IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR POINTING WIRE APPLICABLE FOR MAKING CARDS AND PINS
Year: 1835

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
BIRKBY, of High Town, near Leeds, in the County of York, Card Maker,.
send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date
at Westminster, the Twenty-ninth day of October, in the sixth. year. of His
reign, did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Birkby, His especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said John Birkby, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said John Birkby, my exors; adñiors, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR POINTING
WIRE APPLICABLE FOR MAKING CARDS AND PINS;" in which said Letters Patent
is contained a proviso that I, the said John Birkby, shall cause a particular
description of the nature of my 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, I, the said
John Birkby, do hereby declare the nature of my 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, reference being had
the Drawing hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked 5
thereon, that is
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 is a plan of the machinery constructed according to my Invention.
Figure 2 is a section taken from front to back, as is indicated by the
dotted line a, a. Figure 3 is another section, taken from front to back, at
the point indicated by the dotted line b, b, on Figure 1. Figure 4 is a longi-
tudinal section of the machinery, taken at the line c, c, shown in Figure 1.
In cach of these Figures the same letters denote similar parts, and such
is also the case with reference to the various detached views of certain
of the parts, which will be hereafter more particularly noticed. A is the
horizontal plate or bed of the machine, which is supported by the standards
or legs B. C is the main or driving shaft, which turns in a suitable bearing
at D, and on the point D, as shewn in the Drawing. On to this main shaft
are affixed the fly wheel E, the fast drum F, the toothed pinion G, the bevelled
toothed wheel H, and the driving pulley I, which, by a gut band, gives motion
to the holder of the wire whilst it is in the act of being pointed, as will be
hereafter fully described. The main or driving shaft C receives motion by
means of a strap or otherwise from a steam engine or other power. J is a shaft
running from front to back of the machine; it turns in a bearing at K,
and on the point at K, as is clearly shown in the Drawing. L is a
bevelled tooth wheel affixed on the shaft J. The bevelled toothed wheel L takes
into and is driven by the bevelled wheel H. On the shaft J is also affixed
the toothed wheel M, which gives motion to the cutters or mill which produce
the points to the wire, as will be fully explained hereafter. N. is a shaft
parallel with the main or driving shaft C, and this shaft N receives motion
from the shaft c in the following manner :-0 is a small fixed axis which is
capable of adjustment, it being fixed in a slot formed in the standard P by a
screw nut, as shown in the Drawing. On this axis O turn the pinion Q and
the toothed wheel R, the pinion Q and the wheel R being affixed to each
other, and consequently turn together. The toothed wheel R taking into and
is driven by the pinion G on the main shaft C, and the pinion Q takes into
and drives the toothed wheel S, which is affixed on the shaft N; and on the
shaft N are affixed the cams T, V, U, and W, and also the tappets or cams

page_text: X and Y. The cam T actuates the feeling motion; the cam V works the
removing and carrying motion; the cam works the sliding motion of the
cutters or mill, and causes them to move at the required yet varying speed.
The cam W works the shears for cutting off the suitable length of wire, all
which will be more fully described hereafter. The tappet X works the small
lever Z in such manner as to raise it off the incoming wire at the time of
feeding into the machine. This lever Z moves on a fulcrum at Z, and is con-
stantly drawn downwards by the spring Z, by which means the wire, when
not being fed into the machine, is prevented being forced backward or forward
by any motion in the bank, all which will be clearly understood on an examin-
ation of the Drawing. The cam or tappet Y is for the purpose of lifting the
lever d which moves on a fulcrum at d. This lover (the construction of
which is clearly shown in the Drawing) lifts the holder of the wire for the
purpose of delivering the wire which has been pointed, and to take the incom-
ing wire, and conduct it to the cutters or mill to have points formed thereon.
On the under part of this lever it will be seen there is a projection against
which the cam or tappet Y acts, and on the cutting or forming of which the
correctness of the performance of other parts depends; but by forming it as
shown in the Drawing, with reference to the other parts, the working will
be correct. e is a lever which carries the feeding apparatus. This lever e
moves on the points c, as shown. f is another lever moving on a fulcrum at f,
and is connected with the feeding apparatus by the link or rod g, and the other
end of the leverf is constantly drawn under the machine by the spring f¹.
By this means the feeding apparatus is brought back to take in a fresh feed of
wire to the machine. The feeding apparatus consists of a pair of pliars or
chaps h, i, connected with the upper end of the lever c, which is bent at right
angles, as shown in the Drawing. The chaph rests on the short lever j, which
moves on a fulcrum at 1 on the lever c, and the chap i is prevented being
raised too high by the fixed bar ke, under which it moves. The cam T is a
portion of a cylinder, the part removed leaving two inclined planes which act
on the lever j, whilst the portion left of the cylinder at its inner edge offers a
level surface, against which the one end or tail of the lever j rests during the
time that the pliars are out of action. The Drawing shows the pliars as having
fed in the wire, and the tail of the lever j is resting against the plain or
level surface of the cam; but by the continued motion of the machine,
the plain surface of the cam will come to one of its ends down which
the tail of the lever j will be drawn by the spring f, which will permit
the pliars to open and leave hold of the wire, and pass back to take
hold further off. And in order to insure the pliars bolding the wire

page_text: sufficiently secure, immediately the tail picce is at the bottom of the inclined
plain, the spring e is added, which immediately closes the pliars on the wire
at the distance to which they are brought back; by this means the lever may
be caused to rise just before the tail of the lever j is acted on by the other
inclined plain of the cam T, at the same time insure the feed being accurate,
notwithstanding any motion which may be in the bank of wire from which
the same is being drawn. The other inclined plain of the cam T coming
against the tail of the lever j, causes the same to be propelled into the
machine, the pincers h, i, carrying forward the wire till the lever j arrives to
the top. of the inclined plain and comes to the level surface of the cam T,
where it remains, as before described, during a considerable portion of the
revolution of the cam T, the pliars having a strong hold of the wire, and the
machine will then be in the position shown in the Drawing. It should be
stated that the wire is drawn through a tube or drilled hole at the point m
from the hank. The next operation of the machine is the cutting off the
length which has been fed in and beyond the fixed cutter n, which is a plate
of hardened steel affixed to a standard of the machine, as shown in the'
Drawing, and the wire is guided to that position by the tube o affixed in the
standard which carries the fixed cutter, which is clearly shown in the Draw-
ing. p is the moving cutter of the shears, and moves on a fulcrum or axis
at p; and p² is the tail piece of the moving cutter, which is acted on by the
cam W, there being means of adjustment at the tail of the moving cutter p,
by which the cam's motion may actuate the shears at the proper time, the
cutter p being at all times pressed on by a spring, as shown.
I will now proceed to describe the holder and the apparatus connected
therewith; and in order to do this more clearly, I have shown various
detached views of the parts relating to this portion of the machine.
:
Figure 5 shows a side view of the holder, together with the apparatus which
carries it; Figure-6-is-a-front view of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a plan of
Figure 5; Figure 8, the holder, shown separately; and Figure 9 is a section
through the holder, together with some of the parts connected therewith. q is
a lever moving on the points 7, 9', supported by standards, as is clearly shown
in the Drawing. The shape and construction of the lever q will be traced and
be readily ascertained by inspecting the various Figures of the Drawing, and
this lever is prevented rising too high by the set screw q² on the standard
which carries the shears. The inner end of the lever is turned down at
right angles, and forms one of two bearings r¹, for the axis of the holder, and
2 is the other bearing which is affixed to r¹ by the screw, as is shown; s is
a bent lever moving on a fulcrum at s', on an upright fixed to the lever q.
g

page_text: The lever s has a friction roller at its outer end which moves in and is acted
on by the lever d, which causes the lever q, with the holder and other parts
connected therewith, to rise and fall at the proper time for delivering
the wire when pointed, and for receiving a fresh supply. t is a set screw
screwed into the lever q, by which the extent of lifting. of the lover s
is regulated; and u is another set screw passing through the lever s, by
which the extent of its movement downwards is controlled. v is a lever
which, together with the parts connected therewith, constitutes what
I call a governor; it consists of a lever moving on an axis affixed to a
projection from the under part of the lever 8, as is clearly shown in the
various Figures. The levers is at all times pressed on by the spring w
affixed to the framing of the machine, the spring w having a set screw w', by
which it is caused to press more or less on the lever 7; and on the extent of
pressure of such spring will depend the degree of force with which the wire
(which is being pointed). will be pressed in contact with the rotatory cutters
or mill hereafter described. x, x, are two bent levers which move on axes on
the bearings,; their shape will be observed and understood by inspecting
the various Figures in the Drawing. These levers a, a, press on the piece of
wire which is being pointed near the points, one on each side of the holder.
These levers a, a, are constantly drawn upwards by the small springs y, y,
which are affixed to studs on the levers x and to the lever s, the levers a being
pressed in by the lever s; and it is by this means that the pressure of the
spring wis transmitted to the piece of. wire which is being pointed, and by
which such pressure is constantly governed and equalized to either end of the
wire, notwithstanding any inequality of the wire or of its want of straightness,
which is a very important feature in this part of the machinery, and by which
the same is caused to perform most accurately. is the holder shewn sepa-
rately at Figure 8, which is a pulley having a hollow axis turning in the
bearings r of the lever q. The hole which is drilled in the axis of the holder
is conical from the centre outwards, by which the wire, though held (as
hereafter described) only at its centre, is, permitted to have movement or play.
In the hollow axis (1) is a set screw of hardened steel, which passes into the
hollow axis of the holder, and (2) is a lever moving on a fulcrum at (3).
This lever lies within a groove which is cut into the hollow axis in such
manner, that when the wire has been fed into that axis, and the lever pressed
on, by the spring (4), the wiro will be held most strongly between the
lever (2) and the screw (1), and will consequently revolve with, the holder,
when it is put in motion by the gut band (5), 'from the pulley I to the pulley
or holder 2. It will be seen that the lever (2) projects beyond the outer

page_text: circumference of the pulley z, by which means, when the lever qrises as above
described, the end of the lever (2) comes in contact with the inclined stop
or projection (6) affixed to the upright of the framing which carries the
shears; and, in order to insure the lever (2) coming in contact with that stop
(6), the catch (7), which projects still further than the lever (2) on the pulley
z, will, in its rotation soon after the lever g has commenced rising, come in
contact with the stop (8), which will hold it; and the further rising of the
pulley will bring the lever (2) in contact with the projecting stop (6), by
which the lever (2) will be opened or removed from pressing on the wire in the
hollow axis of the holder. That wire may then be removed, and the manner
of doing so will be described hercafter. It should be stated, that the lever dis
at rest for a short time during the working of the machine, in order to insure
the catch (7) being stopped by the catch (8), which is produced by the cut
of the under part of the lever d against which the cam or tappet Y works.
It should here be stated that the upright which carries the shears should:
be capable of adjustment, in order to insure the holder being so relatively.
placed with respect to the shears that the wire should be received and held
by the middle of its length, all which is clearly shown in the Drawing; and:
it will only be desirable further to observe with respect to the holder,
that on the pointed wire being removed from the hollow axis of the holder,
the wire from the feeding motion is being passed into the hollow axis, and
immediately on the pliars h, i, completing the feed, the shears cut off the
length, and the holder descends therewith; the lever (2) being released:
from the stop closes thereon, and the wire is carried to the rotatory cutters or
mill next to be described. (9) is a triangular sliding bar, which is controlled
to move to and fro steadily by the parallel guides (10), which are capable of
adjustment, in order to set the. rotatory cutters or mill in a proper position for
working with respect to tho other parts of the machine. This bar (9) is con-
stantly acted-on-by-the spring (11), which has at all times a tendency to draw
the bar (9) from the back to the front of-the-machine; (12) is a lever which
moves on a fulcrum at (13) on the standard (14): This lever (12)-has-a-
link (15) hinged thereto, which presses against a projection on the bar (9),
the link (15) being prevented falling from its work by being a half-round;
concave working against a half-round convex. The lever (12) is actuated
by the cam U, and it is important to remark that that cam. is so formed
that the mill shall pass the wire which is being cut at an equable motion,
or nearly so, commencing from the smallest diameter of the rotatory cutters,.
where the wire first comes in contact with the mill, to the larger diameter,
and proceed back from the larger diameter to the smaller diameter for
:

page_text: à short distance, nearly half way; but the remainder of the movement
of the mill should be much more quick, as will be found to be the case
if the motion of the cam U be traced with reference to the other parts. By
this means, when the wire first comes on the rotatory cutters, the outer ends
thereof will first be removed in passing from the smaller end of the rotatory
cutters to larger diameter, and the shoulders of the points will be taken off by
the return from the larger diameter to the smaller diameter, without again
touching the points; and the quick motion at the end of the process of cutting
the points prevents too much metal being removed from the shoulders, which
would otherwise produce a hollowness between the shaft of wire and the points,
in place of being produced of a gradually rounding off or taper from the shaft
to the points, which is the result of this working of the mill. (16), (16), are
two conical rotatory cutters or files which constitute the mill; they are set at
an angle to each other, as is more clearly shown in Figures 10, 11, 12, which
are detached views thereof, and are capable of adjustment in order to change
the angle between them, and thus to obtain the description of point required;
a very little practice will enable a workman so to set them as to arrive at the
result he desires. (17), (17), are bevelled toothed wheels, which take into
each other. (18) are points screwed through projections on the bar (9), which
carry the rotatory cutters. (20) is a toothed wheel turning on an axis (21),
which axis is affixed to the upright (22), projecting from the bar (9). The
toothed wheel (20) takes into and is driven by the toothed wheel M, by which
means rotatory motion is continued to the rotatory cutters or mill.
I will now describe the apparatus for removing the pointed wire from the
holder when the holder comes up to obtain a further supply:-(23) is a lever
moving on points (28), which is constantly acted on by the springs (24) with a
tendency to draw that lever into the machine. (25) is the fixed chap of a pair
of pliars, the construction of which will be evident on inspecting the Drawing;
the limb of the chap (25) being affixed to the lever (28) by a pin joint, and
thus are those pliars made to work to and fro with that lever. (26) is the limb
of the moveable chap of the pliars; it turns on an axis (27); the tail of the
chap (26) is turned up at right angles, as shown in the Drawing. (28) is.
a spring which constantly presses on these pliars, and (29) is a guide or hori-
zontal track on which the plate on the fixed chap moves, and by which it is
supported, and caused to move correctly to take hold of the wire when it is
brought up by the holder z. And in order to ensure correctness as to position
of these pliars, (31) is an adjusting screw passing through the plate (30), by
which the same can be raised or lowered, and with it the pliars. (32) is a

page_text: bent lever turning on a fulcrum at (33). This lever (32) rests on the bent
or turned-up end of the limb of the moveable chap of the pliars, and the
lever (32) is actuated by the cam V, which cam consists of a portion of a
cylinder, the part thereof which is removed leaving two inclined plains, the
first coming in contact with the lever (32) closes the pliars on to the wire;
the continued rotation of the cam V draws out the pliars, and with them the
wiro securely held between the chaps of the pliars, and this is the condition
in which it is shown in the Drawing. The continued rotation of the cam V,
so long as the plain. surface thereof is contained, still retains the various parts
in the position shown; but when the second inclined plain arrives, the lever
(32) descends down it, the pliars open by a spring between the hasps, the
wire is released, and the pliars go in to take hold and remove the next por-
tion of wire brought up by the holder =.
From the foregoing description, together with a careful examination of
the various Figures in the Drawing, a mechanic will readily become
acquainted with the construction and combination of the parts shewn and
described, and the movements which produce the feeding in of the wire,
the cutting it into lengths, the holding and pointing, and lastly, the
removing of the pointed wire to undergo any future process, according to
the purpose to which it is to be applied, whether for making cards or
pins. And it will be desirable further to remark, that the Drawing shows
the machine as set for cutting and pointing a piece of wire of about one
and a quarter inch long, but in case it be desired to increase or diminish
that length, then the parts of the machine must be adjusted accordingly,
which a very little practice will soon enable the workman to accomplish with
facility; and in case of using smaller or larger wire, then the parts of the
machine must be accomodated thereto. And further, it will be evident that
-the-pieces of wire pointed at both ends, when intended for making cards, may
be bent into the proper shape for constituting the teeth of such cards accord-
ing to any of the means in use for this description of work; and in case the
pointed wire be intended for making dress pins, or pins for attaching parts of
garments, &c., then the lengths of wire are to be cut into two parts, and heads.
are to be applied thereto or formed thereon according to any of the well-
known means for that purpose. And in case such pointed wire be intended for
heckling or other pins or points, then the pieces of wire pointed at both ends are s
merely to be cut into two portions, and they will be similar to those descrip-
tions of pins when the wire is pointed by hand. But the means of finishing
such pointed wire for the purposes of cards and pins form no part of my In-

page_text: vention, and are well understood to mechanics engaged in each of those
branches of manufacture, my Invention only relating to the means of pointing
the wire used for the purposes herein described.
Having thus described my Invention, and the manner of carrying the same
into effect, I would remark that I lay no claim to the various parts sepa-
rately, nor in combination, other than is hereafter more particularly pointed
out and distinctly claimed as my improvements; nor do I confine myself to the
precise means of actuating the various parts as shown. But I do declare that
my Invention consists,-
First, in the peculiar construction of the holder, and the means of holding
the length of wire in the hollow axis thereof; and also the combination of the
various parts which constitute what I have called the governor, for equalizing
the pressure of the two ends of the length of wire, and the means of
conducting the wire to and from the rotatory cutters or mill, as above
described.
And, secondly, I claim the combination of the bar (9) with the various
parts connected therewith, by which the rotatory cutters or mill are caused to
pass to and fro when cutting the points; and particularly the application of the
cam U, or other similar means, to cause such rotatory cutters or mill to vary
its speed, and thereby to ensure the proper gradual rounding or tapering
points, as above described; and also the combining two rotatory cutters, set
at an angle to each other on the traversing bar (9), whereby the two ends
of the length of wire are cut at the same time, as abovo described,
when such instruments are combined for the purpose of pointing wire to
be applied for constituting the teeth of cards, or for making pins, as above
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Birkby, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twentieth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.
Signed, sealed, and delivered, by the
within-named John Birkby, in the
presence of
GEO. TEALE LISTER,
Sol",
JOHN (L.S.) BIRKBY.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twentieth day of April, in the
year of our Lord 1836, the aforesaid John Birkby came before our said Lord
the King in His 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-ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.