IMPROVEMENTS IN SHEARING MACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SHEET METAL
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SHEARING MACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SHEET METAL." A com-
munication from abroad by Charles Donnay, of Paris, in the Republic of
France
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd January 1881.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHEARING MACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR
CUTTING SHEET METAL." A communication from abroad by Charles Donnay, of
Paris, in the Republic of France.
This Invention relates to the construction of shearing machines or apparatus
capable of cutting sheet metal at any distance from the edge irrespective of the
length or width of the sheets.
Shearing machines as heretofore constructed are only capable of making cuts
within a very limited distance from the edge of the sheet, as the portion of the
frame carrying the upper and moving jaw stands in the way, but according to
this Invention this disadvantage is obviated by the peculiar construction of the
apparatus, as hereinafter described.
In carrying out this Invention the cast iron frame or support carrying the
whole of the mechanism is composed of two distinct portions, viz., a lower portion
or bore carrying the stationary horizontal cutter or blade, and an upper portion or
arm carrying the upper and moveable cutter together with the mechanism for
imparting motion to the same, as hereinafter described.
.
The arm or upper portion is cast in one with the base or lower portion,
and is approximately of a triangular form in cross section at the part where
the two portions are connected, this part being arranged at the side of the
base in such a position as to offer no obstacle to the passage of the severed
portions of the sheet during the whole of the operation of cutting. As therefore
the sheet is cut the portion of the sheet on the side of the stationary blade or
cutter is free to travel forwards in a straight horizontal line on one side of the arm,
[Pd1

page_text: whilst the other portion of the sheet on the side of the moveable blade being
depressed by the descent of the latter travels forward in an inclined direction on
the other side of the arm. In order to facilitate the motion of the several portions
of the sheet, the side of the arm immediately above the junction of the latter with
the base is formed in the same vertical plane as the side of the base immediately
below its junction with the arm. Consequently in order to cut a sheet of metal
of any length or width at any distance from its edge, it is simply necessary to
impart suitable motion to the cutters and feed the sheet through the machine in
the proper direction.
The upper cutter of the improved machine is attached directly to a tool carrier
moving in a vertical direction, being actuated by a shaft carrying an eccentric
stud which works in a bearing capable of sliding horizontally in a recess in a
rectangular block. This block is also capable of moving vertically in rectangular
recess formed in the tool carrier, and is provided on its under side with large
teeth or projections in the form of a rack. Underneath this block there is arranged
another block, which is provided with corresponding teeth or projections on its
upper side, and is capable of sliding in a horizontally direction in the same
rectangular recess in the tool carrier, the total extent of its displacement being
equal to the width of one tooth, so that by moving the lower block the projections
upon the latter may be brought opposite either the projections on the upper block
or opposite the spaces between the said projections. When the projections on the
lower block are opposite the spaces between the projections on the upper block,
the latter moves vertically under the action of the eccentric stud without moving
the tool carrier or depressing the upper cutter. When, on the other hand, the
projections on the lower block are brought opposite the projections on the upper
block, the upper cutter is depressed and caused to cut, the sheet. The length of
the teeth or projections is equal to the stroke of the eccentric stud, and the
horizontal motion of the lower block is effected by suitable levers.
Thus it is simply necessary to impart rotary motion to the shaft in order to
work the upper cutter. For this purpose fast and loose pulleys are mounted upon
an intermediate shaft and actuated by a belt communicating with the motor.
This shaft also carries a fly wheel and a pinion in gear with a wheel fast on the
shaft carrying the eccentric stud herein before described.
If preferred, the requisite motion may be transmitted by a double series of
gearing, or it may be communicated directly to the shaft working the cutter.
The various coinbinations of the mechanical parts are varied according to the
power of the machine and thickness of the metal to be cut.
The frame of the machine may be constructed in two parts, in which case the
upper portion or arm may be of wrought iron or steel, and be connected to the
cast iron lower portion or base by any suitable means. The point of junction of
the the two portions will however retain the triangular form herein before described,
in order to admit of the free passage of the several portions of the sheet during the
entire operation of cutting.
The form of frame herein before described is applicable to shears cutting with
jaws or rotary cutters irrespective of the means by which they are actuated.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
.the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
2nd July 1881.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHEARING MACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR
CUTTING SHEET METAL." A communication from abroad by Charles Donnay, of
Paris, in the Republic of France.
The said Invention relates to the construction of shearing machines or apparatus
capable of cutting sheet metal at any distance from the edge irrespective of the
length or width of the sheets.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to
the several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings represents a side elevation of a shearing
machine constructed according to the said Invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same taken along the line 1, 2, Figure, 1,
showing the position of the sheet of metal before being cut.
Figure 3 is another vertical section taken along the line 3, 4, Figure 1, showing
the position of the severed portions of the sheet.
The whole of the shearing mechanism is mounted on a cast iron frame or
support a composed of two portions, videlicet, a lower portion or base 6 carrying a
stationary horizontal cutter A, and an upper portion or arm c carrying an upper
and moveable cutter B, together with mechanism for imparting motion to the same,
as hereinafter described.
The arm or upper portion c is cast in one with the base or lower portion b, and is
approximately of a triangular form in cross section at X, X, where the two portions
are connected, this part being arranged at one side of the base b in such a position as
to offer no obstacle to the passage of the severed portions of the sheet T during the
whole of the operation of cutting.
When therefore the machine is operating on a sheet T of metal, one portion T' of
the sheet on the side of the stationary cutter A is free to travel forwards in a
straight horizontal line on one side of the arm c, whilst the other portion T" of
the sheet on the side of the moveable cutter B being depressed by the descent of the
latter, travels forward in an inclined direction (Figure 1) on the other side of the arm.
In order to facilitate this motion of the severed portions of the sheet, the side of
the arm c immediately above the point of junction X, X, between the arm and the
base, is formed in the same vertical plane as the side of the base 6 immediately
below the said point of junction, as shown at U, U, Figure 3. Consequently, in
order to cut a sheet of metal of any length or width at any distance from its edge,
it is simply necessary to impart suitable motion to the cutters A, B, and feed the
sheet through the machine in the proper direction.
The upper cutter B is attached directly to a tool carrier D oscillating on a
centre C, or being actuated by a shaft E carrying an eccentric stud F which works
in a bearing G capable of sliding horizontally in a recess in a rectangular block H.
The block H is also capable of moving vertically in a rectangular recess I formed
in the tool carrier D, and is provided on its under side with large teeth or
projections o in the form of a rack. Underneath. this block H there is arranged
another block K which is provided with corresponding teeth or projections p on
its upper side, and is capable of sliding in a horizontal direction in the recess I in
the tool carrier; the total extent of its displacement being equal to the width of

page_text: one tooth, so that by moving the lower block K the projections upon the latter
may be brought either opposite the projections on the upper block H opposite the
spaces between the said projections. When the projections on the lower block are
opposite the spaces between the projections on the upper block, the latter moves
vertically under the action of the eccentric stud F without moving the tool carrier
or depressing the upper cutter B. When, on the other hand, the projections on the
lower block K are brought opposite the projections on the upper block H, the
cutter B is depressed and caused to cut the sheet. The length of the teeth or
projections is equal to the stroke of the eccentric stud, and the horizontal motion
of the lower block is effected by suitable levers L.'
Thus it is simply necessary to impart rotary motion to the shaft E in order to
actuate the upper cutter B. For this purpose fast and loose pulleys N are mounted
upon an intermediate shaft M and driven by a belt O communicating with the
motor; this shaft also carries a fly wheel P and a pinjon Q in gear with a wheel R
fast on the shaft E carrying the excentric stud F.
If preferred; the requisite motion may be transmitted by a double series of
gearing, or it may be communicated directly to the shaft E.
The various combinations of the mechanical parts are varied according to the
power of the machine and the thickness of the metal to be. cut.
The frame of the machine may be constructed in two separate parts, in which
case the upper portion or arm may be of wrought iron or steel, and be connected
to the cast iron lower portion or base by any suitable means. The point of
junction X, X, of the two portions will, however, retain the triangular form
herein before described in order to admit of the free passage of the severed portions
of the sheet during the entire operation of cutting.
The form of frame hereinbefore described is applicable to shearing machines
cutting with jaws or rotary cutters irrespective of the means by which they are
actuated.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
The combination of the cutter holder D of the shaft E with its excentric stud F,
the bearing G and the two blocks H, K, in the form of a rack, the block H
presenting teeth or projections on its under side, and the seat or adjustable block K
presenting recesses, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal, the First day of July, One thousand
eight hundred and eighty one.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)