IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING, PUNCHING FORGING, AND FORMING NUTS. BOLTS, SCREWS, AND VARIOUS OTHER ARTICLES IN METAL.
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Porter, of the Salford Screw Bolt Works,
near Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer and Tool Maker,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING, PUNCHING
FORGING, AND FORMING NUTS. BOLTS, SCREWS, AND VARIOUS OTHER ARTICLES IN
METAL.'
Sealed the 2nd March 1855, and dated the 19th September 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Porter at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
19th September 1854.
I, JOSEPH PORTER, of the Salford Screw Bolt Works, near Manchester, in
the County of Lancaster, Engineer and Tool Maker, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING
PUNCHING, FORGING. AND FORMING NUTS, BOLTS, SCREWS. AND VARIOUS OTHER
ARTICLES IN METAL," (to be as follows) :-
In making screw nuts by the machinery referred to above, a bar of metal is
taken of suitable size, and the end of it is placed between dies fixed iu rams,
which approach each other simultaneously, and cut from the bar sufficient
metal to form the nut, and at the same time give by compression shape to the
nut on the sides; when this is accomplished, the dies referred to retire, leaving
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page_text: the partly-formed nut over a die of the exact size and shape into which it is
forced and compressed by a descending ram, which has a punch, which gives
shape to the upper side of the nut, (shape being given to the lower side by the
bottom of the die in which it is compressed.) While this takes place, or imme-
diately after it is accomplished, a punch fixed in a ram, worked in the interior
of the descending ram last mentioned, punches the hole in the nut; the bottom
of the die may then slide on one side, and the descending ram make a further
descent to force the nut through the die; after which the bottom of the die
again slides into its place ready for another nut, the operation being repeated
as described for each nut. For six-sided nuts, the cutting edges of the cutting
and compressing dies are so shaped that at the point of cutting they form
planes on the bar.approximating to four sides of the nut, two of which are
formed on the piece cut off, and two are left on the end of the bar, to form
two sides of the nut next to be cut off. For square nuts, in place of cutting
the metal off the bar by the dies compressing the sides, it may be done by the
punch, in the descending compressing ram, forcing the piece cut off into the
die below, to finish and punch the hole through it, and afterwards deliver it
out at the bottom of the die.
For bolts with squares under the heads, or with square heads, the centre
ram used for punching the holes may be dispensed with; lengths will have to
be placed in the dies as cut from the bar, and the descending ram will have to
compress the end, at first slightly, (if for bolts with squares under the heads,)
to give sufficient metal to form the squares, when the dies corresponding to
those for the sides of nut advance and compress the part to form the square,
and the descending ram makes a further descent to form the head, which dies
may then retire and allow the bolt to passthrough, which operations finish the
bolt. The rams here referred to may be actuated from cams or excentrics,
placed on shafts geered together so as to act in harmony; or otherwise the
rams actuating the side-compressing dies may be worked by inclines on a
revolving circle.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Joseph Porter in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
19th March 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
PORTER, of the Salford Screw Bolt Works, near Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer and Tool Maker, send greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the eighteenth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Joseph Porter, Her especial license that I, the said Joseph Porter, my execu-
tors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Joseph Porter,
time
my executors,administrators, and assigns, should at any agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the terin therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle
of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING. PUNCHING,
FORGING, AND FORMING NUTS, BOLTS, SCREWS, AND VARIOUS OTHER ARTICLES IN
METAL," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Joseph Porter,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Joseph Porter, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement and accompanying Drawings (that is to say):
--
I may generally explain the nature of the improvements in the machinery
to which this Invention refers, by describing its mode of action in making
screw nuts. A bar of metal is taken of suitable size, and the end of it is
placed between dies fixed on slides or rams, which approach each other simul-
taneously, and cut from the bar sufficient metal to form the nut, and at the
same time give by compression shape to the nut on the sides. When this is
accomplished, the dies referred to retire, leaving the partly-formed nut over a
die of the exact size and shape required, into which it is forced and compressed
by a descending ram, which has a punch fixed in it that gives shape to the
upper side of the nut (shape being given to the lower side by the bottom of
the die into which it is compressed). While this is taking place, or immedi-
ately after it is accomplished,a punch, fixed in a ram worked in the interior of
the descending ram last mentioned, punches the hole in the nut; the bottom
of the die being then removed, the descending ram makes a further descent to
force the nut through the die, after which the bottom of the die is replaced
ready for another nut; the operations being repeated, as described, for each
nut. For six-sided nute, the cutting edges of the cutting and compressing

page_text: dies are so shaped, that at the point of cutting they form planes on the bar
approximating to four sides of the nut, two of which are formed on the piece
cut off; and two are left on the end of the bar to form two sides of the nut
next cut off from the bar. For square nuts, in place of cutting the metal offi
the bar by the dies compressing the sides,it may be done by the punch, in the
descending compressing ram, forcing the piece cut off into the die below, to
finish and punch the hole through, and afterwards deliver it out of the bottom
of the die.
Having explained generally the mode of action of theimproved machinery
for making articles similar to screw nuts, I will next describe particularly the
manner in which the mechanism may be arranged, and have the motions
referred to imparted to it, before entering into explanation of the mode of
making articles similar to screw bolts. For this purpose I shall refer to the
two Sheets of Drawings annexed hereto, wherein the same letters and figures
of reference will be used on similar or corresponding parts in each Figure of
the Drawings. A series of several heads or operating parts may be arranged
on the same frame, motion being imparted to them by the same shafts.
Fig. 1 is partly a front elevation of the machine, or a front elevation of one
head or system of operating parts. Fig. 2 is a cross sectional elevation on a
line from A to B (Fig. 1); and Fig. 3, a plan sectional view below the line
C, D, (Fig. 1.) The bed or frame A of the machine is supported on feet A',
and that end at which the machine has motion imparted to it is supposed to
be next to a wall, in which a wall box and pedestal a' is fixed to carry one end
of the first motion shaft a (though it may be arranged on a frame from
the ground), the other end being secured in a bearing formed in the end of the
frame or bed A of the machine. a² are fast and loose pulleys, upon which the
strap works that imparts motion to the machine; a³ is a fly wheel, keyed on
the first motion shaft a, acting as a reservoir for momentum; a* is a pinion,
also keyed on the first motion shaft, gearing with a wheel (6) above, and
another wheel (c) below it. The wheel 6 is keyed on a shaft b', working in
bearings formed on brackets 63, secured to the bed or frame of the machine,
and the wheel c is keyed on a shaft c', working in bearings formed in brackets
c², secured to the under side of the bed or frame. On the front of the bed or
frame, grooves are formed to receive dovetail slide pieces d, one side of the
dovetail groove being moveable, in accordance with the usual method of con-
structing similar slides, to allow the slide pieces d to be placed in the groove
and to tighten them, being fixed to the bed by screws d². In these slide pieces(c)
the dies()are placed, for cutting the metal required to form the nut from the
bar, and compressing the sides of it, being secured on their placesty setscrews

page_text: d (see Fig.3). These dies are made of the size and shape required for different
sizes and shapes of nuts. Motion to cause the diesto simultaneously approach
and retire from each other is obtained from cams d5 on the shaft c¹, having
paths which give an action parallel to their axes of rotation. The cams d³ act
on one end of levers do, which have their fulcrums d' on pins fixed in the bed
or frame, the other ends each taking into a recess formed in the slide pieces (d);
hardened pieces d³ being fixed in the sides of the recesses for the ends of the
levers do to act against. f is an hollow ram (herein-before mentioned as the
descending ram), which is square externally, so that when fitted to slide
vertically it will not be able to move in any other direction. The ram is fitted
by forming a Vgroove in the bracket b², secured to the frame, and another in
a cap (63), which is secured against the face of the bracket 62, and made to fit
close against the ram by the screws b. In the bottom of the hollow ram fa
punch or die f (see Fig. 2) is fitted, of the shape and size suitable for the
nuts required, and it is secured in the ram by a set screw f. The punch or
die f¹ has a hole made through its axis, equal in size to that required in the
nut, through which a puuch g' works, to puuch the hole in the nut that is fitted
in a ram g,free vertically in the interior of the hollow ram f. The punch g' is
secured by a set screw g³, that screws into the interior ram g', which comes
to the outside of the cap 63, so as to be readily tightened, vertical slots being
made in the side of the hollow ram and in the cap 63 to allow of the vertical
movements of the rams. The proper motions for working the rams and g
are obtained from cams keyed on the shaft 61. The cams shewn are cast in
one piece, but have three paths; the middle one, 65, is for working the interior
ram g, to punch the nut; those, b, on each side of it, are duplicates of each
other (two boing used to obtain central action), and are for working the
hollow or external ram f; the two outside cams 67(which are also duplicates),
are for lifting both rams after such descent. Both the internal and external
ram have cross heads f3 and 93 (against which the cams for forcing them down
act directly), by which they are each connected by rods and g', with a cross
bar h, above the cams 65, 66, 67, having points h' which rest upon the outside
cam b'. The cross head g³ of the internal rain is fixed, so as always to move
with the cross barh; but the ends of the rods/',connecting the cross head f³ of
the external ram with it, are allowed to play vertically in the holes in the cross
head through which they pass, so as to permit the internal ram g to descend
while the external one fremains stationary, and then permit the external ram
to descend, while the internal one remains stationary. The upper ends of the
rods, 9, are jointed to the cross bar h by a pin h², on the ends of which, at
the outside, friction bowls h' are placed, that bear against upright bars,b,

page_text: secured to the brackets 62 to resist the tendencywhich the outside cams b' have
to pull over the cross bar h and rods connected with it in the direction of their
revolution. The cross bar or lever h is prolonged to form an handle h³, so
that by removing the pin ³ it can be readily lifted and fixed in the position
shewn in dotted lines; and by this means the rams will be disconnected from
the cams b', so as to allow the placing of other dies or punches without
interfering or stopping the other heads of the machine. The cams on the
shaft c are made free, and so as to be connected or disconnected with the
shaft c', by a clutch box arrangement c³, for the same purpose, the clutch box
lever c¹, having its fulcrum on the frame at c5. The die (k) into which the
partly-formed nut is forced by the punch in the hollow ram f, is fitted into a
block, and secured by a set screw k². The die / may be made externally of
7:
the same size and shape for all sizes and shapes of nuts, so that the same die
block will always answer. The die block ¹ is bevelled on the under side
to correspond to the incline given to a wedge 3 upon which it rests, which is
for the purpose of adjusting the height of the die block k', being adjusted
laterally and secured by screws, which screw through holes in the heads of
bolts ³, that pass through holes in the bed plate,and are fastened underneath
it by cotters . The bottom of the die k is formed by a door k, hinged on a
centre in a recess formed on the under side of the die block; it has a hole
through it, corresponding to that to be punched through the nut, to permit
the metal punched out to pass through, and it is hinged, so as to uncover the
bottom of the die, to allow the punch f¹ in the descending ram to force the
formed nut out of the die k. The door k' is supported against the bottom of
the die k by a ram 1, which is sustained against the door by the cam m*
(attached to the cams d³) ou the shaft c', till it requires to be opened to allow
the formed nut to pass out, when it lowers the ram out of the way. The
central part of the upper end of the ram lis cut away, as well as a part in the
bed plate, to allow the metal punched out of the nut through the door & to
drop down, and it is made so that it can be adjusted to press against the
under side of the door k' by a wedge. The ram consists of a vertical part
and horizontal part 13, all in one piece, the horizontal part being for the
wedge to rest upon, a hole being formed through the vertical part & for the
wedge to pass through. The lower end of that part of the ram (4) which
acts against it is bevilled to correspond to the incline of the wedge on which it
rests. When the wedge is adjusted by the screw ', the part 7 is secured to
the parts P,P,by a screw bolt. In place of the door ka die may be secured
in the top of the ram l, of such size and shape as will fit and enter into the
lower part of the diek, to form the bottom of it. When the end of a suitable

page_text: bar of metal is placed between the cutting dies d³, they are simultaneously
made, by the action of the cams d³, to approach each other, and cut the metal
required to form the nut off the end of the har, and at the same time give
shape to the sides of the piece cut off by compression. When this is
accomplished, the punch or die f in the cam f begins to descend, and the
cutting dies to retire, to allow the punch or die f¹ to force and compress the
partly-formed nut into the die k below it. The punch in the internal ram g
is then made to descend and punch the hole in the nut, when the ram
descends and allows the hinged bottom of the die k³ to open, when the punch
fmakes a further descent, forcing the completely formed nut at the same
time off the punch g' and out of the die &, when it drops on the floor. After
this is accomplished, the rams f and g rise to bring the punch f¹ above the
cutting dies ds, and at the same time the ram l rises, so as to close the hinged
door, the same motions of all the parts being repeated for each nut every
revolution of the shafts b' and c'. A stop will be required to adjust the length
of metal to be cut from the bar, placed for the end of the bar to be pushed
against. The stop may be the point of a screw m, screwed 'through one end
of a lever m³, having its fulcrum on the framing at m³, the other end being
pressed against a cam m' on the shaft b' by a spring mo, (all of which are
shewn by dotted lines in Fig. 2). By the screw (m) the length of the bar
of metal admitted past the cutting edges of the dies d³ may be regulated, the
path of the cam.m' on 'the shaft b' causing the lever m' to remain stationary
till:the dies d have begun to cut, then allowing it to be moved by the spring
m to bring the end of screw m back clear of the cutters and other parts
remaining back till the time for cutting again comes round, when the cam m
will cause.the lever m² to move the end of the stop screw m into the position
required,repeating these movements foreach nut. For square nuts, the cutting
dies may be of the form shewn by a plan, Fig. 4, the cutting edge (³×
being on one die only; but in place of cutting the metal from the bar by the
side dies d', it may be cut off for square nuts by the punch f¹, in the ram f, (as
herein-before alluded to,) and forced into the die k below, and there be com-
pressed to the shape required, and then have the hole.punched through it and
delivered, as before explained. Machinery acting in the manner last described
for square nuts may be used for cutting pieces of metal from the bar, and for
punching such pieces, which may be afterwards finished by hand, for which
purpose a punch and cutting tool may be also used, arranged as shewn in
Fig. 10, and fitted into the ram f, occupying the place of the punch f¹; in
this case the punch g' will be fixed, the internal ram 9 being dispensed with.
The action of this tool is as follows:-The end of the bar of metal will be

page_text: pushed against a stop m, and on the descent of the ramf, the cutting edge
will cut off the length required for the nut, and at the same time the punch
g will punch a hole in the bar, which, by arranging the distance between the
punch g' and the cutting edge x and the stop m, will be in the centre of the
next piece cut off from the bar, so that a hole will be punched and a piece of
metal cut off from the bar with a hole in it at each descent of the ram f.
I have next to describe the nature of my improved machinery for making
such articles as bolts by explaining its mode of action. The mechanism
employed is a modification of that described for making nuts. A length of
metal cutfrom the bar sufficient for a bolt is placed in dies or moulds corre-
sponding to the die k, herein-before mentioned; then a punch or die in a
ram, corresponding to the ram f, herein-before mentioned, will compress the
end to form the head of the bolt; but if for bolts with squares under the
heads, or square heads, dies corresponding to the dies d³, herein-before
mentioned, will advance simultaneously and form the sides of the bolt,
when it will be forced out of a die corresponding to k, herein-before men"
tioned, or will be allowed to drop from it. One arrangement of machinery
for carrying into effect this part of my Invention is shewn by Figs. 5 and 6,
Sheet 2. Figure 5 is a vertical section of modifications required in the
machinery shewn by Figures 1, 2, and 3, to adapt it for making bolts; and
Figure 6, a plan sectional view of the same below the line A, B, Figure 5.
An internal ram (f) is not required for bolts. 6¹ is the upper cam shaft,
one cam (6) only being required to force down the ram f, which is lifted
in this case by a weighted lever n, having its fulcrum at n¹; the end of the
lever is attached by a pin to the upper part of the ram f. f is the die or
stamp for forming the head of the bolt; k is the die or mould for the
bolt, being fitted in a hole in the bed of the frame A. The die or mould k
shewn is for a square-headed bolt, the top of it having a groove formed across
it corresponding to the form of the head; and side punches or dics (d³) are
fitted to slide in the groove, being fixed in the slide pieces d, which are
actuated in the same manner as those shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 3, and
herein-before described. When the stamp or die has compressed the metal
staudingabove the die k, the side dies or stamps d³will simultaneously advance
towards each other and compress the sides, and when advanced as near as
intended, the die k will then form a complete mould for the bolt, as the ends
of the side dies are shaped to accomplish this purpose. Into the interior of
the die block ka spindle p is fitted; the lower end of it is screwed into a pice
p', that moves vertically in guide grooves p², formed in brackets on each side
of the cam m*. The cam causes the spindle p to force the bolt when finished

page_text: out of the die . The action of the machine is as follows:-A length of metal
as cut from a bar of suitable size for the bolt required, or a length which has
been forged down and sufficient to make the size of the bolt required, is
placed in the die ; the stamp or die f then descends, and compresses the
metal standing above the surface of the die k into the groove formed in it; the
side dies then commence to approach each other, and compress the opposite
sides of the head of the bolt. When this is accomplished, they begin to retire,
and at the same time the punch or stump begins to ascend, then the
spindle pascends and forces the bolt out of the mould; then descends, and
remains in its lowest position during all the other operations of the machine;
the motions described being repeated for each bolt. The side dies d³
used for articles similar to bolts with squares under the heads, or with square
heads, or both squares under the heads, and square heads or bolts, with six-
sided heads and other forms.
may be
Figs. 7, 8, and 9 shew another arrangement of machinery acting in a
similar manner to that just described. The same letters and figures of
reference which have been employed on those Figures of the Drawings
herein-before described will be repeated on the same or corresponding
parts shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9, by which means such parts as are not
referred to in the following description will be readily understood. Fig. 7
is an end sectional view, Fig. 8 a plan sectional view, Fig. 9 a sectional
elevation, on the right of the line A, B, Fig. 7. The ram f is placed in an
horizontal position, and it is forced forward by the cam 66 on the shaft 6', and
brought back by a weighted lever n, having its fulcrum at n'.
placed on the shaft c' are employed for working the side dies
Drum cams d³
³ or k. In the
arrangement shewn, the die corresponding to the die / in Figs. 5 and 6 is made
in two halves, having parts formed on them, by which they are fixed in the
slides d, and secured by set screws ', thus combining together the dies
and h. A ram q is fitted in slides, and is worked vertically by a cam m on the
shaft c', which acts on a friction bowl q', fixed in the bottom part of the ram q.
On the upper end of the ram 2 a cutting edge q' is fitted and secured by screw
bolts q, and another edge q' is fitted and fixed on the framing to cut against.
The action of the machine is as follows:--When the cutting edge of the ram q
is at its lowest position and the ram fin its furthest position from the dies
(d, k), the end of a bar of metal is pushed in and through the hole formed
between the dies k, till its end comes against the face of the die f¹ in the
ram f. The bar is held there till the ram y ascends, the edge cutting off the
bar. The ram then remains stationary, and the ram f advances and com-
presses the metal above the surface of the dies (d³, k), thus forming the head

page_text: of the bolt. When this is accomplished, it begins to retire; the rain 2 begins
to descend at the same time, and the drum cams d' then act and cause the dies
(d,k,) to separate, allowing the formed bolt to drop out, then close again, and
remain closed during the formation of each bolt. After the rams fand g have
retired, they remain stationary to give time to enter the end of the bar of
metal again; the motions described are repeated for each bolt or other similar
article. The lengths of the bolts may be regulated within certain limits by
regulating the depth of the dies (d³, k,) and the length of the dies f'. The
improved machines, herein-before described, are intended to operate upon
inetal in a heated state, but they may be employed to operate upon soft metals
in a cold state for small articles.
Having described the nature of my Invention, I would have it understood
that I claim,-
First, the combination and arrangement of machinery, hercin-before
described, and its mode of action for making blanks for screw nuts and other
similar articles.
Secondly, I claim the combination and arrangement of machinery herein-
before described, for making bolts and other similar articles.
Thirdly, I claim as my Invention machinery for making bolts and other
small articles combining a compressing action on the sides and end of the
article, as herein-before explained.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Porter, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Seventeenth day of March, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-five.
JOSEPH PORTER. (L.s.)