CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY, TOOLS, OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND SHAPING METALS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1840

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JOSEPH
WHITWORTH, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, and JOHN
SPEAR, of the same Place, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most, Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Seventeenth day of November, in the fourth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said
Joseph Whitworth and John Spear, Her especial license,. full power, sole
privilege and authority, that we, the said Joseph Whitworth and John Spear,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, and such others as we, the. said
Joseph Whitworth and John Spear, our, executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at. all
times during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within England and Wales, and the Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, our Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY,
TOOLS, OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND SHAPING METALS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES;"
in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, that we, the said Joseph
Whitworth and John Spear, shall cause a particular description of the nature
of our said Invention,. and in what manner the same is to be performed, 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, we, the said
Joseph Whitworth and John Spear, do hereby declare that the nature of the
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is
particularly describe and ascertained in and by the Drawings hereto annexed,
and the following explanation thereof, that is to say:—
Our improvements in machinery, tools, or apparatus for cutting or shaping
metals, and other substances, consist,--
First, of improvements in machinery or apparatus for cutting screws.
Secondly, of an improved hand-planing machine.
Thirdly, of an improved slotting machine.
Fourthly, of improvements on the slotting bar, for which a Patent was
granted to the aforesaid Joseph Whitworth, bearing date the Fifth day of
October, in the first year of the reign of Her present Majesty, and which is
described in the Specification of the said Patent, duly inrolled in the office of
the Rolls Chapel.
Fifthly, of improvements on the lathe; and,
Sixthly, of a self-acting apparatus for truing up the wheels of carriages and
locomotive engines during their progress along the line of railway.
These improvements are shewn in four Sheets of Drawings accompanying
our present Specification, and containing various views of each machine or
apparatus, wherein the same letters or figures are employed to denote córre-
sponding parts.
Our improvements in machinery or apparatus for cutting screws consist
principally in an improved screw stock and dies, shewn in Sheet 1. Different
plans are represented in the various Figures; they are, however, all modi-
fications of a common principle, which may be described as effecting the follow-
ing object, namely, to cut a screw thread to any required depth with dies,
which have themselves been cut by a master tap, double the depth of the thread,
larger in diameter than the shaft on which the thread is to be cut. This
object, we believe, has never before been attained, and it is one of great
practical importance, inasmuch as it secures the formation of a true thread.
The dies in ordinary use are cut with a master tap of the same size as the
shaft intended to be screwed. The well-known consequence is, that the thread
formed on the screw bolt is always more or less untrue, and, a serious loss, both
of power and strength, is thus occasioned. In some instances dies are used
cut with taps rather larger than the bolt, though considerably under the full
size above mentioned. This facilitates the starting of the tread, but afterwards
occasions immense friction, causing the thread to swell, and making the screw
larger in diameter than the shaft in which it is cut. Hence, double sets of

page_text: dies have been sometimes provided in order to obtain a true thread; one set
(cut with a full-sized master tap as before described) being used to start the
thread and a second set (cut with a smaller tap) being afterwards substituted
to finish the operation. But the expence involved in the extra provision,
together with the great inconvenience and loss of time occasioned by changing
the dies, has effectually prevented the general introduction of the practice.
By obviating, therefore, the necessity of substitution, a most important advantage
is gained and our improvement introduced, the utility of which in promoting
the efficiency and economy of screw bolts, and thereby of machinery in general.
it would be difficult to estimate. Our improvements consist, first, in an altera-
tion of the general form of the dies; and, secondly, in a change of the direction
in which they are moved up. The improved die may be described as formed
from the common die, by dividing it either into two equal parts, as shewn in
Fig. 1, where the plane of section a, a, a, a, is parallel with the sides of the
die; or into three unequal parts, as shewn in Fig. 2, where the two planes of
section b, b, b, b, and c, c, c¹, c³, are parallel to each other, but at an inclination
to the sides of the die. The angle of inclination may vary, but the intersection
must always pass through the centre line c¹, c³, of the arc die. The line c', c',
therefore, represents one of the cutting edges of the improved die, and the
curve of the die being the same as that of the bolt, the edge c', c¹, will cut at
the commencement of the operation; moreover, it will continue to cut to the
full depth of the thread, provided the die be moved up in a proper direction.
The direction in which common dies are moved forward is that of a plane pass-
ing from the centre line of the die to the axis of the bolt, represented by the
red line d Figure 3. This is, indeed, the only direction in which a common die
can be brought up to answer its intended purpose, namely, to cut with both
edges into a cylindrical shaft. It is also precisely the direction in which the
improved die cannot be brought up; because its contact with the bolt would
be only in that central line, and both its edges would separate from the smaller
circle at the base of the thread; when the thread is first started the improved
die will cut with either edge, but afterwards it can cut only with one, and its
direction must be such as to keep that edge in contact with the bolt, and in a
favorable position for cutting. This allows considerable latitude in fixing the
direction. It is not confined to the axis of the bolt, but may be varied in-
definitely. When the improved die is moved towards the axis of the bolt the
plane of its direction to the axis, instead of passing through the centre line of
the die, falls outside, as shewn in Figure 4, by the red line e. In each of the
Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, the direction of the dies is
towards the axis. Figures 5 and 6 represent a stock, with two pair of "

page_text: improved dies f, brought up simultaneously by the inclines g, in the slide h,
drawn up by the screw i. Figure 7 is the body of a stock with two pair of
improved dies brought up by a set screw, having two threads k, l. The pitch
of the thread'l is double that of . Hence, while the thread & working in the
side of the stock moves the dies f, f, by the piece m, the thread i, carrying a
nut n connected to the top slide (not shewn in the Drawing) gives motion to
the dies f, f, in the opposite direction by means of projecting pieces in the top
slide bearing against them. Figs. 8; 9, 10, represent the die sockets of screw
stocks, containing one pair of improved dies used in connexion and brought up
simultaneously with common dies. Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, show each a
pair of improved dies in connexion with blank dies, introduced to steady their
action; the blank dies o, in Figures 14, 15, are stationary; those marked p in
Figures 11, 12; 13, are moveable by set screws. The improved dies in each
of the Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, are also moved by set screws: In Figure
16; another direction is given to the dies, as shewn by the- lines 9, 9, con-
verging to a point out of the axis of the bolt; r is a stationary die of the
common form; it acts as a cutting die in starting the thread, but afterwards
serves principally as an abutment for the others: A groove-is cut through the
thread to impose both the cutting and steadying power: The two other dies
are moved by the inclines g, g, in the slide h, drawn by the screw i and nut j;
this stock has the advantage of combining simplicity and efficiency in a high
degree; its action is perfectly steady and easy, and it may be made exceedingly
light in construction. The parts are shewn detached in Figure 17; s is the
body of the stock, with the recesses for the dies and slides; t is the top plate,
to be screwed on at the points u; h is the slide; and f, r, the dies before
described. The improved die may be advantageously applied
and wood screw machines.
to screw bolt,
Figure 1 is a
The improved hand-planeing machine is shewn in Sheet II.
front view; Figure 2 is a side elevation; Figure 3, a plan; and Figure 4,
a section view of the machine.. The wheel a may be worked by hand, or
the pulley 6 driven by power. Their common axis has its bearing c
in the side of the machine, and carries à bevil pinion d, driving the-wheel e,
the axis of which is supported in bearings f, f. To the wheel e is connected
the roller 9 working in a transverse groove h in the table i. The rotary
motion of the wheel e, acting by the roller g, on the principle of the crank,
gives to the table a reciprocating rectilinear motion; the position of the
roller 9 may be regulated by the screw k, and nut stud 1, to which it is
attached; by this means the length of the crank arm, and, consequently, the
action of the table, may be varied at pleasure; on the axis of the wheel e is a

page_text: grooved cam m; the segment lever n, acted on by the cam m, works the wheel
o and pulley p, fixed on a common axis, having its bearing in the frame of the
machine; to the pulley p is attached an endless band q, for. working the re-
versing apparatus, and moving slide s; as described in the Specification of a.
Patent. granted to the aforesaid Joseph-Whitworth, bearing date the 7th day.
of August;. in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-
nine; proper tension is given to the band by the screw t and nut u, by, means
of which the pulley w may be raised or lowered at pleasure.
g
The improved slotting machine is.shewn-in Sheet II. Fig. 5 is:a.front view,
Fig. 6 a side elevation, and Fig. 7a plan of the machine, taken in section at
the line. A, B; a is: the tool holder attached to the- slide 6, working in the
bearing c, c; motion is given to the slide from the screw d acting on-friction
rollers e, e, whose axes: revolve in bearings f,f, attached to the slide. The
screw d has its bearings: and abutments in the frame: of the machine ;. it
carries the bevil wheel 9 gearing with the wheels h, h, by which it. is driven
alternately in. opposite directions. from the pullies i, i, in the ordinary way.
The motion is reversed by a self-acting apparatus attached. The fixed stop /
on the: slide b. acts on moveable stops.,.l, on the sliding rod m, to which is
connected the bell-crank.levern, working the strap guide o; the strap is-thus
passed from one driving pulley to another. The parts p, q, r, compose the
compound sliding. table of the machine.. The bottom slide p is moved along
the beds, by the screw t and nut u; the slide 9 is. moved on the slide.p;.in
a direction.at right. angles to that of the slide p; motion is-given-to the.slide q
by a screw v. fixed in the slide p working a nut attached to the slide q.. The
top part:r of the table receives a rotary motion on the slide 9 from the worm
w on the shaft geering with the wheel y on the rotary table 1. The shaft is
supported in bearings. 2; attached to the: slide q. The screws-t, v, may be worked
either by hand, (by means of a common
handle applied at their extremities),
or. by a self-acting: apparatus. attached. The. lever 1, having its fulcrum at 2;
is acted on by the moveable stops 3,.3, on the rod.m. The rod 4, connected
to the lever 1 by a flexible joint, communicates by another loose joint: with: the
arm 5 of the boss 6 swinging: on the.axis of the screw t. The arm 5 thus
receives a reciprocating motion: from the rod 4; and carrying the click 7 works
the wheel:8, and thereby gives motion to the screw t: To the boss-6 is: con-
nected. the. bevel wheel 9; gearing with the wheel 10 on its axis 11 in. the
bearings 12 attached to. the beds, the arm 18 fixed in the axis 11 carries
the rod 14, to which it is fastened in any required position by a set screw. 15.
The reciprocating motion of the arm 13 is thus communicated to the rod 14
for the purpose of working the wheels 16, 17, and screws. w; v,. by means

page_text: of the arms 18, 19, carrying clicks 20, 21, and connected together by the
rod 22.
Our improvements on the slotting bar are shown in Sheet I. Fig. 18 is a
front view of the bar and cutters; Fig. 19, a sido view; Figure 20, a back view;
and Fig. 21, a plan in section. An angular groove d is cut down the back of
the bar to receive the strip b, tapped for small set screws c, to adjust the
position of the cutters d, recesses e are scooped round the cutters in the front
of the bar to afford room for the cuttings.
the headstock by arms p.
having its fulcrum at r.
Figure 1 is a
fixed on the
screw, and the
The improved
h, on move-
The axis i, k, are
In the position of
Our improvements on the lathe are shewn in the Sheet III. Figs. 1 and 2
represent an apparatus attached to the headstock or maundril-frame of the
slide lathe for the purpose of forming, together with the change wheels, a more
perfect communication between the maundril and guide screw.
front view, and Figure 2 an end elevation. The wheel a is
maundril or spindle of the lathe, the wheel 6 on the guide
wheel c revolves on a stud carried by the swing frame d.
apparatus consists of the wheel e, on the axis f, and the wheel
able axis i, k. The axis i is hollow, and slides on the axis f, in bearings l, m,
attached to the headstock n. The axis k is supported in a bearing o, con-
nected to a circular collar on
moved by the cam lever q,
the lever shown in the Drawings the wheel g is in gear with the wheel a,
and motion received from the maundril communicated by the wheel to
the change wheels c, b, and guide screw, when the lever is moved by the
handle s, so as to bring the point 1 into contact with the pin u, the axis i will
be slided on the axis f, and the wheel g will be thrown out of gear with the
wheel a. In this position the maundril will revolve without giving motion to
the change wheels and guide screw when the lever q is moved on in the same
direction as before, the cam w, acting on the pin u, will cause the bearing o
to fall till the wheel h, is brought into gear with the wheels g and a. The
wheel h thus acts as an intermediate, and reverses the motion given in the first
position to the change wheels and guide screw.
Figures 3 and 4 represent an improved arrangement of certain parts of the
large slide lathe, described in the aforesaid Specification of the said Patent,
bearing date the Seventh day of August, One thousand eight hundred and
thirty-nine. Figure 4 is a plan of the base plate therein described, and
Figure 3 a side view of the same, with the moveable bed thereon. The shaft a
is carried under the base plate in a more convenient position than that
described in the said Specification; instead of the hollow shaft under the
fast headstock, provided to allow of the bed being slided out without breaking

page_text: the communication between the maundril and guide screw, we introduce the
shaft 6 at the opposite end of the base plate supported in bearing c, c. It
receives motion from the shaft a, by the wheels d, e, which it communicates
to the guide screw in any position of the bed by the sliding pinion f driving
the change wheels g, h. Instead of the self-acting apparatus described in the.
said Specification, for moving the bed, we employ the rack (fixed in the.
base plate) and pinion k, having the bearings of its axis in the bed, and
worked by a capstan head projecting externally..
"
The self-acting apparatus for truing the wheels of carriages and locomotive
engines during their progress along the line of railway is shewn in Sheet IV.
Figure 1 is a front view, Figure 2 a side elevation, and Figure 8 a plan,'
of the apparatus as applied to the wheels of a carriage. The bars a, a, are
attached to the stud 6 below the axis, and they are connected together by.
the fixed bar c. The bar & slides on the bar c, in slots e, e, through the bars
a, a; motion is given to the bar d by the excentric pin f, fixed in the
pulley g, driven by the band h, from the pulley i; on the axis of the wheels.
jj. The axis of the pulley g is fixed in bar c. k, k, are sockets attached
to the bar d, for holding the grinders 1, 2, which being placed in contact
with the wheels are held by the screws 'm. The sliding motion of the bar d
carries them across the surface of the wheels, the rotary motion of which will
cause any irregularities thereon to be reduced; the wheels being slightly
conical, it is necessary that the grinders should move in directions inclined to
the bar c; this object is effected by the fixed pins n, n, on the bar c acting
against the inclines o, o, in the bar d, the latter being kept in constant contact
with the pins by the springs p, p, attached to the bars d, d. Provision is made
for keeping the grinders in contact with the wheels, and compensating for the
wear from friction by raising them together with the bar c and bars
α, a
latter attached below the axis. Any elevation of the bar c will bring the grinders
into closer contact with the surface of the wheels. The bar c is raised by the
screw g, the thread of which works in a fixed bar r, attached to the carriage in
any manner most convenient. The screw has a collars to raise the bar c,
and carries the ratchet wheel t, which is moved by the click u at every
revolution of the pulley g. A cutting tool may be substituted for the grinder,
provided the motion of the wheel be sufficiently reduced, and a slight
modification made in the apparatus. Though, in the preceding description,
and the accompanying Drawings, are introduced various parts of machinery
already known and in use, it is not our intention to include such parts in
our present claim, except as they may possess novelty of form, arrangement,
or adaptation.
-
the

page_text: In-reference to our.improved machinery or apparatus for cutting screws,
we claim,
First, the improved die before described.
'Secondly, we claim the moving of the improved dies forward in a direction
different from that of a plane, passing from a centre, line of the die to the axis 5
of the bolt, whether they be moved towards that axis or in some other
direction, and whether they.be-used in a hand screw stock or the die stock of
a bolt or wood screw machine...
Thirdly, we claim the various plans of screw stock,shewn in Sheet..1.
In reference to the planing and slotting machines, the slotting bar, and the 1
lathe, we claim the particular arrangement of parts before described.
. In reference to the apparatus for truing up the wheels of carriages ; and
engines-on railways .we claim,...
First, the use of a grinder or cutter made to act upon the surface of the
wheel during its. process along the railway, by an apparatus worked by the 1
rotary motion of the same wheel or of a wheel belonging to the carriage; and,
Secondly, we claim the particular arrangement. of parts.for this purpose
before described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Joseph Whitworth and John Spear,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Fifteenth day of May, in a
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-one.
Extra in Chancery.
JOS. (LS.) WHITWORTH.
JNO. (L.s.) SPEAR.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the same Fifteenth day of May,
in the year above mentioned, the aforesaid Joseph Whitworth and John Spear
came before our Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the
Specification aforesaid,, and all and every thing therein contained, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute in that case made and provided.
Inrolled: the Seventeenth day of May, in the year above written.