Improvements in the Manufacture of Metal Open-work, and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1885

page_text: This Specification was, upon the 15th day of May 1889, Amended under
Sections 18 to 21 of the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act, 1883.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Metal Open-work, and
Apparatus therefor.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co. Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METAL OPEN-
WORK, AND APPARATUS THEREFOR and in what manner the same
23
to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention relates to the manufacture of metal open-work (of the kind for which
former Letters Patent were granted to William Robert Lak, dated April 29th 1884,
No. 6977) by simultaneously cutting and expanding metal plates; and to apparatus
therefor.
In the accompanying drawing,
Figure 1 is a front view or elevation of a machine or apparaius for manufacturing
metal open-work, constructed according to this invention.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the same.
Figure is an end view opposite to the end at which the power is applied.
Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line 4-4 Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a view of a few of the upper and lower cutters detached from the
machine and in position to receive the metal for cutting and expanding.
Figure 6 is a similar view showing the relative position of the same cutters after
having cut and expanded the metal.
Figure is a top view of the lower cutter-bar, showing the position of the series
of cutters thereon, and the guides which cause the bar to move slightly obliquely;
to itself but parallel with the cutters.
Figure 8 is a side view of one end of the said cutter-bar, showing the cam for
imparting longitudinal movement, and the plunger which holds the dog that
actuates the cani.
Figure 9 is an end view of the bar shown in Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a view of the cam mechanism for returning the cutter bar to its
first position, as hereinafter explained.
Figure 11 is a view of a ratchet and spring catch for feeding the sheet metal to
the cutters.

page_text: Figure 12 is a perspective view of a piece of metal partially cut and opened.
A and B are the posts or standards of the frume of the machine. C is the front
cross beam supported by the posts A and B. D is the main shaft of the machine
located at the top thereof and working in suitable bearings in the posts A and B.
On the shaft D are the excentrics E, E and F, the last being located near the
centre of the length of the shaft D.
Gis the driving shaft suitably journaled in both end posts A, B, and carrying
the driving wheel H and the spur wheel I. To the shaft D is attached a large cog
wheel J, driven by the spur-wheel I.
:
K is the upper bar holding the upper series of cutters and actuated in a vertical
plane by the excentrics E, E, and links L, L, and M, is a brace extending from one
post to the other to strengthen the machine.
N, is the lower bar holding the lower cutters. This bar is provided with inclined
offsets y, y and is movable between guides y¹, y one of which is on the front side of
bar C and the other is on the back of a bar Z. The bar Z extends along the face of
the bar C, and is provided with guides corresponding with the guides in front of bar N.
The object of these guides is to give the bar N a slight oblique movement in its
longitudinal travel so as to cause the cutters attached to it to remain parallel to the
cutters on the upper bar K that is to say, cause each cutter on the lower bar to move in
the plane of its own ve tical face.
O is an excentric on one end of the shaft D, and connected by the pitman P to
the plunger Q, which moves through guides R, R.
On the plunger Q, figure 10, is fastened the box S, in which works the dog T.
This dog works against the cam U attached to the lower bar N, on its side near one
end. This cam is bevelled on the underside at vand on the upper side it is
recessed or scalloped at W. X is a spring fastened at its lower end to the plunger Q,
the upper end resting against the outer end of the dog T. This spring presses the
dog so that it will be in position to strike against the cam U.
To the lower bar N, is attached a series of cutters by means of screws
figures 5 and 6. In each cutter is a slot c, through which the screw 6 passes to
admit of the cutters being adjusted when worn. The form of these cutters is
shown to the left of figures 5 and 6. The front edge is bevelled as shown at a.
These cutters are placed one overlapping the other so that their inclined cutting edges a
shall be arranged stepwise with regard to the length of the cutter bar as shown in
figure 7, and also in figures 1. and
To the upper bar K, figure 1, is also fastened in a similar manner to that
described, a series of cutters g, g, each one overlapping the other in the same
manner. The rear lower part of each upper cutter is bevelled as shown at f f,
figures 1 and 5.
h, h, h, figure 2, is a frame attached to the posts A, B, and extending backwards
to form braces as is clearly shown in figures 3 and 4,-i, i, figures 2, 3 and 4, are
two ratchet bars supported at their rear ends by guides in the frame , and secured
by similar guides to a bar b at their front ends so that they are free to slide to and
fro, each in the direction of its length. The bar extends from the post A to the
post B over the bed C¹ of the machine just behind the cutters, and is supported at
its centre by braces d'extending from the posts A, B. j, figure 2, is a cross bar
extending between and supported by the ratchet bars i, i, and sliding beneath them.
At each end of the cross bar j, is a spring figure 11, one end of which is fastened
to the cross bar j, the other working against the ratchet teeth i, and so placed that it
allows the cross bar to freely move forward towards the cutters, but prevents it
moving backwards. By turning the cam located above the spring t, the free end
of this spring is depressed, thereby allowing the cross bar i, to be moved backwards
when it is required to introduce a fresh sheet of metal.
k, figures 2 and 4, is an angle bar extending lengthwise of shaft G and is attached
thereto by two or more collars extending around said shaft G and freely working
thereon. The said angle bar has a short lever arm which is connected to the main
shaft D by the pitman 7 operated by the excentric F. To the angle bar & extending

page_text: downwards therefrom is attached the dog m, the lower end working between. the
heads a¹, a'. These heads are fastened to the ratchet bars i, i. There are two of
these dogs m. one for cach ratchet bar i.
, is a brace extending from the posts A B to the centre and top of front of
cross bar C, to steady and support the machine.
The operation of the improved machine is as follows: Motion is communicated
to the main driving wheel H, by a belt or otherwise. As the excentrics E, E,
revolve, the bar K is raised and lowered, thereby working the cutters g, g, fastened
thereto, up and down in vertical planes and over or past the vertical faces of the
cutters d, on the lower bar N. The relative position of the upper and lowrer cutters
before making their entting movement is shown in figure 5, that is they are separated,
leaving a space between them. As the upper cutters descend in a vertical plane the
lower cutting edges of the upper cutters first pass the upper cutting edges of the lower
cutters, and then the bevelled edges f of the upper cutters move along the surfaces
of the bevel edges a of the lower cutters, and the lower bar N to which the lower
cutters are attached being allowed to freely move longitudinally in its oblique
bearings, y y the descent of the upper cutters causes the lower cutters to move
horizontally. When the upper cutters have finished their downward movement, the
two sets of cutters are in the position shown in Figure 6. The downward and
upward movements of upper cutters are caused by the excentrics on the shaft D.
The return movement of lower bar N with its cutters is accomplished as follows.
As the downward movement of the cutters is made, the plunger Q also descends,
and at the same time the dog T, figure 10 takes its position against the lower
bevel v of the cam U, so that as the plunger rises the bar N is returned to its original
position.
A sheet of metal of the proper size is placed in position on bed C with the
rear edge resting against and securely clamped by clips o' to bar j, as shewn at 8,
Figure 4. The excentric F on the shaft D causes the angle bar to rock, which,
in turn, causes the lower end of the dogs m to vibrate; this causes the reeks racks i, i
to move backwards and forwards, which in turn causes the bar to move forward
and feed the metal to the cutters. As the metal passes between the two sets of.
knives cutters it is cut, bent and set, leaving uncut intervals which form and maintain
a mesh, as more plainly shown in Figure 12.
In Figure 1 the open work is shown as issuing from between the cutters.
It will
be observed (vide figure 12) that there are intervals when where the metal is uncut
and that these uncut intervals form the union of the meshes. This uncut interval is
maintained as follows:--the lower bar N is moved by the cam U a certain distance;
this distance is such that the upper corner of the bevelled edge of the lower cutters is
a little heyond or distant from the lower corner of the bevelled corner-on elge of the
upper cutters, and this distance between these two corners is sufficient to allow for
the thickness of the metal which will lie be'ween them, whilst the proportion of the vertical
stroke of the upper cutters relatively to the horizontal pitch of the cutters determines
the uncut interval in the metal. To obtain a sufficient uncut interval and yet form a
mesh as nearly equilateral as possible is the object of inclining the lower edge of the
upper cullers upwards towards the right, as shewn in figure 5. The feeding movement
is so adjusted that the metal is fed at each movement just far enough to form the
mesh, that is to say a distance equal to the intended width of the uncut interval or twice
the intended width of the strips forming the meshes, and as the upper cuiters descend,
they-push each one pushes doica ahead of them it that part of the metal, and at the
same instant, partially cuts it from the main part of the metal and this cut metal lies
between the bevelled edges f and a of the two entiers (upper and lower) and against
the lower edges of the upper cutter..
The entire piece of metal is consumed and no parts or portion are lost or wasted
by the act of cutting. It will be observed that the metal is fed at an angle with the
line of the cutters and in a direction perpendicular to the vertical faces of the cutters,
its original or leading edge being parallel with the faces of the cutters, and also that
the bar which forces the metal between the cutters is set at an angle with the line

page_text: of the cutters and parallel with the faces of the cutters. The reason why the metal
is fed at an angle with the main cutting bars of the machine, is first, that the said
bars-may be in line with the main shaft-and-second; that the metal may encounter
the cutters first on at one corner of the sheet and in a line parallel with the surface of
each cutter. The object in beginning to cut at one corner of the metal sheet is that
each enter strip as it is cut to form a loop will be set free, by a cut immediately
behind and to the right of it, said each cut or-eats always supplying or setting free
as much length of strand as the preceeding cutters immediately in front and to the
left of it consumes; as pressing the metal downwards and forming the mesh, causes
the cut and spread part of the metal to assume a form shorter than the uncut part.
The reason why the verti al faces of the cutters are set at an angle to the length of the
bar to which they are fired is that the said bars may be directly beneath the main shaft
throughout their whole length.
It will be observed that in manufacturing metallic open work the following
progressive steps are taken the metal is fed into the machine with its original or
leading edge parallel with the faces of the cutters and at an angle to a line drawn
through the cutters; the formation of the cuts begins at or near one corner of the
plate leaving at intervals uncut spaces between the slashes or cuts; simultaneously
with the cutting, the cut metal strips forming the meshes are pushed forward downwards
in advance of each upper cutter and in a line direction at or near a perpendicular to
the surface of the uncut metal, and the cut strips of metal assume a vertical or edgewise
or nearly edgewise position in the completed or manufactured open work with the edges
of the said strips forming the surface of the open work; and the said strips are
pressed forward donemcards in advance of the knives, cutters, thereby being set, fixed
or bent so that they will not return when the knives, cutters are withdrawn.
The operation will be better understood by referring to figure 12 (und to figure 12
which is a front and edge view of the same piece of metal) wherein 1. 2. 3 are rows of
meshes formed by successive rows of cuts ir slashes made at successive strokes of the
machine, euch row being cblique to the original or leading edge 4 of the sheet 5 and each
row running out at the right hand edge of the sheet so as to permit of the strips of
metal, as they are cut and bent, moving through the arcs 6. The arrow indicates the
direction of the feed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign Correspondent, 1 declare that what I claim is: -
First. In a machine for manufacturing metal open work, the combination of the
upper bar K provided with the cutters g, g, and having a vertical movement, with
the lower bar N provided with cutters a, a, and having an obliquely longitudinal
movement as, and for the purpose, described.
Second. In a machine for manufacturing metal open work, the bar K provided
with cutters, cutting over the bar N, provided with similar cutters, the first bar
moving vertically, while the second is moving horizontally, to provide the necessary
cutting surface, and space for the cut strips to expand.
Third. In a machine for manufacturing metal open work, the cutters on each
cutter bar arranged, one overlapping another stepeise as described, for the purpose of
simultaneously making a number of cuts and forming strips leaving uncut sections
between them for the purpose of forming a continuous mesh from one piece of
metal, without cutting away or wasting any of the metal, as, and for the purpose,
described.
Fourth. The combination of the cutter-bar provided with cutters set at a slight
angle with the surface of the bar, with guides yy whose faces are parallel with the
faces of the cutters, causing the cutters to travel each in a line with their .its own
faces, and the bar to have a slight oblique movement, substantially as shown and
described.
Fifth. The method hereinbefore described of making metal open work, which
consists in making successive oblique rows of cuts or incisions in a sheet of metal

page_text: beginning at one side and near the corner thereof, and pressing the rows of strips
thus partially disconnected from the sheet successively away from the plane of the
sheet in a direction obliquely thereto, but otherwise in a plane perpendicular to
said sheet, or substantially so, the two operations, as well as the further operation of
bending the connected strips of material and giving form and set to the meshes, being
effected simultanieously with the operation of cutting.
Sixth. In the manufacture of metal open work, by cutting metal plates or sheets
and then bending the cut strips flatwise line row after line rou successively for
setting the strips and forming the meshes, the improvement which consists in opening
successive lines roues of cuts on lines parallel with one another, but obliquely to the
original edge of the sheet, substantially as set forth.
Seventh. In the manufacture of open work, from metal plates or sheets, the
improvement consisting in bending the cut strips flatwise, line row after he row
successively in forming the meshes, and setting the said strips substantially as before
set forth, so that the strips will be disposed edgewise in the thickness of the finished
open work.
Taal 141 L
T... 100%
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.

page_text: WEILEIL
DIECIFICATION,
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METAL OPEN-
WORK, AND APPARATUS THEREFOR and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
"
This invention relates to the manufacture of metal open-work by cutting and
expanding metal plates; and to apparatus therefor.
In the accompanying drawing,
Figure 1 is a front view or elevation of a machine or apparatus for manufacturing
metal open-work, constructed according to this invention.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the same."
Figure 3 is an end view opposite to the end at which the power is applied.
Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line 4-4 Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a view of a cutter detached and in position to receive the metal for
cutting and expanding.
Figure 6 is a similar view showing the position of the cutter. after having cut
and expanded the metal.
Figure 7 is a top view of the lower cutter-bar, showing the position of the series
of cutters thereon, and the guides which cause the bar to move slightly obliquely
to itself but parallel with the cutters.
Figure 8 is a side view of one end of the said cutter-bar, showing the cam for
imparting longitudinal movement, and the plunger which holds the dog that
actuates the cam.
Figure 9 is an end view of the bar shown in Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a view of the cam mechanism for returning the cutter bar to its
first position, as hereinafter explained.
Figure 11 is a view of a ratchet and spring catch for feeding the sheet metal to
the cutters.
Figure 12 is a view of a piece of metal partially cut and opened.
A and B are the posts or standards of the frame of the machine. C is the front
cross beam supported by the posts A and B. Dis the main shaft of the machine
located at the top thereof and working in suitable bearings in the posts A and B.

page_text: 2
On the shaft D are the excentrics E, E and F, the last being located near the
centre of the length of the shaft D.
G is the driving shaft suitably journalled in both end posts A, B, and carrying
the driving wheel H and the spur wheel I. To the shaft D is attached a large cog
wheel J, driven by the spur-wheel I,
K is the upper bar holding the upper series of cutters and actuated in a vertical
plane by the excentrics E, E, and links L, L, and M, is a brace extending from one
post to the other to strengthen the machine.
N, is the lower bar holding the lower cutters. This bar is provided with
inclined offsets y, y and is movable between guides y¹, y¹ one of which is on the
front side of bar C and the other is on the back of a bar Z. The bar Z extends
along the face of the bar C, and is provided with guides corresponding with the
guides in front of bar N. The object of these guides is to give the bar N a slight
oblique movement to cause the cutters attached to it to remain parallel to the
cutters on the upper bar K.
O is an excentric on one end of the shaft D, and connected by the pitman P to
the plunger Q, which moves through guides R, R.
On the plunger Q, figure 10, is fastened the box S, in which works the dog T.
This dog works against the cam U attached to the lower bar N, on its side near one
end. This cam is bevelled on the underside at vand on the upper side it is
recessed or scalloped at W. X is a spring fastened at its lower end to the
plunger Q, the upper end, resting against the outer end of the dog T. This spring
presses the dog against the cam U.
To the lower bar N, is attached a series of cutters d by means of screws b
figures 5 and 6. In each cutter is a slot c, through which the screw b passes to
admit of the cutters being adjusted when worn. The form of these cutters is
shown to the left of figures 5 and 6. The front edge is bevelled as shown at a
These cutters are placed one overlapping the other, as shown in figure 7, and also
in figures 1 and 2.
To the upper bar K, figure 1, is also fastened in a similar manner to that
described, a series of cutters g, g, each one overlapping the other in the same
manner. The rear lower part of each upper cutter is bevelled as shown at ƒ ƒ,
figures 1 and 5.
h, h, h, figure 2, is a frame attached to the posts A. B, and extending backwards
to form braces as is clearly. shown in figures 3 and 4,-, i, figures 2, 3 and 4, are
two ratchet bars supported at their rear ends by the frame h, and secured to a
bar b' at their front ends. The bar b¹ extends from the post A to the post B over
the bed C of the machine just behind the cutters, and is supported at its centre
by braces d¹ d extending from the posts A, B. j, figure 2, is a cross bar extending
between the ratchet bars i, i, and sliding beneath them. At each end of the cross
bar j, is a spring t¹ figure 11, one end of which is fastened to the cross bar j, the
other working against the ratchet teeth i, and so placed that it allows the cross
bar to freely move forward towards the cutters, but prevents it moving backwards.
By turning the cam t¹¹ located above the spring t¹, the free end of this spring is
depressed, thereby allowing the cross bar j, to be moved backwards.
k, figures 2 and 4, is an angle bar extending lengthwise of shaft G and is
attached thereto by two or more collars extending around said shaft G and freely
working thereon. The said angle bar is connected to the main shaft D by the
pitman operated by the excentric F. To the angle bark extending downwards
therefrom is attached the dog m, the lower end working between the beads a¹, a¹.
These heads are fastened to the ratchet bars i, i. There are two of these dogs m.
d", is a brace extending from the posts A B to the centre and top of front of
cross bar C, to steady and support the machine.
The operation of the improved machine is as follows:-Motion is communicated
to the main driving wheel H, by a belt or otherwise. As the excentrics E, E,
revolve, the bar K is raised and lowered, thereby working the cutters g, g, fastened
thereto, up and down in vertical planes and over the cutters d, d on the lower

page_text: As
bar N. The position of the cutters before making their cutting movement is
shown in figure 5, that is they are separated, leaving a space between them.
the upper cutters descend in a vertical plane the bevelled edges of the upper
cutters move along the surfaces of the bevel edges of the lower cutters, and the
lower bar N to which the lower cutters are attached being allowed to freely move
longitudinally in its bearings, the descent of the upper cutters causes the lower
cutters to move horizontally. When the upper cutters have finished their
downward movement, the two sets of cutters are in the position shown in Figure 6.
The downward and upward movements of upper cutters are caused by the
excentrics on the shaft D.
The return movement of lower bar N with its cutters is accomplished as follows.
As the downward movement of the cutters is made, the plunger Q also descends,
and at the same time the dog T, figure 10 takes its position on the lower bevel of
the cam U, so that as the plunger rises the bar N is returned to its original
position.
A sheet of metal of the proper size is placed in position on bed c' with the rear
edge resting against bar j, as shown at 8, Figure 4. The excentric F on the
shaft D causes the angle bar k to rock, which, in turn, causes the lower end of the
dogs m to vibrate; this causes the rocks i, i to move backwards and forwards,
which in turn causes the bar j to move forward and feed the metal to the cutters.
As the metal passes between the two sets of knives it is cut, bent and set, leaving
uncut intervals which form and maintain a mesh, as more plainly shown in
Figure 12.
In Figure 1 the open work is shown as issuing from between the cutters. It
will be observed that there are intervals when the metal is uncut and that these
uncut intervals form the union of the meshes. This uncut interval is maintained
as follows: the lower bar N is moved a certain distance; this distance is such
that the upper corner of the bevelled edge of the lower cutters is a little beyond
the lower corner of the bevelled corner on the upper cutters, and this distance
between these two corners determines the uncut interval in the metal. The
feeding movement is so adjusted that the metal is fed at each movement just
far enough to form the mesh, and as the upper cutters descend, they push ahead
of them that part of the metal, and at the same instant, cut it from the main
part of the metal and this cut metal lies between the bevelled edges of the two
cutters, and against the lower edges of the upper cutter.
The entire piece of metal is consumed and no parts or portion are lost or wasted
It will be observed that the metal is fed at an angle with the line of the cutters
and parallel with the faces of the cutters, and also that the bar j which forces
the metal between the cutters is set at an angle with the line of the cutters and
parallel with the faces of the cutter. The reason why the metal is fed at an angle
with the main cutting bars of the machine, is first, that the said bars may be in
line with the main shaft, and second, that the metal may encounter the cutters
first on one corner, and in a line parallel with the surface of each cutter. The
object in begining to cut at one corner of the metal is that each cut or loop
will be set free, by'a cut immediately behind it, said cut or cuts always supplying
as much length of strand as the preceding cutters consume; as pressing the metal
downwards and forming the mesh, causes the cut and spread part of the metal to
assume a form shorter than the uncut part.
It will be observed that in manufacturing metallic open work the following
progressive steps are taken;-the metal is fed into the machine parallel with the
faces of the cutters at an angle to a line drawn through the cutters; the formation
of the cuts begins at or near one corner of the plate leaving at intervals uncut
spaces between the slashes or cuts; simultaneously with the cutting, the cut metal
strips forming the meshes are pushed forward in advance of each cutter and in a
line at or near a perpendicular to the surface of the uncut metal, and the cut strips
of metal assume a vertical or nearly position in the completed or manufactured
open work with edges of the said strips forming the surface of the open work; and

page_text: the said strips are pressed forward in advance of the knives, thereby being set,
fixed or bent so that they will not return when the knives are withdrawn.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign Correspondent, I declare that what I claim is
First. In a machine for manufacturing metal open work, the combination of the
upper bar K provided with the cutters g, g, and having a vertical movement, with
the lower bar N provided with cutters a, a, and having a longitudinal movement
as, and for the purpose, described.
Second. In a machine for manufacturing metal open work, the bar K provided
with cutters, cutting over the bar N, provided with similar cutters, the first bar
moving vertically, while the second is moving horizontally, to provide the necessary.
cutting surface, and space for the cut strips to expand.
Third. In a machine for manufacturing metal open work, the cutters on each
cutter bar arranged, one overlapping another, for the purpose of simultaniously
making a number of cuts and forming strips leaving uncut sections between them
for the purpose of forming a continuous mesh from one piece of metal, without
cutting away or wasting any of the metal, as, and for the purpose, described.
Fourth. The combination of the cutter-bar provided with cutters set at a slight
angle with the surface of the bar, with guides whose faces are parallel with the
faces of the cutters, causing the cutters to travel in a line with their own faces, and
the bar to have a slight oblique movement, substantially as shown.
Fifth. The method herein before described of making metal open work, which
consists in making successive cuts or incisions in a sheet of metal begining at
one side and near the corner thereof, and pressing the strips thus partially dis-
connected from the sheet successively away from the sheet in a direction obliquely
thereto, but otherwise in a plane perpendicular to said sheet, or substantially so,
the two operations, as well as the further operation of bending the connected
material and giving form and set to the meshes, being effected simultaniously with
the operation of cutting.
Sixth. In the manufacture of metal open work, by cutting metal plates or sheets
and then bending the cut strips flatwise line after line successively for setting
the strips and forming the meshes, the improvement which consiste in opening
successive lines of cuts on lines parallel with one another, but obliquely to the
original edge of the sheet, substantially as set forth.
Seventh. In the manufacture of open work, from metal plates or sheets, the
improvement consisting in bending the cut strips flatwise, line after line successively
in forming the meshes, and setting the said strips substantially as before set forth,
so that the strips will be disposed edgewise in the thickness of the finished
open work.