IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS. FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF MULE AND OTHER SPINDLES, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Bradley Ardrey, of the Victoria Machine and
Spindle Company, Limited, of Crumpsall, near Manchester, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS. FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF
MULE AND OTHER SPINDLES, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES."
Sealed the 26th February 1878, and dated the 28th August 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Bradley Ardrey
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th August 1877.
SAMUEL BRADLEY ARDREY, of the Victoria Machine and Spindle Company,
Limited, of Crumpsall, near Manchester. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR
APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF MULE AND OTHER SPINDLES, AND OTHER
SIMILAR ARTICLES."
This Invention relates to certain novel adaptions of emery or other grinding
wheels for grinding, forming, or shaping spindles used in connection with spinning
machinery, and also to a novel means of testing and setting spindles, and consist,―
First. In a means of cutting off the point of each spindle in a true relation to
the diameter of the "blade,' so that they may be all of uniforın diameters
throughout the blade. This is effected by mounting an emery wheel or other
suitable grinding wheel in suitable bearings, and arranging a gauge plate or eye at
a proper cutting angle to the periphery of the emery wheel. Each spindle blade
is pushed through this gauge into contact with the emery wheel, and ground off
until stopped by the conical blade of the spindle fitting the gauge or eye.
Secondly. In a means of centering the spindle at both ends in a more perfect
manner than heretofore. I mount an emery or other suitable grinding wheel at
the end of a shaft running in a headstock, such shaft being capable of sliding
lengthwise in its bearings under the control of a foot lever. A frame or rest, pro-
vided with an adjustable foot step, is arranged at angle with regard to the
periphery of the emery wheel, according to the desired angle of the centering.
The spindle is placed with one end in the foot step, and is also supported a short

page_text: distance from its other end in a groove formed in a stand rising from the frame or
rest. The grinding wheel by means of the foot lever is now advanced across the
end of the spindle in the direction of its axis, the operator meanwhile giving a
rotary motion to the spindle by means of the hand, or by a tracing rod, or, by
preference, with a tracer wheel. After one end has thus been centered the spindle
is reversed in position and the other end centered in a similar manner.
Thirdly. In an improved means of forming the foot of a spindle. The spindle
is fixed in a suitable frame and rotary motion imparted thereto, an emery wheel
mounted in a radiating. frame capable of turning round a fixed centre is advanced
into contact with the foot of such revolving spindle, so cutting or shaping it to a
curve corresponding with the are described by tlie periphery of the emery wheel.
Fourthly. This Invention relates to a novel means of detecting irregularities in
spindles previous to the setting, and consists of a gauging plate or surface mounted
between the operator and strong light. The spindle is rotated with one edge
close to this gauging plate but at a very acute angle thereto (and not parallel
thereto, as heretofore). The operator by observing the line of light which passes
through between the revolving spindle and gauging plate, and perceiving that the
same remains steady and constant, is thus assured of the truth and accuracy of the
spindle; but if, on the other hand, he notices that the line of light is elongated or
shortened, it is an indication that the spindle requires setting. I prefer to effect
this setting by a novel description of cramping apparatus consisting of an adjustable
frame in which the spindle can be rotated between centres, this frame being pro-
vided with a pair of cramping levers arranged to slide upon an horizontal bar, and
which by means of suitable jaws, one being single and the other double, are capable
of nipping the spindle between them at any required part of its length, and thus of
setting it to the greatest nicety. I apply the necessary power to the cramping
levers by means of a circular disc plate mounted in a sliding fork, and provided
with eccentric slots which embrace pins projecting from each of the crainping
levers, so that as such disc plate is caused to make a partial revolution upon its
axis by a (fast or loose) radiating arm, such levers are drawn together and thus
impart the nipping action to the jaws.
Lastly. This Invention relates to a novel application of rollers to the purpose of
ensuring uniformity of diameter and smoothness in the warves of spindles, and
consists in the employment of three steel rollers turned to suit the shape of the
groove in the warve; to two of these rollers I impart revolving motion, and the
other is turned by friction, being mounted in bearings in a suitable slide. I pass
the warve after it has been turned upon its spindle between the before-mentioned
rollers, causing the friction roller by means of a cam to advance in the case of each
warve to a dead point, and then to recede the pressure thus exercised upon the
groove, serving to ensure the desired uniformity and smoothness.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samuel Bradley Ardrey in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th
February 1878.
SAMUEL BRADLEY ARDREY, of the Victoria Machine and Spindle Company,
Limited, of Crumpsall, near Manchester. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR
APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF MULE AND OTHER SPINDLES, AND OTHER
SIMILAR ARTICLES."
This Invention relates to certain novel adaptions of emery or other grinding
wheels for grinding, forming, or shaping spindles used in connection with spinning
machinery, and also a novel means of testing and setting spindles, and consists,-
First. In a means of cutting off the point of each spindle in a true relation to
the diameter of the "blade," so that they may be all of uniform diameters
throughout the blade. This is effected by mounting an emery wheel or other
suitable grinding wheel A, as seen in Fig. 1, in suitable bearings, and arranging
a gauge plate or eye B at a proper cutting angle as illustrated to the periphery of
the emery wheel. Each spindle blade B is pushed through this gauge or eye
into contact with the emery wheel, as illustrated, and so ground off until stopped
by the conical blade of the spindle fitting the gauge or eye.
Secondly. This Invention consists in a means of centering the spindle at both
ends in a more perfect manner than heretofore. I mount an emery or other suitable
grinding wheel C, as represented by a side view in Fig. 2, at the end of a shaft D,
which revolves rapidly in a headstock E, such shaft being capable of sliding
lengthwise in its bearings under the control of a foot lever F; a frame or rest G,
provided with an adjustable foot step H, is arranged at an angle with regard to
the periphery of the emery wheel C, according to the desired angle of the centering.
The spindle I is placed with one end in the foot step H, and is also supported a
short distance from its other end in a groove J, formed in a stand K, rising from
the frame or rest G. The grinding wheel whilst revolving is by means of the foot
lever F now advanced across the end of the spindle in the direction of its axis, and
so centres the same to the greatest nicety, the operator having meanwhile given a
rotary motion to the spindle by means of the hand, or by a tracer rod, or, by
preference, with a tracer wheel. After one end has thus been centered the spindle
is reversed in position, and the other end centered in a similar manner. It will be
obvious, that instead of the shaft D sliding lengthwise the headstock E and shaft D
might slide together to produce the same effect.
I would here wish to observe that the cutting action of the emery wheel is in the
direction of the rotation of the spindle, instead of crosswise as heretofore.
Thirdly. This Invention relates to an improved means of forming the foot of a
spindle. The spindle is fixed in a suitable frame, and rotary motion imparted
thereto. An emery wheel mounted in a radiating frame capable of turning round a
fixed centre is advanced into contact with the foot of such revolving spindle, so
cutting or shaping it to a curve corresponding with the are described by the periphery
of the emery wheel.
Fig. 3 is a side view and Fig. 4 a plan of this portion of my improved machinery.
In both the views K is a base plate, bolted to the stationary bed L by the
bolts K'; M is an intermediate plate supporting the headstock N, and which are
capable together of partially turning round the fixed bolt O; P is the emery wheel,
mounted at the extremity of the shaft P', and revolving in bearings in the head-
stock N; Q is the spindle undergoing the grinding operation, the same being
supported at the blade in the revolving chuck R (which is provided with a fast and
loose pulley, marked R³ and R2 respectively), and supported at the other extremity
in the adjustable centre plate S, and further steadied by means of the stays S¹
and St.
The adjustable centre plate S is clamped by means of the bolt Ss in the pedestal T,
which is cast with and forms part of the upper portion of a V slide, the lower portion

page_text: .
T of which rises from and is cast with the base plate K. The centre plate S is
thus capable of sliding to and fro, and is pressed against the point of the spindle as
follows-U is a bell-crank lever, mounted or suspended upon the pin Ts (secured
to the pedestal T), and provided with a slot U¹, seen dotted in Fig. 3, which slot
embraces a fixed stud V secured to the base plate K, and thus by the action of a
weight or spring W, connected to the arm U2; such bell-crank lever U presses the
centre plate against the spindle Q, and so supports the latter whilst undergoing the
grinding operation. X is an arm (forming part of the bell-crank lever U), for
drawing back the centre plate to release and withdraw the spindle from the
machine.
The action of this machine is as follows:-Revolving motion being imparted to
the emery wheel P by the strap P2, and to the spindle Q by the strap Q, the operator
by taking hold of the handle Y2, and drawing the same in the direction of the
arrow Vs, so causes the headstock and emery wheel P to make a partial revolution
round the fixed bolt O, thus bringing the periphery of the emery wheel whilst
rapidly revolving into contact with the foot of the spindle Q, and which is thus
cut and formed to the are described by the emery wheel round the centre of the
bolt O, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4.
The periphery or outer edge of the intermediate plate M may be provided with a
toothed rack M¹, gearing with a pinion M2, and thus by imparting intermittent
revolving motion to such pinion in alternate directions the headstock N may be
traversed self-actingly.
In order to compensate for the wear of the emery wheel, and to ensure the
cutting radius being always constant, the headstock N is arranged to slide upon
V slides after the manner of a slide rest, as indicated in Figure 3, and thus the
emery wheel is fed up from time to time by the usual screw movement common to
the slide rest. The centre bolt O is also capable of adjustment in the slot formed
in the base plate K, seen dotted in Fig. 4, and thus enables the arc described by
the emery wheel to be adjusted, or to lengthen or shorten the radius, according to
requirements.
Fourthly. This Invention relates to a novel means of detecting irregularities in
spindles previous to the setting, and consists of a guaging plate or surface mounted
between the operator and a strong light. The spindle is rotated with one edge
close to this guaging plate but at a very acute angle thereto, and not parallel
thereto as heretofore. This portion of my improvements may be best understood by
referring to Fig. 5 on the accompanying Drawing, on which 1 is the spindle, and 2
the line of light, which may be supposed to consist of a narrow slit cut into a plate
of metal or other suitable material, such plate being held up against a strong light
with the slit arranged at an accute angle with regard to the spindle, as illustrated.
If the spindle 1 is now revolved between suitable fixed centres it will be obvious
that the point of intersection of the upper surface of the spindle with the line of
light, for instance, that marked 3, will remain the same if the spindle is running
true at that part; but if not, such point of intersection will vary, and the line of
light will lengthen or shorten accordingly. By raising the point of sight, or in
other words by the operator moving his head, he can bring the point of intersection
upon any portion of the length of the spindle, and thus detect irregularities along
the whole length. Instead of a slit cut into a plate a straight edge or other surface
may be held up at a similar angle between the revolving spindle and the source of
light, and by noticing where the point of intersection takes place between the
surface or edge of such straight edge and the spindle, the regularity or non-regularity
of the latter may be detected. The slitted plate or straight edge may be hinged at
one extremity, so as to cause the point of intersection to shew itself upon any
desired portion of the length of the spindle without necessitating the operator to
move his head, as is the case when the fixed plate is used. I prefer to effect the
setting of spindles by a novel description of cramping apparatus, illustrated by
Figs. 6 and 7 of the accompanying Drawing, representing a plan and side view
respectively. This apparatus consists of an adjustable frame a in which the

page_text: spindle b can be rotated between centres c, this frame being provided with a pair
of cramping levers d, arranged to slide up on a horizontal bar e, and which by means
of suitable jaws f, one being single and the other double (and capable of turning
upon a pivot f¹ to suit the tapering form of the spindle), are capable of nipping
the spindle between them at any required part of its length, and thus of setting it
to the greatest nicety. I apply the necessary power to the cramping levers d by
means of a circular disc plate g, mounted in a sliding fork h, and provided with
eccentric slots i, which embrace pins projecting from each inner side of the
cramping levers, so that as such disc plate is caused to make a partial revolution
upon its axis by a fast or loose radiating arm k, such levers are drawn together, and
thus impart the nipping action to the jaws.
Lastly. This Invention relates to a novel application of rollers, to the purpose of
ensuring uniformity of diameter and smoothness in the warves of spindles, and
consists in the employment of three steel rollers, as indicated by the letter / in
Fig. 8. These rollers (one of which is seen in plan in Fig. 8ª) are turned to suit
the shape of the groove in the warve m, and to two of these rollers I impart.
revolving motion, and the other is turned by friction, being mounted in bearings
in a suitable slide n. 1 pass the warve m (after it has been turned upon its spindle)
between the rollers 1, causing the friction roller ", by means of a cam o, to advance
in the case of each warve to a dead point, and then to recede, the pressure thus
exercised upon the groove serving to ensure the desired uniformity and smoothness.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of this ny said
Invention, together with the best methods with which I am acquainted for carrying
the same into practical effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine
myself to the precise details, relative proportions, or dimensions of the various
parts of the apparatus herein-before described, and illustrated on the accompanying
Drawing, as the same may be considerably varied without departing from the
Invention, and I claim,-
1st. The use and application of a gauge plate or eye to emery or other grinding
wheels for cutting off the points of spindles in a true relation to the blade, as
herein-before described, and illustrated on the accompanying Drawing.
2nd. The general arrangement and combination of traversing emery wheel or
other grinding mechanism for centering spindles with the cut in the direction of
the rotation of the spindle, as herein-before described, and illustrated on the accom-
panying Drawing.
3rd. Mounting an emery or other grinding wheel upon a fixed centre for
forming the foot of a spindle and operating the same, as herein-before described,
and illustrated.
4th. The employment of a slitted plate or straight surface, set at an angle, as
and for the purpose herein-before described, and illustrated.
5th. The combination of mechanism for setting spindles, substantially as
described.
6th. The application of rollers for ensuring uniformity and smoothness in the
warves of spindles, substantially as herein-before described, and illustrated on the
accompanying Drawing.
In 'witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Bradley Ardrey, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this 27th day of February. A.D. 1878.