IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF METAL LATHS FOR VENETIAN
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Hodkinson and David Clarke, of Bir-
mingham, in the County of Warwick, Engineers and Venetian
Window Blind Manufacturers, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF METAL LATHS FOR VENETIAN
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said James Hodkinson and
David Clarke at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition and Declaration, on the 1st October 1872, pursuant
to the 9th Section of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
We, JAMES HODKINSON and DAVID CLARKE, of Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Engineers and Venetian Window Blind Manu-
facturers, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention for.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF METAL LATHS FOR
VENETIAN WINDOW BLINDS OR SUNSHADES," and in what manner the same

page_text: is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, that is to say :-
These improvements relate to the means of manufacturing metal laths
for venetian window blinds or sunshades so that the same can be made
of the thinnest and lightest of metals, such as iron, steel, brass, or any
other suitable alloy or composition of metals, and that the same may
be rendered strong and durable by means of corrugations or fluting
running horizontally along the same, and also by folding or overlapping
each edge of the metal lath that it may present a smooth and suitable
edge.
These improvements will render the manufacture of such metal laths
(which it has hitherto been difficult to produce or make) perfectly easy,
and prevent all waste of material in the manufacture of the same.
machinery for this purpose may be described as,―
The
First. Traversing shears for cutting the metal into strips of equal
width and perfectly strait..
Second. Edge folding and corrugating machine for folding over both
edges of the laths and corrugating the same.
Thirdly. Vertical press for straitening the said laths after corrugation
has been accomplished, the whole being the complete and necessary
machinery for the manufacture of corrugated metal laths for Venetian
window blinds or sunshades with hemmed or folded edges.
In order that our improvements may be fully understood we will
proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a plan of traversing shears. The same letters on each
Sheet of Drawings refer to the same parts in each Drawing..
A is a strong cast-iron bed on iron standards G; B is a saddle or
carriage with V grooves, and slides or traverses from end to end either
backwards or forwards on the bed A by means of a rack and pinion H
attached to the wheel I and the bed A; C is a spindle or shaft screwed
from end to end, except such portion as works in the bearings F; D, D,
are steel circular cutters screwed fast between nuts on spindle C. The
nuts are 'used for giving the proper spaces between the cutters, and also
for fixing them fast upon the spindles or shafts C. This spindle or shaft

page_text: with its cutters works in gear with a similar spindle and cutters fixed
underneath it and geared for-motion with pinions J, which spindles are
also geared with wheels K. By this means motion is obtained for the
carriage B upon the iron bed A. Thus by turning the wheel I a
traversing motion is given to the carriage and a revolving motion to the
spindles and cutters. L is a long screw with wheel M and is connected
with the traveling carriage B by means of a screwed box, and shows
another arrangement for imparting motion to the carriage; N, N, are
clams or dogs made 'to slide when necessary on the bed A. One set of
clams is provided with a screw and wheel O for the purpose of giving
motion to the upper part of the clams. P, P, are brackets with set
pins and lock nuts, and are used for fixing the spindles in their proper
positions, and also for proventing any side play or lateral motion while
in operation.
Figure 2 on Sheet No. 1 is a side elevation of the traversing shears;
Figure 3 is an end elevation of the same.
Figure 1 on Sheet No. 2 is a plan of edge folding and corrugating
machine. A is the frame of the machine carrying all the rolls and
guides; B, B, are guides for receiving and delivering the laths to and
from the machine; C is a set of steel rolls, male and female, the male
roll working underneath the upper or female; D is a plate and frame
containing steel vertical bevils E; F is a pair of smooth or flattening
rolls; G is a set of graduated corrugated rolls, male and female, the
male working underneath the female; H, H, are pullies for giving
motion to the cog wheels I, I; these wheels are geared into pinions
fixed on the end of each roll and also on studs fixed between and below
each pair of rolls. By this means motion is imparted to the whole com;
bination of rolls. J, J, are brackets containing, set pins and lock nuts
and are used for fixing the various rolls in their proper positions, and
also to prevent any side or latteral play in them while in motion. K,K,
are pins connected with the bearings carrying the upper rolls, and are
used for raising and lowering the rolls so as to give the necessary pressure
to the work.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of this machine; Figure 3 is an end
elevation of the same.
Figure 4 is a section of the leading rolls. L, L, are shafts screwed
from end to end, except those parts working in the bearings and carrying
the pinions M. N N, are steel washers-screwed internally to fit the .

page_text: shafts L. This arrangement allows the readjustment of the rolls after
they have been re-turned. The upper roll after being re-turned up,
if made solid, would be too large in the groove to allow of its being
used again, while the under one would become too small.
screwed washers therefore provide for the expansion of the one and the 5
contraction of the other.
These
Figure 5 is a section of the plate and frame D carrying the vertical
bevels fixed upon upright spindles. O is a steel plate with beveled
or trumpet mouth for receiving the lath after it has passed through the
rolls C, and has two countersunk holes corresponding with the shape of 1
the bevels E. P is a second plate fixed upon the spindles Q by means
of set pins and so arranged that the same can be raised or depressed as
may be required.
Figure 6 is a cross section of the plate and frame showing the bevel
or trumpet mouth; Figure 7 is a plan of the same.
Figure 1 on Sheet No. 3 is a plan of the vertical press for straitening
the laths after corrugation; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same.
A is the frame of the machine; B is a planed bed containing grooves or
corrugations corresponding to the corrugations in the fourth or last set
of rolls in the edge folding and corrugating machine; C is the upper or
male part of the press having corrugations corresponding with the bed B.
D, D, are eccentrics keyed fast upon the main shaft E; F, F, are pullies
for giving motion to the machine, and are made fast upon the smaller
shaft G, which shaft is provided with a pinion H working in gear with
large toothed wheel I; J is the fly wheel for carrying the main shaft E
over the centre; K, K, are rods connected with the eccentrics D, and
provided with screwed ends and lock nuts L, and are used for lengthen-
ing or shortening the stroke of the press; M, M, are guides for retaining
the male or upper part of the press in its position during the ascent or
descent of the same; N is a bearing with supports fixed on the centre
of main shaft to resist any undue strain upon the same; O is an
aperture through which the laths are passed.
•
Figure 3 is a end elevation of the machine; Figure 4 is a cross
section of the same; Figure 5 is a section of the metal lath when it is
finished.
To described the nature of the machinery, we will now proceed
.
1

page_text: .
Having procured two or three sheets of iron, brass, steel, or other
suitable alloy of metals of the necessary width and thickness the saddle
or traveling carriage of traversing shears, (Sheet 1,) and marked B, is
moved back until the prongs of the clams or dogs N project themselves
between the two screwed spindles or shafts C on which are fixed the
steel revolving cutters. Having opened the clams N by means of the
wheel W the sheets of iron, steel, brass, or other alloy of metals are
fixed into the same and made fast by the screw connected with the
. wheel W. Having secured both ends of the sheets in the manner above
described the wheel and screw ☐ connected with the clams are turned
round, causing. the upper part of the clams or dogs to traverse backwards.
By this action the sheets are stitched perfectly tight and freed from
buckle. When this has been accomplished motion is given to the traveling
I carriage either by means of the screw L or the wheel I, when the when
the cutters on spindle C by this action are made to revolve underneath
and above the sheets of metal, the whole being severed into perfectly
strait strips of the necessary width for the lath intended to be made. It
is necessary these strips should be perfectly strait, or the edge folding
and corrugating machine, Sheet 2, will not produce a neatly folded edge.
After releasing the strips thus cut up the machine is ready to receive a
a fresh supply of metal. The strips of metal thus produced are rounded
at the angles by means of an ordinary press and tools, and the holes
perforated and hemmed round by the same means when the lath is
ready for folding and corrugating. This is accomplished by inserting
the lath between the guides of the edge folding and corrugating machine,
Sheet 2. The lath being much wider than the groove in the roller C
the excess of metal is pressed into the groove by means of the male roller
underneath. Thus a square edge or a portion on each side of the lath
of above one-eighth of an inch wide is bent down at right angles and
prepared for entering the plate D containing the vertical steel bevels E.
The action of the rolls C pressing forward the lath it is driven into the
aperture X, Figure 5, Sheet 2, and its edge bent under at right angles,
being forced by the motion of the leading rollers C against the steel
bevels E. These bevels are made to revolve and cause the edge to bend
or fold under to an angle of forty-five degrees. It is then prepared for the
flattening roller F, which receives it as it passes through the bevel plate
when the process of folding the edges is complete. The metal, which is
exceedingly, thin, is prevented from buckling as it passes through the
bevel plate by means of the plate O' which is fixed in such manner as to

page_text: allow of the thickness of the lath only to pass through it. The lath
being thus prepared with folded edges it is caused to pass through the
first and every subsequent pair of corrugating rolls G, the corrugations
or grooves of which are graduated. The first pair being one-fourth the
depth and one-fourth wider than the fourth or last pair through which
the lath is made to pass when it is delivered into the guides B, the
corrugations and edges being finished. But as it is necessary to free it
from all irregular marks caused by the action of the rolls, and also to
free it from camber, which will sometimes occur in consequence of a
slight variation in the strength of the metal, and also by reason of the
metal being at times of an unequal temper, the lath is taken from the
guides of the edge folding and corrugating machine after corrugation
is finished, and placed in the vertical press, Sheet 3, passing in at the
aperture O, it is delivered at the opposite end of the press by means of
a similar aperture. During this operation the corrugations are slightly
deepened, thus freeing it from the irregularities herein-before stated,
and also imparting to it increased strength and neatness of finish.
Having thus explained the nature of our Invention, and the manner
of carrying it into practical effect, we wish it to be understood that we
claim as new to the best of our knowledge and belief,―
First. The construction and use of traversing shears with traveling.
carriage carrying spindles screwed or otherwise, on which circular
cutters are fixed and geared by means of toothed wheels, pinion rack,
.or long screw, as described and shown in our Drawings, for obtaining
the revolution of the cutters and the traversing motion of the carriage
at one operation, also the construction and application of clams or dogs
having traversing screw for stretching the sheets of metal.
Secondly. The construction and application or use of square grooved
rolls either solid or constructed of a series of rings screwed internally to
fit the shaft or compressed together by means of keys, wedges, or lock
nuts for turning down at right angles each edge of the lath, and to
provide for the contraction of the male roll and the expansion of the
female:roll.
Thirdly. The construction and application or use of vertical bevels
*fixed on upright spindles and immediately behind the square grooved
male and female rolls, with upper and lower plates having chamfered or
bevelled edges for the reception of the lath as it leaves the leading rolls,

page_text: the upper plate having countersunk holes corresponding with the
angles of the said vertical bevels for the reception of the same either in
combination with corrugating rolls or otherwise.
Fourthly. The application or use of a series of graduated corrugating
rolls with circular grooves or corrugations turned therein and round
their circumference, by which means a gradual gathering in of the
metal is produced and all fracture of the same obviated, while the work
of corrugation is accomplished at or by one operation.
Fifthly. The construction and application or use of a vertical press as
described having male and female bed and force with planed grooves
or corrugations and with apertures at each end for the receiving and
delivering the laths for straitening and freeing the lath from camber.
We also wish it to be understood that we do not confine ourselves to
the particular shape or number of corrugations as shown by our section
of the lath, Sheet 3, Figure 5; it may be necessary for practical pur-
poses either to increase or diminish their number or vary their shape.
Neither do we confine ourselves to the number of graduated corrugating
rolls; it may be necessary for practical purposes in this case also to
increase or decrease the number of such rolls.
In witness whereof, we, the said James Hodkinson and David
Clarke, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-sixth
day of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-two.
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the
herein-named James Hodkinson
and David Clarke, in the presence
of
WILLIAM ROBINSON,
22, Greenway St.,
Small Heath,
Birmingham.
JAMES HODKINSON. (L.S.).
DAVID CLARKE.
(L.S.)