Improvements in Machines for Shearing or Clipping Sheep or other Animals.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 12th July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 27th Dec., 1890--Accepted, 14th Feb., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Shearing or Clipping Sheep or other
Animals.
I CHARLES BURGON of La Plata Works Malin Bridge Sheffield in the County
of York Sheep Shear Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention relates to simplifying and making more efficient the working parts
of machines for shearing or clipping sheep or other animals, and my present improve-
ments principally consist in applying the required pressure to the top and bottom
cutters of such machines.
In order to effect the object of this invention I take the frame of an ordinary
sheep shearing machine and recess it to the required depth and shape, I make it
preferably of a D shape. Into or within the recess I fix a corresponding plate of
metal suitably shaped so as to work as if it were a hinge or to work on centres,
supported on the two sides of the plate by the frame, either by pivots or centres
carried in the frame side. Having thus fitted the plate I place on it what is known
as a rocker bar which will have a rocking and oscillating motion. The rocking
motion I obtain by providing and fixing a suitable screw or cam or lever so as to
raise or lower the plate (as required) at the opposite end where it is hinged, and to
obtain the necessary oscillating motion I take the rocker bar and I pass a suitable
pin through it at or near its centre, one end of the pin is screw threaded. I then
firmly screw the pin into the oscillating plate thus forming a perfect joint for the
rocker bar between the head of the pin and the oscillating plate.
At the back end of the rocker bar I place and fix a suitable crank and ball
arrangement which gives the required oscillating motion to the front end of the rocker
bar to which the top cutter is attached.
BRISTOW HUNT, R.P.A.,
Aldine Chambers, Sheffield, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Shearing or Clipping Sheep or other
Animals.
I CHARLES BURGON of La Plata Works Malin Bridge Sheffield in the County
of York Sheep Shear Manufacturer 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 in writing and on reference to the
accompanying drawing, that is to say:-
My invention relates to simplifying and making more efficient the working parts
of machines for shearing or clipping sheep or other animals, my present improve-
ments principally consisting in applying the required pressure to the top and bottom
cutters. of such machines.
I attain the object of my invention by the mechanism illustrated in the accom-
panying drawing, in which,-
Fig. 1, is a plan or top view of my improved machine complete, excepting that
its case. or covering is removed, and the coiled wire is shown in section.
Fig. 2, comprises and shows a side view and a back view of the frame of the
machine and the recess or slot with the base plate fitted in..
Fig. 3, is an end.view of the base plate.

page_text: Fig. 4, comprises and shows a side view of the crank pin and the slide block
or ball.
Fig. 5, is a plan or top view of the case or covering of the machine.
Fig. 6, comprises side views of screw pins.
And Fig. 7, is a plan or top view of the rocker bar of my improved machine.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several figures on the
drawings.
In carrying out my invention in practice I recess the frame a, of my sheep-
shearing machine to the necessary depth and shape, as shown at b, Fig. 2, on the
accompanying drawing the recess I make preferably of a T shape or it can be made
of a D shape, or of other convenient shape. In the recess I fix a metal base plate c,
correspondingly shaped, and so made as to work like a hinge, or to work on the
centres d, d; it is supported on or at the sides of the base plate by the frame a, and
either by the centres d, (or by pivots) carried in the frame side. Having thus fitted
the base plate I place a rocker bar e, on it, which bar has a tipping or rocking and
oscillating motion imparted to it as hereinafter described. The tipping or rocking
motion 1 obtain by providing and fixing a screw f, or a cam or wedge or lever, or
other equivalent device, so as to raise or lower the base plate at the opposite end
where it is hinged. To obtain the necessary oscillating motion, I pass a screw ping,
or g¹ (see Fig. 6) through the rocker bar e, at or near its centre one end of the pin
being made with a screw thread on it. 1 then screw the pin into the oscillating
base plate c, and so form a perfect joint for the rocker bar between the head of the
pin and the oscillating base plate.
At the end of the rocker bar e, furthest from the cutters of the machine, I fix a
suitable crank pin h, with a slide block i, (or a ball arrangement & can be used if
desired) which when in action will give the required oscillating motion to the front
end of the rocker bar e, to which bar the top cutter is attached by means of screws,
or a pin or pins. At the rear end of the spindle or driving shaft of my shearing or
clipping machine three or more (or less) universal or ball joints j, are attached, such
as those described in the Complete Specification of myself and Marshall
No. 1337/90, and illustrated in the drawing accompanying that Specification;
they are externally protected and covered by a coiled wire k, combined with two
(or more) nuts 1, 1, for attaching to or detaching from the cutting mechanism and
the flexible driving core of the machine. They are encased with leather or other
suitable covering.
By means of this appliance the operator is enabled to use the shearing or clipping
machine in any desired position or direction.
A conveniently sized metal case or cover m, is provided for protecting the working
parts of the machine, which case or cover is attached to or secured on the apparatus
by screws n, or by a spring latch or by other equivalent and suitable attaching
device.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it to be understood
that I do not claim separately either the comb, or the cutters, or the rocker bar,
or the crank pin, or the slide block, used in this shearing or clipping machine, but
I declare that what I do claim is :-
1. In a sheep shearing or clipping machine, the general construction and arrange-
ment of the frame a, recessed as shown at b, and its use for the purpose set forth,
and substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. The oscillating base plate c, working on centres d, d, supported by the
frame a,
for the purposes set forth, and substantially as herein before described.
3. The mode of, and means for, tipping and rocking the rocker bar e, substantially
as hereinbefore set forth.
4. Providing and fixing a screw f, or its equivalent, for the purpose of raising or
lowering the base plate c, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
5. The mode of connecting the rocker bar e, to the base plate c, thus forming a

page_text: perfect joint for the rocker bar between the head of the screw pin g, or g', and the
oscillating base plate c, by means of the screw pin, or its equivalent, substantially as
herein before set forth.
6. The means of obtaining the universal action of this sheep shearing or clipping
machine by providing three, or more or less, universal or ball joints j, in conjunction
or combination with the spring-like action of the coiled wire k, and the nuts l,
substantially as set forth.
7. The combination and use of the several parts of the mechanism claimed in the
preceding six claims with the comb, the cutters, the rocker bar, the crank pin and
the slide block or ball, the whole constituting an improved, more simple and more
efficient machine or apparatus for shearing or clipping sheep or other animals,
substantially as herein before set forth and as illustrated on the accompanying
drawing.
Dated this 24th day of December 1890.
BRISTOW HUNT, R.P.A.,
Aldine Chambers, Sheffield, Agent for the Applicant.