IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR MAKING NAILS
Year: 1842

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
TUDOR MABLEY, of Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, in the County of
Middlesex, Mechanical Draftsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date
at Westminster, the Twenty-third day of May, in the fifth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
William Tudor Mabley, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said William Tudor Mabley, my executors, admini-
strators, and assigns, and such others as I, the said William Tudor Mabley,
my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with;
and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years
therein mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend
within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in
all Her Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, and in the Islands of
Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, an Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR MAKING NAILS;" being a commu-
nication from a foreigner residing abroad, in which said Letters Patent is
contained a proviso, obliging me, the said William Tudor Mabley, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same,"
reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William Tudor Mabley, do hereby declare that the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, re-
ference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and
figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
This Invention of improvements in machinery or apparatus for making
nails applies to that class of nail-making apparatus generally known as cut
nail machinery, and consists,-
Firstly, in a peculiar combination and construction of mechanical parts and
motions forming a cut-nail machine. The essential novelty in this head of the
Invention consisting in the employment of two heading tools or apparatus, one
being placed at each side of the machine and coming into operation alternately
upon the strips of metal as they are cut off by the operation of the machine;
by this arrangement the operation of turning the strip of metal now practised
is avoided, a simple reciprocating motion merely being necessary in order to
present the wider end of the nails alternately to the headers.
Secondly, this Invention consists in a peculiar method of cutting plates of
metal into what are commonly called bills and brads for shoemakers' or
joiners' use.
Thirdly, this Invention consists in certain methods of feeding cut-nail
machinery of the ordinary construction, whereby the constant attendance of
the workman is rendered unnecessary..
The several Figures in Sheets 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the accompanying Drawings
represent the improved arrangement of cut-nail machinery, constituting the
first head of the Invention.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine complete; Figure 2 is a plan
or horizontal view of the same; Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section ;
Figure 4 is an end view, and Figure 5 an elevation of the contrary side of the
machine to that shewn at Figure 1. The several Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
representing detached views of parts of the machine. In all the Figures
above mentioned similar figures and letters denote the like parts; and in
describing this machine I shall, firstly point out the arrangement, construction,
and operation of the several motions singly; and, subsequently, the combined
motion necessary for the production of nails.
Rotary motion is communicated to the machine from any suitable motive
power through the driving pulley affixed to the main shaft a, a, which shaft
is mounted in bearings formed upon the framing b, b, b, b, of the machine.
The strip of metal to be cut into nails is placed upon a flat plate c, c, c,

page_text: as shewn by the red color at d, d, passing at the inward end of the plate c, c,
through a guide piece e, e, affixed thereon, as seen best in the detached
view, Figure 11. On the upper side of the plate c, c, are attached two
guide pieces f; f, within which a sliding piece 9, 9, 9, is drawn forward during
the operation of the machine by the weighted cord h, h, h, attached theréto
by means of a hook which passes through a slot c, formed within the
plate c; by this motion carrying forward the strip of metal to be operated
upon as the nails are successively cut therefrom. The outward end of
the plate c; c, is connected by means of a centre pin i, i, to the bar j, j
which bar vibrates in a stationary guide, *; turning at its inward end
upon a centre pin k, attached to the framework of the machine, as seen
in Figure 8. To the bar j, j, is attached the armi 1, 1, 1, which is connected
by means of a pin to the rod m, m, the other end of the latter rod being
connected to the lower end of a vibrating lever n, n, as seen in Figure 5;
and by dots in Figure 3; the lever n, n, about its middle, turns on a
centre pin o, attached to the framework of the machine, its upper end
terminating in a fork which embraces the eccentric p, which eccentric is
mounted upon the rotary shaft q, q, turning on suitable bearings upon the
framework of the machine, rotary motion being communicated thereto by means
of the toothed wheel r, taking into a pinion s, mounted upon the main driving
shaft a, a: By this arrangement it will be perceived that as the shaft q, q, and
with it the eccentric p, p, revolve, that a vibrating motion will be given to the
lever n, n; and from thence through the arm 1, 1, to the bar jj, which turning
upon its centre at k, and being connected to the pláte c, c; c, c, at its outward
end by means of the pin i, i, communicates the like vibrating motion thereto,
thereby presenting the strip of metal to the cutter, so that the wedge-shaped
piece for forming the nail may be cut off with the broader end, first on one
side of the machine, and at the next operation of the cutter at the other side
thereof. In order to bring the necessary quantity of metal for forming the
head of the nail alternately on each side of the machine, the following arrange-
ment is adopted: A projecting arm u is attached to the under side of the
plate c, c, which arm has a fork formed on its outward end, embracing the
upper end of a lever v, v, which lever turns on a centre w attached to a
stationary part of the machine; the lever v, v, has an aperture formed therein,
through which a short rod x, a, passes freely, one extremity of this rod being
affixed to the vibrating bar j, j, between which and the lever v, v, and around
the short rod x, x, is placed a coiled spring y; on the other side of the
lever v, v, a similar coil spring y* is placed, its outward extremity abutting
against a projection formed upon the rod x, x; the action of this part of the

page_text: In the
feeding apparatus will be best understood by referring to Figure 4.
position here shewn, the bar j, j, is at the extent of its vibrating motion toward
the right-hand side of the machine, and by referring to Figure 2, it will also
be perceived that the inward extremity of the plate c, c, is in contact with the
adjustable stop piece z, but when by the operation of the eccentric p the
bar j, j, shall have turned upon its centre at k, in order to bring the broader end
of the intended nail to the other side of the machine, the short rod x, x, will
have been carried therewith into the position shewn by the dotted line in
Figure 4, carrying with it, by means of the intervening spring y*, the upright
lever v, v, which turned upon its fixed centre at w causes, by means of the
forked arm u, the plate c, c, and consequently the strip of metal under
operation, to turn upon the centre pin i, independantly of the vibrating motion
produced by the eccentric p, p; by this motion, bringing the plate c, c, in
contact with the adjustable stop or guage 2*, the intervention of the spring y*,
causing it to be held there until the cutter has descended and severed the
metal for forming the nail; after which the several parts are, by the means
before described, again brought to the position shewn in the Figures. The
lever v, v, at this time carrying the plate c, c, against the adjustable stop or
guage, through. the intervention of the spring y.
When, through the operation of the machine, the whole length of the strip of
metal has been operated upon, the attendant raises the handle 1 attached to the
rod m, m, from the pin by which it is connected thereto, and then by means
of the handle 2, draws back the sliding piece g, g, when another strip of metal
being placed upon the plate c, c, c, and the rod m, m, restored to its connection
with the pin on the bar j, the operation will go on as above described.
The stationary cutter and dies, which are of the ordinary construction, are
mounted in the box 3, 3; and the mode in which this is accomplished will be
best seen at Figure 12, which is a detached section of this part of the apparatus
within the box 3, 3; a double wedge-shaped piece 4, 4, is affixed, against which
and on each side thereof, are placed the stationary dies 5, 5, and they are adjusted
securely in their proper positions by means of the set screws 6, 6; on the top of
these is placed the stationary cutter 7, 7, (see Fig. 3,) adjusted by the set screws
8, 8; the moveable cutter is shewn at 9, 9, mounted in the beam 10, 10, 10, and
properly adjusted therein by means of the set screws 11, 11, 11; the beam 10 is
mounted upon an axis 12, turning in stationary bearings 13, 13; to the tail
end of the beam is attached, by means of the pin 14, the connecting rod 15,
which rod, at its upper end, is connected to a crank formed upon the main
shaft a, a, of the machine, by which arrangement the cutter 9, 9, descends at
each revolution of the main shaft in order to cut off the wedge-shaped piece of

page_text: metal intended to form the nail. The spring guage, ordinarily in use in nail-
cutting machines, for the purpose of determining the width of metal to be
severed from the strip is shewn at 16, 16, it turns upon a centre pin 17
passed through the head of the beam 10, 10, and is kept forward against the
cutter 9, 9, by means of the spiral spring 18; the upper end of the guage
arriving in contact with the set screw 19, when the strip of metal is about to
be severed, as shewn in Figure 3. The nipper and holding dies are mounted
in the sliding piece 20, 20; the former, however, having an independant motion
therein; it consists of a straight bar of metal 21, 21, moving in a groove 22, 22,
formed within the sliding piece 20, 20, (see Figure 3, and detached plan and
sectional views of the slide 20, Figures 6 and 7). To the nipper 21, 21,
is connected a bridle piece 23, which moves in a slot, formed in the
slide 20, 20; to the upper side of this bridle piece is connected a lever 24, 24,
turning upon a centre pin 24* affixed to a stationary part of the machine;
the outward end of the lever 24 is connected to a lever 25, 25, which turns.
upon a centre 26, attached to the framework of the machine, the other.
end of the lever 25, 25, being held in contact with a cam 27, mounted
upon the main driving shaft a, a, by means of a spiral spring 28, (see
Figure 5,) by which arrangement the lever 25, 25, is caused to vibrate on
its centre at 26, turning the lever 24 upon its centre at 24*; and thereby
causing the nipper 21, 21, to advance in the groove 22, 22, towards the
stationary dies for the purpose of holding the nail, and to recede there-
from as in ordinary nail-cutting machines; the moveable or holding dies are
shewn at 28, 28; they are placed in grooves, 29, 29, formed within the
sliding piece 20, 20, confined therein by means of tightening screws 29*, 29*
and kept forward in their proper positions by means of the wedges 30, 30,
which pass through the sliding piece 20, 20 and are capable of being raised
by means of the set screws 31, 31, in order to regulate the gripe upon the
nail. The sliding piece 20, 20 moves in a dove-tailed mortice formed within
the bed 32, 32, 32, see Figures 8 and 9 which are detached views of this
part of the apparatus; Figures 8 and 9 being plan and sectional views of the
bed 32, and Figure 10 an end view of the bed and slide 20; one side of the
dovetailed mortice is formed by a moveable wedge-shaped piece 33, 83, which
is capable of being forced forwards by means of the set screw 34, in order to
keep the sliding piece 20, 20 in its proper direction. A pin 35 passes through
the tail of the cutter beam 10, 10, against which pin is placed the short toggle
joint lever 36, see Figure 3, which lever at its other end acts against a pin 37,
attached to the end of the sliding piece 20, 20, by which arrangement, as the
cutter ascends and the other end thereof descends, the toggle joint lever 36

page_text: will force forward the sliding piece 20, 20, and holding dies 28, 28, into the
position shewn in the several Figures. Upon the sliding piece 20, 20 are
formed two ears or lugs 38, 38, (see Figures 6 and 10) to which are connected,
by means of the pin 37, two links 39, 39; their other ends being connected to
the pin 35, by which means the slide 20 and holding dies 28 are brought back
as the cutter descends and the tail of the cutter beam descends. In order to
remove the holding dies the wedges 30, 30, are to be removed when the slide
is drawn back, the dies being then withdrawn at the back of the machine
through the grooves 29, 29, which as will be seen, extend throughout the
whole length of the sliding piece 20, 20; or, should it be desired to remove the
nipper, the bridle piece 23 is to be loosened and the nipper withdrawn through
the groove 22, 22.
The heading pins, of which, as before stated, there are two in this
improved arrangement of nail-cutting machinery, are shewn at 40, 40*,
moving in sockets formed in the framework of the machine, and they are
alternately brought into contact with the severed strips of metal at each side
of the machine by means of the set screw 42, 42*, mounted in the levers
43, 43*, striking against them. The lever 43 is mounted upon a shaft 44
turning in bearings 45, 45, of the framework of the machine; to the shaft 44
is attached the short arm 46, the other end thereof being yoked to the con-
necting rod 47 by means of a ball and socket joint; the upper end of the rod
47 is connected to a crank 48, formed upon the shaft q, q, hence, by the.
rotation of this shaft, the connecting rod 47 will be forced upwards, and down:
wards, turning the lever 43 by means of the arm 46 upon its centre 45, and
thereby causing that lever to advance upon and recede from the heading pin.
40, the forward motion thereof causing the heading of the nail to be effected,
and the backward motion thereof bringing back the heading pin 40 by means
of the yoke piece 48, which is attached at one end to the lever 43, and at its
other, placed into slots formed in the sides of the heading pin. To the tail end
of the lever 43 is connected the rod 49, which rod is in like manner connected
to the tail end of the other heading lever 43* which turns in bearings 45*, 45*;
hence as the lever 43, by the means above described, is withdrawn after the
operation of heading the nail, the opposite lever 43* will, by means of the
connecting rod 49, bring the set screw 42* in contact with the heading pin 40*,
as shewn in the Drawings; but on the leaver 43 again advancing upon the
heading die 40, the lever 43* and heading pin 40* will, by means of the.
connecting rod 49, be in like manner withdrawn, and so alternately during the
operation of the machine.
In order to prevent the liability of the nail remaining in the stationary.

page_text: dies until another piece of metal is severed by the cutters, an apparatus
called a clearer is employed, the construction and operation of which is.
as follows: It consists of a thin strip of metal 50, extending from a
bar 51, 51, which bar is cranked donwards and turns upon centre pins 52, 52,
affixed to the bed on each side of the machine. To the cranked part of
the bar 51, 51, is jointed, by means of a pin, a rod 53, 53, which passes
through guides 54, 54, attached to the framework of the machine, between
which guides is placed a spiral spring 55, the upper end thereof abutting
against a pin passed through the rod 53. Upon the fly wheel mounted
upon the main shaft a, a, is fixed a projecting cam 56, which, as the fly
wheel revolves, arrives in contact with the rod 53, 53, thereby forcing that rod
down, and causing the bar 51, 51, to turn quickly upon its centres 52, 52, by
which means the clearer 50 is brought down into the position shewn by. red
lines in Figure 3, but on the cam 56; having passed from its contact with
the rod 53, the spiral spring 55 will immediately bring the clearer again
into the position shewn in the several Figures.
The construction and operation of the several motions having thus been
separately described, the combined operation thereof, in order to form nails,
will be readily understood from the following explanation:-In the position
assumed by the various parts, as shewn in the several Figures before referred
to, the nipper 21, 21, has advanced upon the severed piece of metal, holding
it against the stationary dies 5, 5; the moveable or holding dies 28, 28,
have also advanced, closing upon the intended nail, which is now being headed
by the action of the lever 43* upon the heading pin 40*, which having been
accomplished, the machine commences its operation upon another nail; the
first movement for affecting this is the descent of the cutter 9, 9, effected by
the revolution of the main shaft a, a, drawing up the tail end of the cutter
beam 10, 10, the strip of metal to be severed being pressed under. the cutter
9, 9, and against the spring guage 16, 16; during this operation, (viz.) the
descent of the cutter 9, the revolution of the main shaft a, a, has brought
the lower part of the cam 27 into contact with the upper end of the lever
25, 25, which, by means of the spring 28; is forced thereon, sliding back
the nipper 21, 21, as before described; simultaneously also with the descent
of the cutter, the slide 20, 20, and consequently holding dies 28, 28, are
drawn back by means of the links 39, 39, connected to the tail end of
the cutter beam 10, 10, by which time the cutter 9, 9, will have arrived
in contact with the strip of metal to be severed, which is 'then cut off
in the usual manner; immediately on which the larger diameter of the cam 27
arrives in contact with the lever 25, 25, moving forward the nipper 21, 21,
'

page_text: in order to hold the intended nail; the slide 20, 20, and holding dies 28, 28,
are then brought forward by the descent of the connecting rod 15, and conse-
quent action of the toggle joint lever 36; during this operation the revolution
of the shaft q, q, has, by means of the crank 48 and connecting rod 47, raised
the heading lever 43, driving in the heading pin 40; and this having been
accomplished, the projecting cam 56 arrives in contact with the rod 53, carry-
ing down the clearer 50 into the position shewn by red lines in Figure 3, and
thus ensuring the fall of the finished nail through the aperture 57 into any
convenient receptacle below. By this time the revolution of the shaft q, q, will,
by means of the eccentric p, have caused the lever n, n, to vibrate, as before
described, carrying with it the plate c, c, c, and causing the strip of metal
under operation to assume an opposite angle with respect to the cutters as
above described; the upright lever v, v, causing that part of the strip of metal
intended to form the head to be passed over towards the heading pin 40%,
which, after the advance of the nipper and holding dies, is brought into action
by the descent of the crank 48 turning the lever 43, (which has just headed a
nail,) upon its centre 44. It will be perceived that the shaft q, q, from which
the heading motion is derived, and from which also the vibrating motion of
the strip to be cut is taken, receives its motion from the main shaft a, a, at a
speed equal to one-half of the latter, for it is obvious that with the employment
of two heading dies acting alternately, each one will operate only for two
downward motions of the cutter, and that one revolution of the eccentric p will
cause the strip of metal to vibrate to and fro, presenting it in suitable positions
for forming two nails.
The improved method by which those descriptions of nails called bills
and brads are cut from plates of metal is shewn in Sheets 5 and 6 of the
accompanying Drawings. In order to form what are commonly called shoe
bills, the plate of metal to be cut into such articles is first submitted to
the action of a pair of cutters of corresponding form, one of which is shewn
at Figure 13; the operation of these cutters will necessarily cut the edge.,
of the plate into a serrated or toothed form, as represented in the face view
of a strip so cut at Figure 14; this operation having been effected, the
strip of metal is passed under another pair of cutters having plain cutting
edges, as represented at Figure 15, by which latter cutters the strip of metal
is severed in the direction shewn by the dotted line a, b, in Figure 14, by
which means a series of triangular pieces, constituting the like number of shoe
bills, are separated therefrom, the plate then assuming the plain edged form
represented in Fig. 14; after this the strip of metal again passes to the first
pair of cutters, Figure 13, there to be again cut into the form represented at

page_text: Figure 14, by which means another series of shoe bills will be separated, and
so on, until the whole strip is cut up. The apparatus used for effecting this
operation may be arranged according to various combinations of mechanical
parts.
Figures 16 to 19, Sheets 5 and 6, of the accompanying Drawings represent
one plan which may be adopted. Figure 16 represents a side elevation
of the machine complete; Figure 17 a sectional plan of the same, taken
in the line A, B, of Figure 16; Figure 18 is a longitudinal vertical section,
and Figure 19 an end view; in all of which Figures similar letters and figures
denote the like parts. The framework of the machine is shewn at a, a, a,
upon the upper part of which is mounted the main driving shaft b, b, to which
rotary motion is communicated by means of the riggers shewn in the Drawing;
on the shaft b, b, are formed two cranks c, c, which cranks are placed
at right angles to each other, and by means of the rods d, d, are connected
to frames e, e, in which frames are mounted and adjusted, by means of
set screws, the moveable cutters f. f*; the frames e, e*, slide in V-grooves,
formed in the standards a, a, a, of the machine, and hence, by the rota-.
tion of the shaft b, b, the cutter frames with their cutters will be moved
upwards and downwards in such manner that when one is at the upward
extent of its motion the other shall be at the downward extent thereof. 9, 9*,.
represent two stationary cutters, corresponding to the two reciprocating cutters
ff; they are placed in mortices formed in a portion of the framework of the
machine, and are capable of adjustment by means of the set screws h, h, h, h,
and may be raised, when reduced by grinding, by means of the wedges i, i;
one pair of these cutters, say f, g, are grooved into the form represented at
Figure 13, the teeth of the one corresponding to the spaces of the other; the
other pair f, g, have plain cutting edges, as represented at Figure 14*. The
strip of metal to be cut is placed on a travelling table k, k, k, as shewn by red
color in the several Figures, to the under part of this table are attached dove-
tailed pieces 1, 1, moving in similarly shaped grooves m, m, formed by the bars
n, n, attached to the upper part of the framework of the machine. To the
under part of the travelling table k, k, are also attached the rods o, o, which at
their other ends are connected to vibrating levers p, p, mounted upon the
longitudinal shaft q, q; at one end of this shaft. is affixed a crank 1, which is
jointed to the upright rod s, 5, which at its upper end is of a forked shape,
passing on each side of the main shaft b, b, within a groove formed in a boss
t, t, attached thereto. Upon the upper part of the rod 8, s, are affixed two
pins u, u, which are acted upon alternately by the cam v, by which means
the rods, 8, is alternately raised and depressed as the shaft b, b, revolves

page_text: thereby through the crank r, causing the shaft q, q, to vibrate upon its centre,
and communicate a similar motion to the levers p, p, causing by means of
the connecting rods o, o, the travelling table k, k, k, to move forwards
and backwards, carrying the plate of metal under operation alternately from
one set of cutters to the other. On the upper side of the travelling
table k, k, k, a dovetailed groove is formed, into which is placed a sliding
piece w, w, one end thereof abutting against the plate of metal under
operation; a pin passing through a longitudinal slot in the table k is
affixed to this sliding piece, to which is attached one end of a cord x, x, x,
which, after passing over a small guide y, is secured at its other end to a fusee z,
which fusee is mounted upon a shaft turning in the brackets 1, 1*; between
one of these brackets and the fusee 2, is a box 2, containing an ordinary
barrel spring, one end of such spring being attached to the bracket 1*, and
the other to the fuseer, by which means the fusee is caused to revolve,
drawing the cord x, x, x, over the pulley y, and consequently bringing forward
the sliding piece w, w, and plate of metal under operation, as the nails are suc-
cessively cut therefrom. The width of metal to be severed, in order to form
the required shoe bill, is determined by means of the gauges 3,.3, attached by
means of adjusting screws to the cutter frames e, e*, which gauges extend from
the outside of one pair of cutters to the outside of the other, in order that the
plate of metal, when traversing from the one pair to the other, may meet
with no obstruction to that motion, In the position of the machine represented
in the Drawings, the plate of metal has been cut by the cutters f, g, into the
serrated form shewn in Figure 14, and by the operation of the cam v, acting
upon the rod s, as before described, carried under the other pair of cutters
f*, *, when on the shaft b, continuing to revolve the crank c*, will descend,
carrying with it the cutter f*, by means of the connecting rod d*, severing the
series of shoe bills partly formed by the cutters f, g, from the plate of metal,
that part of the cam v, which revolves in contact with the pin * during this
operation, being concentric to the shaft b, and therefore not producing any
motion of the table k, k; but immediately after this operation has taken place,
the cam will raise to the the pin u* and rod s, &c., thereby traversing the table
k, and plate of metal to be operated upon opposite to the other pair of dies f, g,
the spring 2 windling the cord x, x, upon the fusee z, thereby pushing forward
the plate of metal, by means of the sliding piece w under the serrated cutter f,
which, descending by means of the crank c, severs the metal again into the
form represented at Figure 14. The cam v, during this operation, again
running.concentrically to its shaft against the pin u, after which, the table k is
again, traversed to the cutters f*, 9*, and so on alternately until the whole of

page_text: the plate of metal is cut up, after which, the attendant draws back the sliding
piece w, by means of the handle 4, and places another plate thereon as before..
In order to form joiners' brads (that is to say), those which have a projecting
bill or head on one side, the only alteration required will be in the form of the
cutters fand g. Figure 20 represents in section a cutter suitably formed for
effecting this object, this cutter being placed in the machine above described,
and in the situations mark f, g, will cut the plate of metal under operation
into the form represented at Figure 21, the plate of metal is then, by the:
operations of the machine, carried to the plain cutters as at f*, g*,.and there.
severed in the direction of the dotted line, Figure 21, which separates the
series of brads. from the plate of metal.
a,
The third head of this Invention (viz.), certain modes of feeding nail-cutting
machines of the ordinary construction, with strips of metal, is shewn in Sheets
7 and 8 of the accompanying Drawings. In Sheet 7, Figures 22 represents in
side elevation a partial view of an ordinary nail-cutting machine, with these
improvements applied thereto; Figure 23 is a plan view of the same; and
Figure 24 a front end elevation of the feeding apparatus, of which Figure 25:
is a vertical transverse section; in all of which Figures similar letters and
figures denote the like parts, those portions which are new being shaded, and
those which are old being represented in outline. The operating parts of the
feeding apparatus are carried by a framework a, which is supported by a
pillar a; to the upper part of the framework a, a, is connected, by means of a
pin, a vibrating rod b, b, to this rod is affixed a pin c, taking into a slot formed
in a rod 6, 6, which rod is here shewn as taking its motion from the beam A
of the machine, by which means, as the cutter beam vibrates upon its centre B,
the lever.b is caused to vibrate to and fro upon its centre c*; the lower end of
the lever b, b, is hollow, and provided with a plunger d, which is pressed out-
wards by means of the spiral spring e; this plunger works in grooves formed.
upon the hollow cylinder f,f, which cylinder turns in sockets formed within
the framework a, a. In order to explain the construction of the cylinder f,f,
it is shewn detached on an enlarged scale in two views at Figures 26 and 27,
it has two spiral grooves g, g*, formed thereon, each of such spiral grooves:
extending through one-half of the circumference of the cylinder, and they are.
connected together by means of two longitudinal grooves h, h*, within which
grooves the plunger d of the lever b vibrates backwards and forwards, as above.
described, in order to communicate rotary motion thereto. The bottom of the:
longitudinal grooves h, h*, are inclined planes, rising gradually from the right
hand end of Figure 26 to the point marked i in Figures 25 and 26 by which:
means a step is formed, descending from the horizontal grooves h, 1*, to the

page_text: spiral grooves g, g*. Suppose the plunger d of the lever 6 to be in the position
shewn in the figures on the descent of the cutter beam A, the vibrating lever b
will have carried the plunger d to the position shewn by the red lines in
Figures 25 and 26, at which time the spiral spring e will force the plunger
down into the spiral groove g; the cutter beam A then rises, carrying back the
vibrating lever b, which being prevented by means of the step i from moving as
before along the longitudinal groove h acts against the inclined plane of the
spiral groove g, and thereby causes the cylinder f to revolve, by which means
it is carried round one-half a revolution in the direction of the arrow, Figure
27, by which revolution the other longitudinal groove h* will have been brought
into the position shewn in Figure 26, as that of h, when the vibrating lever
again travelling back will produce the same effect as before described, passing
into the spiral groove 9*, and on its return motion causing the cylinder f to turn
round another half of a revolution, and so on for each ascent of the cutter
beam A. A screw shaft J, J, is passed through the cylinder f, f, which screw
shaft has a longitudinal groove formed therein, into which groove a rib or
feather attached to the cylinder f, f, is placed, by which arrangement the screw
shaft is caused to revolve therewith, and at the same time at liberty to move
independently thereof in the direction of its length. The screw shaft j,j, passes
through a screw box k, which screw box is formed by two upright jaws 1, 1,
capable of opening by means of a hinge joint m formed at the lower end thereof.
Between the two jaws 1, 1, is placed a cam n mounted upon a short shaft o, to
which shaft is also affixed the handle p, on turning which the larger radii of
the cam n arrive in contact with the jaws 1, 1, opening the screw box k free from
the screw shaft i, i. A rod q also passes through the jaws 1, 1, and through
sockets formed in the framework a, a; this rod has a projection r formed on its
outward end, embracing the jaws l, l, and around it is placed the spiral spring
s, which spiral spring presses at one end against the stationary framework a, a,
and at the other against a pin t affixed to the rod q, by which means the jaws
1, 1, are drawn against the end of the cylinder f, as shewn more particularly in
Figure 25. On the inside edge of the screw box are found two inclined planes
u, u, abutting against similar inclined planes u, u*, formed upon the end of
the cylinder f, each of such inclined planes, constituting one-half of the circum-
ference of the end of the cylinder f, so that as the latter revolves by the action
above described, the projecting part of the inclined plane on the cylinder f
forces back the screw box and jaws 1, 1, as shewn by red lines in Figure 25,
thereby carrying back the screw shaft j, and consequently the strip of metal
under operation. The action of this apparatus is as follows:-The strip of
metal having been placed in the clams 4 jointed to the screw shaft j, j, and

page_text: motion communicated to the machine in the ordinary manner, the cutter beam
A descends, severing the intended nail from the strip of metal, and in so doing
passes the plunger d along the longitudinal groove h of the cylinder f, as before
described; the cutter beam then rises, drawing back the lever 6 and plunger d
along the spiral groove g, by which means the cylinder f and (by means of
the rib or feather) screw shaft j,j, are turned round one-half of a revolution,
the point 4* allowing the clam 4 to turn slightly up, in order to turn round
without raising the screw shaft j, j, the strip of metal under operation per-
forming the like revolution, the half rotation of the screw shaft j, j, in the
screw box at the same time causing the strip of metal to advance the néces-
sary distance to give the required breadth of nail. During this operation,
however, (viz.,) the turning of the screw shaft j, j, the cylinder f, f, has, in the
act of revolving brought the projecting part of one of the inclined planes, formed
upon the end thereof, into contact with the projecting part of one of the inclined
planes formed upon the screw box k, by which means the screw shaft j, j, and
strip of metal will be carried back so as to prevent the latter from pressing
against the cutter on its upward motion; the cylinder f, however, having per-
formed the half revolution and turned the strip of metal therewith, has brought
the lower portion of its inclined plane opposite to the higher portion of the
inclined plane formed upon the screw box k, at which instant the jaws I, 1, and
consequently, screw shaft i, i, and strip of metal under operation, are carried
forward by the action of the springs, the metal being forced under the cutter,
there to be severed in the usual manner. When the whole of the strip of
metal has been cut, the workman raises the connecting rod 6 from the pin c,
and applies another strip to be operated upon as before. In order to insure
the contact of the strip of metal with the ordinary heading guage C, a spring
vis attached thereto, which by pressing against the edge of the strip, as shewn
more particularly in the enlarged partial front view, Figure 28, holds it
securely in its proper position until the cutter has descended; and, in order that
the strip of metal may be kept flat upon the stationary cutter D, an apparatus
similar to that shewn in Figure 28, may be employed. It consists of a tumbler
w turning upon pivots x, in this instance, attached to the heading gange; the
tail end of this tumbler has a pin y projecting therefrom, and is pressed down-
wards by means of the feather spring z. From the cutter beam A an arm I
extends downwards, the lower part thereof projecting under the pin y; as the
cutter beam descends, the arm I is carried downwards, allowing the tail of the
tumbler w to be forced downward, and, consequently, the reverse end upwards,
as shewn by dots in Figure 28; but on the upward motion of the cutter beam,
and during the turning of the strip of metal, the arm I draws up the tail end

page_text: of the tumbler, and by depressing the other end thereof, brings it into the
position shown in the Drawing, by which action the strip of metal will be
ensured from rising with the moveable cutter. It will be obvious that in this
feeding apparatus the breadth of the nail will be determined by the pitch of the
screw j, j.
.
The Figures in Sheet 8 shew another form of feeding apparatus which
may be applied to nail-cutting machines of the ordinary construction.
Figure 29 is a side elevation, and Figure 30 a plan or horizontal view of this
part of the Invention. In this instance the strip of metal to be cut into
nails is placed in clams similar to those now commonly in use for that
purpose, as shewn by the red color in the Drawing. These clams are
affixed by a joint to a longitudinal shaft a, a, which shaft passes loosely
in the direction of its length through a bevilled pinion d turning in bearings
b, b, but is caused to revolve therewith by means of a rib or feather formed
therein, which rib or feather projects into a longitudinal groove e, e, e, formed
within the shaft a, a. The shaft a at the other end turns in a socket formed in
the upright piece f, which is capable of moving to and fro in a mortice g, g,
formed in the framework c, c, of the apparatus. The pinion d takes into the
teeth of a bevilled wheel h, h, which bevilled wheel is mounted upon a
short shaft turning in bearings i, i; upon the axis of the bevilled wheel h
is also fixed a ratchet wheel k, k, which at certain intervals is caused to
perform a portion of a revolution through the action of the driver l, l;
which driver is jointed to the ordinary cutter beam or other suitable moving
part of the machine in the same manner as the rod 6 of the last described
apparatus. To the upright piece f is attached a cord m, m, which cord at its
other end is fastened to the fusee barrel n (shewn by dots in Figure 30), which
fusee is mounted upon a short shaft which revolves in sockets formed in the
brackets o, o, attached to the framework-c, c. On one side of the fusee is placed
an ordinary barrel spring p, which, as in the case of the apparatus shewn in
Figures 16, 17, 18, & 19, winds the cord m, m, upon the fusee n, drawing
forward the upright piece f, and, consequently, shaft a, a, and strip of metal to
be operated upon. Upon the shaft on which the fusee n is mounted, a roller g
is affixed, shewn by the red circle in Figure 29, against which the lever r;
turning on a centre pin.s, is pressed by means of the spring t, thereby acting
as a drag upon the fusee, and preventing its revolution until required to do so.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-On rotatory motion being com-
municated to the ordinary machine, the cutter beam thereof, in rising, draws
the driver 1, 1, forward into the position shewn by dots in Figure 29, by which
motion the ratchet wheel k, k, will have been caused to revolve through the

page_text: space of one tooth, carrying with it the bevilled wheel h, h, which wheel being
in gear with the pinion d will cause it to perform one-half of a revolution, the
number of teeth in the pinion d being twice the number contained in that part
of the wheel h occupying the space between two teeth in the ratchet wheel k;
by this half revolution of the pinion d the shaft a, a, will have been carried
round to the same extent, turning round the strip of iron unler operation as is
now ordinarily done by hand. By the motion of the driver l, above described,
a projecting tappet u, affixed thereto, arrives in contact with the upper end of
the lever r, thereby turning that lever upon its centre pin s, and liberating the
fusce n, which, being then free to turn round;. performs that motion by the
force of the barrel spring p winding up a portion of the cord m, m, and pro-
jecting the strip of metal under the cutter. The cutter beam then.descends
in the usual manner, and in so doing carries back the driver 7, 1, to the position
shewn in the Drawings, liberating the lever r, which is again pressed against
the fuseen by the action of the spring t, and ready at the next rising of the
cutter, beam to draw forward the ratchet wheel k through the space occupied
by one tooth, turning the strip of metal as before, such strip being withheld
from pressing against the face of the cutter until the tappet u shall have again
arrived in contact with the lever r, and liberated the fusee n. If desired,
instead of the spring p, a weight may be attached to the cord m in order to
bring forward the strip of metal.
Having thus described the nature of this Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, it will have appeared to all competent
persons that the construction and arrangement of many of the parts may be
varied without departing from the principles of the several machines, that
which is claimed under the above in part recited Letters Patent being,-
Firstly, the employment of two heading apparatus, as applied to nail cutting
machines, such apparatus performing the operation of heading, first on one
side and then on the other, as above described. Also the apparatus, as above
described, for feeding the aforesaid machines. Likewise, under this head of
the Invention, the means by which the holding dies are held, adjusted, and
removed when required, as above described. Also, the mode of applying the
nipper to cut-nail machines, such mode allowing it to be readily withdrawn
through the groove which extends throughout the whole length of the slide.
Secondly, the production of those nails commonly called bills and brads, by
means of using grooved or serrated and plain cutters, as above described with
reference to the Drawings, Sheets: 5 and 6, alternately, in whatever manner or
by whatever means the said grooved or serrated and plain cutters are made to
act alternately upon the plate of metal, so as to produce the said bills or brads.

page_text: Thirdly, the feeding of nail cutting machines by means of a revolving and
longitudinally travelling screw. Also, as described under this head of the
Invention, the method of turning over the strip of metal by means of the
grooved cylinder f, whether such grooved cylinder is caused to operate upon
screwed shaft, as shewn in the several Figures of Sheet 7 of the
accompanying Drawings, or upon a plain grooved shaft similar to that
described with reference to Sheet 8 of the said Drawings, and as described
with reference to Sheet 7 of the accompanying Drawings, is also claimed the
application of inclined planes upon the cylinder f abutting against other
inclined planes formed upon the box of the screw shaft, for the purpose of
drawing back the strip of metal under operation during the ascent of the
cutter, as above described. With reference to Sheet 8 of the accompanying
Drawings, that which is claimed consists in turning the strip of metal under
operation by means of a ratchet wheel and bevilled wheel and pinion, as
therein described. Also the method shown in the Drawings last referred to,
and in Sheets 5 and 6, of introducing the strip of metal to be operated upon
under the cutter; such method consisting in the use of a fusee or other barrel
operated upon by a spring, as before described. Also is claimed the application
of a drag or retarding power, however arranged, for the purpose of retarding
the motion of the feeding apparatus, whether such motion be derived from the
action of a spring, weighted cord, or other force.
In witness whereof I, the said William Tudor Mabley, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of November, One
thousand eight hundred and forty-two.