Improvements in Machines for Grinding and Polishing Cutlery and other Articles.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 6th Apr., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Grinding and Polishing Cutlery and
other Articles.
1 JAMES YATE JOHNSON of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of London,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which has been con-
municated to me from abroad by Allen Johnston of Ottumwa, in the State of
Iowa, in the United States of America, Manufacturer,) and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention relates to machines for grinding and polishing metal surfaces and
more particularly for grinding and polishing cutlery.
For grinding or polishing the bludes, bolsters, and handles of cutlery these
several parts are preferably respectively separately operated on in separate
specially constructed and adjusted machines, having however, many features and
principles of operation in common. Each of the machines referred to, produces in
its operation one or more distinct movements of the work relative to the polishing
or grinding surface, viz. :-first, the movement of the polishing or grinding surface
over the work; second, a longitudinal reciprocation of the work across the grinding
or polishing surface; third, a rocking motion of the work in the line of reciprocation;
and fourth, a lateral rocking of the work.
Some of these movements may in some cases be substituted by a fifth, or rotary
movement of the work against the grinding or polishing surface.
Any or all of these movements may be produced by moving the work relatively
to the grinding or polishing surface, or vice versa, or one or more may be effected
by the movement of the work and others by the movement of the grinding or
polishing surface, as may be most convenient.
As the machines hereinafter described are equally adapted for grinding or for
polishing, involving merely a change in the abrading surface employed, and possibly
in some other minor details, wherever grinding or polishing are separately mentioned
in this Specification both operations will be understood to be included.
Having referred generally to the character of the invention, I will now proceed
to describe it as embodied in machines for operating upon the respective parts of
knives and forks from which its application to other articles will be readily
understood.
In machines constructed in accordance with this invention for polishing knife
blades a rotary polishing wheel is preferably employed and of the four relative
movements before referred to, namely, the movement of the polishing surface over
the knife blade; the longitudinal reciprocation of the blade across the polishing
wheel; the rocking motion of the blade in the line of reciprocation and the lateral
rocking of the blade, the first only of these movements is produced by the movement
of the polishing wheel, while the last three are produced by the movement of the
knife blade.
The first of these movements is necessary in order to give the polishing effect to
the blade, the second presents the surface of the blade from end to end to the
polishing surface; while the third and fourth compensate respectively for the
longitudinal taper of the blade towards its end, and the lateral convexity of
the faces thereof, the said movements all co-operating to present every portion of
the surface to the polishing wheel.

page_text: Each face of the knife blade is separately presented to the polishing wheel. In
order to secure the best results, a double machine is preferably provided com-
prising two complete polishing mechanisms, one for each face of the knife blade
located at opposite sides of the main frame and which may be termed respectively
the right and left handed polishing mechanisms. As the two mechanisms are in all
respects similar, except that the parts in each are reversed with reference to the
surface being polished, the description of one will be sufficient.
The holder of the knife blade is so mounted that the surface to be polished is
brought into contact with the polishing wheel for a predetermined period of time,
at the expiration of which the movements of the holder are arrested and the latter
is turned away from the polisher, so that the blade can be removed and replaced by
another which is to be operated upon. Assuming that one surface of the blade so
removed has been polished by the right handed polishing mechanism, it is then
placed in the holder of the left hand mechanism and its opposite face polished.
This transfer of the blade is preferable (if not necessary) mainly on account of the
difference in thickness between the back and cutting edges of the knife.
If it were
attempted to polish both faces of the blade by simply turning the knife over in its
holder, after polishing one surface, the thick back edge would be brought into the
position formerly occupied by the thin cutting edge, and in such position it would
be difficult to produce the best results without some readjustment of the holder or
its connections. Such adjustment and attending inconvenience and delay is avoided
by employing another polishing mechanism, which is preferably adjusted to polish
the other face of the blade. The arrangement of the two mechanisms on the same
frame is a matter of convenience, since they may, of course be separate machines.
Any suitable mechanism may be employed in effecting the objects above referred
to, but that which is preferred in order to attain the most satisfactory results, is
illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this Specification, and
which will be hereinafter referred to.
The grinding or polishing of irregularly shaped handles of cutlery is uniformly
and expeditiously effected by means of automatic machinery about to be
described.
As the proper form is imparted to the handle during the forging of the
knife or fork, consequently in the subsequent operations of grinding and polishing
(particularly the former) there should be a uniform and evenly distributed
reduction in the dimensions of the handle; that is to say the same thickness of
material should be removed from the entire surface thereof, and the handle should
not be ground more on one side than on the other side. This is very difficult to
do satisfactorily solely by mechanical means, on account of the irregular form of
the handle (which is universally employed in certain descriptions of knives and
forks) tapering on the sides towards the butt end of the handle and on the edges
towards the blade. If the handle, which is rotated at a uniform speed, while being
ground or polished, is held against the grinding or polishing wheel with the same
pressure while the edge is being ground as when the side is being operated upon,
more material will be taken off at the edge than the side on account of the difference
in the area of surface in contact with the grinding wheel.
According to this invention these difficulties are effectually overcome mainly by
allowing one end of the knife or fork to rest loosely in a revolving holder which is
also allowed a slight swinging movement in a horizontal plane, the handle of the
knife or fork being at the same time held against the grinding wheel with a
yielding pressure by a spring, thereby holding the whole length of the handle
at all times in contact with the grinding wheel, whatever the angle of the
surface may be relatively to the axis of the handle, the pressure of said
spring being increased when the flat side of the handle is in contact with the
wheel and decreased when the edge of the handle makes contact therewith.
Another feature of this invention is the longitudinal reciprocation of the
handle across the grinding wheel which is accomplished by reciprocating the work
holder. The grinding or polishing wheel should be of a width substantially the

page_text: same as the length of the handle.
It may be wider or narrower according to the
amount of reciprocation given to the handle. For the best results the recipro-
cation should be small and the wheel be as much wider than the length of the
handle as the amount of reciprocation.
The "bolsters" of table knives and forks have heretofore been ground by hand
but according to this invention they are ground by machinery.
The bolster is of irregular form, being, nearly flat on the sides and sharply
curved on the edges. This applies both to the top or ridge of the bolster and to
the neck or groove. According to this invention the knife or fork is held loosely
in a revolving holder, and the handle is pressed with yielding pressure against a
rest, which limits and determines the position of the work with reference to the
grinding wheel. Consequently the handle itself acts as a former or template
causing the wheel to grind to the required depth at all points, and to a shape
corresponding to the outline of the handle. If a different shape is required for
the bolster, a separate former may be slipped on to the handle of the knife.
or fork.
The grinding wheel necessarily has a thin edge and consequently is quickly
worn away. To compensate for wear the wheel is mounted on a slide and to keep
the edge of the wheel in proper shape a trueing tool or device is provided, which
tool journalled and moveable across the edge of the wheel in a line corresponding
to the required shape of the latter. The support of the trueing tool is also
adjustable towards the axis of the wheel so that its position may be changed as the
wheel wears away.
And in order that the said invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same aud for that purpose shall refer to
the several figures on the annexed sheets of drawings the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly in section, of a double machine for polishing
knife blades (and similarly shaped articles) according to this invention.
Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line II-II of Fig. 1, looking to the left.
Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line III-III Fig. 1.
Figs. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate relative positions of the polishing wheel and work
holder during the longitudinal rocking movement of the latter, and
Fig. 7 is a detail of the connection between the work holder and the upper end
of its supporting standard.
Fig. 8 represents a top plan view of a machine constructed according to this
invention for grinding and polishing knife handles.
Fig. 9 is a front elevation partly in section.
Fig. 10 is a vertical section on the line III-III of Fig. 9, and
Fig. 11 is a vertical section through one side of the machine, at right angles
to Fig. 3.
Fig. 12 is a top plan view of a cutlery bolster grinding machine constructed in
accordance with this invention.
Fig. 13 is a side elevation, partly in section.
Fig. 14 is an end elevation, partly in section, and
Fig. 15 is a vertical cross section.
Referring to Figures 1 to 7 of the drawings A represents the main frame, having
an opening a through which access can be had to enclosed parts, the said opening
being closed by a cover a'. B is the base upon which the frame A is supported,
and C is the main shaft having bearings in boxes c c at the top of frame A, the said
shaft carrying an idle pulley c¹ and a fast pulley 2 through which latter motion is
communicated to the said shaft. At each end the shaft C has a polishing wheel C¹
made of any suitable material such as emery of suitable grade, leather or cloth.
The longitudinal reciprocating movement of the knife blade across the polishing
wheel is effected as follows. Journalled on a shaft G which passes through and is
secured in the frame A, is a rocking frame F comprising two side bars or cheeks ff
through one end of which the shaft G passes and constitutes the journal for the

page_text: frame F. The bars or cheeks f, one of which is extended forwardly as at f1 through
a slot in the frame A, are connected together as shown at f. In the upper
extremities of the bars or cheeks fis mounted a shaft or axle h carrying a pinion A',
which has an elongated hub h the end faces of which abut against the inner faces
of the bars or cheeks thereby preventing end wise movement of the pinion.
Keyed on the hub at one side of the teeth of the pinion A is a friction wheel D,
adapted to make contact with and receive motion from the shaft C when the
frame F is raised through means hereinafter described.
Between the bars or cheeks and having a bearing on the shaft G is a toothed
wheel I, which also has an elongated hub i abutting at its ends against the inner
faces of the side bars or cheeks f. At one side of the teeth of the wheel I on the
hub thereof, is an eccentric J adjustably secured to the said wheel by bolts jj
passing through slots therein. To permit of adjustment of the eccentric on the
hub an elongated opening is provided in the eccentric plate, through which the
hub i passes.
A horizontal rock shaft K extending at right angles to the main shaft C, has
suitable bearings in the base B, one end k of the said shaft projecting through the
wall of the base. The bearings for the shaft consist of inwardly extending
bushings on the base around the said shaft, in one of which is a coil spring k
which exerts tension to move the shaft towards the left, as illustrated in Figure 2,
for purposes hereafter mentioned. On the rock-shaft K is keyed an arm L con-
nected at its free end by a ball and socket joint / with a pitman M which receives
motion from the eccentric J by means of a concentric ring or strap_m adjustably
connected with the pitman. To the projecting end k of the shaft K is secured a
vertical standard N having a socket n in its upper end in which a socket piece n'
is adjustably secured by a bolt n° (Figure 7). The socket piece n¹ is made in the
form of a sleeve and constitutes a socket for a swivel pin o with which the parts
for supporting the knife-holder are connected. The swivel pin o carries a yoke o¹
through the arms of which pass suitable bolts the pointed inner ends of which
engage in suitable depressions in the ends of à cylindrical bar p thereby forming a
pivot upon which the knife-holder frame is swung.
The knife-holder-frame comprises the plate y arranged parallel with and connected
to the bar p by cross-bars p¹ p³ p³. The plate 9 is formed of a flat strip bent away
from the polishing wheel at one end and formed with an opening g' therethrough.
A spring secured at one end to the rear face of the plate g is coiled several times
beneath the latter its free end r¹ being bent upwardly in front of the curved end of
the holder, so that the tension of the spring forces its end towards the holder.
When a knife is placed in the holder the end of the spring is forced back and
allowed to rest against the knife, one face of which is placed against the flat face
of the holder, the bolster of the knife projecting into the opening g'.
In order to support and steady the handle end of the knife and prevent endwise
movement of the latter there is provided a recessed block r in which the extreme
end of the handle rests, the said block being supported by a rod 73 which passes
through the coils of the spring and is adjustably secured in an opening p' in the
connecting bar p³.
The oscillation of the standard N with rock shaft K, imparts to the knife held
in the holder carried by standard N, its longitudinal reciprocatory motion across
the polishing surface.
The polishing, when commenced continues for a definite period of time, at the
expiration of which the work-holder is automatically thrown out of its operative
position and all its movements arrested; this is effected as follows:-
A ratchet wheel S turning upon a suitable axle is arranged at the side of the
base B and moved step by step by a pawl s connected to the oscillating standard N.
The rim of the wheel S is made wider than the teeth so that it extends beyond the
teeth at both sides thereof. The parts s¹ of the rim at the outside of the wheel is
nrade wider at one side than at the other, forming a cam for purposes hereafter
referred to, and the part of the rim at the inside of the wheel constitutes a rest

page_text: for a spring actuated latch & carried in the outer end of a foot lever or treadle T,
which is pivotted at t to the base B. The latch is provided with a spring (3
pressing it against the rim of the wheel S. Normally, e. when the machine is at
rest, the latch is below the edge of rims and bears against the face or side
thereof; but when the treadle T has been depressed a sufficient distance the latch t
springs over the wheel rim & where it remains until a pin on the part of the
rin makes engagement with the inclined surface to on the latch and forces it off
the rim, allowing the treadle to drop through the weight of the parts connected
thereto. The end of the treadle T' carrying the latch is connected by a rod T'
with the extension f¹ of one of the bars or cheeks f of the tilting frame F, hence.
when the treadle is depressed, the frame F is raised and the friction wheel D
thrown into engagement with the shaft C thereby setting the machine into
operation, which continues until the pin forces the latch off the rim of the
wheel S as before described.
The mechanism for automatically throwing the work-holder away from the
olishing-wheel into the position shown by dotted lines in Figure 2, is as follows:-
A rod U is pivotted at its lower end to the foot-lever or treadle T (between its
fulcrum and the end to which power is applied) and fitted to slide at its upper end
in a tube U pivotted to an ear u on the bar p of the holder fraine. The lower end
of the tube U is screw-threaded and engages in a nut u². A coil spring u²
encircles the tube U¹ the said spring resting between the nut ul and a pin u³ on the
rod U, the said pin projecting through slots in the sides of the tube U'. When
the foot-lever or treadle T is depressed the knife-holder is swung over against the
polishing wheel and the spring u is slightly compressed, thereby holding the
surface to be polished against the polishing wheel with a yielding pressure. Upon
tle disengagement of the latch t from the rim of the ratchet-wheel S and the
consequent elevation of the outer end of the foot-lever or treadle T, the rod U
and tube U1 (the pin u³ reaching the ends of the slots) are moved upwardly thereby
throwing the holder frame back to a convenient position for removing the knife
and placing therein another knife to be polished.
The rocking movement of the blade in the line of reciprocation is produced by
turning the knife holder frame on its swivel connection (see Figure 7).
The
swivel pin o has an arm o³ and the socket piece n' has an arm n³ (see Figures 4, 5
and 6) much longer than the arm o³ and extending in an oblique direction therefrom.
The arm n² has pivotted thereto a block n³ in which a rod v is secured by a set screw n*.
The free end of the rod v passes loosely through an opening in a stud v¹ secured
to the main frame A. The arm o³ on the swivel pin O is connected to the rod v
by a bar of having forked ends which are pivotted to the arm and rod respectively.
It will be clear that as the knife-holder is oscillated from a meau position, shown in
Figure 5, to the extreme position shown in Figure 4, the lever v will be caused to
approach the position occupied by the arm o³ which will consequently be moved
to the right through the bar o, causing the handle end of the knife in the holder
to be rocked towards the polishing wheel, and when it is oscillated to the extreme
position shown in Figure 6 the direction of movement is the reverse of that above
described and the point of the blade is rocked towards the polishing wheel.
The lateral rocking of the blade is due to the end wise movement of the shaft K
which is accomplished by the movement of the cam-shaped edge of the rim s of
the ratchet-wheel S, making contact with and moving one end of a rod W, which
moves against the head of a bolt was a pivot point, the said bolt passing through
a slot w in the rod W and being screwed into the base B. At its lower end the
rod' W carries an adjustable bolt w which makes contact with the end of shaft K
and is secured in its adjusted position by a set nut w. By means of the connections
as above described it will be seen that as the ratchet wheel S is rotated (from the
position shown in Figure 1) the increasing width of the rim s rocks the rod W
moving the shaft K to the right (Figure 2) and compressing spring k'. After
the widest part of the rim s¹ bas passed the rod W the spring k moves the
shaft K to the left, holding the rod in contact with the wheel rim. This endwise

page_text: movement of the shaft K shifts the position of the standard N towards and away
from the polishing wheel thereby producing a very slight oscillation of the lower
part of the holder frame and consequent rocking of the blade against the surface
of the wheel.
From the foregoing description it is to be understood that the four relative
movements, all of which are essential to the production of the best results, are
produced simultaneously although they differ in rapidity. As for example it will
be observed that during each reciprocation of the knife blade across the polishing
wheel, from one end to the other, it is also rocked longitudinally from one extreme
position (Fig. 4) to the other extreme position (Fig. 6) whereas, the lateral rocking
movement of the blade from one extreme position to the other occurs only once
during each half revolution of the ratchet wheel S. These conditions may be
changed however, and one or more of the movements may be omitted as desired.
Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the drawings illustrate a double machine for grinding or
polishing knife handles the said machine being provided with two grinding wheels
each adapted to perform the same work, or one may be a grinding wheel and the
other a polishing wheel. The general structure of the machine resembles in many
respects that described for polishing knife blades.
A represents the main frame, B the base or pedestal on which it is mounted, and
C the main shaft suitably mounted in bearings in the frame A. The means for
communicating motion to the several moving parts and which constitute no part of
the present invention, will be briefly described. A shaft C communicates motion
to a friction wheel D, the shaft of which is journalled in a swinging frame f
pivotted to the main frame at f2 (Fig. 11). The wheel D is thrown into and out
of gear with the main shaft as hereinafter described.
On the shaft of the wheel D is a pinion d, which drives a toothed wheel E on
the shaft G. The wheel E through a pinion e and toothed wheel E¹ drives the
revolving work holder M².
The frame has an arm f¹ extending forwardly through a slot in the frame A
and to the end of this arm is pivotted a connecting rod T₁ pivotted at its lower end
to a treadle T. The treadle is pivoted to the base B at K' and at its inner end
carries a latch which when the machine is in operation rests on the rims of
a ratchet wheel S, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. In that position rod T' holds up
the frame f, keeping the wheel D in engagement with the main shaft C. This
engagement continues until a pin son rims of the wheel S dislodges the latch t
from its seat on the latter, thereby permitting the treadle T and frame f to drop,
and arresting the movements of the parts driven from the wheel D.
The wheel E, has on one face a cam surface 2 (Fig. 9) which oscillates a
lever G2 which carries at its lower end a pawl g in engagement with the ratchet
wheel S. The latter thus moves step by step at a slow speed compared with
that of the holder, until one revolution is completed, when the action of pin s² on
the latch t takes place as above described.
The treadle T is also connected to a lever T' by a rod T' which rod also
constitutes a fulcrum for the said lever. At one end this lever is connected to a
rod T, which is oscillated through an adjustable eccentric connection with a
disc e on the shaft carrying the pinion e. The other end of the said lever T³ is
connected to a pitman U pivotted at its upper end to a finger P, which latter
is pivoted also to its support at p (Figs. 9 and 10) and by which the work is
yieldingly pressed against the grinding wheel. Consequently, when the inner end
of treadle T descends, as above described, the pitman U is raised, thereby throwing
the holding finger P away from the work, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 10.
When the outer end of the treadle T is depressed the inner end is raised and
the latch t engages with the rim of wheel S, the holding finger P is by the same
movement brought into operation against the handle of the knife or fork.
A toothed wheel I driven by the pinion d carries an eccentric J which oscillates
a shaft K through a pitman M and rocking arm L. The said shaft carries at one
end a vibrating standard N supporting at its upper extremity a frame N' for the

page_text: work holder and accessory parts. The revolving work holder M' has a hollow
socket to receive and hold the blade z of the knife the end of wbich abuts against
a plate which is adjustable to suit varying lengths of work by means of a nut m¹
engaging on the shaft m² of the work holder which passes through a sleeve m³ and
carries the toothed wheel E before referred to.
لم
The handle Z to be ground rests at its end against an adjustable stop a carried by
the frame N¹. This frame has an upright plate O in which are adjustably secured
the outer ends of pins p' constituting a rest for the handle Z. The finger P which
is pivotted in the block at p (before referred to) lies between the two pins p¹ p¹ and
presses the handle against the grinding or polishing wheel.
nut its
A yielding pressure is imparted to the finger P through the action of a spring u
which surrounds the upper part of the pitman U. This part of the pitman is
tubular and in it slides the upper end of the lower part U which carries a pin w³
projecting through a slot in the tubular part U. The spring u² is compressed
between the pin at its upper end and a thumb nut u' at its lower end by which
pressure may be regulated. The pressure of the finger P varies during each
revolution of the holder so that the pressure increases as the flat side of the knife
or fork handle comes in contact with the grinding wheel and decreases it as the
edge of the handle makes such contact. This variation of the pressure is effected
through the reciprocation of the rod T by the eccentric on the disc el. Referring
to Fig. 9 it will be seen that the flat side of the handle is in contact with the
grinding wheel and that the eccentric pin on disc e' is at its highest point, the
rocking lever T* compressing the spring Us to the full extent and consequently
increasing the pressure of the finger P to the maximum degree. As the knife or
fork handle continues to rotate bringing the narrower part thereof against the
wheel the continued rotation of the disc e (through its connection with the lower
part U of pitman U) effects a decrease in the pressure exerted by finger P,
reaches its minimum as the blade of the knife reaches a horizontal position.
After the handle Z has been in contact with the wheel for a predetermined
period (during one revolution of the wheel S) the pressure on the handle is released
by the pin on the wheel S forcing the latch t from the rim of the wheel and
allowing the lever T to swing on its pivot so as to throw the finger P back to the
position indicated in dotted lines Fig. 9 the wheel D at the same time dropping
away from contact with the shaft C and thereby stopping the operation of the
machine. The operation may be recommenced by depressing the outer end of
lever Tuntil the latch t again engages with the rim of wheel S.
which
In order to allow the knife or fork sufficient freedom of movement in the work
holder so that it can so adjust itself through the pressure exerted by finger P that
the handle thereof is at all times in contact with the grinding wheel from end to
end, it is necessary to mount the holder so that it can swing slightly in a horizontal
plane.
On the sleeve m³ is a forked extension m* which forms a bearing for the pivot
pin points n projecting through an overhanging arm N on the holder. The
pinion e is sufficiently wide to ensure the continued engagement therewith of the
toothed wheel E' during the swinging of the holder on its pivot points.
From the foregoing description it will be observed that in addition to its rotary
and swinging movement in a horizontal plane the work-holder is also reciprocated
longitudinally, through the standard N and its connections with the eccentric J.
For grinding the bolsters of cutlery the machine is preferably provided with
two grinding wheels C¹ C³ as shewn in Figures 12 to 15 of the drawings the
wheel C¹ to the right (Figures 12, and 13) being used to grind the top or ridge of
the bolster, and the wheel C to the left being used to grind the hollow or neck of
the bolster. This is merely a matter of convenience since the work could be done
in different machines, or in a single machine provided with interchangeable grinding
wheels for operating on the different parts of the bolster.
The frame work and many of the moving parts of the machine are similar to
those of the knife blade polishing and handle grinding machines hereinbefore

page_text: described. This is also a matter of convenience, permitting of the use of the same
patterns for the manufacture of the parts of the several machines.
A represents the main frame, B the base or pedestal on which it is mounted,
and C the main shaft suitably mounted in bearings in the frame A.
The means for communicating motion to the several moving parts, will be briefly
described.
The shaft C communicates motion to a friction wheel D, the shaft of which is
journalled in a swinging frame f pivotted to the main frame at f (Figure 15).
The wheel D is thrown into and out of gear with the main shaft as hereafter
described.
On the shaft of wheel D is a pinion which drives a toothed wheel E and
the latter through a pinion e and toothed wheel E' imparts rotation to the work-
holder M.
The frame has an arm' extending forwardly through a slot in the frame A,
and to the end of this arm is pivotted a connecting rod T pivotted at its lower end
to a treadle T.
The treadle T is pivotted to the base B at K' and at its inner end carries a
latch t which when the machine is in operation rests on the rims of a ratchet
wheel S, as shown in Figure 13. In that position the rod T' holds up the frame ƒ
keeping the wheel D in engagement with the main shaft C. This engagement
continues until a pin s² on rim s of the wheel S dislodges the latch t from its seat
on the latter, thereby permitting the treadle T and frame f to drop, and arresting
the movements of the parts driven from wheel D.
The wheel E, has on one face a cam surface e² (Figure 13) which oscillates a
lever G carrying at its lower end a pawl g in engagement with the ratchet
wheel S. The latter thus receives a step by step motion at a slow speed compare
with that of the holder, until one revolution is completed when the action of pin
on the latch t takes place as above described.
The treadle T is connected to a pitman U which at its upper end is pivotted to
the finger P by which the work is pressed against the grinding wheel, the sai.!
finger being pivotted to its support at pl (Figures 14 and 15). Consequently when
the inner end of treadle T descends, the pitman U is raised thereby throwing the
holding finger P away from the work, as indicated by dotted lines in Figures 14
and 15. When the outer end of the treadle T is depressed so as to raise the
inner end thereof and engage the latch t with the rim of wheel S, the holding
finger P is by the same movement brought into operation against the handle of the
knife or fork.
The parts mentioned in the foregoing description are duplicated in the double
machine shown in the drawings, but one description suffices for both sets of
mechanism.
The revolving work-holder M has a hollow socket to receive and hold the blade =
of a knife or fork, and is adjustable in a longitudinal direction by means of a nut mi
to suit varying lengths of work. The handle Z of the article to be ground rests at
its end against an adjustable stop n carried by the support of the work holder.
This support has an upright plate o in which are secured the outer ends of the beut
rods p which constitute the rest for the handle Z and the position of which
determines the depth of cut of the grinding wheel. The holding finger P lies
between the two rods p and exerts a yielding pressure on the work towards the
upright portions of the said rods and the pressure of the finger P being yielding
the handle is free to turn so as to present alternately its sides and edges to the
grinding wheel the finger moving sufficiently to compensate for the difference
between the thickness and width of the handle. This yielding pressure is effected
by a spring u², which surrounds the upper tubular part of pitman U. In this
tubular part U slides the upper end of the lower part U' which carries a pin u³,
projecting through a slot in tubular part U. The spring is compressed between
this pin at its upper end, and a thumb nut u at its lower end, and its pressure may
be varied by turning said nut in one direction or the other.

page_text: From the foregoing description it will be understood how the bolster is
automatically ground to proper depth at all points.
To preserve the edge of the grinding wheel in its proper shape there is provided
a trueing tool Q carried by a pivotted arm Q' and having a handle 9 for
conveniently moving it across the edge of the wheel. The wheel C' which grinds
the top of the bolster should have simply a plane flat edge, consequently the
trueing tool is arranged to move directly across the edge, as shown in Figures 12, 13
and 14. The wheel C', which grinds the hollow or neck must have a rounded
edge and consequently its trueing device is pivotted as shown in Figures 12 and 13,
so as to swing in an arc corresponding to the curved outline of the edge. The
support to which the arm Q' is pivotted is mounted so as to slide in a
standard Q, and is provided with an adjusting wheel g', so that the tool may be
adjusted towards the axis of the wheel as the latter wears away. Each grinding
wheel has its arbor c supported in bearings in a slide C³ mounted on an extension C+
of the frame, the arbor being provided with a driving pulley c'. The slide C³
may be moved to bring the wheel nearer to or farther from the work by any
suitable means,
such as an adjusting screw e provided with an operating handle c.
It will be obvious from the foregoing description that parts of the invention
may be used without others and that modifications may be made in details of
construction and also that the invention is applicable to grinding and polishing
articles having unequal thicknesses other than cutlery.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a grinding or polishing machine, the combination with a grinding -or
polishing surface and a work holder, of means for producing a relative reciprocating
movement of the said parts and a relative rocking movement in the line of
reciprocation, substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. In a grinding or polishing machine, the combination with a grinding or
polishing surface and a work holder, of means for producing a relative reciprocating
movement of the said parts and a relative rocking movement transversely to the
line of reciprocation, substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. In a grinding or polishing machine, the combination with the grinding or
polishing surface, and a reciprocatory work holder, of means for oscillating the
work holder in the line of reciprocation and also transversely thereto, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
4. The combination with the grinding or polishing wheel, of a work-holder,
mechanism for moving the latter to bring different parts of the work into contact
with the wheel, a rod or pitman for operating mechanism for holding the work in
contact with the grinding or polishing wheel, a latch connected with the said rod
and normally engaging the rim of a wheel, and means for disengaging the said
latch at a predetermined point, substantially as herein before described.
5. In a machine for polishing knife-blades and other articles, the combination
with a moveable polishing surface, of a vertical reciprocating standard, a work
holder pivotally mounted on the upper end of the said standard in front of the
polishing surface so as to rotate in a horizontal plane and means for imparting a
rotary movement to the said work holder during the reciprocation of the standard,
whereby a longitudinal rocking movement of the work in the line of reciprocation
is produced, substantially as hereinbefore described.
6. In a polishing machine, the combination with a movable polishing surface, of
a reciprocatory standard, a yoke swivelled in the upper end of the said standard
so as to rotate in a horizontal plane, a work holder horizontally pivotted in the
said yoke, and means for rotating the yoke and for swinging the holder on its
pivot during the reciprocation of the standard, whereby simultaneous rocking
movements of the work both in, and transversely to the line of reciprocation are
produced, substantially as herein before described;
.】

page_text: 7. In a polishing machine the combination with a polishing wheel, of a
reciprocatory work holder, mounted so as to oscillate in the line of reciprocation
and also transversely thereto, and means for imparting to the work holder
simultaneous rocking movements in both these directions, substantially as herein-
before described.
8. In a polishing machine, the combination with the polishing wheel, of a
horizontally pivotted holder for the article to be polished, means for operating the
holder to present the article to the polishing wheel for a predetermined period and
for automatically swinging the work holder on its pivot away from the polishing
wheel at the expiration of such period, substantially as hereinbefore described.
9. The combination of parts constituting the machine for polishing knife blades
and other articles substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in
Figures 1-7 of the accompanying drawings.
10. In a machine for grinding or polishing the handles of knives or forks, the
combination with the grinder or polisher of a revolving work holder for the articles,
loosely mounted so as to allow the handle to align itself with the surface of the
grinding wheel, and means for pressing the handle against the grinder or polisher,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
11. In a machine for grinding or polishing the handles of knives and forks the
combination with a grinder or polisher, of a revolving work holder for the article
loosely mounted so as to allow the handle to align itself with the surface of the
grinder or polisher, means for pressing the handle against the grinder or polisher,
and means for reciprocating the handle longitudinally across the surface of the
grinder or polisher, substantially as hereinbefore described.
12. In a machine for grinding or polishing the handles of knives and forks, the
combination with the grinder or polisher of a revolving work holder for the article,
means for pressing the handle thereof against the grinder or polisher, and means
for varying the pressure against the handle during each revolution thereof,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
13. In a grinding or polishing machine for knife and fork handles, the
combination with the grinder or polisher, of a revolving work holder for the article,
means for holding the handle thereof in contact with the grinder or polisher by a
maximum pressure when the sides thereof are in contact with the wheel and
with a minimum pressure when the edges make such contact, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
14. In a grinding or polishing machine for knife and fork handles, the
combination with a grinder or polisher, of a revolving work holder mounted to
swing in a horizontal plane, and in which the article is loosely held, and means for
pressing the handle against the grinder or polisher, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
15. In a machine for grinding or polishing the handles of knives or forks, the
combination with the grinder or polisher of a revolving work holder mounted to
swing in a horizontal plane and in which the article is loosely held, a spring
actuated finger for holding the handle against the grinder or polisher, and means
for reciprocating the handle, longitudinally across the grinder or polisher,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
16. In a machine for grinding or polishing the handles of knives or forks, the
combination with the grinder or polisher of a revolving work holder for the article,
a spring actuated finger for pressing the handle against the grinder or polisher and
means for releasing the pressure from said finger and stopping the working parts of
the machine after the handle has been operated upon for a predetermined period of
time, substantially as hereinbefore described.
17. The combination of parts constituting the machine for grinding or polishing
knife and fork handles, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in
Figures 8-11 of the accompanying drawings.
18. In a machine for grinding the bolsters of table knives and forks, the
combination with the grinder of a revolving work holder, a fixed rest for the handle

page_text: of the article, and means for pressing with yielding pressure the handle during
grinding against the rest whereby the handle acts as a former or template to
determine the shape of the bolster, substantially as hereinbefore described.
19. The combination with a grinding wheel having its edge conformed to the
shape to be given the bolster of a knife or fork, of a work holder, means for
revolving the holder with the work in contact with the grinding wheel, a fixed rest
against which the handle bears during the grinding, and a spring actuated
finger pressing the handle against the rest with yielding pressure whereby the
handle acts as a former or template to determine the shape of the bolster,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
20. The combination with the grinding wheel, of a revolving work holder for
holding the knife or fork, a rest embracing the haudle of the article on two sides, a
spring-actuated finger pressing the handle against the rest and the bolster against
the wheel with yielding pressure, substantially as hereinbefore described.
21. The combination with the grinding wheel, of a revolving work holder, a fixed
rest embracing the handle of the article being ground on two sides, a spring
actuated finger bearing against the handle on the third side, and means for
automatically arresting the revolving holder and throwing back the finger after
the grinding has proceeded for a predetermined time, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
22. The combination of parts constituting the machine for grinding the bolsters
of knives and forks substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in
Figures 12-15 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 19th day of February 1895.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.