Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 8th July, 1886.
Complete Left, 7th Apr., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 10th May, 1887
протошоцию и маошногу
I, RICHARD METHUEN GREAVES, of Port Madoc, in the County of Carnarvon,
North Wales, Quarry Proprietor, do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be
as follows:-
Heretofore slates for roofing and other purposes have generally been dressed or
cut by machinery into square or oblong forms, and the corners at right angles;
reciprocating and rotary cutters; also horizontal cutters and revolving blades, work-
ing against a fixed knife have been employed.
Now the special object of my invention is to provide both simple and efficient
means for dressing or cutting slate into various shapes and forms, and the invention
is particularly applicable to the production of such forms wherein the angles are not
right angles, and where it is necessary, or it is desired to change the angle in order
the form or shape of the slate to be dressed or cut. The angular shape or
form may be considerably varied, for example, it may be five or six sided, or of other
angular form or shape.
to
vary
According to my invention I pivot the gauge frame to the main frame of the
machine, or that part thereof carrying the fixed knife, so that its position may be
varied according to the angle to which the slate is to be cut or dressed. The gauge
frame may for example be made in two parts, and the position thereof adjusted and
secured by screws, or in any other convenient manner in a quadrant, the frame being
operated for example by a bracket rod receiving motion from a weighted lever and
crank, which may be conveniently worked from a treadle or otherwise. In order to
cut off the corners, to give the required lap, I provide on the fixed knife frame,
guides or stops which can be adjusted to the angle and distance required. This can
be regulated by inserting a template into or between the angle pieces or guides when
the same are secured in position for work.
Slate dressing machinery constructed and arranged as before described is applicable
to any of the known machines or appliances now in use for dressing slate, and even
when dressed by hand.
Dated this 8th dov of Inle 1886
BREWER & SON,
For the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Dressing or Cutting Slate.
I, RICHARD METHUEN GREAVES of Port Madoc, in the County of Carnarvon,
North Wales, Quarry Proprietor 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 :-
Heretofore slates for roofing and other purposes have generally been dressed or cut
by machinery into square or oblong forms, and the corners at right angles; recipro-
cating and rotary cutters, also horizontal cutters and revolving blades working against
a fixed knife, have been employed. Now the special object of my invention is to
provide both simple and efficient means for dressing or cutting slate into various
shapes and forms, and the invention is particularly applicable to the production of
such forms wherein the angles are not right angles and where it is necessary or it is
desired to change the angle in order to vary the form or shape of the slate to be
dressed or cut. The angular shape or form may be considerably varied, for example
it may be five or six sided or of other angular form or shape.
According to my invention I pivot the gauge frame to the main frame of the
machine or to the part thereof carrying the fixed knife so that its position may be
varied according to the angle to which the slate is to be cut or dressed, the said anglo
being decided by the inclination of the said gauge frame all as hereafter described.
The accompanying drawings fully illustrate the manner in which I prefer to carry
my invention into effect.
Figure 1 shews in sectional side elevation the pivotted gauge frame and the fixed
knife, and Figures 2, 3 and 4 shew in plan, diagram views of the pivotted or
swinging gauge frame, arranged according to my invention, the said plan views
illustrating two of the various positions which the said gauge frame may be caused to
assume as well as shewing a slate on the gauge in order the more clearly to illustrate
the means adopted for cutting the said slates into the angular forms required;
Figure 5 shews a piece of slate having one edge cut off straight, and Figure 6 shews
a slate cut to a required form having two of the angle points cut off the latter angular
form having however only been given to illustrate one of the many angular shapes
into which the slates may be cut by the aid of such a swinging or pivotted gauge
frame.
A is the pivotted or swinging gauge frame; A¹ being the pin or centre about which
the frame is free to move. B shews a portion of the main frame of the machine and
to which the said guage frame is pivotted. (is a guage plate on the gauge frame A
provided with notches, teeth or their equivalents thereon, each notch or register mark

page_text: representing a fixed and ascertained distance from it to the knife which may be
recorded if desired on or above the gauge plate and the distance from each tooth of
the gauge plate C to the fixed knife here shewn marked D would thus be decided.
The angle to which the slate is to be cut and that not being a right angle having been
determined the gauge frame A is set, that is its motion is so limited that its extreme
positions, see Figures 2 and 3, would form the angle or angles with the knife that the
slates are to be cut to and this may be accomplished if desired in the manner hereafter
described; the straight portion of the slate marked I Figures 2 and 5 is then laid
against the gauge A with one side on the rack and in the position shewn at Figure 2,
the revolving knife is then brought down and the second side of the slate cut; the
pivotted gauge is then moved to the reverse position shewn at Figure 3, when the cut
edge marked 2 is placed against the gauge with the angle formed by the sides 1 and 2
resting in one of the notches of the gauge plate and the knife cuts the third side, the
gauge then goes to the first position, or that shewn at Fig. 4 the slate is laid on as
before with the angle of the sides 2 and 3 resting in a notch of the gauge plate, and
the fourth edge is cut. I then have a slate of the shape shewn by the dotted lines at
Figure 6, and to complete it the corners made by the sides 2 and 3, and 1 and 4 are
cut off as hereafter described.
Figure 7 is an end elevation, Figure 8 is a plan, and Figure 9 a front view of a
portion of a slate cutting machine shewing the movable and adjustable gauge frame
constructed according to my invention applied theroto and wherein the said gauge
frame is operated directly by means of levers and rods worked by hand or otherwise.
A is the gauge frame or radius arm moving about the centre A¹ on a bolt or pin
passing through the gauge frame and into a lug on the main frame B of the machine,
a portion only of the frame of the machine is shewn in the figures referred to. C is
the gauge plate or rack before mentioned carried by the gauge frame A. A' is a
projection on the gauge frame A and at right angles thereto forming a base resting
and moving upon a fixed bracket B¹ from the frame B. The distance of the motion
of the gauge frame A is set by means of two set screws B2 B2 on the bracket B₁
between which screws, a lug A³ on the gauge frame projection A travels. A* is a
fixed pin passing through a segment slot in the gauge frame projection A2 for guiding
and steadying the gauge frame A.
The mechanism for moving the said gauge frame A is carried by a bracket bearing B³
bolted to the fixed bracket B₁ of the main framework and carries a shaft free to revolve
therein and having keyed upon its inner end the boss of a two armed lever E one of
such arms E¹ having a counterweight E2 and the other arm Es being jointed to a
connecting rod E which is jointed to the gauge frame A by a pin passing through lugs
on same. The other end of the shaft has keyed thereon a lover arm F. This arrango-
ment of levers will be clearly seen in Figure 9, and at Figure 8 the vertical arm Es
and the connecting rod E are removed in order to shew the plan of the segment
projection A² A* A*. The lever arm F may be acted upon directly by the hand of the
operator or may be by means of a connecting rod G Figure 9 and a treadle connected
to the other or lower end of same be depressed when necessary by the foot all as found
most convenient.
The gauge frame A would normally take the position to the left indicated by the
dotted centre line in Figure 8 by reason of the action of the counterweight E'. The
slate to be cut is placed in position as previously described and cut off by any usual
cutting device or by a cylinder or knife carrying disc wheels J (a portion only of one
of these is shewn at Figures 7 and 8. The construction of one of the knife carrying
cylinders will be more fully described and shewn hereafter as an example of a suitable
and convenient cutting device applied to a swinging gauge frame constructed
according to my invention but I do not limit myself to any such special form of
cutting mechanism.
After the first cut has been taken or when it becomes necessary in order to produce
a particular shape of slate that is to cut another straight edge which shall make a pre-
determined angle with the first edge it is necessary to change the angle the gauge
frame A makes with the knife D to accomplish this the operator moves (i.e. presses

page_text: down) the lever arm F either by hand or treadle which action rotates the shaft and
moves the gauge frame A to the right (Figure 8) by the lever arm E³ and connecting
rod E, and the slate is cut to the desired shape or angle thus determined by the
inclination of the gauge frame to fixed knife, all as previously described.
In cases where it is desirable that the gauge frame A be moved entirely automatically
and that the distance of such motion be capable of instantaneous and ready adjustment
by the workman operating the machine I have at Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13 shewn
such a machine constructed according to my invention in which the above adjustment
and motions are conveniently effected.
Figure 10 is a front elevation, Figure 11 is a left hand end elevation, and Figure 12
is a plan (a portion of the gauge frame being in section) and Figure 13 is a detail view
shewing such mechanism whereby the gauge frame or radius arm may be automatically
moved into the necessary positions to form a guide for the slate during the cutting of
same into a rhombus, polygon, or trapezial or other forms or shapes desired.
B is the main framework of the machine on or to which the various moving parts
are mounted or connected. H is the main shaft running in bearings H³ on the frame B.
Keyed upon the said shaft H is the knife carrying cylinder J; fast and loose
pulleys K K', flywheel L (when necessary) and crank disc G.
In the type of machine shewn at the figures referred to viz Figures 10 to 13, the
knife cylinder may be composed of two wheel discs J J placed the required distance
apart according to the length of blades required, and to the said discs J, the ends of
the blades Jare secured, such blades running obliquely or helically as at Figures 10
and 12 with respect to the axis of the cylinder; two blades J' J¹ are shewn; D is a
fixed blade secured to the frame B of the machine adjusted and acting so that the
passing of the moving blades J¹ will cause a shearing of that portion of the slate
projecting over the edge of the fixed blade D.
Motion is communicated from the crank disc G by connecting rod G₁ to a double
armed lever E¹ E³ mounted upon a vertical axis E free to turn in bearings on the
framework B B of the machine. The connecting rod G¹ is jointed at G2 and also
at G³ in such manner as to allow for lateral or vertical motion of the connecting
rod as will be clearly seen by Figures 10 11 and 12. A is the gauge frame or
radius arm turning about the centre A¹ and steadied by the projection A' on the
bracket B and provided with segmental slot and pin A all as before described
with reference to Figures 7, 8 and 9; C is the gauge plate affixed to the gauge
frame A; E is a connecting rod jointed at one end to the end of the lever arm E³,
and at its other end is formed with a slotted head Ex which is free to pass through
an aperture in the gauge frame and acts upon the latter through a fixed pin A' held
by lugs on the frame A and passing through the slot in the head E**. The amount of
radial motion given to the gauge frame A is determined by the throw of a rocking
arm M which is free to rock in a fixed case N attached to the framework of the
machine and the cover of the case is in Figure 10 shewn removed in order to shew the
interior parts of same. Figure 13 is a cross section through this fixed case N and
shewing more fully the construction of the rocking arm M and parts therein.
The upper part of the rocking arm M which is provided with a counterbalance
weight M is connected to the gauge frame A by a connecting rod M² jointed at one
end to the said frame by a pin and at the other end by such a suitable joint as will
allow for the lateral motion caused by the partial rotation of the gauge frame A;
M³ M³ are two inclined planes formed on the edges of the arm M and which when the
arm is at the limits of its throw come against correspondingly inclined faces N¹ N¹ on
the fixed case N ; the rocking arm M turns on and is supported by a pivot on the slide
which latter can travel vertically in guides formed in the case N and is raised or lowered
and held in position by the link P, and the arm P', the latter being keyed to the
shaft P, Figures 10 and 11, to which is keyed the hand lever P³. The hand lever Ps
is held in position by having a suitable tooth or other well known lever locking device
which takes into a rack Q which rack may also be adjusted to position required by set
screw Q¹.
The action of the machine is as follows: the machine is shewn in the drawings with

page_text: the gauge frame A in a midway position and a pulley K is to be driven in the
direction shewn by the arrow in Figure 11. The crank pin through the connecting
rod G and lever E¹ E³ will cause (by means of the slotted connecting rod E)
the gauge frame A to advance slightly to the right hand side, see Figure 10, and the
arm M will be caused by the connecting rod M2 to follow this motion; this travel will
be sufficient to overbalance the arm M towards the right hand and the counterbalance
weight M¹ will overcome the friction of the parts and cause the gauge frame to move
to its extreme right hand position bringing the pin A near to the end of the slot in
the connecting rod E and while in this position the knives shear off one edge of the
slate which is being operated upon. The distance of this motion of the gauge frame
is determined by the contact of the inclined planes M³ on the rock arm M with the
surfaces N¹ on the fixed case N. The backward motion of the crank G and parts
connected therewith will now draw the gauge frame to the left until the counterbalance
weight overbalances and carries the gauge frame A to the other or left hand side
which it does in time for the second knife J¹ to shear one of the other edges of the
slate placed in position by the operator. By raising or lowering the hand lever P³ the
throw or travel the rock arm M and consequently of the gauge frame A may be
altered at will; for example by lowering the said hand lever Ps the shaft P² will be
partly revolved and the arm P raised, which motion through the link P will raise the
position of the slide O in the case N and consequently raise the rock arm M as shewn
by the dotted lines in Figure 10 and this alteration of the relative positions of the two
inclines M and N¹ will allow the rock arm M and also the gauge frame to describe
a greater arc. A reverse or upward motion of the hand lever P³ would shorten the
throw and allow the gauge frame to travel in a lesser arc.
The angle to which the slates are cut being regulated by the motion of the gange
frame A, may thus be conveniently altered by moving the hand lever P³, and for this
purpose the rack may be provided with index letters or figures by which the hand
lever could be set or re-set.
In order to cut off the corners to give the required lap to the slate I provide on the
fixed knife frame B, guides or stops T Figures 10 and 12 which can be adjusted to the
angle and distance required this can be regulated by inserting a template into or
between the angle pieces or guides T when the same are secured in position for work.
Slate dressing machinery constructed and arranged as before described is applicable
to machines or appliances now in use for dressing slate.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
First. In machinery for dressing or cutting the edges of slates at different pre-
determined angles, pivotting or hinging the gauge frame A to the framework B of the
machine, so that its position may be varied relatively to the fixed. knife D, in order
that a guide may be so formed as to govern the angles to which the slate is required
to be cut substantially as set forth.
Second. In slate dressing or cutting machines, the swinging gauge frame A
operated by connecting rod E, lever arm E³, counterbalance lever E¹ and lever arm F,
actuated by hand or treadle; the degree or extent of travel of such gauge frame A
being set and adjusted by set screw stops B³ B³, or equivalent means, whereby the
position or inclination of the said gauge frame A may be varied, and such variation
adjusted, and defined according to the angle to which the slate is to be cut or dressed,
all substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to Figures
7, 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.
Third. In slate dressing or cutting machines the mechanism for automatically
changing and adjusting the position or angle of the pivotted gauge frame A, with the
fixed knife D substantially as described and illustrated with reference to Figures
10, 11, 12 and 13 of the accompanying drawings; the position of the gauge frame A
being changed by means and action of crank disc G, connecting rod G, lever E' E³,
slotted connecting rod E* and counterbalanced rocking arm M and connecting rod M³,

page_text: the extent of such produced motion being governed by relative position of surfaces M
and N¹ regulated by hand lever P³, acting on shaft P³, arm P¹, link P, and slide O,
all substantially as set forth, together with any mere modification or modifications
thereof.
Fourth. In slate dressing or cutting machines, the adjustable guides or stops T
which may be adjusted to any desired angle or distance relatively to each other, for
the purpose of setting or limiting the extent of cut to be taken and for cutting off-
the lap side, substantially as set forth with reference to Figures 10 and 12 of the
accompanying drawings.