamina of metal
without beating outside the edge of the same..
Fifth, the means to cause the blows of the hammer to be properly
distributed on the mould.-The pin 56, is jointed to the arm w. 2, of a
right angle crank; the other arni w. 3, extends towards the centre of
the machine. 57, is the fulcrum set in the frame on which the crank
moves. This pin 57, also forms the centre for the joints of bars w. 4,
which are extended to the rear, and have an india-rubber or other
spring between them, which tends to force the front ends of the levers

page_text: w. 4, together. 59, is a pin in the frame on the centre line of the
slides v. 4; and 58, is another pin, depending from near the end of the
arm w. 2: these two pins are between the bars w. 4, and when no
power is operating on the cranks, these bars, by their spring 80, close
on to each side of the pin 59, and bring the lever w, on the line of the
slide v. 4. The lever a, is fitted with similar means; a. 1, being the
bars on the centre pin 63; 64, the fixed pin in the bed; and 62,
the pin in the end of the lever x, which is prolonged beyond the pin 61,
sufficiently for this purpose, so that the levers w, and a, are brought
parallel at the proper time, which brings the mould centrally on the
anvil. y. 1, is a slide, formed at right angles, and running from the
under side of the bed-plate c, on the central line of the machine, towards
the cam shaft k, beneath the cam H, and then passing to the left of the
machine at right angles, from the centre on the cross central line
of the cam shaft k, to the under side of a supporting arm 65; and Y, is
a similarly formed right angled slide, placed above the cam H; and
the slides y, and y. 1; are secured together, and to the bed plate c, by a
bolt 67, and by a bolt 66, to the arm 65, of the frame. The width
between the slides is to be the proper amount, and their position such
that the cam H, shall stand centrally between them when the latch 23,
is in the hole 24. These slides y, and y. 1, are formed each with a
mortice or opening, running lengthwise of the slides, the sides of which
are bevelled to form a v; and each of the mortices receives a roller 68,
that has through its centre a pin, with a small thin roller, see Fig. 11.
The pin of each of these rollers is secured in one end of a sliding fork
70, one fork being on the back, another on the left side of the machine,
between the slides y, & y. 1; the other ends of these forks form the joints
for the pins 60, and 61; the parts of these forks 70, stand above and
below the cam, and carry the rollers 68, in the slides y, y. 1; and these
forks are guided near their outer ends in and between the mortice of
the slides y, and y. 1. The small rollers that are on the pins of the rollers
68, are numbered 71, on the top, and 72, on the bottom parts of the
fork 70, on the back of the machine, see Fig. 11; and 73, is the roller
on the upper part, and 74, on the lower part of the fork 70. On the left

page_text: side of the machine, is a circular plate let into and screwed in the
recess in the top side of the cam II; and 1, is a similar plate, screwed
in the recess in the under side of the cam. In these plates grooves are
formed, passing through each plate to the body of the cam H; and these
grooves are a proper distance from the centre to give the required
motion, as hereafter described. It will be seen that when the cam
stands in the vertical central position shewn by full lines in Fig. 11, the
cam can rotate without touching the rollers 71, 72, 73, or 74; but when
the cam is raised by the lever I, so that the latch 23, takes the hole 25,
the cam H, then stands in the position shewn by dotted lines in Fig. 11,
receiving into the slots or grooves 75, in the plate, the rollers 71, and
73; and when the lever I, is lowered, the cam H, stands in the position
also shewn by dotted lines Fig. 11; the groove 76, through the plate z. 1,
receiving and operating on the rollers 72, & 74. This being the con-
struction of the parts, the operation will be seen by reference succes-
sively to Figs. 8, 9, & 10, which shew the way the cam is made to
move the mould, so that the hammer falls on the right points for beating
the centre," the "diagonal," and the "planing motions."
66
Fig. 8, shews the form of the groove in the cam which we usually
make the upper plate for beating the centre motion, and also the lines
illustrating the motion of the parts, so as to make the hammer fall in
the positions denoted by numbers on the mould, which positions are the
resultant from the motion of cam taken by the rollers at the points
marked with the corresponding numbers. The cam H, being rotated
one tooth at a time in the direction of the arrow, as the hammer lifts
each successive tooth comes into line with the centres of the slides y, y. 1;
and by reference to Fig. 8, and bearing in mind the construction of the
parts, the operation of the groove to place the mould correctly will be
understood. The rollers 71, and 73. are equidistant from the centre of
the shaft, when quiescent, and the cam is to be laid out, so that there
are four quarter points where the groove coincides with the rollers, so
that the cam can be raised, and also that the levers will not be operated
on by the cam at this point, consequently the mould will be returned to
the central position by the springs. The cam is to be laid out with two

page_text: circular lines, as shewn, equidistant each side of this centre line, which
coincides with the rollers, the distance between these circles being about
the same as from the centre to the edge of the mould. Now, com-
mencing with the cam in the position shewn in Fig. 8, the roller 71, is
drawn towards the centre, moving the mould through the levers to the left
while the roller 73, is not operated on; the groove at this point being
circular; then the roller 71, coming into the inner circular groove, is
held stationary; the roller 73, being removed from the centre draws the
mould towards the back of the machine, and when the eighth blow is
struck, and the cam again commences to move, the roller 73, passes
down the incline between the points 8, and 1, on the cam, by the
operation of the spring 80, and lever x. 1, bringing the lever a, parallel
to the centre of the machine; the lever w, is similarly operated on at the
same time by the bars w. 4, which brings the rollers 71, away from the
shaft ke, to the former central position, causing the blow No. 1, in all cases
to be struck in the centre; and, by following the cam in its complete rota-
tion, it will be seen to place the mould so that the blows fall on the places
denoted; the numbers on the mould corresponding with the numbers on
the teeth of the cam, that will will be in the line of the slides y, y. 1, the
mould being beat in quarter sections, and returned every eighth blow to
the centre; and when the cam arrives at the place of beginning, or at
any of the other points where the mould comes to the centre, the turn-
over motion described is set so as to come into operation, and turn the
mould over, when the hammer will fall on the opposite side on the same
points from one to four, and being the other side up, the mould receives
the blows from five to eight, in the position denoted by the small dotted
circles on the mould. It will be understood that the central beating is
brought into operation raising the cam H, after the hammer has
been allowed to beat in the centre of the mould a sufficient length of
time, the same as in the hand process, with the cam standing in its
central vertical position working the turn-over, but not moving the
levers w, and a, or parts attached. The workman brings this central
beating into work for the purpose of carrying out a thick corner, as
before stated; and when this has been in work a proper length of time,

page_text: he brings the diagonal beating motion into operation, to extend the
corner and beat the leaf of metal out nearly square and even in thick-
ness, by lowering the cam, so that the groove 76, in the plate z. 1, takes
the rollers 72, and 74. But according to the character of the metal,
so in the operation either mode of beating may be brought successively
into play, as required by circumstances.
The formation of this groove 76, in- the plate . 1, is shewn in Fig. 9,
with its operation; and in this Fig. the plate z. 1, is shewn in plan
from above, as with the body of the cam removed. Starting from the
point 1, on the cam, as before, the blow 1, falls on the centre, and the
cam moving to the points 2, the roller 72, is drawn inwards, moving
the mould by the levers to the left; and at the same time the slot 76,
moves the roller 74, to the left, and by the levers moves the mould
towards the back of the machine. These two operations together make
the blow fall on the point 2, on the diagonal line from the centre to the
corner of the mould. The slots, thus proceeding to operate on the rollers
72, and 73, cause the blows marked 3, and 4, to be given by the
hammer in the diagonal line, when the roller 72, coming into the inner
part of the slot 76, between the Nos. 5, & 8, which is the arc of
a circle to the centre, remains stationary; while the roller 74, is drawn
into the centre, moving the mould towards the front, causing the blows
5, 6, 7, & 8, to fall on the line of the side in the positions denoted by
the corresponding numbers on the mould, when the springs return the
mould to the centre; and thus the groove 76, continues to operate, and
each quarter of the mould is beaten, the blows falling in the position
denoted by the corresponding numbers. With these various motions
and styles of beating the mould is completed. The Figs. 8, & 9,
represent, for convenience of illustration, the fulcrums 53, at the centre
of the length of the levers w, and a; but, as before described, when the
hammer has been allowed to beat in one spot in the centre, the same
as by hand, the fulcrums are to be drawn by the handle as near to the
front ends of the levers w; and e, as possible, so as to cause the beating
to be on a small area, and then, by moving the fulcrum from time to
time towards the centres of the levers, the area of beating is extended

page_text: as the leaf of metal is enlarged; but it is to be-distinctly borne in mind,
that the same number of blows are struck, and in the same propor-
tionate distance and position from each other, the area of the blows
being diminished or enlarged as a whole.
.
The whole process of beating leaves or laminæ of metal is not
complete without the means to effect the beating of the "plane," which
is the preparation of the skins, as before described, which requires a
motion to beat all around the edge, beating about thirty-two blows, eight
near each side. To effect this, we use precisely the same machine, with
the exception, that the slot in the plate z, is differently shaped. We may
either have another cam to place in the same machine that performs
the other operations, or a separate machine, precisely similar, may be
used to beat the "plane." The under plate z. 1, of the cam is precisely
the same as before for the "diagonal beating," the groove in the upper
plate being shewn in Fig. 10. It will be seen by inspection of said
Fig. 10, that to enable us to raise the cam up to take the rollers 71,
& 73, at either of the points 1, we have to put in two secondary
grooves 78, which run on the central circular line of the cam, till they
intersect the groves 77, these grooves 78, being no use after the cam has
made a quarter of a revolution. We now suppose the cam to have
moved from the position shewn, until the slot 77, takes the roller 73, at
which time the roller 71, will have been drawn into the circular arc,
from the points 5 to 5, remains stationary, with the mould removed to
the left of the machine; the blow 1, is struck in the centre of one side,
and then the roller 73, being moved by the slot through the levers,
causes the mould to move towards the back till No. 5, is struck.
when the roller 73, remains stationary, holding the mould to the
back, and the roller 71, moves the mould from left to right in a
straight line; and so the cam proceeds to operate on the rollers, and
through the levers on the mould, beating all around in a square, the
size of which can be extended or diminished by the adjustable fulcrums
53, as before; and, if required, the cam may be lowered to bring
the diagonal beating to operate to beat the plane or mould, as before
noticed.

page_text: to say,
Having thus described the machine, and its consecutive operations,
and detailed the effects of each successive part, we do not deem it
necessary to describe the operation of the machine as a whole. Suffice
that it produces, by a little attention, precisely the same effects as
those detailed as being performed by hand, and works in harmony, the
lammer being regularly propelled, the requisite number of blows per
minute, the "turn over" is effected between the blows of the hammer,
with an unerring certainty, by the sudden means herein described; and
when the central diagonal or planing motions are in work, the turn-
over operates as before; and by watching the time when the turn-over is
made, the cam can be either raised or lowered, at either quarter point
of the motion, without stopping the machine; and the mould is " rifled"
when required, as in the hand process, by being removed from the machine.
Sixth, variations.- In the cam for moving the hammer we may use
more than two points to raise the hammer. Variations may be made
in the means for turning over the mould; two rods 34, may be used,
and the cranks 35, disconnected from the shaft r, and latches put on
each lever to disconnect the parts, and allow them to turn over; or a
semi-rotary movement may be given to the shaft o. 1, so as to draw
down and then push up on the rod 34, without the latch 41. But the
means herein shewn are, we believe, the best for the purpose herein
described. But we are not aware of any mechanical means being used
to raise the mould from the anvil, and simultaneously or subsequently
turn the same, and replace it with the opposite face resting on the anvil
before we accomplish the same. The main cam H, as before noted,
may be made to rotate with a greater or less number of blows of the
hammer than thirty-two, although we believe this number best adapted
for the purpose; and the plates 2, 1, instead of being formed with a
groove, may have a projection or bead, which will produce the same
effect.; and the cam H, instead of being circular and flat, may be made
as a cylinder, or as separate cams, although we do not recommend the
same. And it will be seen that the main feature of our cam is, that one
groove, operating on the slides and rollers set at right angles to the
centre and to each other, moves the mould so as to operate on the four

page_text: quarters successively, which would not be the case were the slides
set opposite or at 180° to each other on the cam; and the fork 70,
nstead of being sustained by the guide slides Y, and y. 1, may be
made with slides on the ends of themselves, passing through slides
on the frame without the roller 68, although we prefer that herein
shewn. And the fulcrums 53, may be adjusted by screws instead of the
rack and pinions 50; or the levers w, and a, may be arranged in any
other manner, so as to produce a greater or less motion on the mould,
from a given motion of the cam or its equivalent. The arrangement of
the side levers and springs may be so changed as to bring the left side
to the right, and vica versà; and the lever I, may be moved up and down
by a screw or other means, although we believe the arrangement shewn
to be the best.
Seventh, disclaimers and claims.-We do not intend to confine or
limit ourselves to the application of these means to beating leaves or
lamina of gold, but to use this machine to beat any article to which
it
may be applicable. And it will be seen that our turn-over motion
may be applied to a plate, or similar article or articles that require
to be beat on both sides. And tlie arrangement herein shewn of means
for extending or decreasing a given motion may be applied to move
any article in the given direction, and extend or decrease the area of
such motion as required. And we do not intend to limit ourselves to
the sizes or proportions of the parts, nor their precise arrangement
relatively with each other, but to vary them as circumstances may
require. We do not claim the hammer, or the means for moving the
same; neither do we claim the use of cams to move the mould. But
what we desire to secure by Letters Patent is,-
First, we claim the cams g. 1, lever g, spring 16, and rod h, to give
motion to the click i, and cam H, as specified.
Second, we claim lifting the mould or its equivalent from the anvil,
and simultaneously or subsequently turning the same by competent
mechanical means, substantially such as herein described, or their
equivalents, so that it is replaced with the side that was previously on
the anvil, exposed to the blows of the hammer.

page_text: Third, we claim we claim the arm u. 1, latch 30, levers o, and o. 2,
chain 33, and crank o. 3, or their equivalents, in combination with a
weighted arm, or its equivalent, to give a sudden partial rotation to the
shaft o, 1, as specified.
Fourth, we claim in combination the lever q. latch 40, cranks
35, frame t, and links 38, or their equivalents, whereby the mould or
its equivalent is lifted from the anvil, and turned and replaced, as
described.
Fifth, we claim the application of the rollers 71, 72, 73, and 74, or
other suitable mechanical means, set and moving at right angles with
each other, and to the centre of the cam shaft, to take and communicate
the motion given by a properly formed groove or bead in or on the face
of the cam H, to the mould, so as to place it in the proper position to
receive the blows of the hammer, to beat each quarter of the mould, as
described and shewn.
Sixth, we claim moving the mould, or its equivalent, over areas
of different size, by means of the same cam, through the agency of
mechanical contrivances, substantially such as herein described, as
applied to the devices which transmit motion from the cam to the
mould.
Seventh, we claim the arrangement of the slides y, and y. 1, rollers 68,
forks 70, with the cranks w. 2, w. 3, and v, v. 1, and levers w, and a,
to communicate motion given by the cam to the rollers 71, 72, 73, and
74, to the mould through its frame s, substantially as described and
shewn.
Eighth, we claim the adjustable fulcrums 53, and slides v. 4, in
combination with the levers w, and x, for the purpose specified.
Ninth, we claim the parallel motion bars u, and slotted bar u. 2, in
combination with the slots 46, and 47, in the frame s, whereby the
mould and frame has a free motion at the same time that it is kept
parallel with the sides of the anvil or the slotted bar u. 2.
Tenth, we claim the arrangement of the bars w. 4, and x. 1, and
springs 80, and pins 58, and 59, and 62, 64, or their equivalents, as
applied to return the mould to its central position, when commencing

page_text: shewn.
In witness whereof, we, the said Robert Bostwick Ruggles and
Lemuel Wright Serrell, have hereunto set our hands and seals,
this Ninth day of August, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
three.