CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING PINS, RIVETTS, WOOD SCREWS, AND NAILS
Year: 1831

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, DANIEL.
LEDSAM, Manufacturer, and WILLIAM JONES, Screw Manufacturor, both of
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing dato
at Westminster, the Twenty-second day of December, in the second year of His
reign, did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto us,
the said Daniel Ledsam and William Jones, His especial licence, sole
privilege and authority, that we, the said Daniel Ledsam and William Jones,
our exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as we, the said Daniel Ledsam
time
and William Jones, our exors, adññiors, or assigns, should at any agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of
years therein mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, our
Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING PINS, RIVETTS,
WOOD SCREWS, AND NAILS;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso
that we, the said Daniel Ledsam and William Jones, or one of us, shall cause
a particular description of the nature of our said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in His 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.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
Daniel Ledsam and William Jones, do hereby declare the nature of our said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully
described and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, referenco
being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters
marked thereon (that is to say) :-
:-
Our Invention consists in certain arrangements of mechanical parts as
will be hereafter fully described; but as the Invention relates to the production
of various articles, we will first describe the machinery for making pins, and
then that which relates to rivets, wood screws, and nails.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
of the parts which
Figure 1 represents a side view of the machinery applicable to cutting
the wire into lengths according to the description of pins required to be
made, and at the same time making the heads, and the points are produced
by another arrangement of mechanical parts which will also be fully described
hereafter. Figure 2 is a plan of Figure 1, some of the upper parts being
removed that those beneath may be more clearly shown. Figure 8 is a
vertical section taken at the dotted line in Figure 2. Figure 4 is part of a
plan of the under side of the machine by which some
cannot be seen other than by dotted lines in Figure 2. In each of these
Figures the same letter of reference indicate similar parts, a being the frame-
work which carries the other parts of the machinery; b is the main shaft
or axis which receives motion from any first mover by a strap passing over
the drum or pulley c. On the axis b is affixed a cam or wiper d, which
drives up the bolt or punch for forming the head of the pin. e is a circular
inclined plane affixed on the circular plate f, which is affixed on the main
shaft or axis b. The main shaft or axis 6 turns in bearings 9. g. On each
side of the machine h is a fly wheel on the shaft 6. On to the fly wheel h is
affixed (by means of adjusting screws) a plate i. On this plate i there is a
pin j, which forms a crank pin for giving a crank motion to the connecting
rod k. In the plate i are cut two slits or gaps 1, 1, through which the
screws m, m, pass, and screw into the nave of the fly wheel, by which means
the crank pin j may be set at a greater or less distance from the centre of the
axis or shaft b, and thus regulating the length of motion given to the con-
necting rod k, by which the length of the pin will be determined.. In order
that the connecting rod may be adjusted to the desired length of motion to
produce the length of pin required, the rod is constructed of two parts,
the one screwing into the other, which is clearly shewn in the Drawing. One

page_text: end of the connected rod k is affixed to the crank pin j, and the other end to
the bent lever n, which lever has its fulcrum at n¹, as is shewn in Figure 4,
and by dotted lines in Figure 2. It will be seen that the two ends of the
connecting rod k are forked, and the same are affixed by means of screws
to the fork heads o, o, which turn respectively on the crank pinj and on the
end of the lever n, by which an easy motion is obtained to the various parts
thus connected. p, is a barrel or tube affixed on the bed of the machine by
the screws q, q, shown by dotted lines (Figure 1). This barrel or tube is
turned truly on the inside, and forms the guide for the bolt r, which forces up
the end of the pin, and produces the head, as will be fully described hereafter.
In the under side of the barrel or tube p is formed a mortice or slit, and a
corresponding mortice or slit is cut in the bed or top part of the machine.
Through these mortices or slits passes a pin or stud s, which is affixed to the
bolt r, and by means of a spring t, one end of which is connected to the pin s,
and the other end is affixed to a pin or stud on the under side of the bed
of the machine, the bolt or punch r is drawn back. The barrel or tube p is
capable of a slight adjustment by the screws v. On to the lever u is connected,
by means of a pin or stud, the part w, which connects the two links x, there
being a pin y passing through the ends of the two links x and the part w,
and the end of pin y enters into a groove z formed in the sliding plate A,
and the length of action of the two links x is regulated by the screw B. The
plate A slides between the two guide pieces D, which are screwed to the under
E, E, are two links of a pair of
side of the bed of the machine (see Fig. 4).
pliars which draw forward the wire through the pins F. These links E, E,
do not cross each other, but turn on the pin G, which is screwed into the.
sliding plate A. The pliars are turned up at right angles, and rise through the
bed or top of the machine, and the ends thus turned up act as the chaps of
the pliars, and when closed and caused to move will draw forward at each
movement such a length of wire as is required according to the length
intended for the pin, at the same time allowing for the length which is
consumed in forming the head, which will be hereafter more fully described.
H is a plate (see Figure 2) which is screwed on to the bed of the machine,
but allows of adjustment by means of the mortices through which the screws
pass. On to this plate H (see Figure 2) is formed a guide I for the wire,
and the wire is kept down on the plate H, and between the guide I, by means
of the spring K. L is a guide which is affixed to the bed or top of the
machine through which the wire passes, and is guided to the fixed cutter M,
which is fixed by means of the clamp N in position to receive the end of the
wire from the guide L. This cutter M is adjusted by means of the screw O.

page_text: The cutter M consists of a hardened piece of steel, having a hole perforated
through it to admit of the passage of the wire, as is shewn by dotted lines in
Figure 2. P (Figure 2) is a lever having its fulcrum at Q. Through this
lever P is passed the adjusting screw R, the object of which will be described
hereafter. S is an adjusting screw which comes against the lever P,
and prevents its being drawn back too far by the spring T (in Figure 2).
V represents another pair of pliars which are affixed in the upper part of the
framing W of the machine. These pliars are shewn separately in Figure 5,
and full size, by which their construction will be readily understood, V, V, being
the two chaps turning on a pin or axis at X. These chaps are confined between
two plates Y, which are screwed together at Z, and there are projections
at 1, 1, which keep the plates Y from binding on the chaps of the pliars. In
the upper part of the framing W is cut a mortice through which these pliars
are placed, and by means of the screws 2, 3, 3, are held in the position shown
in the Figures 1, 3, and 5. In Figures 3 and 5 it will be seen that there is a
stud 4 affixed on one of the chaps of the pliars, which comes in contact with
the stop 5, and is thus prevented from being pressed too far. The stop 5 is
held to its proper position by the screw 6. The spring 7 presses the chap Vi
against the stop 5. The manner of fixing the spring 7, and also the
adjusting screw 8, which prevents the chap being forced back too far by
the lever P, and at the same time gives the required resistance to that.
lever at the time of forcing up the head, which will be clearly seen by exa-
mining the Drawing, more particularly Figure 3. In each of the chaps
of the two pairs of pliars there are hardened steel dies placed, which will be
seen in Figure 5.
Having now described the various parts of this machine,, we will proceed
to describe its action, first observing that the position in which the machine is
.drawn represents all the parts in the positions which they would assume when
the wire has been drawn in and ready to be cut off to the length required;
and the length will depend on the distance the pin j is placed from the centre
of motion of the axis b; and this distance is adjusted by the screw 9, which
passes through the rim of the fly wheel into the plate i; and when the distance
has been determined by the screw 9, the screws m, m, are screwed up, and the
plate i is made secure to the wheel. If motion be given to the axis 6 in the
direction of the arrow, Figure 1, the following motions will take place to the
various parts of the machine. The curved inclined plane will take against
the end of the lever P, and will force it towards the barrel or tube, P, which
will bring the screw R of the lever P to press against the chap V. By this
motion the chap which works in contact with the fixed cutter M will press

page_text: against the length of wire which has been brought up to be cut, and the same
will be divided by the pressure of the lever P against the chap of the pliars,
and the continued pressure of the lever P as it is forced forwards by the
inclined plane e will carry the wire between the chaps beyond the point where
the cut is made, and that brings the end of the wire to rest against the
hardened surface of the fixed cutter M, the wire at the same time being firmly
held between the two chaps V, and thus is the wire in a position to receive the
pressure necessary for forming the head. The end of the lever P having
arrived at the top of the inclined plane e, continues to be held in the same
position to which it has been forced by the end travelling along the upper part
of the piece e, which is parrallel to the line of motion of the bolt r. In the
meantime the rotation of the axis 6 carries round the cam d, and forces up the
head or adjusting screw of the bolt r, and the end of that bolt coming in con-
tact with the piece of wire which is held between the chaps V, forces up the
head;
and the shape of such head will depend on the countersinking of the
dies in the chaps V, and also in the hardened steel ends of the bolt r, which
ends of the bolt r may be made separate, and thus a variety may be made to
fit the same bolt, and prevent the necessity of removing the bolt r when
another description of pin is intended to be made. The revolution of the fly
wheel will, during the time the head is being formed, have driven the con-
necting rod forward, by which the lever n will have been forced back to the
position shewn by dotted lines, Figure 4, carrying with it the pliars E, E,
ready to take hold of the wire; but in order that the chaps may be enabled to
be forced backwards to a more distant part of the wire, they have to be
released from the hold they have of the wire last brought up. The first part
of the backward motion of the lever n carries with it the links x, by which
the chaps of the pliars are opened, when the pin y coming into contact with
the screw B, the continued motion of the lever n draws back the sliding
plate A, and the pliars being attached thereto by the screw G, they are drawn
back a distance, which, as before observed, is regulated by the length of action
given to the connecting rod k. The continued motion of the axis 6 will cause
the lever n to be drawn towards it, and the links a being extended will cause
them to close the chaps, and take hold of the wire, and to draw it forward,
forcing the same through the fixed cutter M at the same time. The lever P,
having arrived at the end of the second inclined plane of the part e; the same
will be drawn back by the spring T from the chap V; and the spring which is
between those chaps will separate them, and the pin will either drop from
between them, or else the coming wire will drive out the same therefrom, and
the pliars will be in a position to receive the next piece of wire, and thus will

page_text: the machine be again in the position shewn in the Drawing, and be again
ready to make the cut. The machine, as drawn and set, is intended for
making short eschutchean pins (see F. 13), but it is evident that all the
change which takes place in adapting it to cut and head wire for pins
of other descriptions will be to change the thickness of the chaps and
lies in comparison with the length of motion given to the pliars E;
and it will only be necessary, with respect to this machine, to add that
the barrel or guide to the bolt r is placed in such manner that the centre
line of its motion shall be in a right line with the piece of wire which has
been cut and carried forward by the action of the lever P against the
chap V, by which means the end of the piece of wire will be pressed
against the hardened surface of the cutter m, whilst at the same time it is pre-
-vented lateral bending by the hardened steel dies fitted in the chaps V. The
pins thus cut off are ready to be pointed.
We will next proceed to describe our machine for pointing the pins. Figure 6
is a side view, and Figure 7 is a plan thereof, the same letters referring to the
same parts, as is also the case in Figure 8, which represents some of the parts
separately, A being the framing which carries the various parts, B the main
axis or shaft which receives motion by the pulley C, which is actuated by a
D is a screw fixed on to the main axis B. This
strap from any first mover.
screw B takes into and drives the toothed wheel E, which is fixed on the
axis I', this axis having its bearings on the standards G, on each side of the
frame. On to the axis F the wheel H is placed. The perephary of this wheel is
accurately turned on its surface, and there are grooves I cut thereon, which
are intended to receive the heads of the pins, as will be fully described hereafter.
There is also a strip or belt of wash leather K fastened around, which is for
giving friction to the pins, and and causing them to turn round, to offer fresh
surfaces to the file as they pass under it. L is a lever which is placed over
the surface of the wheel H; the other ends being supported at M by the
screw M and spring N, give sufficient elastic pressure to the lever L, for the
purpose of holding it down on the surface of the wheel H. By the Drawing
of the shape of this lever will be seen; and in Figure 8 it is shewn in section,
where it will be perceived that the edge nearest the circular files is bevilled off,
to be out of the way of the file, and on the under side there is a piece of wash
leather affixed, to correspond with that on the surface of the wheel, for pro-
ducing friction to the pins. O is the circular file which is made to the curve
of the wheel H. The file is affixed on the end of the spindle or axis P, which
turns on two points, one at each end, as is shewn in the Drawing. Qis a
pulley on the axis P, which receives motion by a gut band R, which passes

page_text: around another pulley S, affixed on the spindle or axis T, which spindle or axis
turns on two points at V, V, on upright bearings affixed to the framework of the
machine. On this axis or spindle there is a pulley W, which is caused to revolve
by the friction of the circumference of the fly wheel X which is in contact with it.
Y are two descending guide pieces, which are placed one on each side of the
lever L, by which that lever is prevented being forced sideways, and by screws at
top the lever may be regulated as to its distance from the wheel H; and it should
be observed that the points on which the spindle or axis P turns are made to
rise and fall to regulate the distance of the file from the wheel H, by
means of the screws above. The pins are fed to the wheel H, and under the
lever L, by means of an inclined hopper or trough z. In giving motion to
this machine, the wheel H is caused to turn towards the file o, so that as the
pins drop on the circumference of the wheel H they are carried forward
under the lever L, care having been taken that the pins are so placed that
their heads will fall into the groove I, cut around this wheel, and also in
a similar groove on the under side of the lever L, whilst the pin itself is
parrellel to the axis F. The revolution of the shaft B will give motion to the
screw D, which taking into the toothed wheel E, and thus give to it a slow
motion; meanwhile the fly wheel, acting by friction on the pulley W, will cause it
to revolve with a quick motion, and the pulley S being on the same axis will, by
means of the gut band R, give a quick motion to the file o, and the friction
created by the wash leather on the surfaces of the wheel and the lever L
will cause the pins to revolve, whereby a point will be given to each by the
filc o.
We will now proceed to describe the machinery which relates to screws.
Figure 9 represents a side view of the machine, and Figure 10 represents the
opposite side view thereof. Figure 11 represents a plan, and Figure 12 is a
vertical section taken through the dotted lines in Figures 9, 10, and 11. In
each of these Figures the same letters indicate similar parts; and it should be
observed there are many parts which assimilate to those of the machinery for
making pins. A very full description of such parts will not be again required,
a, a, being the framework; b, the main axis, which receives motion from any
first mover, by means of drums or mill work, which are not shewn in the Draw-
ing. d is a cam or wiper, which in this instance is on a separate axis (c).
This axis has its bearings at e, on each side of the machine. f is a lever having
its fulcrum at f in the upper part of the framing. The main shaft or
axis 6 turns in bearings g, g. On each side of the machine h is a fly wheel on
the axis b. In Figures 9 and 11, i is a plate having a mortice or slit cut to
allow of the plate being slided to or from the centre of the axis c. j is a pin

page_text: on the plate i, whieh forms the crank pin on which the connecting rod k turns.
It will be seen that on the axis c (see Figure 11) there is a clutch box m.
This is intended to be used as a means of regulating the position of the crank,
and this regulation or adjustment is performed by removing the nut on the
end of the axis c, and separating the clutch box, when the same may be
adjusted to the position required, and then the nut is to be again screwed to
keep all fast. The sliding plate i may also at the same time be placed nearer
to or farther from the centre of the axis c. By this means (assisted by the
adjustment at the other end of the connecting rod) the length of wire brought
into the machine at each revolution is regulated. n is an armi affixed on the
axis w, which turns on bearings x, x (see Fig. 11). On to this axis are
placed the toothed wheels y, and the grooved wheel or roller z. Over the axis
w is placed another axis, on which is placed a corresponding toothed wheel,
which takes into the one at y; and there is also a grooved wheel z, these
grooved wheels z being the means of drawing the wire in to feed the machine,
there are therefore placed adjusting screws in the bearings to cause sufficient
pressure to these rollers. is a strap on the connecting arms k, and is affixed
thereto by the nut, which permits the rod to turn sufficient to give an easy
motion thereto, o is an adjusting or tightening screw, which regulates the
distance at which the end of the connecting rod k is placed from the centre of
the axis w; and according to the distance at which the connecting rod kis
fixed on the arm n from the centre of the axis w, and according to the
distance at which the pin j is set from the centre of the axis or shaft c, so will
be the length of motion communicates to the wheels or rollers z, which will
determine the length of wire brought into the machine. On to the axis wis
placed a ratched wheel A, and B is a click or pall, which is connected to the
arm n. C is a spring connected to the arm n and also to the click or pall B.
Thus it will be seen that as the axis c revolves, it will, by means of the
connecting rod k, drive the arm n forward, and thus will the click or pall pass
down to a greater or less number of teeth of the ratched wheel, and the
continued revolution of the axis will bring up so many teeth of that wheel by
the click or pall taking into the last at which it arrives, and this will give
motion to the axis w, and consequently to the toothed wheels y and the
grooved rollers or wheels, and thus draw into the machine the required
quantity of wire. p is the barrel or guide affixed by means of the screws g, g,
in a line with the belt or punch 7. s is a screw which passes through a slit or
mortice in the guide or tube p, and screws into the bolt or punch r, by which
means the same is prevented turning in the guide p. The bolt r is connected
to the lever f by means of the strap t, which is merely intended to draw back

page_text: the bolt after it has formed the head, is a spring which is made fast to the
lever f, and to a screw in the framing of the machine. D is a toothed wheel
affixed on the main shaft b, and takes into the larger toothed wheel E, which is
affixed to the axis c. On to the wheel E is fixed by screws F the heart-shaped
excentric G, which works in a rectangular frame H, which is connected to the rod
I, as shewn in the Drawing (Figure 10). This connecting rod I is constructed
in two pieces, the one screwing into the other. J is a strap on the arm K, by
which the rod I is placed nearer to or further from the centre of the screw L,
hereafter described; and by means of a tightning screw the strap is made fast
to the arm K. On to the axis of the screw L there is a cluch box N, similar
to that last described, which assists in the adjustment of the various parts, so
as to produce the requisite motion to the screw L. M is the fixed cutter, and,
as before described, consists of a hardened piece of steel perforated for the
passage of the wire, and against this cutter one of the chaps V of the pliars
move, by the pressure of the screw L, by which the cut is made in a similar.
manner to that which has been described in the machine for making pins.
The fixed cutter is kept to its proper position by the clamp and screws O.
The pliars V are constructed similar to those already described, and their
position and manner of fixing will be seen in the various Figures, but
more particularly in the section, Figure 12, where will also be seen the
screw L, and the manner in which it is caused to press, on one of the
chaps V of the pliars. Q, Figure 12, is a shield of steel, placed between
the end of the screw L and the chaps V, to prevent the wear of that chap
by the action of the screw. R, R, are hooks, which are placed on a
collar, to prevent their turning (attached to the screw L and chap V), so that as
the screw L is withdrawn it draws back with it the chap V. W is a stop and
hook to prevent the spring X forcing the other chap too far; and Y is a plate
of steel screwed in the framing at the back of the chap V, to prevent that chap
being forced back at the time the head is being formed.
We will now proceed to trace the various movements that take place in
working the machine. It will be seen that the wire is drawn through the
rollers,, after which it passes through a tube or guide z, affixed behind the
rollers or wheels z, z. From thence it passes through the cutter M, and the
length of wire brought up depends, as before described, on the number of
teeth taken up by the pall or click B. The revolution of the toothed wheel d
causes the wheel E to revolve also, and the excentric G affixed thereto; and
thus the screw L turns sufficiently to force the chap V to produce the cut of
the wire by its acting against the fixed cutter M, as has been before described;
and at the same time the screw, having made the cut, carries the piece of wire

page_text: between the two chaps V a short distance beyond the place at which the cut is
made, and thus brings the end of the wire against the hardened face of the
cutter M, whilst the two chaps are held securely between the screw L and the
stop or plate Y, which prevents the lateral bending of the wire. The screw
having been brought to this position is not further acted on by the revolution
of the heart-shaped eccentric, for it will be seen that the continued revolution
thereof will only tend to hold the screw L in the position described till the
head has been formed, and then the continued revolution will withdraw the
screw L, and by means of the hooks attached thereto will separate the chaps V;
meanwhile the screw L is holding the wire to receive the action of the punch r,
the cam d will come against the lever f, and force it against the head of the
punch, and thus force up the head, and at the same time the connecting rod H
will be driving the pall B to take a lower tooth of the ratchet A, and thus.
when the head has been made to that piece of wire between the chaps V the
continued revolution of the axis c will by the pall B taking into the ratchet
wheel A draw forward another piece of wire to be cut off.
Having now described the various parts of this last machine, and the
manner of their action, it will be evident from the nature of the machine that
the style of head given to the wire depends on the construction of the punch
and the dies in the chaps V. Thus, for instance, in Figure 14, shows a piece of
wire headed for making a wood screw, and that head is produced by having
the steel dies in the chaps V countersunk, whilst the end of the punch ŕ is a
flat surface.
Figure 15 shows a rivet, the head of which is formed by the dies, and also
the punch or bolt r, having flat faces. By this description the manner of
forming the various descriptions of heads shewn in Figures 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,
and 21, will be readily understood, and the length cut off will depend on the
manner in which the machines are adjusted, care always being observed that
the dies in the chaps V are of such a thickness as to receive so much wire as
is intended to be given to the article to be furnished, allowing sufficient to pass
through them for making the head; and it will be seen that where nails which
are formed of square wire or of any other figure, then it will only be necessary
that the grooves in the dies and those in the feeding rollers should be cut to
correspond. Having constructed the bolts with heads as above described, they
are next to have the head of the screw cut by hand in the usual way; and as
the machinery for this, as well also for cutting the slit in the head, and also
the manner of performing those operations, are well understood, and form no
part of our Invention, no further description will be necessary; and with
respect to the points of the nails, they are to be produced by hammering.

page_text: Having now described the various parts of the machinery, we will, in con-
clusion, observe, that although we have herein described various parts which
are separately well known and in use, we lay no claim to such parts in their
separate condition, neither do we claim the forming of heads to pins, rivets,
wood screws, and nails, by pressing or forcing the same by means of the bolt
or punch r, similar contrivances for that purpose having been before employed.
But what we claim is, the combining the various parts as above described, more
particularly the manner of arranging those parts which cause the pliars V to
perform the cut, and afterwards to hold or gripe the wire during the operation
of producing the head, as above described, in making pins, rivets, wood screws,
and nails. And,
Secondly, we claim the arranging the various mechanical parts above
described for producing points to the pins.
In witness whereof, we, the said Daniel Ledsam and William Jones,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Eighteenth day of June,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.