Improvements in or in connection with Nail Cutting Machinery.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Aug., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 4th Feb., 1893-Accepted, 18th Mar., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or in connection with Nail Cutting Machinery.
I JONATHAN GRIMSHAW of the Larchfield Mills Hunslet Leeds in the County
of York Cut Nail Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows :-
My invention refers to the manufacture of cut nails from bars of iron technically
termed screeds or blanks of specially rolled section to suit the class of nail.
A machine constructed in accordance with my invention comprises a hinged arm
or lever, hereinafter referred to as the beam which carries at one end ૧ "moveable"
cutter, the opposite end being connected to a cam or eccentric on the main shaft.
The moveable cutter is attached to the beam on the underside thereof by a
suitably shaped bracket. The beam is so shaped or curved, that the long bar
the end of which forms the cutter can pass lengthways beneath the beam.
Opposite the cutter end of the beam is situated the holder for the fixed cutter
bar, which is so placed as to be (as seen in plan) in line with the moveable
cutter bar.
An important part of my invention consists in forming the cutter bars with
longitudinal grooves corresponding to the projections forming the head or bill of the
nails to be cut and in arranging the positions of the cutter bars to correspond.
When the head of the nail to be cut has a projection on one side only as in the
case of floor nails aud joiners sprigs, the blank is preferably fed forward with the
projection on the upper side and the longitudinal groove is formed in the underside
of the moveable cutter bar, which has an horizontal or but slightly inclined
position, whilst the fixed cutter bar is preferably vertical. The blank may however
be fed forward with the projection on the underside and the longitudinal groove is
formed in the upper side of the fixed cutter bar which has a slightly inclined
position, whilst the moveable cutter bar may be placed in a vertical position.
If the nail head is formed so as to project on both sides of the shank of the
nail as in the case of clasp nails, the moveable cutter bar is formed with a groove
on the underside corresponding to one of the projections aforesaid, whilst a groove
is formed on the upper side of the fixed cutter bar corresponding to the other
projection, it being understood that the blank which is being fed forward lies
vertically above and inclined to the fixed cutter bar, and the moveable cutter
descending whilst cutting. The moveable cutter bar might less conveniently be
arranged to cut when moving upwards in which case the moveable cutter bar would
be better attached to the upper side of the beam, whilst the blank would be fed
forward beneath the fixed cutter bar, and the longitudinal grooves would be formed
on opposite sides to those above mentioned.
One of the most important parts of my invention lies in forming the recesses in
the cutter bar corresponding to the projections on the blank as longitudinal grooves
in and parallel with the cutter bar, since when the cutting edge becomes blunt, the
edge of the bar being straight may readily be ground sharp ou au ordinary
grindstone by an unskilled workman, instead of requiring as in the case where the
recesses are formed in the end of the cutter bar an emery wheel or grinder of
special shape and a skilled workman to perform the grinding operation.
As will be evident my invention as above described includes a novel arrangement
of the fixing and positions of the cutter bars on the machine to suit my new method
of forming the cutter bars with longitudinal grooves. Moreover I have found that
it is most important that the cutter bars should have a particular position and
inclination with respect to each other and to the blank and that the edges of the
cutter bars should be formed at special angles. The blank is fed forward in a

page_text: slightly downwards inclined position resting only at one end upon the cutting edge
of the fixed cutter bar which is, inclined upwards at about 20 degrees to the
horizontal the ground edge being formed at such an angle as to be approximately
vertical. The axis of the beam is so placed with regard to the cutting edge of the
fixed cutter bar, that the moveable cutter first touches the blank vertically above
the cutting edge of the fixed cutter and whilst cutting slightly withdraws from the
ground end of the fixed cutter. This latter purpose may be served by grinding
away the lower edge of the fixed cutter. The object of the above arrangements is
to ensure that the cross section of the cut nail is approximately vertical.
1
A machine constructed in accordance with my invention further comprises a
holder for holding the blank tightly against the fixed cutter during the cutting, and
which is operated at the proper time by means of a cam on the main shaft and a
hinged lever.
1
An adjustable gauge is provided on the end of the beam close to the moveable die
and locked and adjusted by screws for the purpose of regulating the width of
blank to be cut to form the nail.
I also provide an automatic feeding apparatus, which consists of a carriage
mounted on a T iron bar, fitted with runners, and pulled forward by means of a
cord and weight, the cord passing round two pulleys attached one at each end of
the T bar, and a third pulley placed overhead near the end of the T iron bar. The
back end of the blank is secured to a holder on the carriage.
Dated this 2nd day of August 1892
"
J. CLARK JEFFERSON,
2, East Parade, Leeds, Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or in connection with Nail Cutting Machinery.
I JONATHAN GRIMSHAW of the Larchfield Mills, Hunslet, Leeds in the County
of York Cut Nail Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and, by the following statement :-
My invention refers to the manufacture of cut nails from bars of steel or other
material technically termed screeds or blanks, of specially rolled section to suit the
class of nail.
A machine constructed in accordance, with my invention comprises a hinged arm
or lever hereinafter referred to as the beam, which carries at one end a "moveable"
cutter, the opposite end being connected to a cam or eccentric on the main shaft.
The moveable cutter is attached to the beam on the underside thereof by a suitably
shaped bracket. The beam is so shaped or curved, that the long bar, the end of
which forms the cutter, can pass lengthways beneath the beam.
Opposite the cutter end of the beam, is situated the holder for the fixed cutter
bar, which is so placed as to be (as seen in plan) in line with the movable
cutter bar.,
An important part of my invention consists in forming the cutter bars with,
longitudinal grooves corresponding to the projections forming the head or bill
of the nails to. be cut, and in arranging the positions of the cutter bars to
correspond.
When the head of the nail to be cut has a projection on one side only, as in the
case of floor nails and joiners sprigs; the blank is preferably fed forward with the
projection on the upper side, and the longitudinal groove is formed in the underside
of the movable cutter bar, which has an horizontal or but slightly inclined position,
whilst the fixed cutter, bar is preferably vertical, see m Fig. 1. The blank may
however be fed forward with the projection on the underside, and the longitudinal
groove is formed in the upper side of the fixed cutter bar, which has a slightly
L:

page_text: inclined position; whilst the movable cutter bar may be placed in a vertical
position.
If the nail head is formed so as to project on both sides of the shank of the nail,
as in the case of clasp nails, the moveable cutter bar is formed with a groove on
the underside corresponding to one of the projections aforesaid; whilst a groove is
formed on the upper side of the fixed cutter bar corresponding to the other projec-
tion;
it being understood that the blank which is being fed forward, lies vertically
above and inclined to the fixed cutter bar, and the moveable cutter is descending
whilst cutting. The moveable cutter bar might less conveniently be arranged to
cut whilst moving upwards, in which case the moveable cutter bar would be better
attached to the upper side of the beam, whilst the blank would be fed forward
beneath the fixed cutter bar, and the longitudinal grooves would be formed on
opposite sides to those above mentioned.
One of the most important parts of my invention lies in forming the recesses in
the cutter bar, corresponding to the projections on the blank, as longitudinal grooves
in and parallel with the cutter bar; since when the cutting edge becomes blunt, the
edge of the bar being straight may readily be ground sharp on an ordinary grind-
stone by an unskilled workman, instead of requiring as in the case where the
recesses are formed in the end of the cutter bar an emery wheel or grinder of
special shape and a skilled workınan to perform the grinding operation.
As will be evident my invention as above described includes a novel arrangement
of the fixing and positions of the cutter bars on the machine to suit my new method
of forming the cutter bars with longitudinal grooves. Moreover I have found that
it is most important that the cutter bars should have a particular position and
inclination with respect to each other and to the blank, and that the edges of the
cutter bars should be formed at special angles. The blank is fed forward in a
slightly downwards inclined position, resting only at one end upon the cutting edge
of the fixed cutter bar, which is inclined upwards at about 20 degrees to the
horizontal, the ground edge being formed at such an angle as to be approximately
vertical. The axis of the beam is so placed with regard to the cutting edge of the
fixed cutter bar, that the moveable cutter first touches the blank vertically above
the cutting edge of the fixed cutter, and whilst cutting slightly withdraws from the
ground end of the fixed cutter. This latter purpose may be served by grinding
away the lower edge of the fixed cutter. The object of the above arrangements
is to ensure that the cross section of the cut nail is approximately rectangular.
A machine constructed in accordance with my invention further comprises a
holder for holding the blank tightly against the fixed cutter during the cutting,
and which is operated at the proper time by means of a cam on the main shaft and
a hinged lever.
An adjustable gauge is provided on the end of the beam close to the moveable
die, and locked and adjusted by screws for the purpose of regulating the width of
blank to be cut to form the nail.
I also provide an automatic feeding apparatus, which consists of a carriage
mounted on a T iron bar, fitted with runners, and pulled forward by means of a
cord and weights; the cord passing round two pulleys attached one at each end of
the T bar, and a third pulley placed overhead near the end of the T iron bar. The
back end of the blank is secured to a holder on the carriage.
And in order that my invention and the manner in which the same is to be
performed may be more readily understood, reference is given to the accompanying
sheets of drawings and to the letters and marks thereon.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal elevation partly in section of a machine constructed in
accordance with my invention.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the same.
Figs. 3 to 11 illustrate details to be hereafter referred to.
a is the arm or lever hinged on the shaft b and carrying attached to one end the
moveable cutter e. The opposite end of the arm a is attached by means of the
connecting rod d with the crank of the main shaft c, by means of which the arm a

page_text: is actuated.
(see also Fig. 3), is the bracket in which the cutting end of the
cutter e is firmly secured.
g
is the holder for the stationary cutter bar h (see also Fig. 4).
Figs. 7 and 8 represent cross sections of the cutter bars; for the cases where
the head of the nail to be cut has a projection on one side only (as in Fig. 7) for
floor nails and joiner's sprigs; and where the head of the nail forms a projection
on both sides (as in Fig. 8) for clasp nails. 1. 1. indicate the longitudinal grooves
above referred to.
The cutter bare is held in position by the wedge 2, or by bolting tight
up towards the arm; 2 being then a packing piece. In order to be able to adjust
the position of the piece 2, so as to regulate the width of the blank cut-off to form
the nail, I provide an adjusting screw 3. The fixed cutter h may be secured
in the holder g by the wedge i.
Fig. 5 illustrates approximately the cutting angle of the fixed and moveable
cutter bars as explained below. o is the holder for holding the blank k tightly
against the fixed cutter during the instant of cutting. This holder o is hinged
to a shaft q, which carries also the arm p. The arm p is pressed forward at the
proper time by the cam on the main shaft c. This cam is so shaped as to press
against the arm and to depress the holder o at the moment of cutting, but the
arm is left free or may be drawn by a spring at other times leaving the blank k
free to be pushed forward. Instead of the arrangement here shewn, I may press
down the holder o by means of springs or weights, and relax the pressure at the
proper times by means of a cam.
The automatic feeding apparatus consists of the carriage t mounted on the
Tiron bar, and fitted with runners and is pulled forwards by means of the
cord w, (passing round the pulleysyy and 2) and a weight attached to the free
end of the cord. The blank k is secured at one end to the holder 1 hinged to the
carriage t.
may
I have mentioned in my Provisional Specification, that it is important that the
cutter bars should have a special position with regard to each other and to the
blank, and that the edges of the cutters should be formed at special angles.
The reasons for this will be rendered clearer by reference to Figs. 9, 10 and 11.
In order to make a clean shear, it is desirable that the face or side of one of the
cutter bars (preferably the fixed cutter bar), next the blank should be at an angle
of 15 to 25 degrees with the face of the blank. The centre of the shaft
occupy one of three positions with reference to the blank. It may lie in the line
of prolongation of the blank as approximately shewn in the drawings (Figs. 1
and 10), or be above, Fig. 11, or below it, Fig. 9. I have discovered that the centre
of the shaft b should not be below, (i.e. on the opposite side of the line of pro-
longation (a), of the blank to the moveable cutter), otherwise the cutting angle
becomes too fine (as shewn in Fig. 9), if proper clearance is given to the cutting
edges, and the nails are then cut diamond shape in cross section. The centre
may be in line with a, as shewn in Fig. 10, in which case the cutting angles of
both the fixed and moveable cutter bars are approximately equal and as shewn in
Fig. 5. Or the centre & may be above a a, as shewn in Fig. 11, in which case the
cutting angle of the moveable cutter bar should be made sharper than that of the
fixed cutter bar, and this latter may advantageously be made more nearly a right
angle. In Fig. 10 the shearing lines cut off the nails approximately rectangular
in cross section; whilst Fig. 6 illustrates how in the case of Fig. 11, the inden-
tations produced by the cutter bars modify the section produced by the lines of
shear, so as to make the cut nail of approximately rectangular section. For this
reason also it is necessary that in the case of Fig. 11 the angles marked a and ẞ
should be somewhat larger than the corresponding angles in Fig. 10. In Fig. 10
a and ẞ should not exceed 15 degrees, whilst in Fig. 11 an angle of about 25 degrees
is desirable.
I am aware that it has been proposed to form spikes and the like in a shearing
machine, the rest plate of which and on which the blanks rest and are fed being

page_text: provided with a longitudinal groove corresponding to the one side projection of the
spike, whilst the shearing blade is straight and first comes in contact with the flat
or approximately flat side of the blank.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1° In nail cutting machines the use of a fixed and a moveable cutter bar, either
or both provided with a longitudinal groove (1) corresponding to the projection or
projections on the blank (from which the nails are cut) for forming the nail head,
for the purpose of facilitating the sharpening of the cutting edges.
2° In nail cutting machines the use of a moveable cutter bar having a longi-
tudinal groove (1) on its underside and a fixed cutter bar with a straight edge for
cutting floor nails, joiners sprigs (and other like nails having the projection forming
part of the head on one side only), for the purpose of facilitating the sharpening of
the cutting edges.
3° In nail cutting machines the use of a moveable cutter bar having a longi-
tudinal groove (1) on its underside, and a fixed cutter bar having a longitudinal
groove () on its upper side (or vice versa) for cutting clasp and other like nails
having the projections forming parts of the head on both sides, for the purpose of
facilitating the sharpening of the cutting edges.
4° In nail cutting machines the inclination and feeding forward of the blank
over the edge of the stationary cutter bar in a line passing through the axis of
motion (6) of the moveable cutter bar (Fig. 10), or in a line passing below (Fig. 11),
such line having an inclination of 10 to 30 degrees with each cutter bar, for the
purpose of producing a rectangular or approximately rectangular section of the cut
nails as herein set forth.
5° The mechanism herein set forth for the purpose of holding the blank rigidly
down upon the edge of the fixed cutter, and the method of cutting nails from
blanks rigidly held upon the edge of the fixed cutter during the cutting operation
and immediately afterwards released by mechanism substantially as herein set
forth.
6° The general arrangement and construction of the various parts forming my
improved nail cutting machine substantially as herein set forth.
Dated this 1st day of February 1893
J. CLARK JEFFERSON,
2, East Parade, Leeds, Agent for Applicant.