Improvements in Stamps or Drop Hammers.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Sept., 1896
Complete Specification Left. 15th July, 1897--Accepted, 4th Sept., 1897
PROVISIONAL, SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Stamps or Drop Hammers.
DANIEL SMITH Castle Iron Works Raglan Street Wolverhampton Staffordshire
Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to construct what is known as an Automatic Stamp
or Drop Hammer in an improved manner. The object being to affix such gear or
lifting mechanism preferably to the Stamp block, so as to make the Stamp and the
means used to lift, and let fall the hammer, self-contained, to reduce the cost of
erection and dispense with an operator at the back or front of the stamp, whose usual
work is to raise the hammer.
In the construction it is desired to affix the lifting gear as near to the base of the
stamp block as is practicable, and to have each standard or hammer guide, adjustable
towards each other, and separable so that the hammer may be readily removed or
exchanged for one heavier or lighter to suit different kinds of work, and further, for
the purpose of more accurately & readily adjusting the hammer with its die, to
correspond with the bottom die. To secure this convenient adjustment of standards
it is important that the top of each guide standard is independent and free from all
lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism may be bolted or otherwise connected to
the top of the standards; but the standards are constructed so as to be readily
detachable from such lifting mechanism so as to allow free adjustment, and the latter
is constructed so as to be quite independent of the standards.
or on suitable
The lifting mechanism is preferably connected & supported in
brackets at the back of the block. A suitable frame extends upwards to answer the
double purpose of carrying the top lifting gear, and for supporting & steadying the
top of the guide standards, when they are secured thereto by bolts or other suitable
means.
The lifting mechanism consists of tooth gear driven by band on a pulley, causing
a slotted crank to rotate, the slot in the crank is for the purpose of determining the
lift of the hammer, this if desired is preferably augmented by the interposition of a
shaft, having a pulley, upon the periphery of this pulley the end of a band is secured
and then coiled round the aforesaid pulley, and then its free end connected by suitable
means to the revolving crank. On the same shaft over the haminer is another pulley
about double the diameter of the one just referred to, to this another band is
connected, and the fall end of the same band is connected to the hammer. Now as
the crank rotates and uncoils its band off the small pulley, it causes the larger pulley
to rotate and coil up the band, thereby raising the hammer at about double the rate
and twice the height of the stroke of the crank, by this means, or multiplying
For very heavy
mechanism, a 12" throw of crank will give a 4 feet lift of hammer.
hammers, in place of bands and pullies, tooth racks may be substituted and held into
gear by suitable triangular links with rollers, and in these cases to avoid undue
rigidity of connection between them, and the sudden lift of the hammer I may
introduce suitable springs or other means, that will yield sufficient to avoid breakages
of either rack, band or chain connections.
The initial lifting mechanism consists of a spur wheel caused to rotate freely on

page_text: the shaft of the previously mentioned crank, preferably on the side of the spur wheel
is secured a ratchet wheel, close to this, on the crank shaft, is secured a lever carrying
a spring pawl, this is allowed to engage to, at a suitable moment, with the ratchet
wheel and causes the crank shaft to rotate, thereby lifting the hammer, as the
hammer approaches its bottom centre a projection on the side of the pawl comes into
contact with a fixed sheave that lifts it out of the teeth, allowing the wheel to
continue its rotation without taking the crank over its bottom centre, immediately
this disengagement occurs, the extremity of the lever carrying the pawl, engages
between the extremities of two flat bars one yielding out of the way, allowing the
pawl lever to bump against the one in front, which is supported by suitable springs,
this arrests the motion of the crank and retains the hammer at the top of its lift,
immediately the front flap bar is pulled out of the way of the pawl lever, by hand or
treadle mechanism, the hammer falls, and as soon as it strikes the blow & rebounds
upwards, the crank's rate of motion must be so adjusted to just catch the hammer on
the bounce, this relieves the parts doing the lifting from the excessive strain
incidental to lifting the hammer from a state of settled rest. As the haminer falls,
the fixed sheaf previously referred to, that withdrew the pawl, retains the pawl from
engaging into the ratchet wheel, until the crank has turned its top centre and the
termination of the sheave allows the pawl to engage into the ratchet wheel and again
lift the hammer.
On one of the standards I form a long slot, in this slot is a screwed pin & nut that
can be moved up and down, and secured in any position but preferably a little lower
than the height to which the hammer is lifted, on this pin is a kind of shaped
lever, its vertical arm is pushed by a suitable spring or weight, under the hammer,
this is for the purpose of catching the hammer & preventing its fall in case the bands
or lifting mechanism should in any way fail. The hammer does not normally rest on
this catch, only in case of accident. The outer arm of the lever is connected by a
suitable rod to the treadle or hand motion, so that, as these are depressed, they
automatically withdraw the catch out of the way, previous to the descent of the
hammer; after the fall of the hammer a spring or weight pushes the catch into
position, the hammer automatically moving the catch back as it rises.
Dated September 14th.
Improvements in Stamps or Drop Hammers.
DANIEL SMITH, Mechanical Engineer, Castle Iron Works, Raglan Street
Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, 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 object of this invention is the construction of a stamp or drop hammer as is
usual for stamping, forging or otherwise manipulating metallic or other substances
in a cold or heated condition, such stamp being usually considered automatic when
suitable mechanism is provided that will take up the hammer to the required height
and allow it to fall; without the attendant pulling up or letting go, some means being
connected directly to the hammer whereby it is raised.
The improvements aimed at are as follows:-To construct a stamp that shall be
self contained & carry its own hammer lifting and falling mechanism, preferably in
the rear of the standards, the latter to have an in & out adjustment for the purpose
of die setting and hammer changing; such standards to have a broad base connection
to secure them to the block, so as to render top supports or steadies in the way of

page_text: cross beams to the roof or building unnecessary; and so that the standards can be
moved or adjusted without interference with the lifting mechanism.
That the lift and consequently the fall of the hammer can be varied, also the
weight of the blow reduced and a catch or suitable means provided as will prevent
the hammer from unexpectedly falling should the lifting gear give way, fail, or get
out of order. Such safety catch to be automatically reinoved when the hammer is
purposely caused to fall.
To effect these improvements I construct the automatic stamps as follows.
I use the usual anvil block, which should be from 10 to fifteen times the weight
of the hammer required; on either side of the block are extended snugs or brackets,
preferably with flat tops, grooved or of dove-tail shape; on to these the usual two
uprights or guides are securely bolted, but preferably filled with suitable means to
give to each standard or guide an in and out adjustment for the purpose of causing
each guide to accurately fit the vees or sliding surfaces of the hammer.
On the back of the block I bolt a projecting bracket, this serves the purpose of
carrying the lifting mechanism, which consists of a crank motion caused to revolve
by a spur wheel and pinion, driven by a band on a suitable pulley on the one side
of the frame, the latter extends upwards and carries in suitable bearings a spindle
free to rotate, upon which is secured a pulley, to which is attached one end of a
band of leather, steel, metallic chain, or any other more suitable material; the other or
fall end of such band is connected to the hammer. Secured on the outer end of
the top spindle is another pulley of about one half the diameter of the centre or
hammer pulley, to this pulley is connected another band, the fall end of which is
connected (through the medium of a U shaped lever) to the stud pin in the
adjustable crank previously referred to. The relation between the connection of the
band on the hammer pulley and the connections of the band on the crank pulley,
are such that as the hammer rests on the die, the band is uncoiled from around the
hammer pulley, and that on the crank pulley is coiled up, so that any palley motion
of the crank uncoils the band that connects it with the crank pulley and thereby
coils up the band that connects the hammer with the hammer pulley, causing, (in
such uncoiling of the one and coiling up of the other), the hammer to be raised to
such an extent in height as there is disproportion between the two pullies, that is,
the stroke of say a twelve inch throw crank would, by these means cause the hammer
to be raised a distance of four feet, if the ratio between the crank and hammer
pullies were two to one: so that any shortening of the crank throw would result
in a magnified shortening of the distance the hammer would be raised, and vice
versa.
In the case of heavy hammers instead of using band connections between the
haminer and crank, I may prefer to substitute tooth pinions and racks, using link
plates and rollers to embrace the mcks and keep them into gear with their respective
pinions, the rollers being to reduce the friction incidental on the sliding of the racks;
letting the two rollers form about an equilaterial triangle with the centre of the
spindle on which the pinion of the rack is secured; this applies more especially to
the rack that serves as a connecting rod to the crank, its one extremity following the
circle of the crank, and the other or rack end being a vibrating tangent to its pinion;
the rollers within the link plates on the back of the rack will, by means of their
triangular arrangement readily conform to the rack movement. The motion of the
hammer rack being always vertical one roller would suffice to keep it into gear
with its pinion. As the hammer falls on to its anvil, or material being manipulated,
a sudden rebound usually occurs, the hammer rising to a distance of from one to
several inches from its anvil; it is very important that the speed of the lifting
mechanism is such, as will conform to the velocity of this rebound; by attention to
this, the hammer is lifted with a minimum of strain on the lifting gear, that is the
initial rate of the lifting gear band or rack must be such as to take up and continue
the lift of the hammer at the terminal instant of rebound, that is, there must be no
sign of pause in the hammers ascent between the upward motion of rebound and
its further ascent; this applies to all parts of the mechanism giving motion to

page_text: the hammer, therefore, I may prefer to counter-balance the weight of the crank, and
its rack or connecting rod or any other parts that tends to the accumulation of
energy that has ultimately to he suddenly arrested in its motion or meet with
counteracting forces.
In order to give a light blow or reduce the falling effect of the hammer, I introduce
a friction block at the back of the hammer rack, this and its pinion being half
shrouded up to their respective pitch lines to prevent over deep gearing, or in case
of hand lifted hammers, I may use a friction drum preferably keyed on to the end of
the top shaft, to either of these methods of retarding the fall of the hammer, I
connect the ineans used to let the hammer fall by further continuation of the
motion, friction would be caused to operate on the drum or on the back of the rack
and thereby retard the fall of the hammer causing it to give a lighter blow.
On one or both standards I form preferably a slot, into this I fix a catch, which is
caused by a weight or spring to be always under the hammer, so that if the hammer
should be accidentally liberated at the wrong time, this catch would prevent its
further fall; this catch is connected with the hand lever or treadle motion used to
let the hammer fall, so that the forcing of the treadle downwards would serve to
automatically remove the safety catch out of the way of the hammers descent.
I will now proceed to redescribe this invention having reference to the accompanying
drawings.
The same letters of reference occuring on one or more views denote corresponding
parts.
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, is a Side Elevation of a stamp constructed according to this
invention.
Fig. 2. Sheet 1, is a front elevation with one of the guides or standards S removed,
so as to show the lifting gear at the back in section on line c, d, of Fig. 1, and the
other part sectioned on line e, f, of Fig. 1, to show detail of surew 28 for adjusting
the guide or standard S..
Fig. 3. Sheet 2, is a rack modification for lifting heavy hammers.
Fig. 4 is a plan of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a section through the line G. N. of Figs. 2 & 6, looking in direction of
arrow h.
Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation through the line c, d, of Fig. 1 & 5.
In Figs. 1 & 2, B is the anvil block, S is one of the guides or standards. D is one
of the two brackets, preferably bolted on to the back of the block B. CC are two
upright back standards resting on the brackets D, extending upwards and again
bolted to the top of the standards or guides S, by bolts n, n, for the purpose of
securing the one to the other. The standards S. are secured to the block B. by the
bolts m. passing through slot holes in the standards S, such slots being to allow the
guides or standards S. to move in and out for taking out or putting in the haminer H.
from time to time, or to take up wear and tear, when these guides or standards S, are
adjusted or noved at their bases, it is advisable to slack the bolts n, at the top of the
standards S. Either of the standards S. can be moved or adjusted without disturbing
the back standards C, or its lifting gear; the operation of which I will now proceed
to describe-In Fig. 1 & 2. Sheet 1. o is a fly shaft, driven by a band on the fast
pulley p. on this shaft is keyed a pinion q, that gears into a spur wheel r, and on
the side of this is formed or fastened a ratchet wheel s, these rotate freely on the
shaft t, on this shaft is keyed a lever u, which carries a pawl v, (the detail of this
arrangement will be seen plainer in Fig. 5 & 6. Sheet 2), that is retained against the
teeth on the ratchet wheel a, by the spiral spring w, on the adjustable pin ; as the
pawl v, engages in the teeth of the ratchet wheel 8, the latter drives the crank shaft. t.
round in the direction of the arrow y, causing the crank to pull at and uncoil the
band 2. Figs. 1 & 2 from the pulley 3, this in effect will coil the band 4 on the
pulley 5, which is keyed on the shaft 6 that rotates in the bearings 7. 7. This
uncoiling of the crank band 2, coils up the band 4, and raises the hammre H.
between the guides or standards S, to the position shown in the drawing of
Fig 1&2

page_text: Referring to Figs. 5 & 6. Sheet 2, as the crank Z, with the lever u, which are both
keyed on the shaft t, returns towards the bottom centre, the pawl v catches against
the shield 8, this serves to disengage the pawl out of the teeth of the ratchet
wheel 8, and keeps it out, allowing the ratchet wheels, to continue its rotation without
rotating the crank shaft, t. Simultaneously with this pawl v, being withdrawn, the
lever forces the flipper bar 9 (shown in broken lines through the shield 8) down
out of the way and then strikes against the end of the second flipper bar 10, this
serves as a stop, being supported by the spring 11, against the nut on the bolt 12;
the crank Z, and the lever u are adjusted at such an angle with each other, that
when the lever 1 is against the flipper bar 10, the crank Z is approaching nearly to its
bottom centre, as shown in side view Fig. 1. If it is desired to let the hammer H
fall, downward pressure is applied on the treadle 14. which is carried by the levers 15
and connected to the flipper bar 10, by the rocking levers 16 and downrod 17,
therefore, the downward motion of the treadle 14, gives a downward motion to the
flipper har 10, thereby releasing the lever u, allowing the hammer H to fall, the
weight of which pulls the shaft t, with its crank and lever u, round in the direction
of arrow y, Figs. 1 & 5, it will be clearly seen, that the pawl v. on the lever u is still
kept out of gear of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 8, by the outward extension of
the are shaped shield 8, during the fall of the hammer H, when the latter is nearing
the bottom of its descent, the pawl v passes off the upper end of the shield 8, and by the
pressure of the spring w, the pawl v again engages with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 8,
and this being the driver, takes forward the crank Z and lever a and again raises
the hammer H to the top of its lift, the lever u again coming between the flipper
bars 9 & 10 with its pawl v disengaged from the driving ratchet wheel 8. which still
continues to revolve. Any rebound from spring 11 is resisted by the spring 13 on
the opposite flipper bar, 9. Nuts 18 are for holding the shield 8, on to the cross
hars 19, and these are supported by projections 20, on the inside of back standards Cand
are firmly secured by the pins 21 of Fig. 1. Near the outer end of the shaft o, is a
loose pulley k, adjoining this is keyed a flywheel 6, which is used for raising the
hammer up by hand, for tool setting purposes. I will now describe the automatic
working of the safety catch J, this is made adjustable up and down the slot 22, of
the guide or standard S. (Fig. 7 Sheet 1 is a section of the guide or standard S on
line a-b of Fig 1 & 2 Sheet 1 showing the slot 22), the catch J being adjusted, so
as to always be close under the hammer H, when the latter is at the top of its
lift; it will clearly be seen, that the hammer H can be readily adjusted to any
height, to suit different kinds of work, this being affected by means of screw 23
adjusting the crank pin 24 up and down the slot of the crank Z. A rod 25 is
connected at the bottom to the treadle lever 15, and its upper end works in the
guide 26, bolted near the top of the guide or standard S. On this rod is a sliding
clip L, which overhangs the tail end of the catch J, as the treadle 14 is depressed to
pull down the flipper bar 10, (Fig. 4), it also withdraws the catch J, out of the path
of the hammer H really, before it commences to fall.
The use of the springs 27, which are fastened to the treadle levers 15, are for
keeping the flipper har 10 in gear, and the catch J under the hammer H. There
are no dies or tools shown in this stamp. Each guide or standard S is adjustable in
and out by the screw 28, this being accomplished by means of the nut 29 being
inserted in a slot at the bottom of the guide S. The nuts on the securing bolts m,
also the nuts n, at the top of guides S are slacked before any movement or adjust-
ment of the guides S is attempted. It will readily be seen that the guides S can be
either adjusted, removed, or the baminer H taken out without, any interference with
the back driving gear, or the back standards C that carry it. The bearings 7 & 30
in which the shafts rotate are preferably of the centre hinge type, which readily con-
form to the line of pressure; bolts 31 are for sustaining them. Fig. 6, Sheet 2, shows
the detail in section, of the parts used to effect the crank pin adjustment. The pin 24
has a solid shoulder 32, its shank has a screwed end and fitted with nuts, and by
means of these pressing on the washer 33, they grip the sides of the crank Z. The
other extremity of this pin is provided with a nut, this tightens upon a shoulder,

page_text: allowing the bush part 34 to be free to rotate on the pin 24. On the outer end of
the bush part 34, is another screwed collar or nut 35, this tightens up against a pair
of divided clips or double grooved plates 36, between which is held the slotted
connecting bar 37; the long slot in this, is to suit the variation in the thickness of
of the various kinds of tools, stretching of the bands 2 & 4, (Fig. 1 & 2 Sheet 1) and
other minor details. In case of heavy hammers I may prefer to use a toothed rack
and pinion instead of bands. Figs. 3 & 4 Sheet 2 shows this modification. H is the
hammer to which a rack 38 is connected, this gears into a pinion 39, and is kept
into gear by the roller or rollers 40, in the bracket 41, which is fastened to the top
of the back standards C. Preferably on the outer end of the spindle 6, I fix another
pinion 42 about half the size of the other pinion 39, and into this is geared a rack 43,
which is kept in gear by two or more rollers 44, that are carried in a triangular
frame 45, which swivels on the spindle 6, the object of this frame is to retain the rack
into gear, and at the same time to conform to the angular movement of the rack 43
around the pinion 42 caused by the circular motion of the crank Z. It will be
obvious that the further the two rollers 44, are apart the better.
With regard to the inodification for reducing the effect of the fall of the hammer H,
I fix on the end of shaft 6 a pulley T, (shown in detail by Figs. 8 & 9 Sheet 1),
which is embraced by a gripper brake R lined with leather or other suitable material';
the top of the brake R is preferably secured to the stay rod 50 (Fig. 1 & 2 Sheet 1)
and at the bottom of same is a bolt 48 on which a lever 46 is free to move, on the
face of the boss of the lever 46 is an incline 47 which is made to work against a
companion incline on the brake R, so that when the treadle 14 is depressed beyond
the limit of that required to release the hammer H, it pulls down the rod 49, and
the lever 46, which thereby forces the incline 47 of the lever 46, against the incline
on the brake R, thus closing it and causing it to produce friction on the pulley T,
thereby retarding the fall of the hammer H. This modification will answer for both
band and rack modes of lifting. Both racks 38 & 43 and pinions 39 & 42 are
preferably shrouded on both sides up to their respective pitch lines, so that the
shrouds of pinions 39 & 42 are in rolling contact with those of the racks 38 & 43
these serve to keep them from being forced too far into gear by the rollers 40 in the
bracket 41, and by the rollers 44 in the triangular frame 45.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of this invention, what I do
claim is as follows:-
1. The manner by which the lifting gear is sustained in the bottom of the back
standards C so that the guides or standards S may be adjusted in and out, or may
be taken away altogether without disturbing the lifting gear in the bottom of the
standards C.
2. Constructing the top of the back standards C so as to carry the top shaft 6
detached from and quite independent of the top of the guides S, but the latter
constructed so as to be free for movement and detachment, and at the same time
can be bolted to them for rigidity if desired; as herein described and shown.
3. The safety catch J constructed so that it can be readily adjusted to suit any
particular lift of the hammer H. at the same time to be sufficiently close to catch the
hammer H. with a minimum drop, so as not to be liable to break the catch or
standard S; and the means used to automatically push the catch J out of the way on
the ascent of the hammer H. and also the means used to connect the catch J to
treadle 15. So that its motion to let the hammer H fall, also, automatically removes
the end of the catch J, out of the way, as herein described and shown.
4. The rack and pinion modification Figs. 3 & 4 Sheet 2 with the bracket 41, with
one or more rollers 40 held therein, and the triangular frame 45, with two or more
rollers 44 held therein, which are used for the purpose of keeping the racks 38 and 43
in gear with their respective pinions 39 and 42, the triangular frame 45 serving the
double purpose of carrying the rollers 44, to retain the rack 43 in gear, and also for
conforming to the angular movement of the rack 43 round the pinion 42, caused
by the circular motion of the crank Z, the shrouds on the racks 38 & 43 and

page_text: pinions 39 & 42 for the purpose of keeping the racks 38 and 43 from getting too deep
in gear with their respective pinions 39 and 42.
5. The drum or pulley T, which is embraced by a suitably lined gripper brake R,
and preferably fixed on the end of shaft 6. The extremities or that part of the
brake R used to close it on the drum T are so connected with the treadle lever 15,
that its downward motion (beyond that required to liberate the hammer) would
ultimate in pressure which would close the brake R and put friction on to the
aforesaid pulley or drum T that would thereby retard the fall of the hammer H to
reduce or lighten the effect of the blow.
6. The adjustable guides S in combination with the back standards C to carry a
pulley at the top for lifting purposes.
7. The combination of the lifting gear with the back standard C and front
guides S.