IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR CUTTING HOLES IN AND FOR SHAPING PLATES OF IRON OR OTHER METALS."
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jaines Rowland, of Sunderland, in the County of
Durham, Plumber, for an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR
CUTTING HOLES IN AND FOR SHAPING PLATES OF IRON OR OTHER
METALS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Rowland at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th March 1882.
JAMES ROWLAND of Sunderland in the County of Durham, Plumber
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR CUTTING HOLES IN AND
PLATES OF IRON OR OTHER METALS
FOR SHAPING
to
My invention relates to certain appliances by which holes, either circular oval or
any other shape, may be cleanly cut in plates or by which the plate may be cleanly
cut to any desired shape externally, and consists of a machine resembling an
ordinary shearing or shearing and punching machine to which shears may be fitted
at both ends a "stop" being also fitted at both ends. The sliding blocks carrying
the shear blades are made straight across bottom edge instead of "bevilled
angle of the blade, and the bottom edge of the slide never comes lower than about
an inch above upper surface of the plate being operated upon. That portion of
the ordinary machine which carries the fixed shear blade I construct so that two
fixed blades may be fitted in it, with a suitable space between them, into which
space the moving blade works in cutting through the plate. The two fixed blades
have their upper or cutting edges "flush" with the jaws of frame into which they
are fitted and the plate being cut is thus supported on both sides of the shear
blade When a circular, oval or other shaped hole is required to be cut or the
external edges of a plate to be shaped to a curved form I make the moving shear
blade of a curved form and the two fixed blades are also curved to same radius.
I prefer to make the machine having one end fitted with a straight shear blade
adapted for long cuts, either on the internal or external surface of the plate, and to
fit the opposite ends either with a slide block adapted to receive either a straight
or curved blade or a punch, as the nature of the work requires, and in this case the

page_text: two fixed blades are fitted into a block which may be bolted or otherwise secured
upon the solid frame of the machine. The slide block is made as before described
to receive the straight shear blade and when a curved blade is required I attach it
to the solid blocks by a special socket, by bolts or other suitable means, as also I
attach the punch when required to be used. The block fixed to the frame of the
machine is adapted to receive either straight or curved blades or an ordinary "die"
for the punch by separate fittings, or special blocks may be used for each class of
work. In adapting ordinary machines to use my Invention I propose to fit the
slide block at both, or either end, with the appliances above described for receiving
a straight or curved blade, or a punch, and to fit to the lower portion of the frame
carrying the fixed shear, or the rivetting die as the case may be, with a loose block
at both, or either end, adapted for straight or curved shearing or for punching. In
cutting out a square or rectangular hole from the inside of the plate a straight
shear is used a square hole having first been punched at each corner.
arched top is required to be formed (as in doors of deck houses &c) the plate is
either taken to the other end of the machine (when the straight work is done)
and finished by the curved blade or the straight blade is changed for a
curved one.
When an
In cutting round, oval or other shaped holes the curved blade is used throughout
the operations. The operation of the machine for external shearing needs no
explanation. One advantage may be named, that is that the parts cut out of, or
off, the plate are not buckled or twisted, and, in the case of a piece cut out to
form the aperture of a door, it is perfectly straight and flat and available for
making the door.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Rowland in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th September
1882.
JAMES ROWLAND of Sunderland in the County of Durham Plumber
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR CUTTING HOLES IN, AND FOR SHAPING
PLATES OF IRON OR OTHER METALS.
My invention relates to certain appliances by which holes either circular oval or
any other shape may be cleanly cut in plates or by which the plate may be cleanly
cut to any desired shape externally and consists of a machine resembling an
ordinary shearing and punching machine to which shears may be fitted at both
ends a "stop" being also fitted at both ends.
The sliding blocks carrying the shear blades are made straight across bottom
edge instead of bevilled to angle of the blade and the bottom edge of the slide
never comes lower than about an inch above upper surface of the plate being
operated upon. That portion of the ordinary machine which carries the fixed

page_text: shear blade I construct.so that two fixed blades may be fitted in it with a suitable
space between them into which space the moving blade works in cutting through
the plate. The two fixed blades have their upper or cutting edges flush with the
jaws of frame into which they are fitted and the plate being cut is thus supported
on both sides of the shear blade. When a circular oval or other shaped bole is
required to be cut or the external edges of a plate to be shaped to a curved form I
make the moving shear blade of a curved form and the two fixed blades are also
curved and may form the jaws of a die.
I prefer to make the machine having one end fitted with a straight shear blade
adapted for long cuts either in the internal or external surface of the plate and to
fit the opposite end with a slide block adapted to receive either a straight or curved
blade or a punch as the nature of the work requires and in this case the two fixed
blades are fitted into a block which may be bolted or otherwise secured upon the
solid frame of the machine. The slide block is made as before described to receive
the straight shear blade and when a curved blade is required I attach it to the slide
block by a special socket by bolts or other suitable means as also I attach the
punch when required to be used. The block fixed to the frame of the machine
is adapted to receive either straight or curved blades or an ordinary die for
the punch by separate fittings or special blocks may be used for each class of
work.
In adapting an existing machine to my invention I propose to fit the slide block
at both or one end with the appliances above described for receiving a straight or
curved blade or a punch and to fit to the lower portion of the frame, carrying the
fixed shear or the punching die as the case may be, with a loose block (at both or
one end) adapted for straight or curved shearing or for punching.
In cutting out a square or rectangular hole from the inside of the plate a straight
shear is used a square hole having first being punched at the corners but this I
have not found necessary with ordinary thicknesses of plates. When an arched
top is required to be formed (as in doors of deck houses &c.) the plate is either
taken to the other end of the machine (when the straight work is done) and
finished by the curved blade or the straight blade is changed for a curved one. In
cutting round oval or other shaped holes the curved blade is used throughout the
operation.
The operation of the machine for external shearing needs no explanation. One
advantage may be named, that is, that the parts cut out of or off the plate are not
buckled or twisted and in the case of a piece cut out to form the aperture of a door
it is perfectly straight and flat and available for making the door.
Figure 1. Shews a side elevation of the lower portion of a machine specially
constructed for long straight shearing at one end and for curved shearing (or short
straight shearing) at the other end which may also be adapted for punching when
required.
Figure 2. Shews a side elevation of an ordinary machine having an inner jaw
for carrying the extra fixed shear blade bolted on to the frame for long straight
shearing at one end and adapted for either short straight or curved shearing or for
punching when required at the other end.
Figure 3. Shews a plan of the lower portion of framing of the machine shewing
mode of attaching inner jaw for long straight shearing and loose block for curved
shearing, short straight shearing or for punching at opposite end.
On Figures 1. 2 and 3 A and A₁ are the slide blocks at each end, both of which
are fitted with " stop" gear; B is the straight shear blade (with a level back)
bolted to slide block A. C and C are the outer and inner jaws carrying the fixed
shear blades D and D' set up by the usual adjusting screws. E is the curved shear
blade carried by a holder F which is bolted to the slide block A-G is the loose

page_text: block bolted to lower portion of frame carrying the curved die the jaws of which
form the two fixed shear blades-When short straight shearing is to be done a
straight shear blade is attached to slide block A' and a straight die (the jaws of
which form the fixed shear blades) is fixed in the block G. When punching is
required to be done the slide block A' is fitted with a suitable holder for the punch
and the block G with a die having a hole in it corresponding with a hole
in bottom part of block G and into the frame for the punchings to drop down
through.
Figures 4 and 5 shew detailed end section and side view of shear blade and
holder for short straight shearing-This form of holder is adapted also to receive
the Stock of a punch made to fit into square socket.
Figures 6 and 7 shew detailed section and plan of loose block G for short
straight or for curved shearing also used for punching by the shear dies H being
removed.
Figures 8. 9 and 10 shew detailed end section side view, and plan of holder F
and shear blade E for curved shearing and this form of holder may also be used for
the straight shear blade.
It is obvious that various other methods may be adopted for attaching the shear
blades (straight or curved) to the slide block and for securing the fixed shear blades
(straight or curved) depending upon the construction of the particular machine, but
I bave described and illustrated the methods which appear most convenient in
general as the mode of fitting these forms no part of my invention for which I claim
as novel and secured to me by Letters Patent
1st The application to and use in shearing machines for straight cutting of two
fixed blades, either fitted separately or forming together the jaws of a die into the
space between which the moving shear blade enters in making the cut substantially
as shewn and described.
2nd The application to and use-in shearing machines of a curved moving
shear blade in combination with two curved fixed blades, either fitted separately
or forming together the jaws of a die, into the space between which the
moving shear blade enters in making the cut substantially as shewn and
described.
In witness whereof I the said James Rowland have hereunto set my hand'
and seal this first day of September in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
Witness
T. J. DANSON
Consulting Engineer & Patent Agent
Newcastle on Tyne..
JAMES ROWLAND. (L.S.)