Improvements in Machines for Folding and Shearing Metal or other Plates or Sheets.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Folding and Shearing Metal or other
Plates or Sheets.
I, JOSEPH HENRY GILL, of New Castle, Lawrance County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.,
Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide certain new and useful improvements
in machines for folding, or folding and shearing metal or other sheets. or plates,
whereby a machine of the kind is provided which will be capable of automatic
action and its general construction and efficiency greatly increased.
A machine, for the purposes aforementioned, comprising my improvements,
has a suitable framework in which are longitudinal guide-ways, to retain a
horizontally adjustable shaft carrying the plate gripping devices. These devices
consist of two levers, pivoted together between their extremities after the manner
of nippers, and having their outer longer arms longitudinally slotted. The slot
in one arm is passed over the adjustable shaft whilst the slot in the other arm
engages over a pin projecting from a crank-arm revoluble with the shaft and
imparting the opening and shutting of the grippers. The adjustment of the.
shaft brings the grippers towards or away from the pile of plates to be folded,
and is effected by means of a piston-rod, piston, and cylinder. The piston is
moved in the cylinder in one direction by steam or fluid pressure, and in the
other direction by a spiral spring surrounding a portion of the piston-rod project-
ing through the rear cover of the cylinder. After the plates are gripped it is
essential that the grippers turn upon the shaft to carry one edge of the plate
over in an arc to meet the opposite edge. This motion is conveniently effected
by a pinion on the adjustable shaft, in mesh with a segment rack on a bracket,
movable with the shaft, and rocked by a connecting rod and lever operated by
the piston-rod of a piston and cylinder similar to that afore described. The pistons
are operated at the required time by means of eccentrics or the like on the drive-
shaft suitably mounted in the framework; the eccentrics operating valves to
admit and cut off steam or fluid from the cylinders. If preferred, however, the
valves may be operated by hand.
During the bending over of the plate its other end is held firmly by a suitable
clamp, and after the grippers bring it over upon itself it is flattened and creased
by a platen which may be caused to rise and fall by means of a pitman pivoted
to a crank on the drive-shaft, or to the fly-wheel.
The drive-shaft is rotated by a small cylinder, piston and pitman, or it may
be driven by a band and pulley or gearing from any other source of power.
The shears may be arranged in the framework and be operated by eccentrics
or similar mechanism on the drive-shaft, and are in convenient position to trim
the edges of the sheets or plates when folded.
Although the machine is especially applicable for folding and shearing metal
plates, yet it is also capable of use for folding and cutting paper; it being stacked

page_text: adjacent to or on the framework of the machine between suitable guide-plates
to be seized by the gripping devices.
Dated this 22nd day of November 1899
P. R. J. WILLIS,
Agent for Applicant.
Improvements in Machines for Folding and Shearing Metal or other
Plates or Sheets.
I, JOSEPH HENRY GILL, of New Castle, Lawrance County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.,
Inventor, 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: —
The object of this invention is to provide a device for doubling and shearing
metal or or other plates or sheets rapidly and accurately and with much greater
facility than it is possible to do the same by hand, and with much less waste
of material.
Reference being had to the drawings:-Figure 1 is a side elevation partly
broken away shewing my improved doubler in connection with a suitable press
and shears. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view shewing the parts beneath the
working table in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the position
that the doubler assumes in doubling the plate or pack
My invention consists in a doubler mounted upon a suitable carriage movable
within ways formed in a table or framework, the doubler being adapted to grasp
one end of the sheet or pack, while the other end is held by a suitable clamping
device upon the table, and in means by which the carriage carrying the doubler
may be shifted with relation to the sheet or pack so as to accurately double the
same when the doubler is rotated upon its axis thus enabling the operator to
provide for the variations in the lengths of sheets as they are delivered to him for
doubling.
My invention further consists in employing in connection with the said doubler
a suitable press or platen, whereby the folded sheet or pack is flattened. The
sheets or pack being held by the clamp upon the table at one end and the doubler
at the other, which after being rotated brings the two ends into close proximity
to each other, the folded portion is pressed flat by the platen which engages the
same in such a way as to permit the final fold to be exactly at the middle point
inasmuch as the pressure of the platen or press is exerted in a diriction away
from the firmly secured edges, instead of, as heretofore, forming a crease and
exerting the pressure from the crease outwardly towards the end
This prevents
irregularity after the sheet or pack has been flattened. Heretofore doubling
has been largely done by hand, and as a result there is much irregularity in the
pack after they are doubled, inasmuch as the plates come from the rolls with
irregularity as to length and shape and make it difficult for the person doubling
to accurately perform this operation. There are limitations also in hand
manipulation such as the size and number of the sheets to be doubled.
My invention overcomes the difficulty incident to hand manipulation and at the
same time affords a machine for successfully carrying out the operation, as my
device will handle the sheets as they come from the rolls and adjust them to each
other so as to true up their opposite edges.
In the accompanying drawings 2 represents a table or frame beneath which is a car-

page_text: riage 3, the projecting end portions 4 of which are adapted to slide in suitable ways 5
in the side frame of the table. A shaft 6 passes through the carriage 3 and
projects sufficiently beyond the end portion 4 to afford a bearing for the doubler 7,
which consists of a pair of gripping jaws 8 and 9, the long arms of the jaw 8
being loosely mounted upon the shaft 6 at its outer ends. As shewn in the draw-
ings, there is a pair of these arms upon each side of the table which are duplicates
of each other and are connected by cross-bars 10 and 11. Upon the shaft 6 are
rigidly secured arms 12 which engage slots 13 in the long arms of the jaws 9. A
block 14 carried by a pin upon the arm 12, slides freely within the slot 13.
Beneath the table 2 is a motive cylinder 15, which I have shewn as single acting,
the piston being returned to its initial position upon the pressure being released
by spring 16, which bears upon a stop 17 secured to the outer end of the piston
rod 18. The other end of the piston rod 18 is secured to the carriage 3 so as
to move the same and the doubler carried by it to the desired position with respect.
to the sheet or pack to be doubled. A suitable gauge may be placed upon the
table to enable the operator to quickly bring the doubler into the desired position.
Secured to the carriage 3 by suitable framework 19 is an operating cylinder 20,
which is similar in construction to the cylinder 15. To the forward end of the
piston rod 21 is secured a lever 22, which is pivotally connected to the frame 19
by a link 23, one end of said link forming a fulcrum for the lever 22, which
is connected at its other end to links 24, which are connected to the segment 25,
mounted upon the axle 26 of the carriage 3. Upon the shaft 6 is a pinion 27,
adapted to be engaged by the segment 25. The segment is thus arranged to
impart a rotary motion to the doubler through the gear 27, which is rigidly secured
upon the shaft 6. The cylinder 20 and the carriage 3 are mounted upon suitable
wheels which move upon tracks located at the proper levels therefor.
In the drawings I have shewn my doubling apparatus as located in front of
suitable shears 29 and press 30, although it is apparent that it may be used at
a point removed from the shears.
Upon the table 2 is placed a clamping plate 28, which is operated by a suitable
hand or foot lever, so as to be raised and lowered to grip or release one end of
the sheet or pack. This holds the same firmly upon the table 2 when the lever
is depressed and during the doubling operation. The shears are of the usual con-
struction and require no special description.
I have found it convenient to mount the arms carrying the press or platen upon
the shear-frame and to operate the same by a pitman connection with the shaft,
which operates the moving knife of the shears 29.
Beneath the table 2 and mounted in suitable brackets is a shaft 31 which is
provided with arms 32, connected to a gauge 33, which extends through a slot
in the table 2 by a link 34. Suitable holes 35 are placed in the top of the
table 2 on the opposite side from the gauge 33 and are adapted to receive pins 36,
which serve as stops for one side of the sheet or pack, while the opposite side
is engaged by the gauge 33, which is adapted to be moved by the lever 37, which
has a link connection with the arm 38, secured to the shaft 31. The lever 37
may be either operated by hand or foot power and is suitably counterbalanced, as
shewn.
The operation of my device is as follows:-A sheet or pack to be doubled is
placed upon the table and its opposite edges are suitably squared with respect
to the doubler, one end extending between the open jaws of the doubler and
the opposite end beneath the clamping bar 28. If the doubler be located close
to the shears, as shown in the drawings, the end beneath the clamping bar 28
is permitted to project a sufficient distance for shearing after the sheet or pack
is doubled. The opposite end which lies between the jaws 8 and 9 of the doubler,
and the cross-bars connecting the same, is gripped between the jaws when they
are closed as indicated by dotted lines, the armis 12 causing the jaw 9 and its
cross bar 11 to raise the sheet into the position shewn by dotted lines in Fig. 1,
the long arms of the jaws, when closed, being substantially in line with each

page_text: other. The arm 12 receives its movement from the shaft 6, which carries the
gear 27 which is engaged by the segment 5 which in turn is operated by the
link connection with the piston-rod 21 of the cylinder 20. After the jaws of
the doubler have been closed the continued forward motion of the piston in
the cylinder 20 causes the doubler to rotate upon its axis, which is the shaft 6,
until the doubler is brought into contact with the table after being rotated
about one hundred and eighty degrees, at which time the end of the sheet or
pack which extends beyond the jaws of the doubler lies in close proximity to
the opposite end, which is held beneath the clamping bar 28. If the ends upon
the initial adjustment do not properly coincide, the end which is grasped by
the doubler may be moved with respect to the one held beneath the clamping
bar by admitting pressure to the cylinder 15, or releasing the pressure therein
80 as to move the carriage forward or rearwardly as required to adjust the edges.
I prefer to give the platen or press a descent which shall exert pressure upon
the folded sheet or pack in a direction away from the ends which are held by
the jaws of the doubler and the clamping bar, so that the final folds or crease
will not be given to the pack or sheet until the exact point is reached which
will cause the pack or sheet to be doubled evenly and without any liability to
disturb the ends which are to be sheared, so as to cause needless waste of material.
After the doubled pack has been sheared the required amount upon the pressure
in the cylinder 20 being released the spring around the outer extension of the
piston rod 21, will first cause the segment through its linked connection with
the piston-rod to rotate the pinion 27 and the arm 12 upon the shaft 6, so as to
open the jaw 9, which will then be in the uppermost position, at which time
the doubled sheet or pack may be removed by pulling it toward the right of the
machine, as shewn in Fig. 1, by means of suitable tongs or other devices. The
continued rotation of the shaft 6 returns the doubler to its initial position ready
to receive another sheet or pack, when the operation is repeated. It is apparent
that while I have described the jaws 8, and 9 of the doubler as connected with
the corresponding pair on the opposite side of the table, this is not essential so
long as they act together, as the jaws 8 and 9 might be provided with suitable
extensions which would only partially embrace the sheet or pack.
The advantages of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art,
since I am able to double sheets and packs of tin or other plate accurately, and
to carry out the doubling operation to an extent not heretofore possible. The
device is simple durable and effective and is not liable to get out of order. The
adjustment of the doubler to the proper point for grasping the sheet or pack
may be quickly and accurately made.
Many changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts
without departing from my invention and will suggest themselves to a skilled
mechanic.
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
(1) A doubling apparatus, having gripping jaws at least one of which is movable
towards and from the other, and mechanism arranged to swing and rotate the
jaws as a whole, after the end portion of the sheet is gripptd thereby, substan-
tially as described.
(2) A doubling apparatus, comprising a table, and a doubler having its axis
of rotation adjustable with respect to the sheet or pack; substantially as described.
(3) A doubling apparatus comprising a doubler having gripping jaws, an axis
upon which said doubler rotates, said axis being adjustable with respect to the
sheet or pack and mechanism whereby said jaws are rotated substantially as
described.
(4) A doubling apparatus comprising a doubler, adjustable with respect to
the pack or sheet, an axis upon which said doubler rotates, mechanism whereby the

page_text: adjustment is effected, and independent means whereby the doubler is rotated
upon its axis so as to double the sheet or pack, substantially as described.
(5) A doubling apparatus having movable gripping jaws, mechanism arranged
to swing the jaws as a whole through the
arc
of a circle after they are gripped
upon the sheet, and mechanism arranged to open the jaws and then swing
them back as a whole to their normal position, substantially as described.
(6) A doubling apparatus, comprising a doubler having gripping jaws, an
axis of rotation, one of said jaws being secured to said axis, so as to rotate therein,
an arm secured to said axis, engaging the other gripping jaw, so as to close or
open the same, and means whereby rotation is imparted to said axis, thereby
rotating the doubler, substantially as described.
(7) A doubling apparatus comprising a table or frame, a doubler adapted to
slide thereon, having gripping jaws, a shaft upon which said jaws rotate, and
by which they are adjusted in a desired position relative to the sheet, a motive
cylinder whereby this adjustment is accomplished, mechanism whereby said shaft
is rotated, and a second motive cylinder adapted to actuate said rotating mechan-
ism substantially as described."
(8) A doubling apparatus comprising a table or framework, a clamp upon said
table adapted to hold one end of the sheet or pack, a doubler having gripping
jaws adapted to grip the other end of the same, an axis upon which said doubler
rotates, and mechanism whereby rotation is imparted thereto and the sheet
doubled; substantially as described.
(9) A doubling apparatus comprising a table or framework, a clamp upon said
table adapted to hold one end of a sheet or pack, a doubler having gripping jaws
adapted to grip the other end of the same, an axis upon which said doubler
rotates, adjustable with respect to the sheet or pack and means whereby the
doubler is rotated and the sheet doubled substantially as described.
(10) A doubling apparatus comprising a doubler having gripping jaws adapted
to hold one end of a sheet or pack, means. whereby the, other end is held,
mechanism whereby the gripping jaws are rotated, and the sheet doubled, and a
platen or press whereby the sheet is flattened; substantially as described.
(11) A doubling apparatus comprising a table or framework, a clamp upon
said table adapted to hold one end of a sheet or pack, a doubler having gripping
jaws adapted to grip the other end of the same, an axis upon which said doubler
rotates, and mechanism whereby rotation is imparted thereto, and the sheet
doubled, and a press or platen whereby the doubled sheet is flattened, substan-
tially as described.
(12) A doubling apparatus comprising a table or framework, a clamp upon
said table adapted to hold one end of the sheet or pack, a doubler having gripping
jaws adapted to grip the other end of the same, and an axis upon which said
doubler rotates, adjustable with respect to the sheet or pack and means whereby
the doubler is rotated and the sheet doubled, and a press or platen whereby the
doubled sheet is flattened, substantially as described.
(13) In a doubling apparatus, in combination with shears, a doubler having
gripping jaws adapted to hold one end of a sheet or pack, means whereby the
other end is held, mechanism whereby the doubler is rotated, and the sheet or
pack doubled, and the opposite ends brought together for shearing, and a press
or platen adapted to flatten the doubled sheets, substantially as described.
(14) A doubling apparatus, comprising a table or frame, gauges thereon, whereby
the pack is straightened, a clamp adapted to hold one end of the sheet or pack,
a doubler having gripping jaws adapted to grip the other end of the sheet or
pack, an axis upon which said doubler rotates, and mechanism whereby the
doubler is rotated and the sheet doubles substantially as described.
(15) A doubling apparatus comprising a table or frame, gauge thereon, whereby
the pack is straightened, a clamp adapted to hold one end of the sheet or pack,
a doubler having gripping jaws adapted to grip the other end of the sheet or
pack, an axis upon which doubler rotates, and mechanism whereby the doubler

page_text: is rotated and the sheet doubled, and a press or platen whereby the doubled sheet
or pack is flattened, substantially as described.
(16) In doubling apparatus in combination with shears, a table or frame,
gauges thereon, whereby a pack is straightened, a doubler having gripping
jaws adapted to hold one end of a sheet or pack, means whereby the other end is
held, mechanism whereby the doubler is rotated, and the sheet or pack doubled,
and the opposite ends brought together for shearing, a press or platen adapted to
flatten the doubled sheets or packs, substantially as described.
(17) A doubler comprising a pair of jaws having one member fixed and the
other movable with respect to each other, a shaft upon which the jaws rotate,
cross-bars connecting the jaws of both members, an arm on the shaft engaging
the member movable with respect to the other, whereby the jaws are opened and
closed, and gearing whereby the shafts and jaws carried thereby are rotated,
so as to double the sheet, substantially as described.
(18) A doubling apparatus comprising a doubler having gripping jaws, a
shaft upon which the jaws rotate, means whereby the jaws are closed, and then
rotated upon said shaft as an axis, when the shaft is rotated in
one direction, and adapted to release the doubled sheet or pack when
the shaft is rotated in the reverse direction and, after said release is accom-
plished to return the jaws of the doubler to their initial position substantially as
described.
(19) A doubling apparatus comprising a doubler having gripping jaws, a
shaft upon which the jaws rotate means whereby the jaws are closed and then
rotated on said shaft as an axis, when the shaft is rotated in one direction, a
press or platen adapted to flatten the doubled sheet or pack said doubler being
adapted to release the doubled pack or sheet when the shaft is rotated in the
reverse direction, and after said release is accomplished to return the jaws of the
doubler to their initial position substantially as described.
(20) A doubling apparatus comprising a table or framework, a clamp upon
said table adapted to hold one end of the sheet or pack, a carriage movable with
respect to said pack, a doubler carried thereby having gripping jaws adapted to
grip the other end of the same, an axis upon which doubler rotates, and mechan-
ism whereby rotation, is imparted thereto and the sheet doubled; substantially
as described.
Dated this 23rd day of dromect 1000