Improvements in Apparatus for Feeding Plates or Bars to Punching, Shearing, or other Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 17th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 17th Feb., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Feeding Plates or Bars to Punching,
Shearing, or other Machines.
1. GEORGE BURTON HUNTER of Wallsend in the County of Northumberland,
Shipbuilder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :—
My invention has reference to apparatus for feeding plates or bars (hereinafter
included in the word "plates") to punching, shearing or other machines (drilling
machines for example), and its object is to enable the plates that have to be punched
or otherwise operated on to be brought into position under the tool by means of
hydraulic, steam or other power, instead of as hitherto by manual labor, which is
both expensive and inconvenient, more particularly when large plates have to be
dealt with. By means of my apparatus a plate that with manual labor applied in
the ordinary way would require four or ten men to move, can be readily moved
with the aid of at most two men.
I will describe my apparatus as applied by way of example to a machine for
punching holes in metal plates, and as worked by means of hydraulic power; its
adaptation to machines for drilling holes in or otherwise operating on metal plates
and the means of working it by steam or other power will then be readily
understood.
Upon a suitable framework or bed plate I mount two single acting hydraulic
cylinders (or one double acting cylinder) for giving the longitudinal feed and return
motions, and two single acting hydraulic cylinders (or one double acting cylinder)
for giving the transverse feed and return motions, as hereinafter described. (If
only one cylinder be used we prefer to have a constant pressure on the smaller area
of the pistou.) The respective rams of the two longitudinal cylinders are of
different areas, and so are those of the two transverse cylinders. The rams give
the necessary longitudinal and transverse feed and return motions to a frame
between which and cross bars hereinafter described the plate to be punched is at
certain times gripped. A convenient way of imparting these motions to the frame
is to form projections on the heads of the longitudinal rams to work in slots in the
underside of the frame, which slots allow the frame free motion transversely, and
to form projections on the heads of the transverse rams to work in other slots in
the frame, these slots allowing the frame free motion longitudinally. Above the
frame and supported by two girders which are connected to the frame and bridge
over the plate are two or more vertical hydraulic gripping cylinders one or more
on each girder, and the controlling cock of which can be arranged to be operated
either by hand or automatically by the motion of the punching machine. The
rams or pistons of the cylinder or cylinders on each girder operate on a cross bar
or on an upper and a lower cross bar, there being between these two bars a space
through which an index bar works. This index bar is a characteristic feature of
the invention. The distance between the upper and lower cross bars can be
increased and diminished so as to free or lock the index bar. This change in the
relative position of the cross bars can conveniently be effected by attaching them
by pins to the rams or piston rods of the gripping cylinders, oval or elongate l
holes through which the pins attaching the lower bars are passed allowing the
space between the upper and lower bars to be increased when the rams rise;
consequently when the ramus rise the space between the cross bars is increased and
the index bar can be freely moved by the operator, and when on the other hand
the rams descend the index bar is clamped between the upper and lower bars. The
lower bars when the rams are in their lowest position are held down upon the plate

page_text: to be punched, which is supported as hereinafter described. Preferably the lower
cross bars have grooves in which sliding blocks or "cods'
can move, these blocks
acting as guides for the index bar, which can be inoved longitudinally and trans-
versely as required. The index bar has a projection or detent which when the
bar is in position for the punching operation fits into a corresponding recess in a
stopper fixed to the punching machine; this stopper also serves as a guard to
prevent the plate rising with the punch on the upstroke; the stopper has wing
guards sufficiently long to catch the projection on the index bar when this bar is
moved out for the greatest pitch required. There is a semicircular hole in the
projection or detent of the index bar, and a corresponding semicircular hole in the
stopper and above each of these holes there is preferably a semicircular conical
recess. (The form of the hole will, however, depend upon the form of the hole to
be punched in the plate.) When the index bar is in position for the punching
operation the two semi-circular holes form one circular hole the centre of which is
in the axial line of the punch and the two semicircular recesses (when these exist)
form one circular conical recess also having the same centre. The conical recess
enables the operator to see when the punch comes in contact with the plate and
the half recess which is in the projection of the index bar serves as a guide to
assist him in placing this bar in correct position for the next hole to be punched,
the half hole in the projection being made by him to coincide or be concentric with
the circular mark in the plat indicating the place where the hole has to be
punched.
The plate to be operated upon may conveniently be supported by anti-friction
rollers or balls which allow it to bear upon the bottom die of the punch; the rollers
or balls are supported so that they are free to swing or revolve in any direction.
The ends of the plate are preferably supported by bogies which allow the plate to
be moved longitudinally and have Suitable contrivances to enable it to be moved
transver-ely.
A chair or scat for the operator or
say above the plate.
"
plater" is suspended in a suitable position,
The operation of the apparatus is as follows :—
Supposing the plate is in position to have a hole punched in it and the punch
has just entered the plate the operator (or the movement of the punch if the action
is to be automatic) turns the cock to relieve the pressure from the gripping rams
or pistons. These rams then rise. The frame is then lowered by the gripping
rams clear of the plate until it rests on the ram hends below or on other supports.
The gripping rans next lift the cross bars off the plate and the index bar becomes
released. The plate is then freed and the frame can then be returned by means of
the longitudinal and transverse rams until stopped by abutments arranged for the
purpose. The operator sets the semicircular hole in the index bar concentric with
the mark on the plate where the next hole is to be punched, and this he can do
before the punch rises sufficiently to clear the plate, and he afterwards turns the
pressure on to the gripping cylinders and thereby causes the frame to grip the
plate and the index bar to be clamped. He next lets the pressure on to the feeding
ends of the longitudinal and transverse rains and the frame with the plate is thereby
moved into position, that is to say with the projection or detent on the index bar
against the stopper on the punching machine, the hole to be punched being then
directly under the punch.
The longitudinal and transverse cylinders can have sufficient stroke to enable
the whole breadth and length or any given part of a plate to be punched without
the frame being returned at every pitch. The machine can also be made to punch
regularly pitched holes automatically by making the abutments before described
adjustable and controlling the gripping cylinders by the punching machine as
already explained.
Instead of having longitudinal and transverse cylinders as before described to
give the longitudinal and transverse movements respectively I can employ one
double acting cylinder set diagonally and arrangel on trunnions so that it can turn

page_text: Or
or oscillate and thereby give both the longitudinal and transverse movements.
this cylinder can be fixed and motion be communicated therefrom to the frame by
connecting rod.
The chief characteristic features of the invention in addition to the general
arrangement are the index bar, the projection or detent thereon and corresponding
stopper on the punching machine, the gripping together and releasing of the plate,
index bar and frame, the practicability of adjusting the index bar to the position
of the next following hole to be punched before the punch rises out of the plate,
and the power cylinder- for moving the frame and plate.
Dated this 17th day of March 1893.
J. C. MEWBURN,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agent.
Improvements in Apparatus for Feeding Plates or Bars to Punching,
Shearing, or other Machines.
1, GEORGE BURTON HUNTER of Wallsend in the County of Northumberland,
Shipbuilder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
My invention has reference to apparatus for feeding plates or bars (hereinafter
included in the word "plates") to punching, shearing or other machines, (drilling
machines for examples) and its object is to enable the plates that have to be
punched or otherwise operated on to be brought into position under the tool by
icals of hydraulic, steam or other power instead of as hitherto by manual labor
which is both expensive and inconvenient, more particularly when large plates have
to be dealt with. By means of my apparatus a plate that with manual labor
applied in the ordinary way would require 3, 4 or more men to move, can be
readily moved with the aid of at most two men.
I will describe my apparatus as applied by way of example to a machine for
punching holes in metal plates and as worked by means of hydraulic power; its
adaptation to machines for drilling holes in or otherwise operating on metal plates,
and the means of working it by steam or other power will then be readily
understood.
Upon a suitable framework or bed plate I place two single-acting hydraulic
cylinders (or one double-acting cylinder) for giving the longitudinal feed and
return motions and two single acting hydraulic cylinders (or one double-acting
cylinder) for giving the transverse feed and return motions as hereinafter described.
(If only one cylinder be used I prefer to have a constant pressure on the smaller
area of the piston.) The respective rams of the two longitudinal cylinders are
preferably of different areas and so are also those of the two transverse cylinders.
The rams give the necessary longitudinal and transverse feed and return motions
to a frame between which and cross bars hereinafter described the plate to be
punched is at certain times gripped. A convenient way of imparting these
motions to the frame is to form projections on the heads of the longitudinal rams
to work in slots in the underside of the frame, these slots allowing the frame free
motion transversely, and to form a projection on the bead of the transverse rams to
work in another slot in the frame, this slot allowing the frame free motion
longitudmally. Above the frame and supported by one or more girders which are
connected to the frame and which bridge over the plate, are vertical hydraulic
gripping cylinders, one or more on each girder, and the controlling cock or valve
of which can be arranged to be operated either by hand or automatically by the
motion of the punching machine as will be well understood. The rams or piston,

page_text: of the cylinder or cylinders on each girder operate on a cross bar or on an upper
and a lower cross bar, there being between these two bars a space through which
an index bar works. This index bar is a characteristic feature of the invention.
The distance between the upper and lower cross bars can be increased and
diminished so as to free or to lock the index bar. This change in the relative
position of the cross bars can conveniently be effected by attaching them by pins
to the rams or piston rods of the gripping cylinders, oval or elongated hole-
through which the pins attaching the lower bars are passed allowing the space
between the upper and lower bars to be increased when the rams rise; consequently
when the rams rise the space between the cross bars is increased and the index bar
can then be freely moved by the operator, and when on the other hand the rams
descend the index bar is clamped between the upper and lower bars. The lower
bars when the rams are in their lowest position are held down upon the plate to be
pouchel, which is supported as hereinafter described. The lower cross bars may
have grooves in which sliding blocks or "cols can move, these blocks acting a-
guides for the index bar which can be moved longitudinally and transversely as
required. In practice, however, I find these blocks or cods are not necessary.
The index bar has a projection which when the bar is in position for the punching
operation fits into a corresponding recess in a stopper fixed to the punching
machine; this stopper may also serve as a guard to prevent the plate rising with
the punch on the up-stroke; the stopper may have wing guides sufficiently long to
catch the projection on the index bar when this bar is moved out for the greatest
ith required. There is preferably a semi-circular hole in the projection of the
index bar and a corresponding semi-circular hole in the stopper and above each of
these holes there is preferably a semi-circular conical recess. The form of the
hol will, however, depend upon the form of the hole to be punched in the plate.)
When the index bar is in position for the punching operation the two semi-circular
hole form one eircular hole the centre of which is in the axial line of the punch.
and the two se nicircular recesses (when these exist) form one circular conical
recess also having the same centre. The conical recess enables the operator to see
when the punch comes in contact with the plate and the half recess which is in the
projection of the index bar serves as a guide to assist him in placing this bar in
correct position for the next hole to be punched the half hole in the projection
being made by him to coincide or be concentric with the circular mark on the plate
indicating the place where the hole has to be punched.
The plate to be operated upon may conveniently be supported by anti-friction
rollers or balls which allow it to hear upon the bottom die of the punch; the
vollers or balls being supported so that they are free to swing or revolve in any
direction. The ends of the plate may conveniently be supported by bogies, which
allow the plate to be moved longitudinally and have suitable contrivances to enable
it to be moved transversely.
A chair or seat for the operator or "plater" is fixed or suspended in a suitable
position, say alive the plate.
Figure of the accompanying drawings is an end elevation of an apparatus
con-tructed as hereinbefore described worked by hydraulic power and adapted for
punching holes in metal plate. Figure 2 is a transverse section of the same on
the line AB of Figure 3 and Figure 3 a plan with some of the upper parts of
the apparatus removed.
Figure 4 is a side elevation, Figure 5 a plan and Figure 6 an end elevation of
one of the bogies employed for supporting the plates, these bogies not being shown
in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
Figures 7 to 13 are detail views.
1 is a framework or bed-plate which may be of any suitable construction; upon
this bed-plate I show two single-acting hydraulic cylinders 2 and 2 for giving the
longitudinal feed and return motions as hereinbefore described and two single
acting hydraulic cylinders 10" and 10" at right angles to the cylinders 2 and 2 for
giving the transverse feel and return motions, also as hereinbefore described. The

page_text: respective rams 3 and 3" of the two cylinders 23 and 2 are of different areas and so
are also the respective rams 11 and 11° of the two transverse cylinders 10' and 10°.
The cross-heads 4 of the rams 33 and 3b are connected by a screwed rod 70 and are
guided by slippers 4 working in a slot 5, and their undersides slide on plane
surfaces 6. The rams 11 and 11 of the cylinders 10 and 10' are connected to
one cross-head 12 which is guided longitudinally by a slipper 13 working in a slot 14
and its under-side slides on plane surfaces 15.
The rams 3 and 3 and 11 and 11" give the necessary longitudinal and transverse
feed and return motions to a frame 9 between which and cross-bars 27 the plate
to be punched is at certain times gripped. In the arrangement shown in the
drawings these motions are imparted to the frame 9 by means of projections 7 on
the heads 4 of the longitudinal rams working in slots 8 on the underside of the
frame the clots allowing this frame free motion transversely, and by means of
a projection 16 on the top of the cross-head 12 of the transverse rams working in
a slot in the frame 9, this lot allowing the frame free motion longitudinally.
Above the frame 9 and supported by girders 18 which are bolted to the said frame
and which bridge over the plate are vertical hydraulic gripping cylinders 19, two
on each girder, having pistons 20 and rods 21; these cylinders 19, one of which is
shown separately in vertical section on a larger scale in Figure 7, are connected by
flexible pipes 22 to a controlling cock or slide valve 23 which may either be
operated by hand or automatically by the motion of the punching machine in any
convenient manner as will be well understood. The annular spaces 24 between the
cylinders 19 and their piston rods are shown as connected by flexible tubes 25 with
a hydraulic main so that the pressure at the underside of the piston is always
constant. The piston rods 21 in ench girder operate upon a cross-bar composed of
an upper bar 26 and a lower bar 27 between which bars is a space 28 through which
an index bar 29 hereinafter described works. The cross-bars 26 and 27 are
attached to the piston rods 21 by pins 30 and 31 as seen in the detail view on a
larger scale, Figure 8. There is an oblong hole in each piston rod for the pin 31
to work in so as to allow of the distance between the upper and lower cross-bars 26
and 27 being increased and diminished in order to free or to lock the index bar 29,
that is to say when the pistons 20 rise the space between the cross-bars 26 and 27
is increased and the index bar 29 can be freely moved by the operator, and when
on the other hand the pistons descend the index bar 29 is clamped between the
bars 26 and 27. The bars 27 when the pistons 20 are in their lowest position are
held down upon the plate which is supported us hereinafter described.
Figure 8 the lower cross-bars 27 are shown as having grooves in which sliding
blocks or cods 33 on the index bar 29 can move, these blocks acting as guides for
the index bar which can be moved longitudinally and transversely as required.
These blocks or cods are, however, not necessary as I find in practice that the
operator can set the index bar without them. The weight of the index bar is
preferably counterbalanced as shown by means of weights 60 attached to ropes 61
which pass over pulleys 62 and are connected to a frame 63 attached to the index
bar. The index bar has a projection 34 which when the said bar is in position for
the punching operation fits into a corresponding recess in n stopper 35 fixed to the
punching machine 36. The stopper 35 is shown as having wing guides 37 sufficiently
long to catch the projection 34 on the index bar when this is moved out for the
greatest pitch required. There is a semicircular hole 38 in the projection 34 of
the index bar and a corresponding semicircular hole 38 in the stopper 35 and
above each of these holes is a semicircular conical recess 39. When the index
bar 29 is in position for the punching operation the two semicircular holes 38, 38*
form one circular hole the centre of which is in the axial line of the punch and the
two semicircular recesses 39 form one circular conical recess also having the same
centre for the purpose hereinbefore described. In order to prevent any liability of
the index bar 29 to oscillate or tip I preferably connect to its back edge guide
rods 64 64 which pass between upper and lower guide bars 65 65. To ensure that
the index bar shall always be guided parallel to the stopper 35 and its wings 37 I
In

page_text: sometimes adopt a special arrangement of parallel motion which is not shown in
Figures 1 to 3 but is represented separately on a larger scale than these figures in
Figures 9, 10 and 11, which are respectively an end elevation, a plan and a cross-
section. In these figures F Fare radius rods connecting the index bar 29 with one
arm of bell cranks which are pivotted at II II to a bar K fixed at its ends
to the bars 27 27; the other arm of each bell crank G is pivotted to a link 1.
which connects the two bell cranks G G together.
In Figures and 31 show a similar arrangement of parallel motion for ensuring
that the frame 9 shall always be properly moved so as to guide the projection 34
into the stopper 35. For this purpose radius rods A A are pivotted at one end to
the frame 9 and at the other end to one arm of bell cranks B B which are pivotted
at to brackets D D fixed to the bed plate of the machine. The other arms
of the two bell cranks are connected to each other by a link or rod E.
.r
The plate is preferably carried by antifriction rollers 40 seen more clearly in
the detail views on a larger scale, Figures 12 and 13, which rollers allow it to bear
on the bottom die of the punch and are carried in brackets 42 supported on paths 43
by anti-friction rollers 44 so as to be free to revolve in any direction. The paths 43
are preferably balanced on springs 45 to allow for any inequality in the plates: the
upward and downward motions are limited by bolts 46 and collars on the bed-
plate 47. The outer ends of the plate are shown as carried on bogies 45 having
each a sliding catch bar 49 supported on rollers 50 with side flanges 51 to keep the
bar in position longitudinally while free to roll over them transversely. The bar 49
has rows of teeth 52 steppel as shown and there
row of teeth so as to push it in the direction of the feed.
from the cross-head of the rams. 11' and 11" by means
"
acting
Wi
Cach
These pawls are actuated
of links 54 and lever 55
(Figure and levers 56 (Figure 6) and square -halt 57. This shalt 57 may only
be sufficiently long to act on one bogie at one and the same time because when the
centre of the plate is about in line with the punch the shaft can be put in gear
with the bogie at the other side of the machine.
the
The smaller rams 3" and 11" are preferably connected direct to the main so that
pressure is constant on the back of these rams and keeps the frame against
the back stops 58 and 72 until the pressure is put on to the back of the larger
rams 3 and 11 by means of the cock or valve 23. This pressure being upon a
larger area forces the frame 9 and plate. forward until stopped by the projection 34
coming against the
stopper 35.
66 is a chair or seat for the operator or "plater fixed in a suitable position
above the plate and preferably adjustable in height. 67 is a foot rest formed of
a grating of parallel longitudinal and transverse bars which serve as a guide tu
enable the operator to keep the index bar square when a parallel motion arrangement
such as that shown in Figures 10 and 11 is not employed.
until
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-Supposing the plate is in
position to have a hole punched in it and the punch has just entered the plate.
the operator for his assistant or the movement of the punching machine if the
action is automatic) moves the controlling cock or slide valve 23 so as to relieve
the pressure from the pistons 20 of the gripping cylinders 19; these pistons then
rise. Then the frame 9 is lowered by the pistons 20 clear of the plate
the said frame rests on the ram head- 7--7 and 16. The pistons 20 lift the cross-
bars 26 27 of the plate and the index bar 29 becomes released. The plate
is thus free and the frame 9 can therefore, without disturbing the position of the
plate, be returned by means of the longitudinal and transverse rams until stopped
by abutments arranged for the purpose. In the arrangement shown the abutments
for the rams 3 and 3 are marked 38 and against these the adjustable nuts 69 on
a screw shaft 70 which connects the two ramis strike. The abutments for the
rams 11 and 11° are the adjustable nuts 72 on screw shafts 73 which are fixed to
the cylinders 10 and 10° Figure 1, and against these the cross-head 12 strikes. The
operator now sets the semicircular hole 38 in the index bar 29 concentric with the
mark on the plate where the next hole has to be punched, and this he can

page_text: generally do before the punch rises sufliciently to clear the plate. He (or his
assistant; or it may be done automatically by the punching machine) afterwards
turns the pressure on to the gripping cylinders 19 and thereby causes the frame 9
to grip the plate .c and the index bar to be clamped by the cross-bars 26 27. He
(or his assistant, or it may be done automatically by the punching machine) next
lets the pressure on to the feeding ends of the longitudinal and transverse rams,
and the frame 9 with the plate is thereby moved into position, that is to say
with the projection 34 on the index bar against the stopper 35 on the punching
machine, the point for the hole to be punched being now directly under the
punch.
.C
The rams of the longitudinal and transverse cylinder can have sufficient stroke
to enable any given part of the breadth or length of a plate to be punched
without the frame 9 being returned at every pitch. The machine can also be
made to punch regularly pitched holes automatically owing to the adjustability of
the nuts 69 and 72, and by controlling the relief of the gripping cylinders
automatically by the punching machine.
Instead of having longitudinal and transverse cylinders as hereinbefore described
to give the longitudinal and transverse movements respectively I can employ one
double-acting cylinder set diagonally and arranged so that it can turn or swivel
and thereby give both the longitudinal and transverse movements.
But although
this modification is of somewhat cheaper construction I do not recommend it,
because for one reason unless considerable power is employed the nose of the
projection 34 of the index bar may become jammed against one of the wings 37.
It will be understood on reference to Figures 14 and 15 which are respectively a
plan and a side elevation partly in section on the line E of Figure 14.
رة
In this arrangement a is the cylinder set diagonally; it acts upon the frame
by means of its piston and rode with pivotted cross-head d. The linder is
free to turn or swivel on a pivot e fitting into a socket f carried by the bed
plate of the machine. In this arrangement as shown the frame 9 when not
gripping the plate rests on rollers or balls 40 fitted in the bed-plate. The
piston rod c is of somewhat smaller diameter than the piston so as to leave an
annular space which is preferably subject to a constant pressure to return the
frame 9 against the stoppers 58 when the pressure at the back of the piston bis
relieved by the controlling cock or valve 59.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim in respect of apparatus for feeding plates or bars to punching, shearing or
other machines is :-
1. The general arrangement of the apparatus constructed and working sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described for feeding plates or bars to a punching,
shearing or other machine.
2. In an apparatus for feeding plates or bars to a punching, shearing or other
machine, the device herein before called an index bar, constructed and working in
combination with a stopper on the punching or other machine, substantially as
berein before described.
3. The combination with the index bar referred to in Claim 2, of means whereby
its weight is counterbalanced, substantially as hereinbefore described.
4. An arrangement or means substantially as hereinbefore described whereby
the plate or bar that is under operation, a device such as the index bar 29, and a
frame such as the frame 9, can be gripped or held together and subsequently
released in accordance with the requirements of the operation, as and for the
purpose set forth.
5. An arrangement substantially as hereinbefore de-cribed of power cylinders
for moving the plate or bar that is under operation together with a device such as
the frame 9 in longitudinal and transverse directions and subsequently returning
the said device as and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 6. The combination with the frame 9 arranged and working substantially as
herein before described, of a parallel motion arrangement such as that described
for ensuring the proper movement of the said frame.
7. The combination with the index bar 29 arranged and working substantially
as hereinbefore described, of a parallel motion arrangement such as that described
for ensuring the proper movement of the said index bar.
8. The arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described of a bogie or bogies
for supporting the ends of the plate or bar under operation and for ensuring that
these ends shall be so moved as to maintain the parallelism of the plate or bar
during its longitudinal and transverse motions as set forth.
Dated this 17th day of January 1894.
J. C. MEWBURN,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agent.