improvements in or relating to Bobbin-making Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: improvements in or relating to Bobbin-making Machines.
We, ALEXANDER MOULDING GRIMOND, of 1, King Street, Jute Manufacturer,
and JAMES CRIGHTON, of 29, Rose Street, Engineer, both of Dundee, in the County
of Forfar, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to machines for making or forming bobbins from blanks
or relatively rough blocks of wood or the like, and has for its object the providing
or assembling in one machine, means or mechanism for automatically forming
a complete bobbin at one operation, in a new or improved manner, and so as to
mcrease the rate of production, while simplifying the process.
In carrying our invention into effect or practice, we arrange the mechanism or
appurtenances of our improved machine, so that the blanks are first fed in bulk
into a hopper or trough, whose functions are to arrange the axes of such blanks
parallel to that of the machine mandrel, and to supply them to the machine for
ireatment, singly and at the proper moment. From this hopper each blank is
successively passed on to a reciprocating carrier which advances it to, and retains
it between, the opposing portions of a hollow mandrel, until the chucking
mechanism connected therewith, receives and holds it. When so held and a
motion of rotation suitably imparted to it, bits are advanced through the hollow
mandrel into each of its ends, so as to each bore one half or more or less, of the
required hole, while simultaneously tools turn or otherwise form the outside of
the bobbin. It is then released and ejected and the operation repeated with a
fresh blank.
It is to be clearly understood that after the charging of the blanks in bulk, the
entire succeeding cycle of operations is rendered wholly automatic, and relatively
synchronous, by the connection of the various active parts by suitably proportioned
toothed gearing, or equivalent positive mechanism; although any part may be
.sconnected if desired. Thus the hopper feeding arrangement may be discon-
nected so as to permit of feeding the carrier by hand or otherwise; or the boring
mechanism, should spindle holes not be desired.
In constructing the holder or feeding trough to perform its beforementioned
functions, we preterably fit its mouth with a screen or grating of rods, set parallel
to the mandrel axes, so as to dispose the longitudinal axes of the entering blanks
similarly parallel. Two pairs of valves or doors actuated by linkwork from an
eccentric or the like, may then be used to control and regulate the supply of blanks
from the hopper. These valves preferably act so that the first of each pair are
open together, while the second are closed, or rice versa, while the individuals of
each pair act relatively to pass on the blank, somewhat after the manner of
escapement pallets.
The carrier to which the blank passes is preferably of V form; is caused to
rise and fall at the proper time by a suitably designed cam, and is furnished with
due provision for adjustment to its work. The hollow mandrel is of novel design,

page_text: and consists essentially of two distinct and opposing tubes on the same axis, each
carried by a headstock of which one or both can be conveniently adjusted to the
class of work to be held between. One side or portion of such mandrel carries
the pulley for rotating the work, which is preferably driven independently of
the machine proper; while the other is loose so that it revolves only with the
work. Each carries in a screwed socket, or as otherwise convenient, an inter-
changeable, hollow, serrated or fork chuck, suited to the character of the work
it is to hold. The driving half of the mandrel rotates continuously at high speed,
and to avoid the jarring or injury consequent upon its seizing the motionless
blank, we employ a novel arrangement of gradual chucking mechanism. Within
the driving half of the hollow mandrel but not revolving with it, we fit a hollow
gripper or tube, so that when actuated by a cam, and just when the blank has been
placed in position by the carrier, such gripper emerges from the hollow chuck,
and pressing on the blank causes the latter's further end to engage with the teeth
of the chuck carried by the loose mandrel. Another cam now commences a
similar but opposite action in the said loose mandrel, under which the blank, held
between it and the gripper tube, is gradually forced towards and upon the hollow
chuck of the driving mandrel, until it is caught by and rotates with it. Meanwhile
the carrier has withdrawn under the action of its cam; the gripper cam withdraws
the gripper tube in due sequence; and the boring and turning operations are free
to proceed.
In the case of the latter we may employ any known or convenient method of
forming the bobbin profile, such as for instance by a tool or tools carried by a slide
rest, or as in a copying lathe. For the boring operation we preferably use right
and left hand non-rotating screw bits, set and actuated so as to enter and bore the
revolving work from its opposite ends, and afterwards withdraw therefrom. This
we accomplish by carrying the bits in keyed or guided non-rotating chucks on the
inner ends of opposite, right and left hand, revolving, hollow, screws, which work
in their fixed nuts, on the same centre line and in the same headstocks, as the
hollow mandrels. For the actuating of these screws we provide at each end of the
machine, a crank of variable radius, from which a connecting rod passes, to give
reciprocating motion to a toothed wheel segment or quadrant. This quadrant
gears with a pinion on the shaft carrying the hollow screw, to which it thus
imparts a motion, first in one direction, and then in the other.
The screw
revolving with such shaft on a sliding key, receives also from its fixed nut a motion
of translation, and so carries its attached boring bit into and out of the work as
described. The travel of each bit is regulated by the amplitude given to its
crank beforementioned, and to prevent the bits colliding in the centre of the work,
the cranks may be set out of time, or at an angle the one with the other, so that
one bit may have begun to return before the other has fully advanced. One or
both of the bits may also be caused to travel through more than half of the work
to ensure a complete hole. In the bit chucks, the hollow gripper tube, and the
loose half of the mandrel; or other parts where rotating and non-rotating parts
mutually engage, we preferably employ a split collar bearing, fitted if desired with
white metal strips or with ball bearings, or other known anti-friction device. The
driving pulley of the machine is preferably of the stepped cone type for variable
speed. Although we preferably use the cams or other mechanical contrivances
described as performing certain actions, we do not limit ourselves to these but may
use their known mechanical equivalents where these attain the same results.
Dated this Sixth day of January 1899.

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Bobbin-making Machines.
We, ALEXANDER MOULDING GRIMOND, of 1, King Street, Jute Manufacturer
and JAMES CRIGHTON, of 29, Rose Street, Engineer, both of Dundee, in the County
of Forfar, 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: -
This invention relates to machines for making or forming bobbins from blanks
or relatively rough blocks of wood or the like, and has for its object the providing
or assembling in one machine, means or mechanism for automatically forming
a complete bobbin at one operation, in a new or improved manner and so as to
increase the rate of production, while simplifying the process.
In order that our said invention may be the better understood we have hereunto
appended two explanatory sheets of drawings in which the same reference
numerals are used to denote the same or like parts where shown.
Figures 1, and 2, are end and front elevations respectively of our improved
machine.
Figure 3, is a part sectional plan projected from A A Figure 1, and Figure 4,
is a complete outside plan projected from Figure 2.
Figures 5, to 18, inclusive are separate details of part of our improved machine
drawn to a larger scale for clearness, Figures 5, 6, and 7, being side elevation,
vertical section, and plan respectively of our hopper or feeding apparatus, Figures 8,
and 9, are details of the positive roller feed mechanism used in connection with
such apparatus. Figures 10, and 13, are part sections of the opposing working
headstocks of the machine, while Figures 11, and 12, show cross sections at M M
and N N of Figure 10; and Figures 14, and 15, cross sections at PP and RR of
Figure 13.
Figures 16, 17, and 18, show the sequence of operations in the introduction or
"chucking" of a blank for treatment between the heads Figures 10, and 13.
In carrying our invention into effect or practice, we arrange the mechanism of
our improved machine, so that the blanks 20, are first fed in bulk into a hopper
or trough 21, whose functions are to arrange the axes of such blanks parallel to
that of the machine mandrel. From this hopper each blank is successively passed
on to a reciprocating carrier 22, which advances it to and retains it between the
opposing portions 23, and 24, of a hollow mandrel, until the chucking
mechanism 25, connected therewith, receives and holds it. When so held and a
motion of rotation imparted to it by means of the pulley 26, bits 27, are advanced
through each of its ends, so as to each bore one half or more or less, of the required
hole 28, while simultaneously tools turn or otherwise form the outside of the
bobbin 29, as hereinafter described. It is then released and ejected and the
operation repeated with a fresh blank.
It is to be clearly understood that after the charging of the blanks in bulk, the
entire succeeding cycle of operations is rendered wholly automatic and relatively
synchronous, by the connection of the various active parts by suitably proportioned
toothed gearing 30, or equivalent positive mechanism, although any part may be
disconnected as desired. Thus the hopper feeding arrangement 21, may be dis-
connected so as to permit of feeding the carrier 22, by hand or otherwise; or the
boring mechanism 27, should spindle holes 28, not be desired.
In constructing the feeding apparatus 21, to perform its beforementioned
functions, we preferably fit its mouth with a screen or grating of rods forming
openings or shoots 31, 32, and 33, and set parallel to the mandrel axes, so as to
dispose the longitudinal axes of the entering blanks similarly parallel.

page_text: 1
In the drawings we have, with the view of avoiding confusion, shown. only one
such hopper, but we may use another as a relay or auxiliary to maintain the supply,
bringing it into action as required. In each, or where only one is used, the con-
struction and action are exactly similar. Valves or doors 34, and 35, actuated by
linkwork 36, from an eccentric 37, or the like, control and regulate the supply of
bianks 20, from the hopper 21.
A roller 38, is furnished with a groove 39, so proportioned as to just contain
one blank 20. When rotated by the crank 40, this roller carries the said blank
round so as to drop it into the carrier 22, as shown by Figure S, and returning
receives and carries forward a fresh blank until the central division or shoot 32,
is empty. Each reciprocation of the crank 40, has meantime caused the rotation
of a ratchet wheel 41, through the disc 42, and pawl 43, until, just as the last
blank from 32, is fed, the arm 44, on the wheel 41, presses back the spring
holder 45, so as to release the arm 46, which it then advances into the position
shown in the drawing; so moving the valve or door 34, through the arms or
links 48, and 49; until such valve at one movement closes the central shoot 32,
and opens the left hand shoot 31, to anew supply the roller 38. In due course
this also becomes exhausted; but now the arm 50, on the ratchet wheel 51, acts
on the arm 52, so as to open the valve 35, of the shoot 33, and close 31, and 32,
through the armis or links 55, and 56, and the said valve 35. When in turn the
shoot 33, is exhausted, the arm 53, on the back of the wheel 51, pushes the arm 54,
so as to again return the arm 52, to the spring holder 57, and so to open the central
shoot 32, which has meantime been charged with fresh blanks as the shoots 31,
and 33, may be in turn. The shoots may be made of sufficient length to each
contain a number of blanks proportionate to the number of teeth on the ratchet
wheels; and to permit of sufficient amplitude of movement in the roller 38, with-
out an unnecessary amount in such wheels, the pawl disc 42, rides loose on the
shaft 58, of the said roller, and only receives an impulse therefrom as the key 59,
thereon, impinges towards the end of its travel, on the cheeks of the segmental
slot 61, containing it.
The carrier 22, to which the blank passes is preferably of V form as shown,
and is caused to rise and fall at the proper time by a suitably designed cam 62,
acting through the linkwork 633, which is provided with slots 64, where necessary
for due adjustment and proper application of the cam's motion.
The hollow mandrel is of novel design and consists essentially of two distinct and
opposing tubes 23, and 24, on the same axis, each carried by a headstock 65.
Adjustment of the space between these headstocks as required by the length of
bank treated, is obtained by moving one or both along their slide 66, together with
the wheel 67, for transmitting motion to the pinion 68; -the shaft 69, having a
keyway 70, for this purpose, along its entire length.
One side or portion 23, of the said mandrel carries the pulley 26, for rotating
the work, which is preferably driven at high speed independently from the machine
proper, while the other side 24, is loose so that it revolves only with the work.
ach carries in a screwed socket 72, or as otherwise convenient, an interchangeable
hollow, serrated or "fork" chuck 73, suited to the character of the work it is to
hold. The driving half 23, of the mandrel rotates continuously at high speed,
and to avoid the jarring or injury consequent upon its seizing the motionless
Llank 20; we employ a novel arrangement of gradual chucking mechanism shown
in detail by Figures 10, and 13, and in sequence of operation by Figures 16, 17,
and 18. Within the driving half of the hollow mandrel but not revolving with
it, we fit a hollow gripper or tube 74, actuated by a cam 75, through the slide 76,
lever 77, arm 78, and collar 79. The blank having been raised by the carrier 22,
from the position Figure 16, into the line of the mandrel axis, the gripper tube 74,
is advanced by its cam so as to emerge from the hollow driving chuck and press
the blank on to the opposing driven chuck as shown by Figure 17. The said
side 24, which carries the latter is connected with a cam 80, through the lever 81,
and slide 82; and immediately on the blank being held by its chuck it is moved

page_text: forward by the said cam-the gripper tube meantime retiring at an equal rate-
until it forces the blank upon the fork chuck of the driving side. The carrier 22,
has also meanwhile retired and as shown in Figure 18, the boring and turning
of the now revolving blank are free to proceed. Adjustment of the levers 77,
and 81, may be obtained by the rotation of the screw 83, passing through their
screwed crossheads 84.
The boring and turning operations are now proceeded with, and in the case of
the latter we may employ any known or convenient method of forming the bobbin
profile, such as for instance by a tool or tools carried by a slide rest actuated as
in a screw cutting lathe by the leading screw or shaft 60; or as in a copying lathe.
We are aware that various machines have already been constructed for this
purpose and while we may use any of them or any part of them in connection and
gearing with our machine, we do not limit ourselves to any one of them nor do
we therefore claim or illustrate them in connection therewith.
The boring operation for which the construction of our hollow mandrel before
described is specially adapted is performed as follows.
Right and left hand non-rotating screw bits 27, are carried in non-rotating
chucks 86, keyed or guided at 87, which are again carried loosely on the inner ends
of opposite right and left hand revolving hollow screws 88, working in fixed nuts 89,
in the headstocks 65. For the actuating of these screws we provide at each end of the
machine a crank 90, of variable radius after the type used in slotting machines
and the like, and from which a connecting rod 91, passes to give reciprocating
motion to a toothed wheel segment or "quadrant" 92. This latter gears through
the wheels 93, and 67, with the pinion 68, on the shaft 95, carrying the hollow
screw, to which it thus imparts a motion first in one direction and then in the
other. The screw revolving with such shaft 95, on a sliding key, receives from
its fixed nut a motion of translation and so carries its attached but non-rotating
boring bit through the hollow mandrel into and out of the revolving work. The
travel of each bit may be regulated by the amplitude given to the crank 90, and
to prevent the bits colliding in the centre of the work, the cranks may be set out of
time, or at an angle one with the other so that the one bit may have begun to
return before the other has fully advanced as shown in Figure 18. One or both of
the bits may also be caused to travel through more than half of the work so as to
ensure a clean and complete hole. In the bit chucks 86, the hollow gripper
tube 74, and the loose or driving side 24, of the mandrel, where rotating and non-
rotating parts mutually engage, we may employ split collar, ball, white metal
strip, or other known form of anti-friction bearing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we wish it to be clearly
understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise details of construction
herein set forth and illustrated in the appended sheets of drawings, but that we
hold ourselves free to make such modifications thereof as conform with the spirit
and scope of our invention, and we declare that what we claim is:-
(1). In bobbin making machines, the hopper or feeding apparatus consisting
of the set of valve regulated shoots or screened openings 31, 32, 33, and the
carrier 22, with their actuating mechanism and appurtenances substantially as
herein before described and illustrated in the appended sheets of drawings.
(2). In bobbin making machines the hollow inandrel 23, and 24, and chuck 73,
to permit of the article held being bored within the holding limits substantially
as herein before described and illustrated in the appended sheets of drawings.
(3). In hobbin making machines the gradual chucking apparatus consisting
of the carrier 22, gripper tube 74. and loose mandrel 24, with their actuating
mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the appended
sheets of drawings.
(4). In bobbin making machines the boring apparatus consisting of right and
left hand non-rotating bits 27, screws 88, and nuts 89, quadrant 92, connecting

page_text: rod 91, and variable crank 90, for use with the hollow mandrel above claimed,
and substantially as herein before described and illustrated in the appended sheets
of drawings.
(5). In bobbin making machines, the combination of the feeding and gradual
chucking apparatus, hollow mandrel, and boring apparatus, all above claimed, to
permit of a bobbin being formed from a rough blank at one operation or handling,
when used in conjunction with known forms of apparatus for turning or otherwise
forming the bobbin profile or outside.
A. M. GRIMOND,
JAMES CRIGHTON,
Applicants.