Boxes, and other Receptacles.
Year: 1885

page_text: Boxes, and other Receptacles.
I, DANIEL SMITH, Junior, of Raglan Street, Wolverhampton in the County of
Stafford, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for, IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHEET METAL TRAVELLING
TRUNKS AND CASH, DEED AND OTHER BOXES AND OTHER RECEPTACLES, to be as
follows:-
This invention refers to machinery for bending or curling the edges of sheet
metal employed in the construction of travelling trunks and cash deed and other
boxes and other receptacles, and for wiring such edges, and for moulding or swaging
any moulding required near such edges during, or as part of, the operation of such
bending or curling.
The object of this invention is to perform any or all of the operations referred
to in the title in one machine, and, preferably, at one operation or fixing.
A machine constructed according to this invention consists of a vice or holder
to hold the sheet metal to be operated upon; a movable block or die to be employed
in the initial bending of the edge of the sheet metal; a sliding block or die to be
used in conjunction with such first-mentioned die, for the purpose of giving an
initial bend to the edge of the sheet metal, and also to be used without such first-
mentioned die in completing the bending or curling of the edge of the sheet metal;
and consists, also, when the edge is to be wired, of gauges or fingers for holding the
wire in position while the metal is curved around it.
The gripping or press tools of the vice are formed as dies to give the proper shape
to any desired moulding near the edge of the sheet metal which is to be bent or
curled. The sheet metal is tightened down between the dies of such vice so as to
be, preferably, in a horizontal plane, and the first mentioned die (which is upon the
side face of such vice and consequently vertical) is brought down with its lower
face bearing upon the sheet metal projecting through such face of the vice. This
vertical die is rounded over at its outer edge to correspond with the initial curve or
bend desired to be produced along the edge of the sheet metal. The sliding die,
which operates in conjunction with the die just described, moves in a horizontal
plane, and is of the general construction and shape of the dies now employed for

page_text: curling or bending the edges of sheet metal, that is to say, it has a backing-part
sliding along the projecting part of the sheet metal and has also a curved shoulder
to bear against and curve the edge of the sheet metal, but in this case the backing-
piece is on the underside of the sheet metal instead of on the upper side as usual.
To give the initial bend, this horizontal die is advanced against the projecting edge
of the sheet metal and curves such edge between the curved shoulder of the hori-
zontal die and the curved edge of the vertical die. The vertical die is then raised
clear of the sheet metal and horizontal die, and the horizontal die is advanced so as
to complete the bending or curling over of the edge of the sheet metal; and, if it
is desired also to wire such edge, the wire is placed in the initial curve previously
to the second advance of the horizontal die, and is kept in the gradually increasing
curved edge, until it is securely held therein by such curve, by means of fingers or
gauges pressed against such wire by the action of springs or corresponding means.
The horizontal die is then drawn back and the sheet metal removed from the vice
with its edge completely bent or curled over, and wired also, if desired, and with
any moulding formed along near such edge as may be desired. The vertical die
may be raised and lowered by any convenient mechanism, and this may con-
veniently consist of two cams on the face of the upper framing of the vice
operated by means of one handle upon one cam connected by means of a rod with
a lever on the other cam.
In order to fix the position of the sheet metal before tightening down the vice,
the horizontal die is brought into position against a removable and adjustable stop,
and the edge of the sheet metal is then pushed against the shoulder of such die;
or any convenient arrangement of gauge may be employed to fix the position of
Buch sheet metal.
In order to avoid the tendency which thin sheet metal has to buckle between the
front edge of the horizontal die and the face of the vice or holder, I prefer to serrate
the front edge of such die and the front edge of the lower die of the vice; or to
form them otherwise capable of sliding within each other, so that the backing or
support of the horizontal dio may pass within the line of the front edge of the
holder.
The machinery above-described is capable of considerable modification without
departing from the nature of my invention, for instance.-The vertical die may be
underneath the sheet metal, if desired, in which case of course the horizontal die
has its backing-part above the metal; or a die, corresponding to the vertical die,
may be fixed, and the sheet metal secured in a movable vice capable of being set
forwards by means of cams or other mechanism after the initial curve has been
formed along the edge of the sheet metal, so as to allow of the bend or curl being
completed; or, instead of employing a removable vice, the sheet metal may be
loosened in the vice and set forwards and re-tightened in the vice for the completion
of the bend or curl, but this latter arrangement is not conveniently applicable when
a moulding is required near the edge being operated upon.
It is not essential that the parts described as vertical and horizontal should operate
in such positions, as such parts may be worked in any convenient position providing
their proper relationship to one another is observed.
Dated this twenty seventh day of March 100K
STEPHEN WATKINS,
5, High Street, Wolverhampton,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Machinery Employed in the Manufacture of
Sheet Metal Travelling Trunks and Cash, Deed and other
Boxes, and other Receptacles.
I, DANIEL SMITH Junior, of Raglan Street, Wolverhampton in the County of
Stafford, engineer, 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, reference being had to the accompanying
drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon (that is to say)
This invention refers to machinery for bending or curling the edges of sheet
metal employed in the construction of travelling trunks and cash, deed, and other
boxes, and other receptacles, and for wiring such edges, and for moulding or
swaging any moulding required near such edges.
The object of this invention is to perform any or all of the operations referred
to in one machine, and, preferably, at one operation or fixing.
A machine constructed according to this invention consists, primarily, of a vice
or holder to hold the sheet metal to be operated upon, and to forin the moulding
or swaging, when such is required near to the edge of the sheet; a movable block
or die to be employed in the initial bending of the edge of the sheet metal;
a sliding block or die to be used in conjunction with such first-mentioned die for
the purpose of giving an initial bend to the edge of the sheet metal, and also to be
used, without such first-mentioned die, in completing the bending or curling of the
edge of the sheet metal; and, when the edge is to be wired, of gauges or fingers
for maintaining the wire in position while the metal is curled around it.
This invention will be clearly understood on reference to the accompanying
drawings, which illustrate machinery, for the purposes above-described, constructed
according to this invention. Figure 1 is a plan of the machine. Figure 2 is a
section taken on line xx of figure 1. Figure 3 is an end view of figure 1 looking
in the direction of the arrow a. Figure 4 is a front view of the machine, the right-
hand part being shewn as a section taken on line y y of figure 2. The remaining
figures will be described later on.
The same letters of reference occurring upon two or more views indicate corre-
sponding parts throughout the drawings.
A A is a box-bed carried upon supports BB. CC are fast and loose pulleys upon
a first-motion shaft D carried in bearings formed on the ends of the bed. E is a
spur pinion upon such shaft gearing into a spur wheel F upon a cam-shaft G
carried in bearings G G on the top of the bed, and driving such wheel in the
direction indicated by the arrow, figure 2. H is a bottom die carried upon the
front edge of the bed and held thereto by means of a flange b (figure 2). J is an
upper die similarly carried in the bottom of a block K capable of sliding vertically
in guides L L etc. fixed at each end of the bed by means of bolts pl p₁etc. c is a
strip or projection along the underside of the die J, and when the die J is brought
down into the position shewn by figures 2 and 4, the projection c enters a corre-
sponding groove along the face of the die H. Part of the block K, die J, projection c,
one of the guides L L, and die X hereinafter referred to, are shewn as broken away
in figure 1, for convenience of illustration. When the projection is carried by

page_text: This
the die J these dies J and H are employed not only to hold the sheet metal to be
curled, but to also form a moulding near the edge thereof. For this purpose, the
block K and die J, with the projection c thereunder, are first raised, and then the
edge of the sheet metal is passed across the face of the die H for as far as may be
necessary to allow of the swaging of the moulding and of the curling of the edge,
and the die J is then brought down upon the sheet metal and the projection c
thereunder swages down the metal into the corresponding recess and thus forms
the moulding. It will be observed that the projection c has a strip or thin part
on its left-hand side and that the corresponding face or surface of the die H is
lower than the surface of such die on the other side of the projection c.
projection is such as would be usually employed solid with the die J for forming
a moulding near to the top edge of a travelling trunk, and the thin part on one
side of the projection, as shewn, forms, in the usual manner, the moulding deeper
on the side opposite to such strip, that is nearer to the top of the trunk, than on
the side on which the strip occurs, with the effect of setting back the sheet metal
near the edge of the trunk from the face of the main part of the sheet metal so
that the front of the lid when closed down will be approximately in the same
plane with the body of the trunk, as it is usually preferred to be. The block K,
and with it the die J and projection c, are raised within the guides L L etc. by
means of spiral springs d d around vertical rods e e, fixed to brackets M M at their
lower ends, and forming a sliding fit through snugs N N projecting from the
block K. These springs are tightened up against the underside of the snugs N N
as may be desired by means of the nuts ff screwed upon the rods e e. The block K
is drawn down, against the pressure of the springs d d, by means of levers 00
actuated by cams P P upon the shaft G. These levers are fulcrumed on studs g g
projecting from the ends of the bed, and the forward end of each lever is connected
by means of a pair of links h h with a snug i on the end of a pin j passing up
through one of the snugs N of the block K. The pins jj are connected with the
snugs N N of the block K in such a manner as to admit of very ready adjustment.
The part pa of each pin is of a diameter larger than the screwed part and is capable
of sliding within a corresponding recess in the snug. Within such recess, and
above the part p³, is a spiral spring q¹ (figure 4) and the nut on the upper end of
the pin is tightened up, preferably by means of a small lever inserted in holes in
the periphery of the nut, against the pressure of this spring q¹. The tension of
the spring is in any case sufficient to support the weight of the block K and other
parts to be raised therewith, and the adjustment is effected by means of the nut
on the end of the pin. By these means of adjustment, the necessity of having
lock nuts, that is a nut below the snug N in addition to the nut above, is avoided.
Qis a block capable also of sliding vertically within the guides L L etc. and
against the back face of the block K. R is a die carried at the back face of the
block Q. This block Q, and with it the die R, is raised and lowered within the
guides L L etc. by means of the levers S S, and caps TT upon the shaft G. These
levers also are carried upon the studs g g, and are connected to snugs U U on the
ends of the block Q in precisely the same manner as the levers OO are connected
with the snugs N N. Each cam T forms a positive cam, being provided with a
groove into which a roller on one side of the back end of the corresponding
lever S gears,
The working face k kell (see specially figure 3) of such groove,
consequently, forces upwards the back end of the lever to draw down the block Q,
and the working face ³ ³ ³ of such groove draws down the back end of the lever
to raise the block Q. V V is a saddle or slide capable of sliding backwards and
forwards upon the top of the bed A A between guide bars W W, the sides of the
saddle being formed dovetailed so as to lie under correspondingly shaped sides of
the guides. X is a die carried upon the front edge of the saddle V V by means of
bolts etc. The saddle V V, and with it the die X, is set forwards twice for
each revolution of the shaft G, namely, first by means of cams Y Y, and, secondly,
by means of cams Z Z, and is drawn back immediately after the operation of each
of these pairs of cams by meaus of spiral springs, one of which is lettered A¹,

page_text: figure 2. The cams Y Y operate the saddle V V by bearing against the periphery
of rollers B B carried, respectively, in the heads of blocks C C having pins m m
screwed therein with the heads n n thereof bearing against a flange D₁ D' on the
saddle; and the cams Z Z operate, similarly, through the medium of rollers E¹ E¹
in the heads of blocks F1 F1 having pins oo screwed therein with the heads also
bearing against the flange D¹ D¹. The blocks C¹ F¹ on one side of the machine
are placed between slides G¹ G¹ on the saddle V V, and the corresponding blocks
on the other side of the machine are between corresponding slides, and each pair of
blocks is covered by a plate bolted down to the corresponding slides. The point to
which the pair of cams Y Y, or the pair Z Z, push forwards the saddle V V is
regulated by means of the pins lettered mo, respectively, the adjustment being
effected by screwing or unscrewing such pins within their corresponding blocks
lettered CF by means of a lever inserted within holes in the peripheries of the
pin heads. Each spiral spring (A') is carried around a pin (p) screwed through
the bed as shewn at q. The spring bears between a collar on the pin and a
snug 8 passing down from the saddle V V through a slotted hole in the top of the
bed. The pin p passes easily through such snug and into a bearing near the back
of the bed. The pressure of the spring A¹ is adjusted by screwing up or unscrewing
the pin p, for which purpose the outer end.t is formed square. The point to which
the saddle V V may be drawn backwards by the springs is regulated by means of
an adjusting screw u passing through a snug v upon the saddle. This screw is set
forwards or backwards by means of a hand wheel w, and the back end of the
screw forms a stop to the backward movement of the saddle V V, by coming
against a bracket al on the bed. 63 is a set-pin and handle by which the screw u
is fixed in position.
Figures 5 to 9 inclusive shew, in vertical section, to an enlarged scale, various
positions of the dies corresponding to the various operations performed by the
machine. In describing the operation of the machine, reference will be made to
these enlarged views, in addition to those already described. In figure 5 the
dies J and R, and the projection c on the bottom of the die J, are shewn raised up
above the die H. The saddle V V, and consequently also the die X, are in their
backward position, that is with the adjusting screw u (figure 1) against the stop a¹.
bb is the sheet metal pushed between the dies J and H till its edge is stopped
against the back of a concave groove n along the nose of the die X, the back of
such groove forming a guage for the position of the sheet. The die J is brought
down into the position shown by figure 6 so as to swage the moulding by means
of the projection c entering the corresponding recess in the die H, and so as also to
firmly bold the sheet metal between the die J and projection c and the die H. The
die R is then brought down, and rests upon the sheet metal as shewn. The die X
is then advanced, by means of the cams Y Y, and forms an initial curve along the
edge of the sheet by bending such edge along the bottom curved edge of the die R,
as shewn at figure 7. The projection ', forming the upper part of the hollow n
in the nose of the die X, enters a hollow c¹ formed therefor in the face of the die R.
The die X is next drawn back into the position shewn at figure 5 and the die R is
raised up as shewn at figure 8. As the die R is being raised, the die X is forced
forwards again, but this time by means of the cams Z Z, and, coming again in
contact with the bent or partially curled edge of the sheet 61 61, as shewn in
figure 8, completes, by its further advance, the curling of such edge, as shewn at
figure 9. It will be seen that the edge of the metal curls in the concave groove n¹
along the front of the die X as such die is advanced in the manner described.
lower front edge o¹ of the die X is rounded at its top corner and projects somewhat
beyond the part d', to give a lead under the edge of the sheet metal and form a
support against the tendency of the metal to buckle downwards near the edge.
The
The cams P P are shaped as shewn so as to maintain the die J firmly in its
downward position to grip the sheet during the whole operation, commencing with
the formation of the initial curve upon the edge of the sheet, and terminating with
the complete curling of such edge; and the cams T T are shaped as shown so as to.

page_text: draw down the die R on to the surface of the sheet metal after the descent of the
die J, and so as to raise such die after the initial curve is formed on the edge of the
sheet metal and the die X drawn back from such initial curve, and so as to maintain
the die R clear above the die X during the completion of the curling of the metal,
and also to maintain the die R in position at the proper time to allow the sheet to
be removed from the machine and a fresh one fed in between the dies J and H,
and these cams T T are constructed positive, as described, so as to ensure that the
die R shall always rise clear of the die X at the proper time, and thus avoid any
chance of an accident to the machinery through the die R forming a stop to
the die X during the advance of such latter die for completing the curling of the
metal.
"
Upon the completion of the curling of the edge of the sheet the die J, and with
it the projection c, is raised again into the position shewn by figure 5, and the
sheet is removed, and a fresh sheet, or another edge of the same sheet, if such is
required to be moulded and curled, is inserted between the dies J and H.
J is a block fixed upon the bed A A to form a backing or support under the
front of the die X. Figure 10 is a front elevation of a short length of this block J¹
and die X, shewn partly as a section taken on line z z of figuro 9, and figure 11 is
a plan of a short length of the block J', and of a shorter length still of the front
part of the die X when such die is in the position, in relation to the block, as
shewn by figure 9. ¹¹ etc. are thin strips of metal let into the block J¹, but
standing up thereabove about flush with the face of the die H so as to act as
supports to the sheet metal while it is being bent and curled, and thus prevent it
from giving downwards against the pressure of the die X. Grooves, corresponding
with the strips jj, are formed along the underside of the die X so that such die
may move upon the face of the block J' notwithstanding the strips. These grooves
are preferably about one sixteenth of an inch wide, and the strips slightly thinner:
The strips, though flush with the face of the die H at their ends adjacent
thereto, rise preferably about one sixteenth of an inch in their length, and the
face of the die H preferably slants also in the same plane therewith, the object
of this arrangement being to give the sheet metal a slightly upward direction so
that the tendency of the metal is to give downwards on to the strips during the
curling operation rather than buckle upwards, in which latter case the edge would
be spoilt.
The die X passes at its ends somewhat over the guides W W, and the front end
pins which hold such guides down to the bed have cheese heads sunk into the
guides so as not to project thereabove. Both the dies R and X are, preferably,
double ended, as shewn, so that they may be reversed, if desired, when a different
size of curl is required to the edge of a sheet.
It is not essential that the die R be rounded at its bottom edge as, in any case,
the sheet metal edge will be turned up on the advance of the die X, but the edge
of the die R is preferred to be rounded so as to give the proper curved shape to the
turned up edge of the sheet metal.
The projection c may be formed solid with the die J, if desired, but, as such
projection, and the corresponding recess in the die H, are not required when a
moulding is not to be formed near the edge of the sheet, to avoid unnecessarily
changing dies, the part c is held to the part J, when required for forming a
moulding, by means of the pins (see specially figure 4). Each of such pins
has a part by which it is screwed into the projection c a head being formed on
the top of the pin for this purpose, and the pin is screwed through a sleeve m¹
which itself passes through a hole in the top of a guide L L. The bottom of each
sleeve has a collar n¹, and the top thereof is provided with a hand-wheel o¹.
When the projection c is to be fixed to the underside of the die J, each sleeve m¹
is screwed down its corresponding pin until the collar n¹ thereon is tightly
down upon the top of the block K, and the projection c tightly up against the
underside of the die J. In such case, as the block K is raised and lowered, each
sleeve n¹ slides up and down through the top of a guide L L

page_text: When no moulding is to be formed near to the edge of the sheet, each sleeve mi¹
is screwed up along its pin until the upper shoulder of the collar n² bears against
the underside of the top of the guide LL, and the projection c is firmly down
within the corresponding recess or groove in the face of the die H, the upper
surface of such projecting piece thus forming a level (or approximately level)
surface with the upper face of the die H. In this case, as the block K is raised
and lowered, it simply passes up and down along the pins k' k', such pins being
then fixtures.
When a strip is used on the side of the projecting piece c, one side of such
projecting piece cominences to enter the recess in the die H before the other side,
and, consequently, a sideway strain is put upon the projecting piece tending to
force it out of position. K¹ is a pin passing down, and forming a sliding fit within,
the block K and die J, and entering within a hole in the projecting piece c. A knob
is carried on the top of the pin K' to give sufficient weight to ensure that such pin
will always be in the lowest possible position. When the bottom end of the
pin K' is within the hole in the projecting-piece c, it forms a steady and support
to the middle of such projecting piece against the sideway strain, aforesaid. When
the projecting piece c is fixed down within the corresponding recess in the die H,
that is in the case where no moulding is required near the edge of the sheet to be
curled, the sheet is placed between the dies J and H, and as the die J is brought
down, the bottom of the pin K¹, which projects therethrough, rests upon the sheet,
and remains in this position while the die J is brought down upon the sheet.
The machine may be started and stopped by any convenient clutch or other
mechanism. An arrangement which I consider convenient for the purpose is
illustrated by the drawings herewith, and its action will be best understood by
reference to figures 12 and 13, of which figure 12 shews a face view of the clutch,
that is looking at it in the direction of the arrow, figure 4, and figure 13 is a
vertical section on line ¹¹ of figure 12. In figure 12 part of the end view of the
machine framing is shewn, also, and of the treadle gearing for actuating the clutch,
and in figure 13 parts of the framing of the machine are shewn and also a front
elevation of the treadle gearing. In this view also the spur wheel F is shewn in
vertical section. In figures 1 and 4 the clutch is shewn in its position in relation
to the cams on the shaft G when the machine is in motion, but, for convenience of
illustration, the cam is shewn in a different position by figures 12 and 13 to that in
which it is shewn in figures 1 and 4. The parts in these views corresponding to
the parts in the views already described are similarly lettered. L¹ is a clutch,
having horns t¹ t¹ projecting therefrom, and the clutch is carried at the outer face
of one of the cams T (which is formed as a disc for this purpose) by means of
guides s¹¹ etc., on the face of the cam, in which the horns t¹t are capable of
sliding. u is a key fixed within the wheel F and projecting from the inner face
of such wheel within the boss of the clutch L'. The wheel F and key u¹ of course
revolve loosely upon the shaft G except when in gear with the clutch. The opening
through the centre of the clutch L' is of a larger diameter than the shaft G in order
to admit of the key u¹ being turned completely around the annular space formed
around the shaft G, by such opening, when the clutch is in the position shown, that
is concentric with the shaft. vvare pins fixed within lugs w¹ w¹ on the clutch
and having a sliding fit through holes in lugs all all on the cam T. The pins v¹ v
are surrounded by spiral springs which have a tendency to force the clutch L¹ in a
direction away from the lugs all al, so as to bring the key hole b1 in the clutch
into gear with the key u¹ as such key comes under the key-way, and thus throw
the clutch into gear with the wheel and thereby set the shaft G in rotation.
M' is a lever fulcrumed to the face of the cam T on a stud c¹¹ and connected with
the head of one of the horns t¹ by means of a pin d. The outer end of the
lever Mis curved as shewn. 1 is a way-shaft carried in bearings ƒ ƒ on the
bed of the machine. g¹¹ is a lever on one end of the shaft, and h¹ a lever on the
other end of the shaft; the outer end of the lever h" is connected by means of a
rodπ with a treadle lever 111. The lever h¹ is maintained in the position shewn

page_text: by the drawings by the pressure of a spiral spring around the rod 11 so as to
maintain the lever g¹¹ in the vertical position shewn. ml is a stop upon the rod j¹l
to fix its upward position against a bracket m³ fixed to the framing of the machine.
When the lever g is in the position shewn, the curved end of the lever M is
caught by the top end of the lever g, and thus moved into the position shewn by
the drawings, by which means the clutch L' is moved to bring the opening through
it concentric with the shaft G (as shewn), and thus the key-way b is drawn from
off the key u', and the clutch is thus thrown out of gear with the wheel F. The
lever g maintains the lever M¹ in position while the key u¹ passes from under the
key-way 6. When it is required to start the machine, the treadle ¹¹ is depressed,
and the lever g is consequently drawn clear of the lever M¹, and thus, immediately
upon the key u¹ coinciding with the key-way 61, the clutch is forced into gear by
means of the spiral springs around the pins v¹ v¹ and the operations of the machine
commence. The treadle is pressed down until the clutch L¹ is put into gear by the
springs around the pins vv, after which the foot is removed from the treadle and
upon the completion of one revolution of the shaft G, during which all the
operations of the machine have been performed, the clutch throws itself out of gear
again as the lever. M¹ bears against the lever g¹, and is maintained out of gear
until the treadle is again depressed. q¹¹ is a cap on the end of the shaft Ġ to
maintain the wheel F in position. To prevent any chance of the machine over-
running after the clutch is drawn out of gear, a brake or friction bearing may be
permanently applied to the periphery of the cam T, carrying the clutch L¹, the
friction being just sufficient to prevent any chance of over-running. The wheel F
is driven at about from, say, 20 to 30 revolutions per minute.
71 (figure 4) is a notch in the front guide L to permit of the ready removal of
the projecting-piece c, in changing dies. A corresponding notch is provided in the
front guide at the other end of the machine (see broken lines figure 3).
811 811 are carrying bars for supporting the sheet to be operated upon by the
machine.
Slits are preferably cut up from the grooves in the underside of the die X, at
the working edges of such dies, as shewn, because otherwise the tops of the grooves
would run out into the concave groove n¹ and form shoulders to catch the sheet
metal as the initial curve is being formed.
ele (shewn to an enlarged scale by broken lines by figures 5 to 9 inclusive) are
fingers projecting from a bar H', through corresponding slots in the face of the
die J. The bar H¹ is carried upon studs f¹f¹ projecting from the front face of the
die J, and is set up towards such die by means of spiral springs around the studs f¹ƒ¹,
themselves pressed up by means of nuts g¹ gl screwed upon the studs. The fingers
and bar are required only when it is desired to wire the edge of the sheet, and in
such case the length of the wire is inserted after the initial bend has been given to
the edge of the sheet and, preferably, as the die X is in the position shewn by
figure 8. The upper edge of the die X is slanted down as shewn at m¹¹ (figure 5)
to facilitate dropping the wire in position. Figure 8 shews the wire hi to have
been inserted in position. As the die X advances to complete the curling of the
edge of the sheet, the fingers el el give back against the pressure of the wire h¹,
by pressing the bar H¹ against the springs around the studs f¹ f'. The wire
is thus prevented by the fingers from rolling away from the edge of the sheet
as it is being curled, and is consequently curled within the edge of the sheet,
as shewn at figure 9. As the die X is drawn back and the die J raised, after
the wiring of the sheet, the fingers are pressed back again into their normal
position. The point to which the fingers are pressed towards the die X, by means
of the springs at the back of the bar H³, is regulated by means of the set
pins screwed through the bar, the points of these pins forming a stop to the
movement of the bar E' towards the dies. Clearance is provided within the lower
end of the block Q and at the back of the die R, as shewn by broken lines figure 5, 6
to permit of the projection of the fingers at the back of the die J. This clearance
is made sufficient, especially in a hand power machine (hereinafter described), to

page_text: allow the block K' to be raised up while the block Q is down,and thus avoid risk
of accident to the fingers. The fingers may remain in position when the sheet
metal edge is being curled only, and not wired, as though in such case the fingers
are not required they are nevertheless no hindrance to the operation.
When the machine is to be employed for curling, or curling and wiring, the edges
of sheets not requiring to be moulded, such sheets need to be pushed under the
tool J just sufficiently far only to permit of their edges receiving an initial curve,
as described, and in such case, of course, the saddle V V must not be drawn so far
back by its springs as in the case of sheets which have to be moulded as well as
curled. The distance to which the saddle is drawn back in this case may, of course,
be regulated by the screw u, figure 1, but to facilitate such regulation, a piece a³,
of a thickness to give the exact adjustment, is pivoted to the bracket a¹, and when
such adjustment is required, is turned over from the position shewn by figure'l so
as to rest upon the stud 63 on the bracket at and thus form a backing or liner
between the back end of the pin and the face of the bracket a¹.
uu etc. are notches formed in the bottoin of the die J and block Q for the
purpose of enabling an edge of a metal sheet to be curled, or curled and wired, at
right angles to au edge or edges already curled or curled and wired. The edge or
edges already curled at right angles to the edge requiring to be curled is or are
passed into position under the die J so that two of the notches come over the
curled edges and prevent them from being crushed by the pressure of the die. In
order to allow for varying widths of sheet, one of the notches, namely the notch v¹¹,
is made of an extra width. w11 (figure 1) is an adjustable guage for the position
of the sheet, so as to ensure that its curled edge or edges shall lie properly under a
notch or notches. The bar H is carried at a level above the bottom of the die J
so as to admit of the curled edges lying thereunder.
Figure 14 illustrates a modified arrangement which may be employed in lieu of
The
the die R when the machine is employed for wiring the edges of the metal.
bottom of the block.Q has a rebate at its bottom edge, as shewn, and the wire h¹ is
inserted within this rebate previously to the initial curve being given to the sheet.
The initial curve is formed against the wire instead of against the bottom of the
die R. When the block Q is raised, the die X continues to advance and completely
wires the edge of the metal. In this case it is not necessary for the die X to be
drawn back between the operation of forming the initial curve and the completion
of the wiring. This modification, however, is not recommended, as, when employed,
the machine cannot be used alternatively for curling and wiring, and for curling
only, without changing tools, unless, in the case of curling only, the wire is
removed immediately after each initial bending.
In the manufacture of some descriptions of trunks the moulding, when such is
required, will be preferred to be formed by a plain projecting piece c, as shewn in
section figure 15, and in such case, when sheets thinner than 24 gauge are
employed, it is preferred to curve the face of the die H upwards on each side of its
groove, for the purpose of compensating for the spring of the sheet which takes
place on removal from the dies, and which tends to throw the surfaces of the sheet
When this is
on each side of the moulding out of true plane with one another.
done, the face of the die J is curved sufficiently to ensure that its bearing upon the
sheet metal, when holding a sheet not requiring to be moulded (as in the case
shewn by figure 15) will be upon the metal of the sheet so as to hold it between
the die J and the top of the projecting piece c, which is formed flat, and thus avoid
marking the sheet along the parts where the face of the die H commences to curve
upwards from the groove, as would be the case if the die J bore equally over the
The face of the
upper side of the projecting piece c and the face of the die H.
die H is curved upwards about of an inch on each side for a die 24 inches wide.
When sheet metal blanks for such articles as buckets or pails are required to be
curled or curled and wired, the dies employed for this operation must be formed
curved on plan to correspond with the curved edge of the blank, and the wire must
be previously bent to the same curve.

page_text: Figure 16 shews, in end elevation, the machine described with reference to
figures 1 to 4 inclusive adapted as a hand machine. The parts corresponding to
those shewn in the power machine are similarly lettered. N¹ (shewn by broken
lines) is a shaft within the bed of the machine, having a cam O' (also shewn by
broken lines) on each end thereof, turning in bearings within the bed, so that, in
effect, the shaft N¹ turns eccentrically with the cains and the cams themselves
rotate on their own axes. A stud c³ projects from the face of each cam, and the
lower end of the links are connected with the studs. P¹ is a lever fixed to one of
the studs c³, and by means of this lever the block K is drawn down and raised
again. In the position in which the lever P' is shewn, the block K is in its
downward position. The lever is moved over into the position shewn by broken
lines P to raise the block K. Q' is a counter-balance weight, fixed to a lever on
the stud at the opposite end of the machine, to balance the weight of the moving
parts. R¹ is a shaft carried in the bed of the machine, and a stud d³ projects
concentrically from each end of such shaft. Each stud is connected by means of a
link, as shewn, with the block Q. S¹ is a lever fixed to one of the studs a³, and
by means of this lever the block Q is drawn down and raised up. In the position
in which the lever S¹ is shewn, the block Q is in its downward position, and the
block is raised by moving the lever into a vertical position on the upper side of the
shaft. No counter-balance weight is required in this case. The pins connecting
the blocks K and Q with the studs c³ and d³, respectively, are shewn as having
lock-nuts, but the same means of adjustment as described and shewn for the power
machine may be employed. E is a pinion on the shaft D and gears into a spur
wheel F on the shaft G. T (shewn by broken lines) is one of a pair of cams
formed upon the shaft G, and these cams are moved axially therewith in a
block U on the back end of the saddle V V (figures 1 and 2). V is a lever fixed
upon one end of the shaft D, and the saddle V V is moved forwards and back wards
by means of this lever operating through the pinion E, wheel F, and cams T. In
the position in which this lever is shewn, the saddle V V is in its partially forward
position due to the formation of the initial bend of the edge of the sheet metal.
After the formation of the initial bend (unless the arrangement for producing such
bend around the wire itself is adopted) the lever is slightly raised so as to draw
back the saddle V V sufficiently to allow the block Q to rise, after which the lever
is depressed into the position shewn by broken lines VII to complete the curling of
the metal. On the completion of such curling, the lever is raised into the position
shewn by broken lines V3 so as to bring the saddle back against the adjustable
guage u.
In this arrangement the adjustable guage is carried upon the bed of the
machine and the back of the block U is stopped against it. The packing piece a³
is carried on the back of the block U¹. W is a balance weight on a part of the
lever V¹ projecting beyond the fulcrum, for the purpose of balancing such lever.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what
1 claim in respect of machinery employed in the manufacture of sheet metal
travelling trunks and cash, deed, and other boxes, and other receptacles, is
1. The machine substantially as described with reference to figures 1 to 4
inclusive, for the purposes set forth.
2. The modification of the machine referred to in claim 1 whereby it is made as
a hand power machine, substantially as described with reference to figure 16.
3. The combination of moulding and gripping (or only gripping) dies with dies
operating for initially bending the edge of the sheet metal, one of such last-
mentioned dies operating also to complete the curling or curling and wiring of
such edge, substantially as described and shewn, and for the purpose set forth.
4. The die R having (preferably) a rounded bottom edge, in combination
with means by which the edge of the sheet metal to be curled is turned up
(preferably around such rounded edgo) so as to produce the initial bending of the

page_text: F
edge, previously to the further operation necessary for completely curling or curling
and wiring such edge, substantially as described and shewn.
5. The dies R and X constructed and operating together to form an initial
bend to a sheet metal edge intended to be curled or curled and wired, substantially
as described and shown.
6. The projecting part o" on the underside of the die X, substantially as and for
the purpose described.
7. The backing-piece or support J, in combination with the die X, substantially
as described and shewn and for the purpose set forth.
8. The means by which the sheet metal being operated upon by the die. X is
supported upon the backing-piece J¹, and the die X nevertheless capable of sliding
upon such backing-piece with its projecting-part o" underneath the sheet metal,
that is to say, the parts j¹ jl of the backing-piece J' entering corresponding
grooves in the die X, substantially as described and shewn and for the purpose set
forth.
9. The movable projecting-piece c, substantially as described and shewn and for
the purpose set forth."
10. The means whereby the projecting-piece c is, alternatively, fixed to the
underside of the die J, or down within the corresponding groove in the die EL,
that is to say, the pins and sleeves m¹ m¹ constructed and operating sub-
stantially as described and shewn.
11. The vertical pin K¹ constructed and operating substantially as and for the
purpose described and shewn.
12. The combination of the levers OO with the cams P P, substantially as
described and shewn and for the purpose set forth.
13. The combination of the levers S S and positive cams T T, substantially as
described and shewn and for the purpose set forth.
14. The means by which the levers OO and S S are connected, respectively, to
the snugs of the sliding blocks K and Q, so as to give a ready adjustment, that is
to say, the combination of pins, having nuts to bear on the tops of the snugs, with
springs to support the weight of the blocks, and dies connected therewith, from
shoulders around the pins so as to press such snugs firmly up against the nuts,
substantially as described and shewn.
15. The springs for raising the sliding-block K, substantially as described and
shewn.
10. The combination of the cams Y Y, blocks CC, adjusting pius m m, and
saddle VV, substantially as described and shewn and for the purpose set forth.
17. The combination of the cams Z Z, blocks F¹ F, adjusting pins o'o, and
saddle V V, substantially as described and shewn and for the purpose set forth.
18. The combination of the cams referred to in the last two preceding claims
with the saddle V V, substantially as described and shewn, and for the purpose
set forth.
19. The means by which the saddle V V is moved backwards as the cams Y Y,
ZZ, pass, respectively, out of gear with the rollers lettered E¹ and B', that is to
say, springs (A) around pins (p), substantially as described and shewn.
20. The means by which the groove in the front edge of the die X is used as the
guage for fixing the position of the sheets to be operated upon as described, that is
to say, an adjustable stop to the backward movement of such die, substantially
as described and shewn.
21. The packing-piece a³, substantially as described and shewn and for the purpose
set forth.
22. The means by which the wire is retained in place as the sheet metal is
curled therearound, that is to say, the fingers e¹ el etc. in combination with suit-.
able means for allowing them to move as the edge is curled, and to return to their
normal position, substantially as described and shewn.
23. The notches u ul etc. in the faces of the die J and block Q, substantially
as described and shown, and for the purpose set forth.
•

page_text: 24. The modification described with reference to figure 14, according to which a
rebate is formed at the bottom edge of the block Q for the reception of the wire,
so that the initial curve along the edge of the sheet metal may be formed around
the wire, substantially as described.
25. The means by which a tendency is given to the sheet metal to give down-
wards onto the supports during the curling operation, that is, the upwardly
inclined supports under the metal near the edge being curled, substantially as and
for the purpose described and shewn.