improvements relating to Nail-making Machines and to the Manufacture of Parts of such Machines.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 17th May, 1887
Complete Left, 17th Feb., 1888:
Complete Accepted, 27th Apr., 1888
improvements relating to Nail-making Machines and to the
Manufacture of Parts of such Machines.
I GEORGE JOSEPH CAPEWELL, of Cheshire, Connecticut, United States of America,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to nail-making machines of the kind or class described in the '
specification of former Letters Patent dated 22nd January, A.D. 1884 No. 1926, and
to the manufacture of parts of such machines, and comprises various improvements
hereinafter set forth.
In the said specification, I have described a "quarter-turn" plate or wheel formed
with passages extending through it at right angles to each other; the said plate or
wheel being designed to receive the nail-blanks as they drop from the vertical guide-
way after having been rolled, and to change the position of the said blanks so that
they may be thrust horizontally into the dies in the heading-die plate.
Now one object of my present invention is to provide simple and efficient means
for effecting the requisite change in the position of the nail-blanks without the use of
a quarter-turn plate or wheel, and for thrusting the nail-blanks successively into the
dies in the heading-die plate as hereinafter set forth. For this purpose, I employ a
horizontal slide or sliding plunger and means for imparting reciprocating motion to
the same. This slide or plunger is so arranged and its movements are so timed
relatively to those of the other parts of the machine that each nail-blank, as it drops
from the guide-way with its head downwards, will strike the said slide immediately
after the latter has commenced its retrograde movement. The said slide will then
draw the nail-blank backward so that its shank will strike the rear wall of the said
guide-way and the blank will thus be thrown down into a horizontal position upon
the said slide with its pointed end extending towards the heading-die-plate. I provide
a stop for arresting the backward movement of the said blank so that the slide will
move from beneath the said blank, which will drop in front of the said slide into such
a position that; in the next forward movement of the latter, the blank will be thereby
thrust into one or other of the pairs of dies in the heading-die-plate.

page_text: I prefer to make the said slide
a guide of similar shape.
-shaped in transverse section and to support in
To ensure the entrance of the blanks into the dies, I employ a lever or latch which
is pivotted at its rear end to the said guide and rests at its forward end upon the said
guide so that the blanks will pass beneath it but will be held down thereby. The
forward end of the said lever or latch and of the slide are so inclined that the slide,
in its forward movement, will raise the said lever or latch and pass beneath the same
far enough to thrust the blanks properly into the dies.
I also provide means whereby the machine will be stopped should the mechanism for
feeding the blanks as above described become clogged. I sometimes employ a cam
and lever for operating the said slide and make the said lever in two parts or pieces
which are placed one above the other and hinged or pivotted to each other in such a
manner that, under normal conditions, they will operate as a single piece; if however,
clogging should occur, one of the said pieces, which is connected with a stop-rod such
as that described in the said former specification, will be turned upon the common
pivot and thus caused to operate the said stop-rod and arrest the movement of
the machine.
By the means above described, I provide for simplifying the construction of the
machine and permitting ready access to the parts beneath the vertical guide-way for
the purpose of clearing away any obstruction to the proper working of the mechanism.
Moreover the said slide can be moved to and fro with a regular or uniform velocity
as it does not require to rapidly enter and recede from a quarter-turn-plate during a
short interval of rest of the said plate, and then pause while the said plate is making
a quarter of a revolution, like the plunger heretofore employed for thrusting the
blanks into the heading-die-plate.
Another object of my said invention is to improve the construction of the guide-
way for conducting the nail-blanks from the cutting off devices to the top pair of
compressing rolls or dies and then from pair to pair of the said rolls or dies; and my
said invention comprises an improved method of manufacturing parts of the said
guide-way.
The said guide-way has heretofore been made of blocks or sections firmly connected
and having a tubular channel formed partly in one section and partly in the adjacent
or opposite section; and the said channel has usually been formed in the casting of
the said blocks or sections.
One feature of this part of my present invention consists in the employment in
the said guide-way of an inner lining of steel which is preferably hardened. This
lining is fitted into and enclosed by the said blocks or sections and has the tubular
channel formed within it.
Another feature of my said invention consists in a novel and peculiar method
or manner of making the said guide-way. The aforesaid tubular channel has to be
of such twisted form that a nail-blank, in its passage from one pair to the next
pair of rolls, will be turned through an angle of ninety degrees. I produce this
twist as follows, that is to say :-I first form in the steel lining a straight tubular
channel; I then heat the said lining and impart the requisite twist thereto by firmly
holding one end thereof and turning the other end thereof through an angle of ninety
degrees; 1 then plane the exterior of the said lining to the required shape. I prefer
to form the said lining of two steel angle-bars, which I place together in such a
manner as to form between them a straight tubular channel of the desired shape in
transverse section; I insert between these bars a metal core and firmly unite the said
bars and core by means of rivets or in any other convenient manner; I then heat
them and impart the required twist thereto, and then plane them externally and remove
the core from between the said bars. These bars are preferably so fitted between the
aforesaid blocks or sections that each bar fits partly within one block and partly within
the adjacent or opposite block.
To prevent deformation of the said bars or of the channel, I sometimes turn the
said bars, after they have been united with the core between them, the centres being
formed in the said core, and 1 insert them at one end in a vice or other clamping

page_text: device and place over them a strong metal tube or hollow cylinder, which I secure by
means of a set-screw inserted at the point from which the twisting is to commence.
I then turn the said bars, by means of a wrench applied at their other ends, through
an angle of ninety degrees, the said tube or hollow cylinder maintaining the said bars
straight and preventing any malformation of the channel.
It is obvious that, if desired, I can dispense with the steel lining and make the
twisted channel in the aforesaid blocks or sections in the manner above described.
My said invention further comprises an improved indicator whereby, when the
blanks become clogged in the said guide-way, the point where such clogging has
occurred will at once be indicated. For this purpose I employ a lever pivotted to a
bracket secured to the frame of the machine. This lever is provided with a weight
whereby it is, under normal conditions, held in a vertical position. It has, moreover,
a short arm which projects into the path of another lever operated by the movable
block or section of the guide-way which when clogging occurs moves outward. The
said indicator will thus be depressed by the lever operated by the block.
This improved indicator has the advantage that, when the obstruction in the
guide-way is removed, the said indicator will be automatically returned to its normal
position.
The said indicator lever may, if desired, be so constructed that it will, under
normal conditions, occupy a horizontal or inclined position and will be raised instead
of depressed when clogging occurs.
Moreover I can use a spring instead of the said weight for effecting the return
movement of the said indicator lever and retaining it in its normal position.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: -
Improvements relating to Nail-making Machines and to the
Manufacture of Parts of such Machines.
I, GEORGE JOSEPH CAPEWELL, of Cheshire, Connecticut, United States of America,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
My invention relates to nail-making machines of the kind or class described in the
specifications of former Letters Patent dated repectively 22nd January A.D. 1884,
No. 1926 and 26th October A.D. 1886, No. 13,718, and to the manufacture of parts of
such machines.
In the said former Specifications I have described at quarter-turn " plate or wheel
formed with passages extending through it, at right angles to each other, the said
plate or wheel being designed to receive the nail-blanks as they drop from the vertical
guide-way, after having been rolled, and to change the position of the said blanks so
that they may be thrust horizontally into the dies in the heading-die-plate.
Now one object of my present invention is to provide simple and efficient means for
effecting the requisite change in the position of the nail-blanks, in their passage from
the guide-way to the heading-die-plate, without the use of a quarter-turn plate or
wheel, and for thrusting the nail-blanks successively into the dies in the heading-die-
plate as hereinafter set forth.
I also, according to another part of my present invention, provide means whereby
the machine will be stopped, should the mechanism for inserting the blanks in the
heading-die plate become clogged or obstructed.
Another part of my present invention has for its object to improve the construction
of the vertical guide-way, that is to say, the guide-way for conducting the nail-blanks
from the cutting off devices to the top pair of compressing rolls or dies and then from
pair to pair of the said rolls or dies; and my said invention comprises an improved
method of manufacturing parts of the said guide-way.
My present invention further comprises an improved indicator whereby, should the
blanks become clogged in the said guide-way, the point where such clogging has
occurred will at once be indicated.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a plan, partly in horizontal section.
Figure 2 a sectional front elevation, and
Figure 3 a sectional side elevation showing my improved device for changing the
position of the nail-blanks.
Figure 4 is a sectional side elevation, and
Figures 5 and 6 are respectively a plan and side elevation illustrating details of
construction.
Figure 7 is a front elevation.
Figure 8 a side elevation, and
Figure 9 a plan showing my improved indicator.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

page_text: The same reference letters as are used in my said former specification No. 13,718
are, moreover, employed therein to indicate corresponding parts.
K is the lower end of the aforesaid vertical guide-way. This guide-way is open at
its lower end and has a slot or opening K in front to allow the blanks to fall out as
hereinafter described. T is a horizontal slide or sliding plunger, which has a groove
or channel in its upper side extending for a portion of its length from its forward end,
into which groove the blanks will fall from the guide-way K.. This slide or plunger
works to-and-fro in a trough or guide T¹. The said plunger and its guide are, by
- preference, V-shaped in transverse section as shown in Figure 2 and the slide is held
down in its guide by means of caps T. The slide is so arranged, and its movements
are so timed relatively to those of the other parts of the machine, that each nail-blank
will drop from the guide-way, with its head downward, upon the said slide immediately
after the latter has commenced its retrograde motion. The said slide will then draw
the nail-blank backward. In this backward movement, the shank of the nail-blank
will strike the rear wall of the said guide-way K and the blank will thus be thrown
down into a horizontal position upon the said slide with its pointed end towards the
heading-die-plate O. T is a stop for arresting the backward movement of the said
blank, so that the slide will move from beneath the said blank, which will drop in
front of the said slide into such a position that, in the next forward movement of the
latter, the blank will be thereby thrust into one or other of the pairs of dies in the
heading-die-plate. T³ is a lover which is pivoted at T to the guide T¹ and rests at
its forward end upon the said guide. This lever is free to turn upon its pivot to
permit the blanks to pass beneath it, but will hold down the said blanks and thus
ensure the entrance of the same into the dies. The forward end of the said lever is
inclined as shown, and the slide T is formed with a corresponding inclined surface T,
so that the slide, in its forward movement, will raise the said lever and thus allow the
head of the blank to pass beneath the same, and will itself pass beneath the said lever
far enough the thrust the blank properly into the dies.
U, U are two parts of a lever, the parts U₁ of which is pivoted at U* .and is
provided with a roller U fitted to rotate upon a pin or stud U' fixed in the
part U of the said lever. The stud U and roller Us extend into a groove V¹ in
a cam V fixed upon the shaft 6". The part U of the said lever is formed with a
slot Uand engages with a pin or stud T on the slide T, so that reciprocating
motion will be imparted to the said slide by the lever U, U¹ when the latter is
actuated by the cam V. The lever U, U₁ is so constructed as to afford the means
for automatically stopping the machine, should the blanks fail to enter the heading-
die-plate, that is to say, the two parts or pieces U, U₁ of the said lever are placed one
above the other and the part U is hinged or pivoted to the part U¹ at U'. When the
mechanism is working in a normal manner, the two parts of the lever are kept in
position relatively to each other by a small pin or stud U which extends through the
upper part U of the lever and enters a recess or indentation in the lower part U¹.
The upper part U has a slot U' so that it can turn relatively to the part U¹ upon or
about the pivot Us for the purpose hereinafter explained. The part U is, moreover,
connected by a link U to a lever U' fixed on the stop-rod L which is similar to that
described in my said former specification No. 13,718. The link U has a slot U⁰ to
permit the normal motion of the lever U U¹.
Under normal.conditions, the parts U, U work together like a single lever. Should
the mechanism above described become clogged (which could only occur during the
forward movement of the slide) and an abnormal resistance retard or prevent such
movement of the slide, then, by reason of the continued operation of the cam V, the
pin or stud U would be sprung out of the recess or indentation in the part U¹, and
the upper part U of the lever caused to turn upon or about the pin or stud T in the
direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 1, and thus operate the said stop-rod and
arrest the motion of the machine, the parts U U¹ turning relatively to each other
upon or about the pivot U..
In some instances, I provide a lever W pivoted at W₁ as shown in Figure 4. This
lever is bent downward at its forward end as shown, and is provided with an inclined

page_text: projection W' adapted to enter a slot or groove T' in the slide T when the latter has
moved far enough backward to throw down a nail-blank, so that the said lever will
fall and its bent forward end will hold down the said nail-blank and prevents its
rebounding. In the forward movement of the said slide, the shoulder T of the said
slide will, by acting upon the inclined projection W³, raise the said lever so that the
slide may pass under it. A spring W is sometimes provided for ensuring the
downward movement of the lever W.
By employing the devices above described in place of the quarter-turn plate or
wheel heretofore used, I simplify the construction of the machine and afford ready
access to the parts beneath the guide-way K for the purpose of clearing away any
obstruction to the proper working of the mechanism. Moreover the said slide can be
moved to-and-fro with a regular or uniform velocity, as it does not require to rapidly
enter and recede from a quarter-turn plate, during a short interval of rest of the
said plate and then pause while the said plate is making a quarter of a revolution,
like the plunger heretofore employed for thrusting the blanks into the heading-die-
plate.
The vertical guide-way, as described in my said former specification, has heretofore
been made of blocks or sections firmly connected and having a tubular channel formed
partly in one section and partly in the adjacent or opposite section, and the said
channel has usually been formed in the casting of the said blocks or sections.
I now employ in the said guide-way an inner lining of steel, which is preferably
hardened. This lining is fitted into and enclosed by the said blocks or sections and
has the tubular channel formed within it.
My present invention, moreover, comprises, as above stated, a novel and peculiar
method or manner of making the said guide-way. The aforesaid tubular channel has
to be of such twisted form that a nail-blank, in its passage from one pair to the next
pair of rolls, will be turned through an angle of ninety degrees. I produce this twist
as follows, that is to say, I first form a steel lining having a straight tubular channel,
I then heat the said lining and impart the requisite twist thereto, by firmly holding
one end thereof by means of a vice or otherwise and turning the other end thereof
through an angle of ninety degrees; I then plane the exterior of the said lining to
the required shape. prefer to form the said lining of two steel angle-bars, which I
place together in such a manner as to form between them a straight tubular channel
of the desired shape in transverse section; I insert between these bars a metal core
and firmly unite the said bars and core by means of rivets or in any other convenient
manner; I then heat them and impart the required twist thereto and then plane them
externally to the required shape for fitting within the guide blocks or sections, and
remove the core from within the said bars. These bars are preferably so fitted
between the aforesaid blocks or sections that each bar fits partly within one block and
partly within the adjacent or opposite block.
To prevent deformation of the said bars or of the channel within the same, I
sometimes turn the said bars, after they have been united with the core between them,
the centres being formed in the said core, and I insert them at one end in a vice or
other clamping device and place over them a strong metal tube or hollow cylinder,
which I secure by means of a set screw inserted at the point from which the twisting
is to commence. I then turn the said bars, by means of a wrench, applied at their
other ends, through an angle of ninety degrees, the said tube or hollow cylinder
maintaining the said bars straight and preventing any malformation of the channel-
I then remove the core and the tube or hollow cylinder and plane the exterior of the
bars as above described.
It is obvious that, I can, if desired, dispense with the steel lining and make the
twisted channel in the aforesaid blocks or sections in the manner above described.
My improved indicator consists of a lever Y pivoted to a bracket Y' secured to the
frame of the machine. This lever is provided with a short weighted arm Y' whereby
it is, under normal conditions, held in a vertical position. A lever is pivoted to a
bracket secured to the frame of the machine, the forward part of the lever k³ bears
against the movable block or section K' of the guide-way, and the rear part of the

page_text: lever bears against the said short, weighted arm Y' and against the arm L* on the
stop-rod L. Should the guide-way K become clogged with nail-blanks, the movable
block or section K' of the guide-way moves outward and forces out the said lever as
described in my said specification No. 13,718, and thus depresses the indicator
lever Y and turns the stop-rod L thereby arresting the motion of the machine. When
the obstruction in the guide-way K is removed, the spring moves the lever k³, k³
back to its normal position and the weight Y* returns the indicator lever Y to its
vertical position.
The said indicator lever may, if desired, be so constructed that it will, under normal
conditions, occupy a horizontal or inclined position and will be raised instead of
depressed when clogging occurs.
Moreover I can use a spring instead of the said weight for effecting the return
movement of the said indicator lever and for retaining it in its normal position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood
that I claim :-
First. The employment of a reciprocating slide or plunger upon which the nail-
blanks will fall successively from the guide-way and which will effect the requisite
change in the position of the said blanks and thrust them into the heading-die-plate, as
above specified.
Second. The combination of parts comprising the reciprocating slide or plunger,
the trough or guide, the stop, the lever U, U', and the cam V, with or without the
lever T3, all substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Third. The employment of a lever made in two parts, one of which is pivoted to
the other and is connected at one end to the reciprocating slide or plunger and
at its other end to a stop-rod, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Fourth. The combination, with the reciprocating slide or plunger, of the lever W,
substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Fifth. The employment of an inner removable lining in the guide-way for the nail-
blanks, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Sixth. The manufacture of the said lining by first forming in a block or piece of
steel or other metal a straight tubular channel, then twisting the said block or piece
and shaping the exterior thereof, substantially as set forth.
Seventh. The manufacture of the said lining or of the blocks or sections of the
guide-way by placing two angle bars together as above described, inserting a core
between them and securing them to the said core, and then twisting the said bars
and core, and shaping the exterior of the said bars, substantially as set forth.
Eighth. The employment of an indicator, for the purpose above specified, so
constructed that it will automatically resume its normal position after it has been
moved by the corresponding section of the guide-way and the said section has been
re-adjusted.
Ninth. The indicating lever Y provided with the weight Y', in combination with
the lever and guide-way K, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Tenth. A nail-making machine having embodied or incorporated therein the
mprovements hereinbefore described.