IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND SCREW THREADING PIPES AND OTHER ARTICLES, AND TAPPING NUTS AND PIPE FITTINGS
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Sanford Elton Gee, of Wilson Street, Finsbury,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND SCREW THREADING PIPES
AND OTHER ARTICLES, AND TAPPING NUTS AND PIPE FITTINGS."-A. com-
munication from abroad by Francis Wayland Allin, of the City,
County, and State of New York, United States of America..
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Sanford Elton Gee
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 29th May 1875.
I, SANFORD ELTON GEE, of Wilson Street, Finsbury, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND SCREW THREAD-
ING PIPES AND OTHER ARTICLES, AND TAPPING NUTS AND PIPE FITTINGS,” a
communication to me from abroad by Francis Wayland Allin, of the

page_text: City, County, and State of New York, United States of America, to be
as follows:
:―
This Invention relates to that description of machinery for cutting
and screw threading, for which Letters Patent were granted to Alexander
Melville Clark on behalf of the said Francis Wayland Allin, January
27th, 1874, No. 350, and it consists of certain improvements in the
arrangement of the apparatus and in the details of construction and
fittings whereby increased facility is afforded for performing the various
operations in a rapid and efficient manner.
In carrying out this Invention the die box containing the die is
carried in a cross head which is fast upon studs projecting from the
revolving face plate described in the said former Specification, and the
pipe or other article to be screw threaded is clamped between grippers,
which are simultaneously adjustable by right and left-handed screws,
cams, or eccentrics, and are mounted in a frame or rest sliding in dove-
tailed or other grooves or guides on a bed so as to be capable of moving
towards the revolving die as the operation of screwing proceeds, and
from the same after the screw thread has been cut. The frame or rest
carrying the grippers is capable of being adjusted towards the die for
commencing the operation of screw threading, and of being moved
therefrom after the screw thread has been cut by means of a rack and
pinion operated by a lever handle which is adjustable radially to any
required position.
The grippers are arranged in such a manner as to facilitate the screw
threading of short pieces, for which purpose the lower gripper is recessed
for the reception of one of a set of additional jaws or adjustable gripping
plates which is fitted thereto when a short piece is to be operated upon.
In addition to the before-mentioned gripping plates it is also proposed to
employ a nipple holder of peculiar construction for the purpose of
holding the screwed end of a short piece, on the opposite end of which
a screw thread is also required to be cut. This nipple holder consists of
two pieces or segments of a concave form, and tapped or screwed on
their interior, which are placed around the end of the article to be
operated upon so as to encircle the same. Each set composing a nipple
holder is bored and tapped to different dimensions at its opposite ends so
that one set will serve for holding articles of two different sizes. The
holder encircling the article is then placed between the grippers, which,

page_text: when pressure is applied by turning the usual tightening screw, maintain
the nipple holder containing the article securely in position without
injury to the thread of the screwed end while the operation of screw
threading is proceeded with.
In cutting off a piece of pipe or other article the cutting tool may be
arranged and operated in a manner similar that described in the said
former Specification, and a graduated forked guide or rest sliding in
dovetailed grooves formed in a projection on the face plate is employed
for supporting the article to be cut. This slide, according to this
Invention, is provided with teeth or serrations on one edge or side, and
in the projection on the face plate there is formed at right angles to the
slide or recess for the reception of a toothed or serrated plate which is
capable of being moved by means of a cam lever pivotted to the face
plate to and from the serrated sliding guide so as to engage with or
release the same.
When the serrated plate is out of gear with the serrated forked guide
or rest the latter may be adjusted to any required position, after which,
by reversing the motion of the cam lever, the serrations are caused to
engage, whereby the guide is securely maintained in its place.
SPECIFICATION filed in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters
Patent, and of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, by the said Sanford
Elton Gee in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st December
1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, SANFORD
ELTON GEE, of Wilson Street, Finsbury, in the County of Middlesex,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of May, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the
38th year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Sanford Elton Gee, Her special
license that I, the said Sanford Elton Gee, my exccutors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Sanford Elton Gee,
my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree.

page_text: with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain.
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND SCREW
THREADING PIPES AND OTHER ARTICLES, AND TAPPING NUTS AND PIPE FITTINGS,"
a communication to me from abroad by Francis Wayland Allin, of the
City, County, and State of New York, United States of America, upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Sanford Elton Gee,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and scal, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office on or before the Eighth day of December, One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-five.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Sanford Elton Gee, do hereby
declare the nature of the said 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 accom-
panying Drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that
is to say :-
The said Invention relates to that description of machinery for
cutting and screw threading, for which Letters Patent were granted to
Alexander Melville Clark on behalf of the said Francis Wayland Allin,
January Twenty-seventh, One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four,
No. 350, and it consists of certain improvements in the arrangement of
the apparatus and in the details of construction and fittings whereby
increased facility is afforded for performing the various operations in a
rapid and efficient manner.
In carrying out the said Invention the die box containing the die or
the die itself is carried in a cross head which is mounted upon studs
projecting from the revolving face plate described in the said former
Specification or attached to the face plate in any other suitable manner,
and the pipe or other article to be screw threaded is clamped between
grippers which are simultaneously adjustable by right and left-handed
screws, cams, or eccentrics, and are mounted in a carrier or rest sliding
in dovetailed or other grooves or guides on a bed so as to be capable of
moving towards the revolving die as the operation of screwing proceeds,

page_text: and from the same after the screw thread has been cut. The carrier or
rest containing the grippers is capable of being adjusted towards the die
for commencing the operation of screw threading and of being moved
therefrom after the screw thread has been cut by means of a rack and
pinion operated by a lever handle which is adjustable radially to any
required position.
The grippers are arranged in such a manner as to facilitate the screw
threading of short pieces, for which purpose the lower gripper is recessed
for the reception of one of a set of additional jaws or removeable
gripping plates which is fitted thereto when a short piece is to be
operated upon. In addition to the before-mentioned gripping plates a
nipple holder of peculiar construction is also employed for the purpose
of holding the screwed end of a short piece, on the opposite end of
which a screw thread is also required to be cut. This nipple holder
consists of two pieces or segments of a concave form, and tapped or
screwed on their interior which are placed around the end of the article
to be operated upon so as to encircle the same. Each set composing a
nipple holder is bored and tapped to different dimensions at its opposite
ends so that one set will serve for holding articles of two different sizes.
The holder encircling the article is then placed between the grippers,
which, when pressure is applied by turning the usual tightening screw,
maintain the nipple holder containing the article securely in position
without injury to the thread of the screwed end while the operation of
screw threading is proceeded with.
In cutting off a piece of pipe or other article the cutting tool may be
arranged and operated in a manner similar to that described in the said
former Specification, and a graduated forked guide or rest sliding in
dovetailed grooves formed in a projection on the face plate is employed
for supporting the article to be cut. This slide, according to this
Invention, is provided with teeth or serrations on one edge or side, and
in the projection on the face plate there is formed at right angles to the
slide a recess for the reception of a toothed or serrated plate which is
capable of being moved by means of a cam lever pivotted to the face
plate to and from the serrated sliding guide so as to engage with or
release the same.
When the serrated plate is out of gear with the serrated forked guide
or rest, the latter may be adjusted to any required position, after which

page_text: by reversing the motion of the cam lever the serrations are caused to
engage, whereby the guide is securely maintained in its place.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose
shall refer to the several Figures on the annexed two Sheets of Drawings,
the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the
Figures.
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) of the accompanying Drawings represents a side
elevation; and Figure 2 (Sheet 2) is a longitudinal section of a machine
constructed and arranged in accordance with the said Invention.
Figure 3 (Sheet 1) is a front elevation of the machine with the frame
in section, the carrier or rest containing the grippers, and the cross bead
or dic box being represented as removed.
Figure 4 (Sheet 1) is a detail clevation of one of the removeable
gripping plates.
Figure 5 (Sheet 1) is an end view, and Figure 6 is a longitudinal
section of the improved nipple holder, and Figure 7 is a plan of the
interior of one half of the nipple holder.
A is the revolving face plate, which is provided with pins or studs a, a,
for carrying the cross head or dic box B containing the dies b, and has
formed in it a recess, in which fits a slide C bearing the cutting tool D,
and which face plate is also furnished with a projection c having a
recess for the reception of the graduated forked guide D¹;, herein-before
referred to; E is the carrier or rest, in which are mounted the grippers
d, d', (by preference of a V shape in their interior) for holding the pipe
or other article to be screw threaded. The lower gripper d is formed in
one piece with or carried by a frame F, which is made of a dovetailed
form, so as to be capable of sliding up and down a corresponding vertical
groove or recess provided in the carrier E and the upper gripper d'
which is enclosed within the frame F has formed on it at cach side a
vertical groove or recess fitting over a corresponding projection c¹ pro-
vided on the internal side of the frame F. The grippers d, d', are simul-
taneously adjusted towards each other to suit the size of the article to
be clamped or gripped, and also from cach other when required, in
order to admit of the release of such article by means of the screw G,
which is supported in the upper part of the carrier E, and has formed

page_text: on two separate portions e, f, of its length screw threads cut in reverse
directions and engaging with corresponding internal screw threads.
tapped in the frame F and gripper d' respectively, a handle y being
provided to facilitate the manipulation of the screw G.
The carrier E is mounted on a bed or upper frame H resting on
standards I, which support the whole of the mechanism; and it is so
formed or fitted on its under side as to admit of its sliding or traversing
along grooves or guides formed in or on the bed. This sliding or
traversing motion of the carrier with the pipe or other article is obtained
automatically during the operation of screw threading such article by
the action of the revolving non-sliding dies drawing the article towards
them as the screw thread is cut, and also after the operation of screw
threading has been completed by the revolving action of the dies in the
reverse direction, forcing the carrier therefrom. It is however requisite
to provide means for adjusting the carrier towards the dies prior to the
commencement of the operation of screw threading to suit the length
of the article to be operated upon, and also of moving the carrier clear
of the dies after the operation of screw threading has been completed;
for this purpose there is formed at the centre of the carrier E, on its
under side, a rack i, with the teeth of which engages a pinion & fast on
a spindle 7, which is supported in bearings in the bed or upper frame H,
and a lever handle K is provided on the spindle in order to facilitate the
rotation of the same. The lever handle K is by preference mounted
loosely on the spindle ɩ, to which however it is secured when and in any
radial position required by passing the pin m both through the handle K
and through one or other of a series of apertures n, n, with which a
collar o fast on the spindle is provided, in order to admit of the angle
of the handle K being adjusted to suit the convenience of the operator..
The handle K is also employed for the purpose of forcing and main-
taining the article in contact with the dies in commencing the operation;
but when the engagement of the dies with the article has been effected
the hold upon the handle K is no longer necessary, the carrier bearing
the article being fed along automatically, as herein-before described. .
In order to facilitate the screw-threading of short pieces the lower
gripper dis recessed for the reception of a removable gripping plate
p (shown in the detail Figure 4), Sheet 1, of a thickness proportionate
to the length of the article to be operated upon. A set of these plates
of varying thicknesses is employed, one of which suited to the length

page_text: of the particular article under operation is fitted and attached to the
gripper d as required, for which purpose each of the plates p is provided
with a pin q, to engage in a recess formed for its reception in the lower
gripper d.
The improved nipple holder which is designed for holding the screwed
end (without injury to the screw thread) of a short piece, on the opposite
end of which a screw thread is also to be cut, is shewn in Figures 5, 6,
and 7 (Sheet 1) of the Drawings. It consists of two pieces or segments
L, L, of a concave form, and tapped or screwed on their interior, cachi
set of which composing one holder is bored and tapped to different
dimensions, as shewn at 7, 71, so as to admit of a single set being
employed for holding articles of two different sizes. The segments
L, L, composing the nipple holder are placed around the screwed end of
the article, after which the holder with the article enclosed therein is
inserted between the grippers, and gripped or clamped securely therein
while the operation of screw-threading is proceeding and without injury
to the thread which has already been cut.
The sliding forked guide or rest D', employed for the purpose of
supporting the article which it is required to divide or from which a
length has to be cut off is, according to the said Invention, provided with
teeth or serrations at s; and in the projection c on the face plate A
there is formed a recess for the reception of a correspondingly toothed
or serrated plate M, which on being pressed towards the guide or rest
D', engages with the teeth or serrations of the same, but when the
pressure is removed is free to slide along its groove or recess.
The plate
M is actuated by means of a cam lever N, pivoted to the face plate A,
by turning which lever in one direction into the position indicated by
dotted lines in the Drawing the plate M will be caused to slide or fall
out of gear with the serrated guide or rest D', so as to admit of the
adjustment of such guide or rest, after which by reversing the motion of
the cam lever and bringing it into the position shown by full lines in
the. Drawing the teeth or serrations of the plate M and of the guide or
rest D will be caused to engage whereby the latter is securely
maintained in position.
The revolution of the face plate A is obtained in the following
manner The face plate is provided on the periphery of its rear portion
with bevel teeth forming a bevel wheel A', with which engage the teeth

page_text: of a bevel pinion M' fast on a short, shaft O, which is supported in
bearings on the upper frame H of the machine. On the shaft O there
is also keyed a spur wheel P, in gear with a spur pinion Q, which is
fast on one end of a shaft R, mounted in bearings 8', s¹, projecting
from the upper frame H. The shaft R extends across the machine and
carries at one end a driving pulley S, and at its opposite end a spur
wheel T, with the latter of which engages a spur pinion U; this pinion
is fast on a short shaft V, having its bearing in a bracket & formed on
the upper frame H, on which shaft there is keyed a second driving
pulley S¹ as shewn. The pullies S, S', are driven by straps from any
suitable prime mover, but only one pulley is allowed to act upon the
shaft O, carrying the pinion N' at a time, the two pullies being
employed for imparting rotatory motion to the face plate A in reverse
directions.
In order to admit of the pullies S, S¹, being thrown out of action
alternately, the pulley S and the spur wheel Tare mounted loosely on
their shaft R, to which they are alternately secured by means of removable
or sliding keys u, u', passing through apertures formed respectively in
collars, ", keyed on the shaft R, and also entering corresponding
apertures provided in the pulley S and spur wheel T respectively.
In cutting a screw thread upon an article during which time a
comparatively slow motion is required, the spur wheel T is made fast
upon its shaft R, and the pulley S is out of gear when motion will be
transmitted from the pulley S₁ through the gearing U, T, Q, P, to the
bevel pinion N¹. During the reverse motion however (either for with-
drawing the article from the action of the dies or for dividing or cutting
off a length of pipe or other article) the spur wheel T' is thrown out of
and the pulley S₁ runs idly without acting upon the shaft R, but
the pulley S is made fast upon the shaft R, whereby it is caused to drive
the bevel pinion N' through the intervention of the gearing Q, P, at a
greater velocity than that obtained from the pulley S₁, and in the reverse
direction. When it is desired to work the machine by hand the pullies
S, S', arc both thrown out of action, and a lever handle V' is fitted upon
the shaft O to facilitate the turning of the same.
gear
The cutting off apparatus is arranged and operates in a manner some-
what similar to that described in the said former Specification. The
face plate A with the bevel wheel A' which is in one piece therewith is

page_text: provided with a hollow boss v (Figure 2, Sheet 2), which is fitted loosely
upon a tubular bearing or support w, cast upon the upper frame H. In
the centre of the tubular bearing w there is placed the pipe or other
article which is supported between the bifurcations x, x, of the forked
guide or rest D₁ during the action of the cutting tool D upon such
article. It is requiste that the slide C carrying the cutting tool D
should be constantly set up or fed inwards in the direction of the centre
of the pipe or other article as the operation of cutting proceeds. This feed
motion is obtained automatically in the following manner, videlicet :-
The slide C carries a pin or stud W, against which bears the periphery
of a cam flange X formed in one with or attached to a sleeve y which is
fitted loosely upon the boss v.
:-
The sleeve has a screw thread formed upon its periphery for a
portion of its length for the reception of a screw nut or ring Y, which by
the act of turning it may thus be moved to or from the cam flange X.
Around the sleeve y, and at the back of the face plate A there is placed
a bevel wheel Z, the number of teeth in which is less by one tooth than
that in the bevel wheel A¹. This wheel Z which is mounted loosely
upon the sleeve y between the cam flange X and the ring Y is operated
by the bevel pinion N' which actuates the bevel wheel A', and by reason
of the difference in the number of teeth in the wheels Z and A the former
revolves at a slightly higher speed than the face plate A. When
however the ring Y by the act of turning it in one direction is moved
out of contact with the wheel Z. (as for example, when an article is
being screw threaded), the wheel Z revolves idly without having any
action upon the apparatus, but by turning the ring Y in the reverso
direction so as to clamp the wheel Z against the cam flange X, the
motion of the wheel Z is imparted to the cam flange, whereby the latter
by rotating at a higher speed than the wheel A' is caused to act upon
the pin or stud W, and thus feed the slide C carrying the cutting tool D
forward as the operation of cutting proceeds.
The apparatus shewn in the Drawings is more particularly adapted for
cutting and screw threading pipes. When however it is intended to be
employed for operating upon other articles, or for tapping nuts, the
apparatus and fittings will be modified in a manner which will be well
understood by persons conversant with this class of machinery.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the

page_text: said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to
me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The combination with a revolving face plate carrying a cutting
tool which is set up or fed inwards automatically, and also having dies
or taps which revolve without longitudinal motion of non-rotating
grippers so constructed and fitted as to be capable of holding the article
under operation, and with the same advancing towards and receding from
the dies or taps, the whole being arranged and operating substantially
as and for the purposes herein-before described, and as illustrated by the
accompanying Drawings.
•
Second. The application and use to and with the before mentioned
grippers of removable gripping plates for facilitating the screw threading
of short pieces, substantially as herein-before described and illustrated by
the Drawings.
Third. The employment of nipple holders, each consisting of two semi-
tubes or segments bored and tapped on their interior for the reception of
the screwed end of short pieces, the opposite end of which is to be screw
threaded, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described
and as illustrated by the Drawings.
Fourth. The combination with a forked guide or rest supporting the
article to be cut, and having teeth or serrations on its edge or side of a
toothed or serrated sliding plate operated by a cam lever for the purpose
of securing or retaining such guide or rest in any adjusted position,
substantially as herein-before described and illustrated by the accom-
panying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Sanford Elton Gec, have to this
my Specification set my hand and seal, the Twelfth day of
November. One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five.
SANFORD E. GEE. (L.S.)