IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO MACHINERY FOR ROLLING, STRAIGHTENING, GRINDING, POLISHING, AND FINISHING BARS AND TUBES OF IRON AND OTHER METAL
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Octavius Butler and Ambrose Edmund Heath
Buckley Butler, both of the Kirkstall Forge, Leeds, in the County of York,
Ironmasters, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO
MACHINERY FOR ROLLING, STRAIGHTENING, GRINDING, POLISHING, AND
FINISHING BARS AND TUBES OF IRON AND OTHER METAL."
Sealed the 12th January 1877, and dated the 10th November 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Octavius Butler and
Ambrose Edmund Heath Buckley Butler at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents on the 10th November 1876.
56
JOHN OCTAVIUS BUTLER and AMBROSE EDMUND HEATH BUCKLEY BUTLER, both
of the Kirkstall Forge, Leeds, in the County of York, Ironmasters. IMPROVEMENTS
IN AND APPLICABLE TO MACHINERY FOR ROLLING, STRAIGHTENING, GRINDING,
POLISHING, AND FINISHING BARS AND TUBES OF IRON AND OTHER METAL."
Our Invention consists in certain improvements in or applicable to the machinery
for which former Letters Patent were granted to us on the 6th day of October 1875,
No. 3471. In these former Letters Patent we described and showed the rising
and falling tables as actuated and adjusted by screws or other equivalents, and the
centre rest or "cross rail" as attached to and carried by the two end tables, thus
forming one continuous table, which we now therefore prefer to speak of in the
singular number as "the table," so that the whole weight, not only of the table
itself together with the bar or tube carried by it, but of the downward pressure of
the discs when working, is borne by the screws or other equivalents, and we showed
the tops of the two end tables as plain, flat, and continuous, and the cross rail,
which we now prefer to speak of as the "centre rest," as a plain, straight, rectan-
gular piece.
And our present Invention consists,---
First. In locking or fixing rigidly the table generally, but more particularly the

page_text: middle part carrying the centre rest, during the time that the machine is in opera-
tion and after the table has been brought into position, according to the size of bar
or tube to be operated on, by means of a wedge or prop; or the locking may be
obtained by other suitable and convenient means of support, any of them being
actuated by hand or mechanically by attachment to the general mechanism of the
machine, or by independant mechanism, and capable of being withdrawn out of
action during the adjustment of the table, the object being to render the table (and
more particularly the centre rest), after it has been adjusted and during the time
the machine is in operation, as far as possible independent for its support of the
machinery employed in raising and lowering it, as it is found that without this
independent support there is considerable oscillation and giving way of the table as
the pressure caused by the action of the discs on the bar or tube comes on it, and it
is important that no more pressure or wear and tear should be put on the adjusting
machinery than is absolutely necessary, for it is on the good condition of this
machinery that accuracy of work depends. Additional stability is given to the table
by placing at each end an adjustable guide.
Secondly. In locking the discs after they are adjusted to the size of the bar or
tube to be operated upon, that is, giving them horizontal support independent of
the adjusting mechanism during the time that they are in operation by means of a
wedge or other equivalent acting directly on their shafts, or by acting on the
adjusting mechanism, or any other suitable and convenient arrangement may be
used to keep the discs rigidly in their position horizontally during the time they are
in operation, and independently of the adjusting mechanism, the object being to
compensate for any looseness or wearing in the gearing, or screws, or adjusting
mechanism, which might cause a giving way when pressure is brought on the
discs.
Thirdly. In fixing on the table separate and comparatively short horizontal
bearings of metal or antifriction rollers, placed obliquely, for the bar or tube to rest
on as it rotates and travels in lieu of one continuous bearing, as shewn in the Speci-
fication of former Letters Patent, and also in fixing similar bearings at the sides to
give lateral support to the bar or tube, this being more particularly required on the
side to which it tends, all these bearings being independently or simultaneously
adjustable. The object of having separate and comparatively short bearings is to
reduce the friction, and by obtaining independent adjustments to compensate for
irregularity of wear at different points, and in the case of the horizontal bearings to
obtain greater facility in keeping them free from dirt and scale, which before, by
lodging on the continuous bearing, marked the bars or tubes spirally.
Fourthly. In forming the cross rail or "centre rest" of such a shape and in such a
manner that it can be easily removed, and when placed can be readily fixed rigidly
in order to avoid oscillation or independent movement of any kind, and this we
prefer to do by the application of a Z shaped centre rest, which is fixed in its
position by means of screws passing through the side lugs; and further we place
under this piece an adjustable wedge to adjust it level, as it wears independently of
the main part of the table; or any other convenient means may be employed to
give this part of the machine firmness and rigidity, at the same time that it has
ready and accurate power of adjustment independent of the main part of the table,
and facility of fixing.
Fifthly. In the application of a gauge connected with the frame of the machine
or otherwise, by means of which the level of the table can be adjusted and set to
the size of the bar or tube to be operated on, and the speed of traverse regulated;
also, in the application of a sliding or other gauge, or of an index wheel, in con-
nection with the discs by means of which the distance between the two may be
determined and set according to the size of the bar or tube to be operated upon.
Both the gauges can act in combination with stops, which by limiting the range of
the adjustment of the tables or discs, guarantees regularity in a number of bars or
tubes of the same size.

page_text: Sixthly. Our improvements in machinery for grinding, polishing, and finishing
bars and tubes of iron or other metal consist in the application of the adjustable
tables described in the Specification of our Letters Patent above referred to, together
with the improvements and additions, now above described, to the arrangement of
obliquely disposed rolls, discs, or rings for presenting articles to finishing tools or
appliances, such as grindstones or solid emery wheels, as described in the Specifi-
cation of the Letters Patent granted to James Robertson on the 20th day of
December 1869, No. 3677.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Octavius Butler and Ambrose Edmund Heath Buckley Butler in
the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th May 1877.
JOHN OCTAVIUS BUTLER and AMBROSE EDMUND HEATH BUCKLEY BUTLER, both
of the Kirkstall Forge, Leeds, in the County of York, Ironmasters. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN AND APPLICABLE TO MACHINERY FOR ROLLING, STRAIGHTENING, GRINDING,
POLISHING, AND FINISHING BARS AND TUBES OF IRON AND OTHER METAL."
Our Invention consists in certain improvements in or applicable to the machinery
for which former Letters Patent were granted to us on the 6th day of October 1875,
Number 3471. In these former Letters Patent we described and shewed the rising
and falling tables as actuated and adjusted by screws or other equivalents, and the
centre rest or
cross rail"
as attached to and carried by the two end tables, thus
forming one continuous table, which we now therefore prefer to speak of as "the
table," so that the whole weight, not only of the table itself together with the bar
or tube carried by it, but of the downward pressure of the discs when working, was
borne by the screws or other equivalents, and we shewed the tops of the two end
tables as plain, flat, and continuous, and the cross rail, which we now prefer to
speak of as the "centre rest," as a plain, straight, rectangular piece.
Our present Invention consists,―
First. In locking or fixing rigidly the table generally, but more particularly the
centre rest, during the time that the machine is in operation and after the table has
been brought into position according to the size of bar or tube to be operated upon,
by means of a wedge or prop, as shewn in Figs. 1 and 2 of Sheet 1 of the accom-
panying three Sheets of Drawings.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of part of the machine for rolling, straightening, and
finishing bars or tubes of metal described in the Specification of Letters Patent
above referred to, to which the first part of our present improvements is applied;
and Fig. 2 is a transverse section of our said improvement. In Fig. 1 C and D are
the discs; E, the main shaft; F, the table; and G, the bed. These parts and the
machinery for raising and lowering the table are made in the manner described in
the Specification referred to. The two end tables F, G, F, G, are united by the
plain straight, rectangular centre rest N, to the lower side of which are cast the
double inclines N¹, resting upon the wedges O; these wedges are traversed to and
fro on the stand 01 by the right and left handed screw O2, which is turned round
by the hand wheel O³ and the gearing shewn, or in any other convenient manner;
or the locking of the centre rest N may be obtained by other suitable and con-
venient means of support, any of them being actuated by hand, or mechanically
by attachment to the general mechanism of the machine, or by independent
nechanism, and capable of being withdrawn out of action during the adjustment of
the table, the object being to render the table, and more particularly the centre
rest N, after it has been adjusted and during the time the machine is in operation,
as far as possible independent for its support of the machinery employed in raising
and lowering it, as it is found that without this independent support there is con-

page_text: Piderable oscillation and giving way of the table as the pressure caused by the
action of the discs on the bar or tube comes on it, and it is important that no more
pressure or wear and tear should be put on the adjusting machinery than is abso-
lutely necessary, for it is on the good condition of this machinery that accuracy of
work depends.
Additional stability is given to the table F and bed G by placing at each end an
adjustable guide H, as shewn in Fig. 3. This guide is similar to those described in
the Specification above referred to for steadying the sides of the table.
The second part of our Invention is illustrated by Figs. 4 and 5, which represent
part of the machinery described in the Specification above referred to for regulating
the distance between the discs C and D according to the diameter of the bar or tube
under operation. f is the cross shaft for connecting the axles of the discs; f² is a
pinion and f³ a hand wheel fixed to the shaft f; the pinion f transmits motion to
the wheel 2 fixed on a screw, the end of which acts on a sliding block bearing on
the end of the axle B. The friction clip P acts on the shaft f; this clip is made in
the upper end of a link jointed to the stud of the carrier wheel between the pinion f²
and wheel b². When the friction clip is tightened up, the shaft f is held perfectly
rigid, thereby locking the discs after they are adjusted to the size of the bar or tube
to be operated upon, that is to say, giving them horizontal support independent of
the adjusting mechanism during the time that they are in operation by means of
the friction clip described, or by a wedge or other equivalent acting directly on their
shafts, or by acting on the adjusting mechanism; or any other suitable and con-
venient arrangement may be used to keep the discs rigidly in their position hori-
zontally during the time they are in operation and independently of the adjusting
mechanism, the object being to compensate for any looseness or wearing in the
gearing, or screws, or adjusting mechanism, which might cause a giving way when
pressure is brought on the discs.
The third part of our Invention is illustrated on Sheet 2, and it consists in fixing
on the table F separate and comparatively short horizontal bearings of metal for
the bar or tube to rest on as it rotates and travels in lieu of resting on one con-
tinuous bearing, as shewn in the Specification of our former Letters Patent.
Fig. 6 is an elevation, and Fig. 7 a plan of one part of the table F constructed
according to our present improvements. The table is made by preference in short
lengths resting upon the bed, and to the table are fixed at intervals the short
bearings F; these bearings may have plain surfaces or recessed to receive the bar
or tube that is being operated upon.
Instead of these short bearings the bar or tube may be supported at intervals on
antifriction rollers placed obliquely to the axis of the table.
Fig. 8 is an elevation, and Fig. 9 a plan of a modification of this part of our
Invention. In this case the frames F are bolted at intervals to the table F, and in
each frame are two or other convenient number of adjustable blocks F³, which are
set up by regulating screws or other equivalents to the side of the bar or tube under
operation. These side bearings give lateral support to the bar or tube; they are
more particularly required on the side to which the bar or tube tends. All these
bearings are independently or simultaneously adjustable. The object of having
separate and comparatively short bearings is to reduce the friction, and by obtaining
independent adjustments to compensate for irregularity of wear at different points,
and in the case of the horizontal bearings to obtain greater facility in keeping them
free from dirt and scale, which before, by lodging on the continuous bearing, marked
the bars or tubes spirally.
The fourth part of our Invention consists in forming the cross rail or "centre
rest" of such a shape and in such a manner that it can be easily removed, and when
placed can be readily fixed rigidly in order to avoid oscillation or independent move-
ment of any kind. This we effect by means of the centre rest N³, shewn detached
in Figs. 10, 11, and 12, and which is fixed in its position on the cross rail N, see
Fig. 1, by means of screws passing through the side lugs; and, further, we placo

page_text: under this piece N2 an adjustable wedge to adjust its level as it wears, independent
of the main part of the table; or any other convenient means may be employed to
give this part of the machine firmness and rigidity, at the same time that it has
ready and accurate power of adjustment independent of the main part of the table,
and facility of fixing.
The fifth part of our Invention consists in the application of a gauge connected
with the frame of the machine or otherwise, by means of which the level of the
table can be adjusted and set to the size of the bar or tube to be operated on and to
the speed of the traverse.
On Sheet 3 Fig. 13 represents an elevation of part of the machine for rolling,
straightening, and finishing bars or tubes. C and D are the discs; E, the main
shaft; F, the tables; G, the bed; and N, the connecting piece. To the floor or to
the framing is fixed the pillar R, at the top of which is the index R¹, and to the
table or bed is fixed the rod S, with the pointer S¹; as the table is raised or lowered
the pointer indicates the position on the index.
Figs. 14 and 15 represent an index wheel in connection with the gearing for
regulating the distance between the discs, by means of which index wheel the
distance between the discs may be determined and set according to the size of the
bar or tube to be operated upon.
The shaft f, pinion f2, and wheel 62 form part of the gearing for regulating the
distance between the discs before referred to. To the face of the wheel be is fixed
the index wheel T, the circumference of which is graduated; T¹ is the pointer for
the index wheel.
Both the gauges can act in combination with stops, which by limiting the range
of the adjustment of the tables or discs, guarantees regularity in a number of bars or
tubes of the same size.
Sixthly. Our improvements in machinery for grinding, polishing, and finishing
bars or tubes of iron or other metal consist in the application of the adjustable
tables described in the Specification of our former Letters Patent above referred to,
together with the improvements and additions herein-before described, to the
arrangement of obliquely disposed rolls, discs, or rings for presenting articles to
finishing tools or appliances, such as grindstones or solid emery wheels, as described
in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to James Robertson on the 20th day
of December 1869, Number 3677.
Having thus stated the nature of our Invention and described the manner of per-
forming the same, we wish it to be understood that we do not intend to limit
ourselves to the details given, and that we claim,-
First. Locking the centre rest N by the inclines N¹ and wedges O, or other
equivalents, in the manner and for the purpose described and shewn in Figs. 1
and 2.
Secondly. Staying or supporting the ends of the bed G by the end guides H, as
shewn and described in reference to Fig. 3.
Thirdly. Locking the discs C and D when set to the proper distance apart by the
friction clip P, as shewu and described in reference to Figs. 4 and 5, or by any
equivalent means.
Fourthly. Supporting the bar or tube under operation by comparatively short
horizontal bearings or by antifriction rollers, as shewn and described in reference to
Figs. 6 and 7.
Fifthly. The guide blocks, shewn and described in reference to Figs. 8 and 9, for
giving lateral support to the bar or tube under operation.
Sixthly. The movable centre rest N2, shewn and described in reference to Figs. 10,
11, and 12, for supporting the bar or tube under operation.
Seventhly. The application of a gauge for indicating the level of the table F, as
shewn and described in reference to Fig. 13.
Eighthly. The application of a gauge for indicating the distance between the faces
of the discs C and D, as shewn and described in reference to Figs. 14 and 15.

page_text: And, lastly. The application of the various improvements above described and
referred to to grinding, polishing, and finishing bars and tubes of metal.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Octavius Butler and Ambrose Edmund
Heath Buckley Butler, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Seventh
day of May, One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
(L.S.)
J. O. BUTLER.
AMB. EDMP. H. B. BUTLER. (L.S.)