IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR BENDING OR SHAPING CARRIAGE SPRINGS."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
"
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR BENDING OR SHAPING CARRIAGE
SPRINGS." A communication from abroad by Charles F. Shoemaker, of
Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America, Mechanical Engineer.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th February 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR BENDING
OR SHAPING CARRIAGE SPRINGS." [A communication from abroad by Charles F.
Shoemaker, of Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America, Mechanical Engineer.]
This Invention relates to machinery for bending or shaping the leaves or plates
of carriage springs, whereby the series of leaves or plates composing the spring are
adapted to each other in their curvilineal relation.
In carrying the said Invention into practice I arrange within a suitably con-
structed frame a carriage, the ends of which are respectively adapted to guides or
ways on the inner sides of the ends of the said frame. Said carriage is given a
vertical reciprocating movement by the following devices, that is to say:-
Transversely in each end of the aforesaid frame is journalled a shaft immediately
under the ends of the carriage above alluded to. From the shafts project a pair of
arms. Said arms are attached to the ends of the carriage respectively by links,
and form in connection with the arms a toggle or knee joint.
The two knee-joints are connected to each other by a link, whereby the joints
are worked together by a lever for operating the said carriage. The carriage
alluded to is hollow, and to the top thereof is secured a former consisting of a
metal bar.
The middle of the former is supported on a standard screwed into the top of the
carriage. Each end of the former terminates in an eye whereby the ends are
pivotted respectively in clips. To the said clips are pivotted adjusting screws
projecting down through slots into the hollow of the carriage, to the top of which
they are made fast by a nut above and below the top or roof of the carriage.
Between a central standard supporting the former above alluded to and the

page_text: aforesaid adjusting screws is an auxiliary standard, which is also secured to the
top of the carriage in the slots by means of a nut above and under the slot as are
the adjusting screws above referred to. Another shaft, having its bearings in the
top of the carriage, has projecting upward from near the middle thereof fingers or
guards. Said guards or fingers extend above the former above referred to and
against the sides of which they rest. The said fingers have a lateral vibratory
movement by means of an arm terminating the end of the shaft. To the arm is
attached the upper end of a rod. The lower end of the rod is made fast to the
floor, hence as the carriage moves upward the rod draws upon the arın and rotates
the shaft, thereby causing the fingers to recede from the side of the former, per
contra; as the carriage descends, the rod pushes up the arm causing the fingers to
rest against the former. The purpose of the fingers will hereinafter be shewn.
In each side of the upper part of the frame above alluded to are elongated
curvilineal openings, in each of which is fitted a sliding journal box in which the
ends of a carrier-shaft have respectively their bearings. To said shaft is secured a
roller-carrier, to which is given a reciprocating longitudinal movement by con-
necting rods attached to the shaft last alluded to, and respectively to the cranks of
a shaft carrying a toothed wheel, whereby the cranks are revolved by the engage-
ment of said wheel with other appropriate gearing. The roller carrier above
alluded to consists of a pair of cheeks secured to the carrier-shaft by set screws.
Each of said slides is provided with an adjusting screw for moving them in
the grooves.
Said grooves and slides may be more or less in number. Passing
upward through each of the slides is a stem. The lower end of the stem is a plate,
and is retained in the hollow of the slide by a strap under which it is free to move
longitudinally in the slide. The upper part of the stem is reduced in size forming
a rod around which is a spring. The upper end of the stem projects through
the end of the slide, and is prevented from falling therefrom by a pin.
To the lower end of each of the slides is secured a roller provided with a flange.
Both cheeks of the carrier are substantially alike, and when secured on the carrier
shaft the grooved sides of the cheeks face each other so that the rollers approximate
near to each other, but do not touch, there being a narrow space between them.
Longitudinally on the top of the frame above referred to is secured a beam.
Projecting downward through each end of the said beam is a hanger, having in the
side thereof a groove wherein is fitted a slide depending therefrom into the frame
below the rollers. Said slides are prevented from dropping from the hangers by a
set screw passing through a slot in the end of the slide into the hanger.
The slot permits the slide to move vertically, and is forced downward by a spring
the ends of which rest upon the top of the slides, the central part being confined
by the screw, and more or less tension given to the spring thereby.
The practical operation of the above described machine is substantially as
follows:-
As hereinbefore said the purpose of the machine is for bending the several leaves
composing a spring, which leaves may be more or less in number and of different
lengths and widths. To this end the former above referred to is given the curva-
ture desired for that of the spring, or rather for one of the leaves thereof, which, let
it be supposed, to be the first or largest one of the number. This curvature is
readily obtained to the former by means of the adjusting screws and the adjustable
standards above referred to, by which means any desirable degree of curvature can
be given to the former.
The leaves or plates to be bent are heated in a furnace, from which one is taken
and laid lengthwise upon the former.
That the heated leaf may be straight upon the former is the purpose of the
fingers or guards above alluded to, against which the edge of the leaf is laid when
placing it flatwise hereon. Immediately upon laying the leaf upon the former the
carriage above named is moved upward by means of a lever operating the toggle
joints above described for actuating said carriage; as soon as the carriage begins to
move upward, the fingers or guards move back from the side of the former to make

page_text: way for the rollers on that side thereof, at the same instant the ends of the leaf
come in contact with the ends of the slides, as the carriage continues to rise the
ends of the leaf are bent down upon the former by said slides, and at the same
time the leaf comes in contact with the rollers to which a reciprocating movement
had been previously given by the cranks above alluded to, and by them is rolled
down upon the former. The pressure of the rollers upon the metal as they roll
backward and forward upon it conforms it to the shape of the former. After a few
passes of the rollers over the leaf the carriage is then lowered and the leaf removed
from the former to be replaced by another as the carriage begins to recede from
the rollers, the fingers or guards at the same time begin to assume an upright
position, and by the time the carriage has reached its lowest point the fingers are
brought against the side of the former for the purpose above specified.
It will be proper to observe that the rollers of one cheek of the roller carrier run
along upon one side of the leaf near the edge thereof, and that the rollers of the
other cheek roll along upon the opposite side near the edge thereof, leaving a
narrow space along the middle of the leaf from end to end untouched by the rollers,
and that the flanges of the rollers while in operation are down below the edges of
the former, thereby keeping the leaf properly in place on the former while being
acted upon by the rollers.
The cheeks of the roller carrier for being free to vibrate during their reciprocating
movement permit the rollers to readily conform to the curve of the former while
being forced down upon the leaf thereon by the spring, the tension of which forces
the rollers upon the leaf with more or less energy according to the force of the
upward movement of the carriage.
The pressure of the rollers upon the former and leaf can be increased or diminished
by screwing down or up the slides by means of the adjusting screw above
alluded to.
The sliding journal boxes of the shaft carrying the cheeks or rollers move in a
curved opening, thereby causing the shaft and the cheeks to move in a curvelineal
reciprocating manner, and at the same time having a vibratory movement with
the corner shaft. This freedom of movement allows the cheeks of rollers or roller
carrier to readily and easily adjust the rollers to the differences in the curve
required for the leaves of various shape springs, which is considerable, but the
cheeks of rollers can be adjusted to meet this difference, and the former adjusted in
conformity therewith.
As above stated the two sets of rollers do not roll over the whole width of the
plate or leaf. There is a space between the two sets of rollers as they face
each other wide enough to permit the slides to pass between them. This is to
allow the rollers to operate upon a leaf shorter than the length of the cheeks. To
this end the slides are moved closer together, and between the cheeks and rollers,
so that the ends of the slides may engage the ends of the leaf or plate to be bent
on the former. In thus having the two sets of rollers with a space between the
short leaves can be bent and operated upon, which could not be done if the rollers
extended across the leaf, as the bending slides could not be adjusted to engage the
ends of a leaf shorter than the length of the cheeks aforesaid.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th
August 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. " IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR BENDING
OR SHAPING CARRIAGE-SPRINGS." A communication from abroad by Charles F.
Shoemaker, of Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America, Mechanical Engineer.
This Invention relates to a machine for bending or shaping the leaves or plates
of carriage-springs, whereby the series of leaves or plates composing the spring are
adapted to each other in their curvilineal relation.
The said Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing, in which,—
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine constructed according to the said
Invention.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section.
Figure 3 is a sectional plan, and
Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section of the said machine.
Figures 6, 7, and 8 are views of detached portions of the said machine.
Figure 5 illustrates the construction of the springs as hereinafter explained.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the Drawing.
Within a suitably constructed frame A is arranged a carriage B, the ends of
which are adapted to the guides or ways C on the inner side of the ends of the
said frame. The said carriage has imparted to it a vertical reciprocating movement
by the following devices, that is to say:-
Transversely in each end of the aforesaid frame A is journalled a shaft D,
Figures and 4, immediately under the ends of the carriage above alluded to.
From the said shafts project a pair of arms E, Figures 2 and 4. The said arms are
attached to the ends of the carriage by links F, and form in connection with the
arms a toggle or knee joint, as seen in Figure 2. The two knee-joints are connected
to each other by a link G, whereby the joints are worked together by a lever H
for operating the said carriage, for a purpose hereinafter explained. The carriage B
is hollow, and to the top thereof is secured a former I, consisting of a metal bar.
The middle of this former is supported on a standard J screwed into the top of the
carriage. Each end of the former terminates in an eye a, whereby the ends are
pivoted respectively in the clips K, Figures 1 and 2. To the said clips are pivoted
adjusting screws L projecting down through slots into the hollow of the carriage,
to the top of which they are made fast by a nut above and below the top or roof of
the said carriage.
Between the central standard J supporting the aforesaid former and the
adjusting screws L is an auxiliary standard c, which is also secured to the top of
the carriage in the slots by means of a nut above and under the slot, like the
adjusting screws L M is a shaft having its bearings in the top of the carriage,
from near the middle of which project upward fingers or guards N, above the
former, and against the side of which they rest. The said fingers have a lateral
vibratory movement by means of an arm O upon the end of the shaft. To this
arm is attached one end of a rod P, Figures 1, 2, and 4. The lower end of this
rod is made fast to the floor; hence, as the carriage moves upward, the rod draws
the arm and rotates the shaft, thereby causing the fingers to recede from the side
of the former, per-contra; as the carriage descends the rod pushes up the arm,
causing the fingers to rest against the former, as shewn in the Drawing. The
purpose of the said fingers will be hereinafter described.
In each side of the upper part of the frame A are elongated curvilineal openings Q,
in each of which is fitted a sliding journal-box R, wherein the ends of the shaft S
have their bearings. To this shaft S is secured a roller-carriage, to which is given

page_text: a reciprocating longitudinal movement by connecting rods T attached to the shaft
last alluded to, and to the cranks U of the shaft V carrying the toothed-wheel W,
whereby the cranks are revolved by the engagement of said toothed-wheel with
other appropriate gearing.
The aforesaid roller-carrier consists of a pair of cheeks A¹ and B', Figure 4,
secured to the carrier-shaft by set-screws. An enlarged inside view of a cheek is
shewn in Figure 6, and an upper edge view of the same in Figure 7. In the
inner side of the said cheeks are made dovetail radial grooves C¹, in which are fitted
the slides 1, 2, 3, and 4. A detached view of the slide 1 is shewn in Figure 8.
Each of the said slides is provided with an adjusting screw d for moving them in
the grooves. The number of the said grooves and slides may be increased or
diminished. Passing upward through each of the slides is a stem D'. The lower
end of this stem consists of a plate, and is retained in the hollow of the slide by &
strap E', under which it is free to move longitudinally in the slide. The upper
part of the said stem is reduced in size, forming a rod, around which is a spring F',
and projects through the end of the slide, and is prevented from falling therefrom
by a pin e, Figure 8. To the lower end of each of the slides is secured a roller G'
provided with a flange f. Both cheeks of the carrier are substantially alike, and
when secured on the carrier-shaft S the grooved sides of the cheeks face each other,
as shewn in Figure 4, in which it will be seen that the cheeks and rollers
approximate near to each other, but do not touch, there being a narrow space
between them for a purpose hereinafter specified.
Longitudinally on the top of the frame A is secured a beam H¹; projecting
downward through each end of the said beam is a hanger I', having in the side
thereof a groove, wherein is fitted a slide J¹ depending therefrom into the frame
below the rollers, as will be seen in the Drawing. The said slides J¹ are prevented
from dropping from the hangers by a set-screw passing through a slot in the end of
the slide into the hanger.
The slot permits the slide to move vertically and it is forced downward by a
spring K¹, the ends of which rest upon the top of the slides, the central part being
confined by the screw L' by which more or less tension is given to the spring.
The operation of the above described machine is substantially as follows:-
As bereinbefore specified the purpose of the machine is to bend the several leaves
composing a spring (Figure 5), which leaves may be more or less in number and of
different lengths and widths. To this end the former I above referred to has given
to it the curvature desired for the spring, or rather for one of the leaves thereof,
say, the first or longest one of them. This curvature is readily imparted to the
said former by means of the adjusting screws L and the adjustable standards J
and c, c, by which means any desirable degree of curvature can be given to the
said former.
The leaves or plates to be bent are heated in a furnace from which one is taken
and laid lengthwise upon the foriner, as indicated by the dotted line x, x, Figure 2.
In order that the heated leaf may be straight upon the former the fingers or
guards N are employed, against which the edge of the leaf is laid when placing it
flat-wise thereon.
Immediately upon laying the leaf upon the said former the carriage B is moved
upward by means of the lever H operating the toggle-joints and other parts above
described for actuating the said carriage. As soon as the carriage begins to move
upward the fingers or guards N move back from the side of the said former to make
way for the rollers on that side thereof, at the same instant the ends of the leaf
come in contact with the ends of the slides J¹. As the carriage continues to rise
the ends of the leaf are bent down upon the former by the said slides, and at the
same time the leaf comes in contact with the rollers, to which a reciprocating
movement has been previously given by the cranks U, and by them is rolled down
upon the former. The pressure of the rollers upon the metal as they roll backward
and forward upon it imparts to it the shape of the said former. After a few passes
of the rollers over the leaf the carriage B is lowered, and the leaf is removed from

page_text: the said former to be replaced by another. As the carriage begins to recede from
the rollers, the fingers or guards N at the same time begin to assume an upright
position, and by the time the carriage has reached its lowest point the fingers are
brought against the side of the said former for the purpose above specified.
It will be observed that the rollers of the cheek A¹ run along upon one side of
the leaf near the edge thereof, and that the rollers of the cheek B' roll along upon
the opposite side near the edge thereof, leaving a narrow space along the middle of
the leaf from end to end untouched by the rollers, and that the flanges of the rollers
while in operation are below the edges of the said former, thereby keeping the leaf
properly in place on the former while being acted upon by the rollers. The cheeks
of the roller-carrier being free to vibrate during their reciprocating movement
permit the rollers to readily conform to the curve of the said former while being
forced down upon the leaf thereon by the spring F", the tension of which forces the
rollers upon the leaf with more or less energy according to the force of the upward
movement of the carriage B. Any required force may be exerted by the operator
by means of the lever H, which force may be more or less as the nature of the case
may demand.
The pressure of the rollers upon the said former and leaf can be increased or
diminished by screwing down or up the slides 1, 2, 3, 4, by means of the aforesaid
adjusting screws d, thereby bringing the rollers nearer to or farther from the said
former. The principal object of the slide however is to regulate the position of the
rollers with regard to the curvature of the former, that is to say, to adjust and
conform the line or range of the rollers to the curvature of the former, so that the
several rollers shall act with equal pressure upon the leaf.
The sliding-journal boxes of the shaft carrying the roller-cheeks move in a
curved opening, thereby causing the shaft and the cheeks to move in a curvilineal
reciprocating manner, and at the same time to have a vibratory movement with
the carrier-shaft. This freedom of movement allows the cheeks of the rollers or
roller-carrier to readily and easily adjust the rollers to the differences in the curve
required for the leaves of variously-shaped springs, which is considerable; but the
said cheeks can be adjusted to meet this difference, and the said former can be
adjusted in conformity therewith.
As above specified the two sets of rollers do not roll over the whole width of the
plate or leaf. There is a space between the two sets of rollers as they face each
other wide enough to permit the slides J to pass between them; the rollers can
therefore operate upon a leaf shorter than the said cheeks. To this end the slides
are moved closer together and between the cheeks and rollers, so that the ends of
the slides may engage the ends of the leaf or plate to be bent on the said former.
In thus leaving the two sets of rollers with a space between them the short leaves
can be bent and operated upon, which would not be the case if the rollers extended
across the leaf, as the bending slides J could not be adjusted to engage the ends
of a leaf shorter than the cheeks, as aforesaid. N is a counter-balance for assisting
in the operation of the carriage B.
As herein before stated the cheeks of the roller-carrier are secured to the carrier-
shaft S by means of set-screws, being thereby adjustable on the shaft in order to
adapt the rollers to different widths of springs, that is to say, the cheeks can be
moved closer to or farther from each other according to the width of the leaves of
the springs. The springs F on the stems of the rollers allow a ready adaptation
of the several rollers to the curvature of the said former, and prevent undue strain
upon any particular roller in excess of that of the others.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. In a machine for bending the plates or leaves of carriage-springs a
vertically reciprocating carriage provided with a device termed a former, supported
at the middle by an adjustable standard, and at the ends attached to adjusting
screws for regulating the curvature of the plates or leaves and co-operating with

page_text: auxiliary standards arranged between the central standard and the said adjusting
screws, substantially as set forth.
Second. In combination with the carriage B and adjustable former secured
thereto the movable fingers or guards and the shaft M, substantially as described
and for the purpose specified.
Third. For operating the carriage B the toggle or knee joints, the link and lever,
and the counterweight or balance, as herein set forth.
Fourth. In a machine for making carriage-springs a roller-carrier, consisting of
the cheeks mounted upon a reciprocating shaft having its bearings in sliding boxes,
and having a vibratory movement on the said shaft synchronous with its recipro-
cating movement, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
Fifth. In a machine for bending the leaves or plates of carriage-springs a roller-
carrier, consisting of the cheeks provided with radial slides and screws for adjusting
the same and secured in the said slides, the stems having their lower ends provided
with a roller, substantially as herein described and for the purpose specified.
Sixth. In a machine for making springs a reciprocating vibratory carriage,
consisting of the cheeks so arranged upon a shaft having a reciprocating movement
that the said cheeks and the slides and rollers attached thereto face each other
with a space between them, so that one set of rollers of the cheeks A' run upon one
edge of the said former and the leaf placed thereon, and the set of rollers of the
companion cheeks B¹ may run along the opposite edge thereof, substantially as
herein set forth and for the purpose specified.
Seventh. The adjustable bending slides arranged in relation to the roller carrier
and co-operating therewith, and in combination with the carriage B, substantially
as set forth and for the purpose specified.
Eighth. In combination with the adjustable bending arms the tension-spring K',
as and for the purpose set forth.
Ninth. In a machine for making carriage-springs a vibratory reciprocating
roller-carrier, consisting of the cheeks, the radial slides, and screws for adjusting the
same, the rollers with their respective stems and springs F¹, constructed and
arranged to operate in relation to and in combination with the vertically-recipro-
cating carriage B carrying the former I and guard fingers, substantially as described
and for the purpose set forth.
Tenth. In combination with the former-clips K and adjusting screws pivoted
thereto the adjusting standards, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Eleventh. In a machine for shaping carriage-springs a carrier having connected
therewith adjustable flanged rollers, arranged to operate upon the leaf or plate
placed upon a former for rolling the said leaf, for the purpose specified.
Twelfth. In a machine for making carriage-springs a carrier, consisting of the
cheeks secured to the reciprocating shaft by set-screws for adjusting the said
cheeks upon the shaft to adjust between them the bending slides J₁ for holding
down upon the former a leaf or plate being operated upon by the rollers for
forming or shaping the said leaf, substantially as herein set forth.
Thirteenth. In combination with the stems carrying the rollers G' the springs
for adjusting the rollers to the said former, substantially as herein set forth and for
the purpose specified.
Fourteenth. The machinery, constructed and arranged as shewn, to operate for
shaping and fitting carriage springs, substantially as specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty ninth day of July, in the year of our Lord, One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
WM. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)
ROB“.