Improvements in Smiths' and like Hammers.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 20th June, 1899-Accepted, 2nd Sept., 1899
NI MVIIIVALIVI
Improvements in Smiths' and like Hammers.
I, WILHELM KOHLER, of Vahrenwald, near Hannover, in the Empire of
Germany, 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:-
The hammer illustrated in the accompanying drawing in Figure 1 in longi-
tudinal section, in Figures 2 and 3 in top and back view and in Figures 4 to 7
in detail is intended to be worked by hand-power for use in smiths' workshops of
the smaller class to take the place of the steam and drop hammer used in
larger works.
The new hammer consists of the shaft A and the hammer-head B, which
strikes upon the work as it lies on the anvil N. The shaft is made of strong
elastic wood and is strengthened by steel-strips a, a, which are attached to it.
To the shaft the trunnion piece C is affixed and the trunnions Crest in
bearings D on the timbers Go of the frame G. Or an iron frame of suitable
shape may be used in place of a timber frame. On the timbers Go, there are
also bearings I, for the axle H of the lifting discs which are connected by
bolts h, either pressing directly upon the extremity of the shaft or being pro-
vided with rollers 2 for the same purpose.
When the crank I of the fly-wheel K is revolved the extremity of the shaft
is depressed by the bolts h¹, or rollers and the hammer-head is raised to the
height indicated by dotted lines; it then falls and strikes with great force upon
the work lying on the anvil.
Such a hammer is, however, liable to rebound and is therefore not suitable
for use in a smithy, but to prevent this and to make the hammer more efficient
an arm E is affixed to the trunnion piece C (vide Figures 4 and 5) upon which
arm is an adjustable shoe L. Between this and the hook N affixed to the
frame, is stretched a spring M of suitable strength. The effect of this varies
according to its high or low position upon the arm E, whereon the said shoc L
is adjusted to secure the requisite effect upon the stroke of the hammer, either by
hand or by the following contrivance, whereby the effect of the spring upon the
hammer may be adjusted whilst forging is going on.
The shoe L is connected by a rod P with the treadle-lever T, T¹, which turns
on the axis R, and has a counterpoise (Q) at its inner end and therefore always
tends to draw the shoe to its lowest position upon the arm E, but when the arm T,
is depressed by the smith the shoe L is raised and is kept at any height desired
by the means hereinafter described.
The forward end To, of the treadle is jointed to the lever, and is furnished
with a catch t, as shewn in Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7, which is taken into engagement
with one of the gaps u, of the toothed quadrant or toothed rail U, fixed near
the treadle, by the spring to. When the foot is placed upon the treadle, the
catch t is drawn out of the toothed quadrant U, leaving the lever free to be rocked
by the counterpoise, but when the foot is removed, the catch t is automatically
engaged with the notched rail or quadrant and the treadle lever is held fast,

page_text: thus locking the spring shoe in its new position upon the arm E. The hammer
is worked by turning the fly-wheel which can be accomplished by any person
not necessarily skilled in smiths' works. In Figures and 3, means are shown
in dotted lines for working the hammer by power, for which purpose, the, axle H,
is prolonged and provided with a fast and loose pulley S and S. To prevent the
hammer running on when the belt is on the loose pulley a brake-block V may
be pressed against the fly wheel K by a treadle lever w, w, and the hammer is
thus checked: In order to provide for the adjustment or alteration of the
spring M, whilst the hammer is in use, its inner end, instead of being fixedly
connected to the frame, may be secured to the arm, projecting from an
axle, which has its bearings in the frame and is provided with another
arm X' is connected with an independent operating lever y, y', by means of the
rod Z. The army of this lever is used as a treadle and can be held fast to
the notch rail U by a catch t, similar to that which effects the locking of the
lever T, T¹.
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 is :-
First: A smiths' or like hammer, having a shaft rocking about trunnions
bearing in the frame and actuated (for raising the hammer head) by cross pins,
studs or the like carried by a rotating disc or discs on a driven axle, whilst the
descent of the hammer (for delivering a blow) is accomplished partly by its
own weight and partly by a spring adjustably secured to an arm in connection
with the hammer shaft, substantially as described and set forth.
Secondly-In a smiths' or like hammer such as referred to in the first claim,
the means for adjusting and fixing the spring M, in relation to the arm E,
whilst the hammer is in operation, consisting of a shoe (to which an end of
the spring is attached) sliding upon the arm E and being adjusted thereon by
means of a rocking lever, such as T, T', having a counterpoise tending to draw
the shoe down the arm at one end, whilst the shoe is secured in any set position
by a spring catch fitted to the outer end of the said lever and adapted to
automatically engage with one of the notches of a toothed rail or equivalent, and
be disengaged by the depression of a treadle or equivalent, substantially as
described and set forth.
Thirdly: In a smiths' or like hammer such as referred to in the first claim,
the means for altering the tension of the spring M, whilst the hammer is in
operation, consisting of an arm or lever, to which one end of the spring is
connected; and being operated through the medium of a treadle lever, and
connecting rod, the said treadle lever being secured in its adjusted position by
a catch engaging with a notched bar or equivalent, substantially as herein
described and set forth.
Fourthly: In a smiths' or like hammer such as referred to in the first claim,
the employment in conjunction with the driven shaft and fly wheel of fast
and loose pulleys and a foot-operated brake, whereby the hammer is made applic-
able for power-driving, substantially as herein described and set forth.
Dated this 10th day of Juno 1800
WILHELM KOHLER.
By Henry Skerrett,
24, Temple Row, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.