IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR MAKING EYELETS
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR MAKING EYELETS."-A com-
munication from abroad by James Louis Harlem and Theodore Luzerne
Payne, both of the City of New York, in the United States of America.
Sealed the 16th January 1866, and dated the 10th August 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 10th August 1865.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR MAKING EYELETS," to
be as follows:-
Upon the main shaft of the machine are mounted the two principal cams,
from which the motions herein-after mentioned for forming the eyelets are
derived. The stock or piece of metal is fed to the machine in the form of a
thin strip or ribbon of sufficient width to allow a planchet to be out from it.
The strip of metal passes between the pressure feed rollers and is fed forward
at the proper moment by the rollers, which are put in motion for a limited
time during each revolution of the main shaft by a wheel upon whose periphery
there are only so many teeth as, with reference to the number of teeth in the
gear wheels carry forward the strip the requisite distance to allow the cutting

page_text: out of the successive planchets. As these pressure feeding rollers are sub-
jected to a considerable strain increased strength is given to this part of the
machine by extending the shafts upon which the feeding rollers are mounted
through a cross frame which forms for them upper bearing journals; 'the
upper end of each is also provided above the bearing with toothed wheels of
equal diameters which gear into each other. In front of the main shaft and
parallel with it is arranged a compound die and female cutter, and a com-
pound male cutter and "former." This compound male cutter and former
consists of three principal parts, 1, a central cutter or punch; 2, a surrounding
former; and 3, an external surrounding cutter. The compound die and
cutter consists of a female cutter 4, a die 5, and a second female cutter 6.
The office which each performs will presently appear. Suppose, now, the
machine to be in operation, by tracing the successive steps taken to form an
eyelet the motions and functions of the several parts of the machine will be
readily understood. 'The strip of stock having been carried by the feed rollers
far enough to cover the first opening in the die, the cam acting upon a lever
moves forward the sleeve with which it is connected. This sleeve has an end
bearing against the flange of the male cutter, and consequently carries it
against the strip of metal, and continuing on acts in combination with the
female cutter to cut out a planchet. As soon as this is done the other cam
commences to act on a lever which moves forward a spindle. This movement
causes the "former," with the punch which is sheathed within it, to act against
the planchet, and shapes the same, in combination with the die, into the form
of a cup. While, this is being done the first cam has completed its action,
when its lever, acted upon by a spring, carries the sleeve and the cutter back
to its first position. While the "former" is acting to shape the metal in the
die the punch, which projects beyond it, forces the cup into a deeper recess in
the die, at the bottom of which is the female die, through which the end of
the punch passes and cuts out the top of the cup. The eyelet is now formed
into the proper shape, a flange being turned upon its edge by the action of the
end of the "former" in combination with the interior die at the same time that
the punch forces the cup into the recess and cuts out the top of the cup. The
second cam now permits the "former," with the eyelet upon it, to fly back
within the cutter as a sheath, whereby the eyelet is instantly stripped. off. At
the same instant that the "former" is withdrawn a wheel (on the main shaft)
which has a portion of its surface cut away permits the shield, which rides
upon it, to fall and cover the mouth of the die in order to prevent the eyelet,
which is stripped from the "former" with, violence, from being shot into the
cavity of the die. As the cam shaft continues to revolve the shield is raised,
.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 10th February 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-ninth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Edward Newton, Her special licence that I, the said William
Edward Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said William Edward Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree 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 "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN, MACHINES FOR MAKING EYELETS," being a communication from abroad,
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Edward
Newton, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under
my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, 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 within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Edward Newton, 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 Drawings hereunto
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
The object of the present Invention is to make eyelets from sheet metal by
means of machinery in which all the operations are automatic, so that the
machine will only require feeding with the strip of sheet metal from which the
evelets are to be made.

page_text: In the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the machine;
Fig. 2 is a plan of the same; Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the cam C;
Fig. 4 is a partial section through the line A, B, shewing the die and the
"former" which shapes the eyelet out of a circular planchet of metal.
A is the main shaft of the machine, to which motion is communicated by
means of a belt passing over the driving pulley B. Upon this shaft are
mounted the two principal cams D and E, from which the motions herein-
after mentioned for forming the eyelet are derived. The material to form the
eyelets is fed to the machine in the form of a thin metal strip or ribbon, of
sufficient width to allow a planchet to be cut from it. The strip of metal
passes between the pressure feed rollers a, a, and is fed forward at the proper
moment by the rollers, which are put in motion for a limited time (during
each revolution of the main shaft) by the wheel F, upon whose periphery
there are only so many teeth as with reference to the number of teeth in the
gear wheel G and bevelled wheels G₁, G", will carry forward the strip the
requisite distance to allow the cutting out of the successive planchets. As
these pressure feeding rollers a, a, are subjected to a considerable strain, it is
preferable to give increased strength to this part of the machine by extending
the shafts c, c, upon which they are mounted through a cross frame d, which
forms upper bearing journals; the upper end of each shaft above the bearing
”
provided with toothed wheels of equal diameters, which gear into each
other. In front of the main shaft, and parallel with it, is arranged a
compound die and female cutter, and a compound male cutter and "former'
(Fig. 4). This compound male cutter and former consists of three principal
parts, a central cutter or punch, 1; à surrounding former, 2; and an external
surrounding cutter 3. The compound die and cutter consists of a female
cutter 4, a die 5, and a second female cutter 6. The office which each
performs will be presently explained. Suppose now the machine to be in
opération. By tracing the successive steps taken to form an eyelet, the
motions and functions of the several parts of the machine will be readily
understood. The strip of metal having been carried by the feed rollers a, a,
far enough to cover the first opening 4 in the die, the cam D, by acting upon
the lever H which has its fulcrum at 41, moves forward the sleeve I, with
which it is connected by the pin e. This sleeve has an end bearing against
the flauch f of the male cutter 3, and consequently carries it against the strip
of metal, and continuing on acts in combination with the female cutter 4 to
cut out a planchet of metal. As soon as this is done the cam E commences
to act on the lever J, which is pivotted at J', 'and moves forward the spindle K.
This movement causes the "former" 2 with the punch 1 which is sheathed

page_text: within it to act against the planchet, and by continuing on it shapes the same.
in combination with the die 5 into the form of a cup. While this is being
done the cam D has completed its action, when the lever H acted upon by.
the spring L carries the sleeve I and the cutter 3 back to its first position..
While the "former" 2 is shaping the metal in the die 5, the punch 1 which
projects beyond it forces the cup into a deeper recess in the die, at the bottom
of which the female die 6 through which the end of the punch passes, and
cuts out the top of the cup. The eyelet is now formed into the proper shape,
a flanch being turned upon its edge by the action of the end of the "former"
2 in combination with the interior die, at the same time that the punch 1
forces the cup into the recess, and cuts out the top of the cup. The cam E
now permits the "former" 2 with the eyelet upon it from the action of the
spring M.to fly back within the cutter 3 as a sheath, whereby the eyelet is
instantly stripped off. At the same instant that the "former" is withdrawn,
the wheel C, Fig. 3, on the main shaft having a portion of its surface
away permits the shield N which rides upon it to fall and cover the mouth of
the die, in order to prevent the eyelet which is stripped from the former 2
As the cam shaft
with violence from being shot into the cavity of the die.
continues to revolve, the shield is raised, and the feeding rollers bring forward
another space of the strip of metal, and all the preceding operations are
repeated.
cut
A further improvement.in the general construction and arrangement of the
machinery, together with certain improved appliances for aiding to carry into
effect the principle.or mode of operation above described, are represented in
Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, Sheet II. Fig. 5 is a plan of the machine
complete; Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the feeding mechanism detached; Fig.
7 is a sectional view of the male cutter and former with the spindle K; Fig. 8
is a side elevation of the clipping mechanism herein-after described; Fig. 9 is
a-view of the sleeve I and spindle K which carry the male former and cutter,
the female cutter and die, and its clearing punch, together with the mecha-
nism which operates the same; Fig. 10 is a view of the sleeve and spindle,
and cutter and former, and the clearer (so called) for clearing the formed
eyelet from the central punch, together with the mechanism which operates
the same; Fig. 11 is a side longitudinal view of the clearer and its operating
5 mechanism detached; and. Fig. 12 is a front or end view of the cutting and
forming punches and the clearer, shewing the application of the clearer to
the purpose for which it is intended. G is the bed or framework of the
machine, of cast iron, having two stands G2 for the bearings of the main
shaft A, two other stands G³ for the bearings of the sliding sleeve I, and a

page_text: stand or knee G' for holding the compound cutter and die. The material of
this bed is of considerable thickness, and it is thus constructed to ensure the
greater stiffness and precision of operation in the working parts.. On the
shaft A between its bearings are arranged the cams which operate the mecha-
nism for the performance of the several functions of the machine. The: sliding
sleeve I is secured into a cross head N, which is connected to the cams B, B,
by the connections E, E, on each side.. The sliding spindle K within the
sleeve is screwed into the cross head D, and is connected to the cam.J by the
connection M.
The compound male cutter 3, and former 2, and punch 1, which constitute
the moving instruments for the formation of the eyelet are constructed.as
shewn in Fig. 7, in which the shank f of the cutter 3 is fitted for insertion in
the end of the sleeve I, from which it derives its motion. The former 2 is.
surrounded by a spiral spring 6, which exerts a force between the shoulder on
the former at c, and the shoulder at e, on the interior of the. cutter to draw,
the former 2 into the cutter, as within a sheath, until the functions to which
it is subordinate are performed. A hollow set screw n is screwed into the
cavity in the end of the cutter's shank f, by means of which the protrusion of
the former 2 is regulated and controlled. Within the former. 2 slides the
punch 1, the.shank of which is formed with a shoulder at r, against which the
end of the former 2 bears, and from which it derives its motion. The end of
this shaft is fitted in the end of the sliding spindle K, by which it is operated,
and the parts being thus constructed and arranged it will be seen that when
the punch 1 is drawn into the former the spiral spring 6 will press the end of
the former against the end of the set screw n, which, being set at the proper
point, will permit the former to withdrawn itself into the cutter 3, so that its
forming end will be flush or even with the face of the cutter 3, so that in the
formation of an eyelet the external cutter 3 first advances and cuts from the
strip. of metal the planchet or disc; the central punch 1 then protrudes from
the cutter 3 and carries the planchet into the cavity of the forming die. 5 to
form the cup, and when the punch and the cup have advanced into the die
sufficiently for the cup to fill the die .the continued motion of the punch
stretches or elongates the cup until the metal yields to the force of the punch
and the top of the cup is punched out, simultaneously with which the former. 2
descends and turns over the flanch on the end of the eyelet and completes the
operation. By means of this construction and arrangement and mode of
operating and controlling the operation of the compound cutter 3, former 2,
and punch 1 greater perfection in the formation of the eyelet is obtained in
respect of smoothness of the edge from which the top of the cup is punched,

page_text: and its capacity to stretch without splitting open when used. The strip of
metal K, as supplied to the machine, is represented in red lines, and for con-
venience is wound upon the reel C on one side of the machine; it is drawn.
therefrom at intervals by the feeding mechanism, and after it has been operated
upon to form the eyelet, the residue passes over the guide roller o, and is
wound upon a similar reel C¹ on the opposite side of the machine, as shewn in
Fig. 1. The reel C₁ is revolved by means of a coiled spring, or by a weight
unwinding a cord from a barrel on the reel C¹, to take up the perforated metal
strip as it comes from the machine..
The feeding mechanism in Fig. 6 consists of a pair of sliding clamping
jaws d, d', on the block F, between which the metal strip passes, and is clamped
and carried forward by means of the lever H swinging on the fulcrum pin L
'by the action of the cam P on the main.shaft. This cam is of a form to
impart two movements through the medium of the lever to the feeding
mechanism. One motion is produced by an enlargement on its cylindrical
surface, which depresses the opposite, end of the lever and the arm a to which
it is connected on the moveable jaw; by which depression the moveable jaw is
made to pinch and confine the metal strip, K*, preparatory to advancing it to
the die and former. The other motion is produced by the side face of the
cam P, against which the stud 8 on the lever's end is pressed by the 'force of
the spring, which swings the lever so that its opposite end will slide the
clamping jaws and advance-the .metal..confined therein to be formed into
eyelets. The metal strip is released preparatory to repeating the advancing
movement, while it is being perforated by the cutter 3 by means of a rubber
washer y beneath the arm x, which lifts the moveable jaw when the depressive
force of the cam is removed, and unclamps the metal strip. The sliding
movement of the clamping jaws is adjusted to advance the metal strip
the requisite distance. successively to form the eyelet by means of the thumb
screw 15.
-In-the-use-of-a-metal-strip-of-sufficient width to form more than one row
of punchings a considerable saving of material, say about one-sixth part, may
be made by punching the second time midway between the perforation of the
first punching, and to one side thereof; but in order to do this it is
necessary first to trim off so much of the width of the strip from the already
perforated edge as will permit the cutter to penetrate the strip at the proper
distance from its edge; this may be accomplished by clipping off the requisite
width of the perforated portion by means of shears or any well known apparatus
after the strip comes from the machine; but it may be performed with greater
accuracy and precision during the passage of the strip through the machine, by

page_text: means of the clipping mechanism represented in Fig. 8, which consists of a
shearing chisel P, attached to and moving with the cross-head N of the sleeve
I, and corresponding shearing edge S fixed in the stand G on one side of
the forming die; between these two shearing edges the metal strip K* passes
after being perforated, and is clipped at the proper distance from the edge, as
shewn in red lines. The refuse portion so clipped off is permitted to fall at
random beside the machine, while the remaining portion is wound upon the
reel C, which, when filled, is placed in the position of the other reel C, which
has become empty, and the strip is drawn therefrom, as before described; by
this means the machine is kept constantly at work, and no time is lost in
clipping the strip by an independent apparatus, and in coiling the same to be
fed properly to the machine. After the eyelet is completely formed it is with-
drawn from the die on the end of the punch 1, and is finally stripped off by
the withdrawal of this punch into its sheath (the former 2) and drops into a
receptacle beneath the machine. It will however sometimes happen, either
that the eyelet will remain in the cavity of the die 5, or that it will adhere to
the end of the punch, and if it is not removed it will be the means of breaking
and injuring the machine. To avoid the first of these casualties with refer-
ence to the die, a clearing punch V is placed at the rear of the die, as shewn
in Fig. 9. After each eyelet is completed this punch is thrust through the
die from the rear by the lever T and rod R, actuated by the cam 12 on the
main shaft, whereby, in case the eyelet remains in the die, it will be surely
removed before the operation of forming another eyelet is commenced. The
other casualty, which results from the eyelet sticking to the end of the punch,
is avoided by means of the mechanism shewn in Figures 10, 11, and 12, con-
sisting of a delicate finger or clearer t that has a movement across the
axis of the punch, directly in front of the same (as indicated by the arrow),
after the punch is drawn into its sheath, so as to strike off the adhering eyelet
from the punch before it is thrust forward to form a succeeding eyelet. This
clearer swings on the pivot u, by motion imparted to the lever W, to which it
is connected by the cam X on the main shaft, and the action of the spring g,
which carries the clearer over the punch to the position shewn in Fig. 12,
and the positive movement of the cam X carries the clearer across the axis
of the panch in the direction indicated to strike off the eyelet.
Having now described the Invention which has been communicated to me
as aforesaid, and having explained the manner of carrying the same into
effect, I claim as the Invention secured to me by Letters Patent as
aforesaid,―
:
First, the use of a compound male cutter 3, former 2, and punch 1, for

page_text: the purpose specified, constituting together the moving instruments in the
formation of an eyelet.
Second, the use of a compound female cutter 4, former 5, and punch 6,
for the purpose specified, constituting together, the stationary instruments in
the formation of an eyelet.
Third, I also claim the combination of the series of moving instruments
above mentioned, with the series of stationary instruments above mentioned,
for the purpose specified.
Fourth, I also claim operating the moving instruments above mentioned in
the order and in the manner described.
Fifth, I also claim, in combination with the stationary instruments
above mentioned, wherein the eyelet is formed, the use of a slide N, as
described.
Sixth, I also claim the improved mode herein set forth of constructing
and operating the several parts of the moving instruments above mentioned.
Seventh, I also claim the use of the reels C, C³, or their equivalent, in
combination with the stationary instruments above mentioned, for delivering
and taking up the metal strip as it is used.
Eighth, I also claim the use of the sliding clamping jaws in combina-
tion with suitable instruments for forming eyelets from a metal strip, as
described.
Ninth, I also claim, in combination with suitable mechanism for holding
and feeding a metal strip for the formation of eyelets therefrom, a clipping
mechanism for clipping the perforated portion from the strip, for the purpose
specified.
Tenth, I claim, in combination with the stationary instruments above
mentioned, for forming an eyelet, a clearing punch V; for the purpose
specified.
Eleventh, I also claim, in combination, with the moving instruments above
mentioned for forming an eyelet, the use of a clearer t, for the purpose
specified.
'
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Ninth day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
W. E. NEWTON. (L.B.)