IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR DRESSING OR TRIMMING SLATES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frederick Cardinal Payne at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th January 1878. A com-
munication from abroad by David Auld, junior, of Cleveland, Ohio, United
States of America.
FREDERICK CARDINAL PAYNE, of Lewisham, in the County of Kent. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR DRESSING OR TRIMMING SLATES." [A communication
from abroad by David Auld, junior, of Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America.]
My Invention relates to improvements in slate dressing or trimming machinery.
The said Invention comprises the combination of a slotted arm, cross piece, and
adjustable cutters, the combination with the swinging frame of a slate-dressing
machine of a swinging treadle and its connections; also cutters geared together in
such a manner as that the adjustment of one blade shall operate to properly adjust
the other cutters.
It also comprises a swinging blade in combination with various devices herein
described.
Also the combination of adjustable cutters and punches secured to a single hinged
frame carrying adjustable cutters, whereby the slate is securely held between the
cutters as the slate is punctured by the punches, and suitable fastening devices,
whereby the cutters may be adjusted in the swinging frame.
The said Invention also comprises various novel devices and combinations of parts
as herein-after set forth.
A suitable frame is constructed to carry the operating portions of the machinery.
To this frame is hinged or journalled a second frame designed to carry adjustable
cutters and punches. One portion of this second frame operates as a shaft and is
suitably journalled or hinged to the main frame. Another portion is provided with
a longitudinal slot extending along its entire length. In this slot is carried a cross
piece which may be adjusted and set at any point along the length of said slot.
The said cross piece carries the adjustable cutters and a spring. The said cutters
are made adjustable to any angle, and may be straight, angular, curved, or other-
wise shaped to suit the form or design of the slate to be cut by them.
When properly adjusted they are secured by suitable set screws or clamps.

page_text: Another portion of the said second frame is attached at right angles to the free
extremity of the slotted portion forming therewith a T shaped device; and upon
either arm of the same portion are placed adjustable punches constructed to be
adjusted at any desired point along the arm of the said swinging frame.
The parts above described constitute what I term the cutter and punch frame.
There is an arm extending from the slotted portion of the swinging frame beyond
the shaft. To this arm is attached a link which connects it with an arm operated
by a treadle.
At the junction of the swinging arm and link is a spring or weight which comes
downward with sufficient force to retain the swinging frame in its elevated
position.
To limit the throw of the said swinging frame in either direction I provide a stop,
which by impinging in turn against an arm and a lug upon the said swinging
frame, limits the throw of the same.
Beneath the swinging frame is a slot in the stationary or main frame extending
the entire length of the machine. This slot is designed for the accommodation of
the lower adjustable cutters. The cutters are fixed upon a frame which may be set
at any desired point along the said slot.
To facilitate their adjustment at a proper angle to each other, the said cutters are
provided with shanks terminating in toothed faces which are geared together.
When the said cutters are fixed at the desired angles, they may be secured by
suitable clamps or set screws.
An adjustable gauge or stop piece may be set at any desired point along the
length of the said slot to limit the feed of the slate to be cut.
The gauge is provided with a notch or slot for accommodating the ends of the
cutters, when it is desired to bring said ends actually together in cutting diamond-
shaped slate.
Adjustable pieces provided with openings are fixed in such positions that the
punches shall enter the said openings. Upon one of these pieces is provided a stop
which operates in conjunction with the said gauge to secure the slate in the proper
position to be cut.
When it is desired to trim but a single edge of a slate, or to cut a slate in two, I
employ a device consisting of a swinging blade provided with a counterweight,
which serves to keep the blade in an elevated position when not in use.
A spring may be substituted for the counterweight. The blade is pivotted to the
main frame; behind its pivot is a link which connects the blade with the foot lever,
by operating which the counterweight is lifted, and the blade forced down into a
slot. A suitable stop limits the downward throw of the said blade.