IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SHEARING OR CLIPPING ANIMALS, THE SAID APPARATUS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO SHAVING SKINS
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Arthur Charles Henderson, of No. 31, Charing
Cross, in the County of Middlesex, l'atent Agent, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SHEARING OR CLIPPING ANIMALS, THE
SAID APPARATUS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO SHAVING SKINS."-A com-
munication from abroad by Thomas Pilter, of Paris, in the Empire
of France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Arthur Charles Hender-
son at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 1st December 1869.
I, ARTHUR CHARLES HENDERSON, of No. 31, Charing Cross, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SHEARING OR CLIPPING
ANIMALS, THE SAID APPARATUS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO SHAVING SKINS," a
communication to him from abroad by Thomas Pilter, of Paris, in the
Empire of France, to be as follows:-
The apparatus consists of a column supported by a pedestal or foot

page_text: ment by means of a thumbscrew.
The head of the column is traversed
A rod
longitudinally by a shaft turning freely in a socket, on which is mounted
a fly wheel and a groove or rim pulley; on this shaft at one end a
balance lever slides in a slot, and can there be fixed in any desired
position by means of a screw. A counterbalance susceptible of a longi-
tudinal displacement regulates the weight of the lever, and of the
mechanism in connection therewith. At the upper part is a coupling
piece pivoting and bearing a shaft on which is keyed a rim pulley
receiving motion from the first-named by aid of an endless band; on
this same axis is a large conical wheel gearing with a fly pinion mounted
on a forked support, the branches of which hook on the shaft.
suspended by the fork participates in the movement of the pinion, and
oscillates as desired; the lower part of this rod terminates in a truncated
cone, which is introduced in a corresponding conical cavity in a third
shaft. The two coupling pieces are united by a nut screw, and a pin
working in a groove completes the security of the locking; two other
little pins are arranged at the base of the shaft, which participates in the
movement of the rod and turns in a case forked at the base, so as to
furnish a fourth shaft with two fulcrums; this latter is actuated by two
bevil wheels, which are protected from dirt and dust by a metal cover.
At the extremity of this shaft is a conical toothed wheel gearing with a
pinion keyed to another shaft; a box serves as support to the latter. A
handle pivots on this shaft as well as the box, and terminates in a fork
for supplying two cushions to the tool-bearing shaft.
A pair of bevil
wheels transmit motion from one shaft to the other.
By the foregoing description it will be seen that a universal joint
system is established.
The last-named shaft is square, in two parts, for carrying gear wheels
(the course of which is limited by a pin) and for receiving the blade.
Below the handle is a support or frame bent perpendicularly to the tool
shaft; on this frame is fixed by means of a screw and nut a notched
disc or shield having a corresponding support, each notch of which is
sharpened and cut sloping, so that by rotation the blade constitutes
successively with the teeth so many pairs of scissors; but it is necessary
to fulfil this office that the blade has its extremities locked against the
toothed disc; this is effected by rendering the tool shaft and consequently
the movable tool susceptible of a longitudinal displacement by the
pressure of a spring acting on a point, which tends to push the shaft in

page_text: turning a nut, its counter fixing the position when arranged. On the
other hand the blade which is convex reacts, effecting the requisite
locking for producing the perfect working of the instrument, which is
analogous with the two blades of a pair of scissors. The head of the
spring is traversed by a conduit serving to grease the part. An envelope
prevents the filaments from entering and stopping rotation; all the
parts are similarly protected. The toothed disc is open in the centre to
admit of any particles which may have entered, notwithstanding pre-
cautions, to pass out.
In making use of the machine the operator seizes the handle and
causes the disc to move flat on the skin of the animal. In shaving, the
disc is more or less inclined on the skin.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Arthur Charles Henderson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 20th April 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ARTHUR
CHARLES HENDERSON, of No. 31, Charing Cross, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS IIer most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the First day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
third year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Arthur Charles Henderson, Her special
licence that I, the said Arthur Charles Henderson, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Arthur
Charles Henderson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the terin therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SHEARING OR CLIPPING ANIMALS, THE SAID
APPARATUS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO SHAVING SKINS," (a communication to
me from abroad by Thomas Pilter, of Paris, in the Empire of France,)
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Arthur Charles
Henderson, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing

page_text: under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Arthur Charles Henderson, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, that
is to say:-
The apparatus consists of a column supported by a pedestal or foot
secured to the ground and turning on its axes and capable of adjust-
ment by means of a set screw. The head of the column is traversed
horizontally by a shaft or pin turning freely in a socket or boss on which
is mounted a fly wheel and a grooved pulley; on this pin at one end a
balanced lever fits, and can there be fixed in any desired position by
means of a screw. A counterbalance susceptible of longitudinal dis
placement regulates the balance of the lever and of the mechanism
in connection therewith. Its upper end carries a coupling piece
pivoting or swivelling on it and carrying a shaft, on which is keyed
a groove pulley receiving motion from the first-named by aid of an
endless band; it also carries a large bevil wheel gearing with
smaller bevil pinion mounted on a forked bracket, the two branches
of which hook or hang on the shaft. A rod or spindle having a
bearing in the bracket and carrying the bevil pinion participates in
its revolving motion, and is free to oscillate in the direction round
the shaft carrying the large bevil wheel; the lower part of the rod or
spindle terminates in a truncated cone fitting and fixed in a corre-
sponding cone socket of a lower shaft or spindle, the two being united
by a nut and a pin fitting in a groove, and lower down by two more
pins. This lower shaft participates in the same revolving movement and
turns in a case forked at the base, so as to furnish two bearings for a
fourth spindle worked by bevil wheels from the last-named shaft. The
bevil wheels are protected from dirt and dust by a metal cover. At the
extremity of this shaft is a bevil wheel gearing with a bevil pinion on
another or fifth shaft encased in a box, which forms its bearing or
support. A handle-shaped box swivels on this fifth shaft similarly as

page_text: another box round the fourth shaft, and terminates in a fork which forms
two bearings for the tool-bearing shaft, a pair of bevil wheels trans-
mitting motion from the fifth shaft to the tool bearing shaft.
By the foregoing it will be seen that a universal joint system is
established.
The last named or tool-bearing shaft is square in two places for
carrying a bevil wheel (the course or travel on the square being limited
by a pin) and for receiving the cutter. Below the handle part of the
handle-shaped box is a supporting bracket bent perpendicularly to the
tool shaft; on this bracket is fixed by means of a screw and nut a
notched or serrated disc or shield having a corresponding piece for
attachment, and each notch of which is sharpened and cut sloping, so
that by rotation of the cutter blades against the disc it constitutes
successively with the teeth of the same so many pairs of scissors, but it
is necessary to fulfil this office that the cutter has its blades or
extremities locked or jammed against the serrated disc; this is effected
by rendering the tool shaft and consequently the movable tool
susceptible of a longitudinal displacement by the pressure of a spring
acting on a point, which tends to push the shaft by turning a nut, its
counter or check nut fixing its position when set. On the other hand
the cutter which is convex effecting the requisite locking or jamming
for producing the perfect working of the instrument, which is analagous
with the two blades of a pair of scissors. The head or point of the spring
which presses against the end of the tool shaft is traversed by an oil hole
for greasing that part. An envelope or box prevents the filaments from
entering or stopping rotation; all the parts are similarly protected. The
serrated disc is open in the centre to let particles pass out which may
have entered in spite of precaution.
In making use of the machine the operator seizes the handle part of
the before-named handle-shaped box, and pushes the disc, which is
caused to revolve along flat on the skin of the animal. In shaving the
disc is more or less inclined on the skin.
The nature of this Invention will be more clearly understood by
reference to the annexed Drawing, and the figures and numbers marked
thereon.
The apparatus is shewn in Fig. 1, Sheet 1, and consists of a column 2
supported by a pedestal or foot 1 secured to the ground, the column being
capable of turning in the said foot, and the friction being adjustable by

page_text: means of a set screw 3. The head of the column is traversed horizontally
by a shaft or pin 7, carrying a loose socket or boss on which is mounted
a fly wheel 6 and a groove pulley. On this pin at one end of same a
balanced lever 4 slides or is movable, and can be fixed thereon in any
desired position by means of a set screw. A weight e at one end of the
lever and susceptible of longitudinal displacement regulates the balance
of the lever and the mechanism in connection therewith, which is
arranged at the opposite end of the lever. This upper end, which
swivels in its place, carries a cross shaft 14, having a groove pulley 12
fixed at one end, and driven by an endless band, chain, or gut,
from the first-named groove pulley. On the other end of the shaft a
large bevil wheel 13 is fixed gearing with a small bevil pinion 15, the
shaft or rod 16 of which runs in a forked supporting bracket 19, the
forks of which form bearings on the shaft 14. The rod or shaft 16
suspended by the forked bracket 19 can, as will be seen, swing or be
turned along with its bevil pinion 15 on or round the axis of the
spindle 14. The lower part of this rod terminates in a truncated cone 20,
fitting in a corresponding cone socket of another shaft 21; a nut couples
the cone and cone socket together, and a pin fitting in a groove com-
pletes the security of the locking. The base of this shaft 21, 22, which
participates in the movement of the rod 16, has its lower end 22
revolving in a sleeve 23 forked at the base at r, r, to form two bearings
for a shaft 26 worked from the shaft 22 by a pair of bevil wheels 24, 25,
which are protected from dirt and dust by a case or cover. The other
end of the shaft 26 carries a bevil wheel 28 gearing with a pinion 29 on
another shaft 30; a box 27, 31, 32, 33, encloses the latter and swivels on
it. The continuation 34 of this box which swivels loosely on the former
and forms a handle-shaped sleeve round the shaft 30 driven by the bevil
wheels 28, 29, terminates in a fork, the two sides of which 42, 47, form
the bearings of the shaft 37 carrying the revolving cutter 53 (shown in
plan at Fig. 7), a pair of bevil wheels 35, 36, transmitting motion from
the shaft 30 to the cutter shaft 37, which is formed polygonal for some
distance to allow the wheel 36 to slide on the same while the spring
exerts its pressure. The cutter shaft is shewn square where the cutter
fits on.
Part of the sleeve frame is bent down at right angles to the
cutter shaft, and has fixed to it a serrated disc or shield 50 (shewn
separately at Fig. 4), as shewn at Fig. 5. The cutter 53 is sloping or
convex at the blades, so that by rotation against the disc the revolving
cutter constitutes successively with the teeth an equivalent to as many

page_text: pairs of scissors.
To fulfil this office it is necessary that the disc and
cutter should be pressed together by some spring action, and this is done
by the spring 42 and the nut 41 and check nut, which exerts an end
pressure on the cutter shaft against the serrated disc. The cutter is
formed convex, as shewn, and the shoulder against which it is fixed
bears against it on two points only, and these at right angles to the
projecting cutter blades, so as to give the latter liberty to find their
proper bearing against the serrated disc. The shield 48 prevents the
material cut from working into the gear, which is also protected by the
cap 44. The spring where its point presses against the cutter shaft may
have an oil hole 38, as shewn. The disc 50 is open so as to let any wool
out that might have got in, but it is very advisable for preventing its
getting in to let the cutter work close upon the shield, as shewn; it is
secured by means of a screw 51 and nut 52. On turning the handle 8
on the fly wheel 6 motion is communicated to the gearing and ultimately
to the revolving cutter, which is guided flat against the skin of the
animal. In shaving the disc is more or less inclined on the skin. The
balance is adjusted in such a manner that a slight pressure of the
operator's hand is necessary for keeping the cutter and disc against
the skin of the animal.
To prevent noise of the gear the same is made practically noiseless
by any well known method, such as making use of some kind of
frictional gear, metal on metal, as shewn at Fig. 8, or wood inlaid, as
shewn at Fig. 9, or iron faced with india-rubber or other suitable
material; or the teeth of one wheel may be of soft metal, and the other
of a composition of hard gutta percha.
Fig. 2, Sheet 2, shews the apparatus arranged with a pulley A, which
is driven or worked by hand or power, and from which motion is con-
mmunicated to a pulley B by gut, chain, or band. The power is then
communicated from the pulley C to the pulley at the end of the balance
lever by similar means.
Two objects are attained by this arrangement, namely, firstly, getting
the driving gear further from the ground, so as to be out of the way of
horses or other animals; and, secondly, offering facilities for obtaining
greater speed of the revolving parts.
Fig. 3, Sheet 2, shews in plan an arrangement by which several of
these machines may be worked by power. E is the engine, which by
means of universal joint communicates motion to a shaft F running

page_text: in plummer blocks G. Pulleys H, H, H, communicate motion to
corresponding pulleys on the machines, three of which are shewn here
in plan.
What I claim as composing the Invention is,-
First. The balance arm with the bevil gear swivelling on the top of
same, substantially as described.
Second. The universal joint arrangement pendant therefrom, sub-
stantially as described.
Third. The cutter and serrated disc with the spring arrangement for
pressing them together, substantially as described.
Fourth. The arrangement of closing in of the gear and of the guard 44,
substantially as described.
Fifth. The employment of "noiseless" wheel gearing for the apparatus
described.
And, sixth. Fitting the cutter and shield so as to work close upon
one another, and thus preventing the wool or hair from entering while
shearing or shaving.
In witness whereof, I, the said Arthur Charles Henderson, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of April, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
ARTHUR CHARLES HENDERSON. (L.S.)