CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING WIRE CARDS FOR CARDING COTTON, WOOL, SILK, TOW, AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES OF THE LIKE NATURE
Year: 1838

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
WALTON, of Sowerby Bridge, in the Parish of Halifax, in the County of
York, Cloth Dresser, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, Twenty-first day of September, in the second year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said James Walton, Her especial license, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said James Walton, my exors, admors, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said James Walton, my exors, admors, or assigns, should
at any time agree with; and no others, from time to time and at all times
during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR MAKING WIRE CARDS FOR CARDING COTTON, WOOL, SILK, TOW, AND OTHER
FIBROUS SUBSTANCES OF THE LIKE NATURE;" in which said Letters Patent is
contained a proviso that I, the said James Walton, shall cause a particular
description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same

page_text: is to be performed, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of
Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of
the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
James Walton, do hereby déclare the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement thereof; reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon,
that is to say:-
The modes now in use for making wire cards by machines are for the
most part according to Inventions for which various Letters Patent have been
obtained by Joesph Chesseborough Dyer and others, and which are now very.
extensively used, and in a machine made according to my Invention, so far as
the operations of cutting the wire, puncturing the leather or other material
(through which the staples are to inserted), cutting off the wire, bending the
wire, inserting the bent wire through the holes formed in the leather or other
material, and shaping or bending the staples of wire into the figure required,
the actual operations performed are similar to the machines heretofore in use.
I call attention to this circumstance that a workman desirous of making a
machine, when my Patent shall have expired, may the more readily understand
and combine my improvements, for he will 'bear in mind that the general
my. Invention
operations of a wire card-making machine are retained, and that
relates only to improvements in the construction of some of the instruments,
and in their combination and adaptation to their particular operations, by
which I am enabled to construct such machinery capable of producing, wire
cards with much greater speed, and possessing other advantages over machines
made according to any of the constructions now known..
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS MARKED A.
Figure 1 is a front view of a machine constructed according to my Invention,
and is suitably arranged for making that, description of cards called fillets.
Figure 2. is a plan, and Figure 3 is a section of the machine shewn at. Figure 1.
In each of these Figures the same letters indicate similar parts, and such is the
case in respect to the other Figures of detached parts shewn in these Drawings.
A; A, is a pillar which carries the machine, the nature of which will readily be
traced in the Drawings. "B; B, are.standards or uprights cast with or affixed
to the upper part of the pillar A. These standards have suitable bearings for
the main or driving shaft C, as is shewn in the Drawing. The main or driving
:.

page_text: shaft or axis C has affixed thereto the fly wheel F to equalize the motion, and
motion is communicated to the shaft or axis C by a band or strap actuated by
a steam engine or other power, such strap or band acting on the pulley D,
such pulley being capable of turning freely on the shaft C, excepting when
engaged with the clutch box E, which will at all times be the case when at
work; and, when the wire is fed correctly into the machine. G, G₁, are two
levers which carry the apparatus for forming the crown or square, part of the
staples or teeth of the wire, and they carry the bent wire through the fillet of
leather or other material through which the teeth are to be set. The levers
G, G', move on the axis H at the lower part of the pillar A, and they
work within that pillar. The levers G, G¹, work side by side, and are actuated
by their respective cams on the shaft C, as will be hereafter described.
are springs which have at all times a tendency to draw the levers. G, G³,
towards the front of the machine; and I would state that the levers G, G³,
may be hollow or they may be solid. I, I, are guide plates affixed on the
upper part of, the pillar A by screws I; and it will be seen that there are
further screws I to govern the distance these plates shall be apart. By this
arrangement the upper ends of the levers G, G, will be caused to work
correctly when once adjusted.
:
G¹
Figure 9 shews a section of the levers G, G', taken just at the top of the
guide plates I. These levers G, G', it will be seen, are substituted for
the slides and parts connected therewith which were. heretofore used for
carrying the fingers and other apparatus, for shaping and inserting the teeth
or staples of wire. The lever 'G' carries the fingers K for bending the wire.
These fingers K consist of two levers, the nature of which is clearly shewn in
the Drawings, and will readily be understood, on examining the various Figures.
They each move on their own axis.L, which is a screw cut with a fine thread
(see Figure 4, as well as Figures,1, 2, and 3). Each of the screws, at their
lower ends, enters into a hole or hollow bearing in the horizontal plate,
affixed on the upper end of the lever G', and their upper ends or heads turn in
the upper plate M, which is carried by two uprights affixed on the horizontal
plate, affixed on the top of the lever.G¹; and it will be seen that the plato. M
has two slits or openings, whereby, when the screws L are lifted, so that their
heads come above the plate M, the thin necks or parts of the stems of the
screws will pass through the openings in the plate M. By this means the
fingers, or either of them, may be removed when required. L', L', are two
set screws, which pass through the ends of the plate M, and come against the
heads of the screws L, and retain them when they have been once correctly
adjusted. The screws L pass through the screw, sockets affixed on the

page_text: levers K, consequently when the screws L are turned by the slits in their:
heads, the levers K will be raised or lowered; and when the levers K. are in the
proper position, the screws L are made fast and retained stationary by the said:
screws L'; hence the levers move on the screws L as axes. K¹ is a bow-
spring, the ends of which enter into holes formed in the levers K, consequently
the ends of the fingers K, which act on the wire, have at all times a tendency
to close towards each other, but are governed and controlled by means of the
regulating screws K', K, and K, K³, the regulating screws K', K³, being
carried by the lever G, and the regulating screws K, K³, being carried by
uprights affixed on the horizontal cross framing which is affixed to the end
framings or uprights B, and the surfaces of the levers or fingers K are pro-
perly formed, as shewu in the Drawing, that being controlled by the
screws K, K³, they will bend the wire correctly and carry it forward through.
the fillet. And it may here be stated that, excepting as to the mode of
mounting these fingers, and the manner in which they are actuated, the parts
or ends which operate on the wire do so in precisely the same manner as the
fingers heretofore used in machines for making wire cards. N is the instru
ment or fork called the crowner, it being over this instrument that the wire is:
bended by the fingers or levers K. The crowner is carried by the spring O,
which is affixed on the lever G, and is worked thereby; the manner in which
the crowner is lifted out of the bent wire will be hereafter explained. P is the
holder, which retains the wire against the crowner in order that it may be
bent. The holder consists of the rod P. The shape of the end which holds
the wire is clearly shewn in the Drawings. The rod P moves through the
upper end of the lever G, and in a tube Q, affixed on the upper end of the
lever G, as is clearly shewn; and the rod P is at all times pressed outwards
by a spring contained in the tube Q, when, by the working of the machine,
the other parts will allow of the rod or holder being pressed out from the
tube Q. On the rod or holder P is affixed a projecting stud P¹, which passes
through a slit or opening formed in the tube Q, and passes into the slit or
opening formed in the horizontal plate affixed on the top of the lever G³, con-
sequently the holder P is controlled in its action by the action of the lever G³,
by the relative movements of the levers G, G¹, as will be better understood
hereafter and by tracing the movements which will take place to the
levers G, G¹, by the revolution of the shaft C by its cams acting on those
levers.
Figures 1, 2, 3, of the Drawings shew the parts of the machine in the
position just as the prickers have entered the leather or other material of
which the fillet is composed. By continuing the motion of the shaft C the

page_text: cams which actuate the levers G, G', will force those levers towards the back
of the machine, by which means the holder P will be permitted to go towards
the wire which is fed in, as hereafter explained, and will hold the length of
wire correctly for the fingers K to bend it over the crowner N, the fingers K
going up before the crowner and holder towards the fillet, by which means the
fingers, having bent the wire, will go along with the two ends thereof, and
-guide them correctly for entering the holes which have been made by the
prickers, as hereafter explained; and the fingers having got close up to the
fillet will remain, and the holder P and crowner N will come up to the fillet,
and the lever G¹, in its passing away from the fillet, will carry back the holder P
by the stud P¹ coming against the end of the slit or opening formed in
the horizontal plate at the top of the lever G¹; and the lever G will carry
back the tube Q and the crowner N, the crowner N being however lifted out
of the crown of the staple or bent wire, the ends of which have been passed
through the fillet. The nature of the cams which work the levers G, G',
being shewn in the Drawings, they will be readily understood, and such
will be the case in respect to the steel surfaces affixed on the levers G, G¹..
The lifting of the crowner out of the staple or bent wire last passed through
the fillet is performed in the following manner:-N¹ is a lever, one end of
which will be under the head of the crowner at the time the crowner has.
come close up to the fillet. The lever N¹ moves on an axis N³ carried by.
an upright affixed to the fixed cross framing of the machine. N¹ is a lever
which moves on points N³, carried by the horizontal cross framing, and has
a spring under it, which has at all times a tendency to press up that end which
is nearest the lever N³, and consequently the spring will press down the other
end of the lever N* constantly against the shaft C, on which shaft there is the.
cam N* affixed, by which the lever N³ is raised at its front end, and depressed
at its back end, and the levers N¹, N', being connected together by a link,
when it is required that the crowner N should be lifted, the lever N¹ will be
actuated by the cam on the shaft C; but having lifted the crowner out of the
way, the lever N¹, by its cam on the shaft C, will be allowed to descend, by being
drawn down by its spring, to be low enough for the head of the crowner to.
pass over it in its next movement towards the fillet, all which will be readily
understood by examining the Drawing, and keeping in mind that though the
instruments differ in many respects from those heretofore used, they are to
perform the same operations on the wire.
I will now describe the action of the pricking apparatus, which is of the
ordinary construction, having two points which are affixed on the lever Y,
which lever Y moves over an inclined surface or saddle Y', affixed to the cross

page_text: framing of the machine, and is clearly shewn in the Drawing (see Figure 3):
The lever Y is bent downwards at its outer end, and has an axis. or fulcrum
passed through it, such fulcrum being carried by the lever Y*, affixed on the
axis Z; and Y is a spring which has at all times a tendency to force the
arm Y* of the lever Y* towards its cam on the shaft C, such cam acting on the
arm Y'; for it will be seen that the arm Y' is affixed to the axis Z, to which
the lever Y¹ is affixed. The position of the cam which works the pricker is
clearly shewn in the Drawings on the axis C, and its shape also, and its action
will readily be traced:
."
I will now proceed to describe the mode of feeding in the wire. .a represents
the in-coming wire proceeding from a hank on a reel, as heretofore. practised:
6 is a tube containing a round rod, closely fitting' within the tube b, and from
the point 6¹ to be the metal of the tube and the rod within is filed away..or
removed, so that the surface from 6 to 3 is a level plane. The tube b is
carried by the short standards. c, affixed to the cross framing of the machine,
and the tube b'is retained securely by the set screws c. From the outer end
of the rod contained in the tube to the point 6 there is a groove formed to
contain the wire, consequently the wire lies in such groove, and is. retained
therein by the tube; and from the point to the inner end of the rod, where
it delivers the wire to be cut, there is a like groove in the rod, and the wire is
retained therein by the tube.b. By this means the wire is correctly conducted
and guided to the cutting knife, there being a steel face affixed on the inner
end of the tube-b, having a small hole through which the wire passes. This
steel face acts as a die against which the cutting edge of the knife works, con-
sequently the cut is made by the movement of the knife, the wire being
pressed against the side of the hole formed in the steel face, through which
the wire passes at the end of the tube b. The proper length of wire is drawn
in by means of the feeding pliars R, which consist of the upper and lower
steel plates R, which are affixed by screws to the tube 'S, such tube sliding
on the fixed rod or tube T, which is carried by the short standards T¹, and
retained by set screws, as is shewn. The under part of the feeding pliars
consists of a steel plate, similar in shape to one end of the upper plate R,
but of thinner plate; and has at all times a tendency to open away from the
upper plate R, and the end of the upper plate R has sufficient elasticity.to
bend when the other end is pressing on the wire, which renders nicety of
adjustment of the cam less necessary. The under plate R is affixed to the
under surface of the upper plate R at the point where the wire passes under
the upper plate R. and over the under plate R. The under plate has a small
projection at the side, which is turned up at right angles, and has a hole cut

page_text: therein which acts as a guide for the.. wire, such hole retaining the wire
correctly 'between the upper and under plates R of the feeding. pliars.. The
lower: plate R at all times rests on the surface between the points 6, 6, under
the wire, and is slided along to and fro in order to feed in the wire, the upper
plate being caused to descend when as far as it can go to the left hand
by the cam'U' acting on the stud R' of the spring lever R, and, thus hold
the wire between the upper and lower plates. R; but when the pliars arrive to
the end of their movement to the right hand, and are about to return, to take
hold of the' wire further back, the upper plate R is caused to rise off the lower
plate R by the elasticity of the lower plate R, the cam which works the feeding
pliars allowing of such separation; consequently the pliars will no longer hold
the wire; but can move back towards the left-hand end of the machine to
take hold at a distance proper to bring in the length required. Ris.a pro-
jection affixed to the under part of the upper plate R, the end of the projection
being acted on by the cam U¹ affixed on the axis,C. By this cam the upper
plate R is caused to descend and hold the wire between it and the lower plate
of the feeding pliars" at the time when the feeding pliars are as far as they
can go to the left hand, and the cam U₁ causes the upper and under plates R
to hold the wire securely between them during their movement to the right
hand; in order to draw in the required length of wire; but the cam permits the
plates R to separate so soon as they are about to return towards the left hand,
all which will be readily understood by examining the Drawings, aided by the
description' here given. Thus it will be seen that the tube S, to which the pliars
R are affixed,' moves on the rod T as on an axis, and the traversing: motion
of the pliars R is caused by the cam. U affixed on the axis C, such cam acting
on the side of the projection R¹ of the pliars; and the pliars Rare kept drawn
towards the cam Uby means of the spring R³, consequently the pliars will alter-
nately be moving to and fro during the revolution of the axis C, and will close
on the wire, draw it in to feed the machine, and will leave hold of the wire and
go back to bring in fresh quantities, as above explained.. And from the pecu-
liar construction of the pliars, and the mode of mounting them on the tube S and
the rod: T; and also the arrangement of the tube 6, the wire will be fed in with
great regularity and certainty; and from the simplicity of the combination or
arrangement, and of the lightness of the parts,. they may be caused to move with
great speed to perform their operation of feeding in the wire. W. is a lever
moving on the rod or axis T.. One end of this lever W is for pressing on the
wire, and the other end is worked by a cam on the axis C, there being a spring
on the under side of the lever, which has a tendency at all times to lift the end, off
the wire, and to press the other end of the lever W towards the axis C, and the

page_text: parts are to be so arranged that the cam on the axis C will cause the other end
of the lever W to press on the wire immediately on the feeding pliars having fed
in, and are about to return towards the left hand, and the end of the lever W is
to be caused by its cam to hold the wire securely, whilst the feeding pliars are
returning to take hold of the wire at a distance, and the lever W is to be raised
off the wire just before the feeding pliars begin to move towards the right hand.
It will be seen that the end of the lever W presses on the wire and holds it
stationary between the under surface of the lever W and the upper surface of
the rod contained in the tube b, as is' shewn the Drawings. X is the cutter or
knife which is constantly borne up to the end of the tube 6 by spring X', such
spring X¹ being affixed to the cutter, the other end of the spring moving with
the cutter, but acts against the upright screw C³, and thereby the spring has at
all times a tendency to retain the cutting edge of the cutter X closely against
the steel plate at the end of the tube b, such plate being retained secure by a
screw passing through the tube b, as is shewn in the Drawings. The cutter X is
attached by a pin joint to the arm X³, affixed on the tube X', which moves on
the axis Z; and to the tube X' is affixed the arm X³, having a spring
which constantly presses it up to its cam on the axis C, such spring resting on
the top of the pillar A. The axis C is worked by a pulley D, and the
pulley D and the axis C are connected together by means of a clutch box E
sliding on the axis C, but moving on a feather, so that when it is connected
with the pulley D the axis C will be turned round. (3) is a fork affixed to
the rod (4), which is carried by the end framings or uprights B, and is capable
of moving through the openings formed in the uprights B. This rod (4) is
at all times acted on by a spring (6) with a tendency to force it towards the
left hand. In the rod (4) is formed a notch, into which the arm (5) enters
when the machine is at work, and the arm (5) is at all times pressed up by
means of a spring so as to hold the rod (4) from being moved by its spring.
(8) is a lever moving on a fulcrum at one end, and working in a slit cut in an
upright (7), and there is a weight or filling-piece suspended from the end of
the lever (8), which is held above the point where there is a projection from
the arm which carries the cutter. The arm (5) is affixed to a tube which
moves on the axis Z, against which arm 5 a spring works to keep tho
catch (5) at all times pressing towards the rod (4). On the under side of the
lever at (9) is a cylindrical stud which is capable of entering a hole formed in
the bar or rod of the feeding apparatus; hence the stud (9) rests at all
times on the wire so long as the wire is correctly fed along and over the hole
in the rod of the feeding apparatus; but if any bend of the wire takes place
the stud (9) will drop into the hole, and the outer end of the lever will bo

page_text: 'so lowered as to bring the weight suspended on the lever (8) between the
projection of the arm of the cutter and the arm carrying the catch (5), thus
forming a filling piece between the two surfaces; and the working in of the arm
'of the cutter will draw out the catch (5), and the spring (6) will separate the
clutch box; and it will thus be evident that the working of the machine
will
go on when the lever (8) is properly supported by the in-coming wire.
Having thus explained the nature of the instruments and their mode of
action for feeding in the wire, cutting it off, shaping the teeth or staples, and
for passing it through the fillet, I will explain how the teeth are shaped or
bent into the proper form after they are through the fillet; I will then
describe the nature of the frame which carries the fillet, and the mode of
moving the same from side to side by what is called the twill wheel:-e is a
sheet or bar of steel or iron against which the fillet rests when it is being
pricked and when it receives the teeth or staples. The sheet or bar e is
affixed to the uprights or end framings B, as is shown in the Drawings. The
points of the prickers pass over the sheet or bar e, but as close to the upper
edge thereof as possible; and it will be seen that the two crookers' h come
opposite the place where the pricking takes place, "and the teeth or
'ends of the wire pass through the eyes formed in the crookers. The
crookers h, h, are carried by the lever N and worked thereby; and for
this purpose the lever N³ is bent down at right angles for a short distance;
it is then turned at right angles and parallel to the bar e, as will readily be
traced on examining Figure 7, together with the other Figures. of the
Drawings. The lever N is then turned outwards so as to stand at right
angles to the bar e, and to be in a position for carrying the crookers, the nature
of which will readily be traced in Figures 2 and 7.
projections h, having eyes or openings, as is shewn.
affixed to two bars or levers g, which move on axes with screw tops for nuts g³,
carried by the end of the lever N³. 9³ are set screws which pass through
the axis g', which slide in slots cut in the end of the lever N³, allowing for a
.slight movement of the levers g; but the levers g will be retained securely in
their proper positions when once set by the screw nuts g¹ and g³. It will
thus be seen that in addition to lifting the crowner, as above explained,
the working of the lever N* also works the crookers to bend the wire
when the same have been passed through the fillet; and it will be desirable
to notice that the head of the prickers is so wide that in the act of
pricking fresh holes the head presses the crown of the last staple up against
the fillet; for it will be understood that the fingers and crowner leave the
crown of the staple a short distance from the fillet, and the crooking action
They consist of two
These projections are

page_text: above explained takes place whilst the staple is in such position of not being
driven fully. home into the fillet; and it should be understood that the wire
having been bent and passed through the fillet into the eyes of the crookers,
the action of the lever N is such that it causes the crookers to descend
and bend down the teeth over, the bar e; and the lever N in its descent
raises the lever. N¹, and thereby lifts the crowner out: of the crown of the
staple: iis a stop. affixed to the bar. e,. there, being an adjusting screw.
through it. By this means the correct action of the crookers is :.ensured,
the end of the lever N coming under this adjusting screw at the time that
the crookers are at their highest position; and at the time they are in a position
to receive the ends of wire. through them. o, o, is the frame which carries
the fillet. This frame and parts connected therewith-are:shown separately in
Figure 5, by examining which and the other. Figures of the Drawings, aided by
the description hereafter given, a.workman will readily understand the nature
of such frame, 0, 0, being. the two side framings which are affixed to the tubes
p, p, which move on rods or tubes q, q, which are affixed across the machinė to
the uprights or end framings. B, as. is clearly shewn, the object.of using tubes,
as here shewn, as well as in other parts of, the machine, being to obtain light-
ness with stiffness, by which the quantity or weight of matter put into motion
is comparatively small, by which, together with the peculiar construction of
some of the parts, great speed may, with safety of action, be obtained in working
a machine constructed according to my Invention. is a hollow.axis; which is
carried by the two side framings, o, o, the smooth hollow feeding:roller.ul,
being affixed on the hollow axis. u, and consequently turnis therewith; thero
being a pinion affixed on that axis' u, which takes into the pinion affixed on. the
axis of the grooved hollow roller.u, by which the rollers. u,u, are caused to
move together; and as they have.the fillet between them; by their movements.at
proper periods, as hereafter. explained, the movement or feeding-in-of.the. fillet
will be obtained, as will be better understood hereafter. On the end of the axis
u is a cross bar affixed, with slits at each. end, in which the projections w, w,
work, and by which the: axis obtains movement...vis a ratchet wheel, which
is affixed to the plate w', to which the projections are affixed, consequently
the projections turn when the wheel v is moved, in order to give motion to the
feeding rollers; that the. fillet may be advanced lengthwise a distance equal to
that at which the crowns of the staples are to be set apart. The ratchet wheel:
and the plate w¹ move on an axis w³, the axis w.being. hollow that the axis u
may pass freely through, the projections w.allowing of the side shift or traverse
of the fillet. Motion is communicated to the ratchet wheel v. every time a row
of staples has been 'set across the fillet in the following manner:-y is a driver

page_text: which is affixed to the spring y',. and it is borne by the spring y towards the
left-hand end of the machine,- and in' such manner as to be out of the
way, of the camiz, on the axis C;' at 'all times excepting when it is desired
to move the fillet lengthwise a distance equal to that at which the next
row. of staples is to be set, at which time the springy and the driver
y will be forced out towards the right hand, and 'stand' over the cam z, só
that that! cam will strike the spring'y; and cause the driver y to force the
ratchet wheel vone tooth; and it should be stated that the spring y¹ has at all
times a tendency to keep the driver y'in the teeth of the ratchet wheel v, so as
to be in a condition to drive that wheel whenever the cam z strikes the spring;
and, there is to be a proper spring click or catch; to retain the wheel: v
when not acted on by the driver, as is well understood. And in case it be
desired to make blank spaces in the fillet at intervals 'I apply a higher cam on
the axis C, which, acting on 'the driver, will cause it to take several teeth' of
the wheel vat one time if driving; and in order to bring the higher cam into
action; y is astud projecting from the driver y, having a plate affixed to the
end, which, being acted on by the studs y on the wheel, will draw the driver
towards the wheel v: and place it in a position to be struck by the higher cam.
When, the teeth. are required to be set all over the fillet these parts' will be
dispensed with... The spring y" is forced towards the right 'hand in the
following manner :-There is a bolt which slides in a socket 'affixed' on the top
of the pillar A; the head of this bolt 'at all times is pressed against 'by the
spring y' in such manner as at all times to have a tendency to pass towards
the left-hand end of the machine. The spring y"moving on an axis is; as before
stated, forced sidewise towards the left hand by a spring, and the bolt is so
placed. as to stand opposite the projections / affixed to the twill wheel k. By
this arrangement the bolt will be forced outwards towards the right-hand end
of the machine, and push the spring 'y' sideways whenever the projections /¹
come against the bolt, and the fillet will be moved forward; and so soon as a
projection has passed the bolt, the. spring'y' and the bolt will be forced
towards the left-hand end of the machine' by the spring y, and thus be out
of the way of the cam till another row of staples has been set. The twill
wheel k is affixed on the axis or boss mi, which moves on points carried by
projections at the top of the pillar A, as is shown in the Drawings. The twill
wheel is so formed as to make six rows for each revolution of its axis, but this
may be varied, and is cut in steps according to the width of the crowns of the
staples; and I would remark that I am aware that twill wheels have been
before used, and were originally applied by Mr. Joseph Chesseborough Dyer, of
Manchester, and such application of what is called a twill wheel constituted

page_text: part of an Invention for which he obtained Letters Patent in One thousand
eight hundred and twenty-five, and the nature and use of such wheels is
now well understood; but according to the mode of using by me, in place
of depending on only one surface, I work on two surfaces properly cut, by
which the twill wheel moves the frame which carries the fillet in both direc-
tions in place of depending on one surface only, having the frame drawn up
to that surface by a weight, as heretofore practised, by which I obtain more
certainty of action, and which, together with other parts, aids in obtaining the
encreased speed of working consequent on the application of the improve-
ments invented by me. And I would remark, that although I prefer that the
two faces (which cause and control the side shift of the frame which
carries the fillet) should be cut or formed into steps similar to the single
face heretofore used, yet it is not absolutely necessary; for, by acting on the
sides or faces of the portions of the wheel which stand obliquely across their
axis of motion, the oblique surfaces themselves act as portions of a screw, and
will without being in steps, project or move the frame ó from side to side,
according as the oblique surfaces cross their axis of motion first in one
direction then in another. On the right-hand end of the tubes p is affixed the
projection or frame s, which is affixed to the tubes p by means of set screws,
and s' is another similar projection on the tubes p; but the projection s² is not
permanently fixed to the tubes p, but the projection &¹ is constantly drawn
towards the projections; and it will be seen that the projections & and s¹ rest
against the two sides or surfaces of the twill wheel; and the object of having
one of the projections with a degree of elasticity is to allow of the same passing
easily over the edges of the steps of the wheel, and that they may jointly work
together to produce the necessary traverse of the fillet to & fro sideways without
straining of the parts. 7 is a ratchet wheel which is affixed to the boss of the
twill wheel, and m² is a lever moving freely on the axis or boss m, and is
actuated by the cam n, affixed on the axis C; and m³ is a driver which takes
into and drives the ratchet wheel round such driver, being attached by a pin
joint to the lever m³, as is shown at Figure 6, there being a spring to keep the
lever to its cam, and to cause the driver to enter into the teeth of the ratchet
wheel, as is well understood by mechanics. o¹, o', is a frame which guides the
fillet to the feeding rollers, o³; o³, being two sliding pieces with set screws on
the rods o³, the fillet passing between the rods o³, which are affixed to the two
projecting frames o!, and carried thereby. The sliding pieces o³ being set to the
width of the fillet keep it in a correct position to be drawn-in-by the feeding
rollers; and the fillet is kept correct (after it has been set with teeth) by means
of the rings. on the upper tube p, such rings having screws by which, when they

page_text: are properly placed, they can be set or affixed. on the tube p, and the rings will
then act as guides to retain the fillets in a proper position. The fillet, as it is sct
with teeth, may be moved away over a suitable roller affixed at the upper part of
the room, as is well understood, or the fillet may be taken up by an apparatus
such as is described in the Specification of the Patent granted to the said
Joseph Chesseborough Dyer in One thousand eight hundred and twenty-five.
I will now proceed to describe the machine, partly shewn in Drawings
marked B, in which Figure 1 represents a section of the pillar A; and I
would remark, that I have used the same letters of reference to indicate
similar parts to those employed to mark the various parts shown in the
Drawings A. In the present machine, in place of using the levers G, G³, for
carrying the parts for forming the staples or teeth of wire, and for inserting
them through the fillet, I employ two springs G, G, which are affixed at the
bottom of the pillar A, as is shewn in this Drawing. Each spring G, G', I prefer
to be a plate of steel, though the extent of their movement, and consequently
the extent to which their elasticity is tried, is not much. I have not thought
it necessary to show a complete machine in this case, as the parts described to
the other machine may be applied; but I have shown the fingers and holder
and the working of the cutter to be somewhat different, though that is not
necessary, as the whole of the parts before described might be adapted to this
machine; for it will be evident that the upper ends of the springs G, G², used
in this machine, will work precisely the same as the upper ends of the
levers G, G¹, of the other machine. In constructing this machine, I cause the
front spring to be worked by a cam on the axis C, similar to that which works
the lever G; and the back spring G I cause to be worked by two cams on
the axis C, similar to the one which works the lever G of the former machine,
there being suitable projections on the springs G at the sides for that purpose,
and a proper projection on the face of the spring G¹ for the cam to act on, in
like manner to that shown in Drawings A; for it should be understood that
the springs G, G¹, are to have like motions communicated thereto as the
levers G, G¹. The springs G, G¹³, are bent at their upper ends to bring them
into a convenient position in respect to the shaft C. It will be seen that the
cutting knife in this case is attached to its arm in a somewhat different
manner to that shown in the Drawings A; for in this case. it can be adjusted
on that arm by two screws, as is shown; and also the crowner, in place of
being worked by the levers N1, N2, the latter of which actuates the crookers,
it is worked direct from the axis C, there being a cam shown in this Drawing
which presses against the lever S, which carries the crowner. The fingers K,

page_text: in this Drawing, consist of two springs, which are affixed to. the upper end of
the spring G by..screws.; S¹ are screws, carried by the. upper end of the
spring G, aş is shown; and the screws S¹ are retained, when once adjusted by
the set screws above, which being screwed down, retain the screws to the
adjusted position. These screws S¹ carry the crowner, to which the lever S is.
attached, as is shewn. Q is the tube through which, the holder P. works.
The tube Q is affixed to the spring G, and the holder is controlled in its action
by the spring G. The fingers have, by their being, springs, at: all times.a
tendency to come towards each other; there are, therefore, adjusting screws K³.
passing through the fingers K, which act on springs. K with prominences,.as
are shown. These prominences move along on the side, of the tube Q, which
is properly shaped to give to the fingers the proper motion. for. bending the
wire to the desired extent, as is well understood; and K are other adjusting
screws that pass through the fingers. K, in order to come against. the guiding.
surfaces K, affixed on the cross framing of the machine; and these surfaces.
are formed correctly to guide the ends of the fingers as they pass in, towards
the fillet. Figure 2 shows another mode of mounting the holder P. In
using this, suitable guide pieces must be applied for controlling the action of
the fingers without the use of the tube Q.
I will now proceed to describe the Drawing marked C, which represents.
another arrangement of machine, and consists of a mode of applying suspending
rods for working the fingers, and the holder P; and the fingers in this case
differ from any as yet described in their mode of combination with the other.
parts. A is the pillar, which carries the machine; and I have not thought it
necessary to show any other parts of the machine than those which go to explain
the peculiarities of this machine. The other parts will be similar to the
machine already described. G, G', are two rods; which are affixed to the
top and bottom of the machine, as shown, and it is by the elasticity of the top.
bar or spring that sufficient motion is obtained to the fingers K. The fingers
in this case are similar to those described in Drawings B; but in this instance
they are differently arranged in respect to the other parts to what was
described in that Drawing. The suspending rod. Glis.made fast. to the tube J,
and the rod G is made fast the tube Q. as is shown in the Drawing, and
the rod G is to be guided, in order to keep this tube J. at all times at right
angles with the surfaces of the fillet, and in a line with the holes which are
pricked therein to receive the bent wire. On the inside of the tube J. slides
the tube Q; and within the tube Q the holder P moves. The tube Qis
capable of moving independently of the tube J. The coiled spring within

page_text: the tube rests at one end against the stop, screwed into the end of the
tube Q, and at the other end against the shoulder formed on the, rod P,,conse-
quently the rod P will at all times have a tendency to be forced out when
permitted by the-tube Q; in like-manner to what is described in Drawings A,
and as will readily be traced in this Drawing: The fingers are carried by the
rod G, they being affixed to a projection on the tube J; and the rod G works
the tube. Q and the holder Pre J-is-a projection, which; has a proper.. surface
thereon for the: action of the cam on the shaft C; and G is a projection
affixed to the tube Q, having a proper surface for the cam to act on: It will
thus be seen that the action of the parts are: similar to the springs, G, G¹, for
the suspending rods G, G', have the same action on the respective., parts, as
those springs.
I will now proceed to describe the Drawing marked D, which represents
another arrangement of machine which differs from those before described, inas-
much as the mode of applying and working the fingers and holder P. The fingers
shown are similar. to those, shown in Drawings B and C, and the holder, and
apparatus connected therewith are also similar to the same parts in the
Drawings B and C, and are marked with the same letters of reference, 'the
only difference in this machine being the employment of sliding tubes G, G³,
which slide on the rods G³; and it should-be understood that in all cases where
the parts G, G, are shown, the parts worked thereon perform the same opera-
tions, whether they be levers; springs, suspension rods, or slides; and I have not
thought it necessary to show all the parts of a machine in any of the cases, as
the parts not shown may be supplied from either of the other arrangements
described. In this Drawing the upper tube G¹ carries the fingers K, and the
upper tube G carries the holder P, and 'tubo Q; and the mode by which the
holder P is governed by the tube G¹ is similar to what has been before.
described. The cams on the axis C work against the surfaces of the faces formed
on the side framings H, H, which are respectively affixed to the upper and lower
tubes G, G, which tubes G, G¹, move freely yet steadily on the rods G*; and
it will: be seen that the axis Z-is cranked in order to the passage of the rods G³
under it, and also of the lower tubes G, G', all which will readily be traced in
the Drawings; and the working of the parts is to be similar to what has been:
described in the other machines.
.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I would remark that it will be evident that the mode of
feeding the wire into the machine, and the various arrangements of fingers
and parts working therewith, may be readily applied to machines for making
what are called sheet cards, by which that description of machinery will be

page_text: improved and simplified in its action; and I would have it understood that I
lay no claim to any of the parts or combinations of parts shown and described
which may have been before known and in use for making wire cards. And it.
will be evident that many variations may be made in the machinery, so long as
my Invention, or any part thereof, be retained. I do not therefore confine
myself to the using any particular one or more of my improvements in the same:
machine, though I believe the arrangements shown to be the best; but what
I claim as the Invention secured by the present Letters Patent, is,-.
First, the working of fingers K and holder P, and parts connected there
with, by means of levers G, G', for making wire cards, as described in respect
to Drawings marked A..
Secondly, I claim the working of fingers K and holder P, and parts con-
nected therewith, for making wire cards, as described in respect to Drawings
marked B, by means of springs G, G¹.
Thirdly, I claim the working of fingers k, the holder P, and parts connected
therewith, for making wire cards by means of suspending rods G, G³, as
described in respect to the Drawings marked C.
Fourthly, I claim the working of fingers K, the holder P, and parts
connected therewith, by means of sliding tubes G, G¹, for making wire cards,
as described in respect to Drawings marked D.
Fifthly, I claim the mode of constructing the frame for moving the fillet
by means of tubes sliding on proper rods or tubes, and also the using of
hollow rollers with hollow axes for holding and moving the fillet, as described
in respect to the Drawings marked A.
Sixthly, I claim the modes of constructing and combining the fingers K and
the holder P, shown and described in respect to the Drawing marked
A, B, C, D.
Seventhly, I claim the mode of stopping the machine by any irregularity of
the wire.
Eighthly, I claim the mode of moving the frame which carries the fillet by
means of two surfaces of twill wheels in place of one, as above described; and,
Ninthly, I claim the mode of combining the parts for feeding the wire into
a machine for making. wire cards.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Walton, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine.
JAMES (L.S.)
WALTON.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-first day of March, in
the year of our Lord 1839, the aforesaid James Walton came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to
the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-first day of March, in
the year of our Lord 1839, the aforesaid James Walton came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to
the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Twenty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine.