IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESSES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Baird Handyside, of the Crown Iron Works,
Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESSES." A communication from abroad by E. Richard
Esmond, of New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 25th February 1879, and dated the 5th September 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Baird Handyside at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th September 1878.
JAMES BAIRD HANDYSIDE, of the Crown Iron Works, Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESSES." A communica-
tion from abroad, by E. Richard Esmond, of New York, United States of America.
This Invention comprises several improvements, some of which are applicablo
with advantage to various kinds of presses.
In one modification embodying all the improvements, pressure is applied by
means of the well-known combination of two pairs of toggle lovers with a horizontal
right-and-left screw spindle, the upper ends of the upper toggle levers being jointed
to the top stationary head of the press, whilst the lower ends of the lower toggle
levers force down the top platen on the substances or articles to be compressed
when the screw spindle is turned in the direction to draw together or straighten the
toggle levers. The upper platen is fixed to the bottom ends of two long frames,
herein-after termed followers, which pass vertically through guide slots in the fixed
head, and which have formed on their inner faces near each edge a series of sockets to
receive trunnions on the bottom ends of the lower toggle levers. The platen and
its followers are counterbalanced by means of ropes or chains passing over pulleys
to counterweights, and the platen can be easily raised or lowered to set it in any
position for starting a pressing operation, according to the depth of the substances
or articles placed beneath it, as the lower toggle levers can be made to engage with
any of the sockets of the platen followers. Also, after the platen has been forced

page_text: down to the extent corresponding to one movement of the toggle levers, a rod may
be passed through a holo in the fixed head and through the platen followers so as to
hold the platen, whilst the toggle levers are screwed outwards and made to engage
with a higher part of the followers. Then on the toggle levers being screwed in-
wards again, a further descent of the platen is obtained, and this process may be
repeated as often as the vertical height of the press will admit of it.
In order to prevent unequal action of the toggle levers on the opposite sides, the
internally screwed blocks to which the toggle levers are jointed have upper and
lower links jointed to them, and the links at one side are jointed to those at the
other side at middle positions above and below the blocks and screw spindle. These
middle joints of the links are fitted to work in vertical guide grooves formed on the
insides of the platen followers, and the arrangement is such as to prevent the screw
spindle from deviating from its proper horizontal position.
Instead of the bottom plato being stationary as in ordinary toggle lever, and
other positive action presses, it is fixed on a ram fitted to work in a cylinder as in a
hydraulic press. A pipe from the cylinder communicates with the bottom of a strong
closed vessel, which vessel is charged with air or other suitable clastic fluid, whilst
as much water or other liquid is confined in the cylinder, or partly in it, and partly
in the air vessel, as will quite fill the cylinder when the ram is in its highest posi-
tion, so that the air cannot at any time get into the cylinder. The air is charged
into the vessel by means of a pump to a pressure suited to the pressure intended to
be applied by the press. A valve is fitted to the communicating pipe for the
purpose of confining the air in the vessel, and adjustable stops are provided to
prevent the bottom plate from rising above a predetermined position. A pressure
gauge is fitted to the air vessel, and whenever the pressure applied by means of the
toggle levers is enough to depress the bottom plate at all below its position as
determined by the stops, the gauge will then serve to indicate the pressure actually
being applied by the press, so that the operators can stop the action as soon as a
pressure known to be sufficient for the purpose in view is attained.
The herein-before described combination of hydraulic ram, cylinder, and air vessel
serves many useful purposes. During the pressing operation, it acts as a yielding
block or cushion, and prevents any sudden strains from taking injurious effect. It
maintains the pressure almost to the full amount for a long time after the move-
ment of the toggle levers has been stopped, notwithstanding any yielding or
contracting of the substances or articles being pressed, whether such contraction be
due to cooling or to the exudation of oil or other fluid or to other causes. This
effect, which is of great practical importance in many kinds of pressing operations,
is due to the air in the vessel acting as a spring, whilst its action is increased in the
cylinder in the proportion of the area of the ram to the area of liquid in the air
vessel.
The arrangement may also be used so as to economise the power applied to the
press. Thus, if by means of the toggle levers a pressure is produced such as to
depress the bottom plate and thereby necessarily increase the pressure in the air
vessel, if, before slacking off the press, the valve in the communicating pipo is
closed the pressure will be confined in the vessel. Then, when about to commence
a new pressing operation, the valve may be opened, and the stored pressure be
utilized in performing the first part of the oporation by raising the bottom plate so
as to compress the substances or articles between it and the upper plate or platen,
which last must of course bo previously set down upon them and be held by being
engaged with the toggle levers, or otherwise.
The combination of the hydraulic ram, cylinder, and air vessel may be advan-
tageously used with a common screw press, or with any positive-action press.
The essential features may also be applied in connection with the upper platen of
positive-action press, and also with either upper or lower platen or plate of a
hydraulic press.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by.
the said James Baird Handyside in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st
March 1879.
JAMES BAIRD HANDYSIDE, of the Crown Iron Works, Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESSES." A communica-
tion from abroad by E. Richard Esmond, of New York, United States of America.
The said Invention comprises several improvements, some of which are applicable
with advantage to various kinds of presses.
In one modification embodying all the improvements, pressure is applied by
means of the well-known combination of two pairs of toggle levers with a horizontal
right-and-left screw spindle, the upper ends of the upper toggle lovers being jointed
to the top stationary head of the press, whilst the lower ends of the lower toggle
levers force down the top platen on the substances or articles to be compressed
when the screw spindle is turned in the direction to draw together or straighten
the toggle levers. The upper platen is fixed to the bottom ends of two long frames,
herein-after termed followers, which pass vertically through guide slots in the fixed
head, and which have formed on their inner faces near each edge a series of sockets
to receive trunnions on the bottom ends of the lower toggle levers. The platen and
its followers are counterbalanced, and the platen can be easily mised or lowered to
set it in any position for starting a pressing operation, according to the depth of the
substances or articles placed beneath it, as the lower toggle levers can be made to
engage with any of the sockets of the platen followers. Also, after the platen has
been forced down to the extent corresponding to one movement of the toggle levers,
a rod may be passed through a hole in the fixed head and through the platen
followers, so as to hold the platen whilst the toggle levers are screwed outwards and
made to engage with a higher part of the followers. Then on the toggle lovers
being screwed inwards again a further descent of the platen is obtained, and this
process may be repeated as often as the vertical height of the press will admit
of it.
Instead of the bottom plate being stationary as in ordinary toggle lever and
other positivo action presses it is fixed on a ram fitted to work in a cylinder, as in
a bydraulic press. A pipe from the cylinder communicates with the bottom of a
strong closed vessel, which vessel is charged with air or other suitable elastic fluid,
whilst as much water or other liquid is confined in the cylinder, or partly in it and
partly in the air vessel, as will quite fill the cylinder when the ram is in its highest
position, so that the air cannot at any time get into the cylinder. The air is
charged into the vessel by means of a pump to a pressure suited to the pressure
intended to be applied by the press. A pressure gauge is fitted to the air vessel,
and whenever the pressure applied by means of the toggle levers is enough to
depress the bottom plate at all below its position as determined by stops, the gauge
will then serve to indicate the pressure actually being applied by the press, so that
the operators can stop the action as soon a pressure known to be sufficient for the
purpose in view is attained.
And in order that the said Invention and the manner of performing the saine"
may be properly understood, I hereunto append two Sheets of explanatory Draw-
ings, to be herein-after referred to, and representing modifications of the improved
presses. In these Drawings, the same reference numerals are used to mark the
same or like parts wherever they are repeated.
Figure 1 on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings is a front elevation, and
Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation of a modification of press embodying the
improvements.
Figure 3 is a transverse horizontal section showing part of the platen with one of.
the followers (herein-after described) and one half of the platen of the press,

page_text: Figure 4 on Sheet 2 of the Drawings is a sectional evevation of an ordinary
screw press having part of the improvements applied to it, and Figure 5 is a
horizontal section corresponding to Figure 4.
In the modification shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, pressure is applied by means of the
well-known combination of two pairs 1, 2, of toggle levers jointed to an internally-
screwed block 3, working on a horizontal right-and-left screw spindle 4. The upper
ends of the upper pair 1 of the toggle levers are jointed to the stationary head-
stock 5, which is supported upon four rods 6 bolted to lugs on a cylinder 7, carried
upon legs 8. The platen 9 of the press is carried at the lower ends of two vertical
frames or followers 10, which pass upwards through openings or guide slots in the
headstock 5. These vertical followers 10 have formed in them, near each edge, a
series of notches or sockets 11, and into these sockets 11 trunnions on the lower
ends of the lower pair 2 of toggle levers are capable of entering successively. The
platen 9 and its followers 10 are counterbalanced by ropes or chains 12 passing
over pulleys 13 upon the headstock 5 to counterweights 14, and the platen 9 can
be easily raised or lowered to set it in any position for starting a pressing operation,
according to the depth of the substances or articles placed beneath it, as the lower
toggle levers can be made to engage with any of the sockets 11 of the platen followers
10. Also, after the platen 9 has been forced down to the extent corresponding to ono
movement of the toggle levers 1, 2, a rod may be passed through a hole 15 in the
fixed head 5 and through the platen followers 10 so as to hold the platen 9, whilst
the togle levers 1, 2, are screwed outwards and made to engage with a higher part
of the followers 10. Then, on the toggle levers 1, 2, being screwed inwards again,
a further descent of tho platen 9 is obtained, and this process may be repeated as
often as the vertical height of the press will admit of it.
The screw spindle 4 may be actuated by either the hand wheel 18 or the handled
ratchet and pawl 19.
In order to prevent unequal action of the toggle levers 1, 2, on the opposite sides,
the internally screwed blocks 3 to which the toggle levers 1, 2, are jointed have
upper and lower links 16 jointed to them, and the links at one side are jointed to
those at the other sido at middle positions above and below the blocks 3 and screw
spindle 4. These middle joints of the links 16 are fitted to work in vertical guido
grooves 17 formed on the insides of the platen followers 10, an arrangement which
prevents the screw spindle 4 from deviating from its proper horizontal position.
The bottom plate 20 of the press is fixed upon a ram 21 fitted to work in the
cylinder 7 as in a hydraulic press, and rendered water-tight by suitable packing.
A pipe 23 from the cylinder 7 communicates with the bottom of a strong closed
vessel 24, which vessel 24 is charged with air or other suitable elastic fluid, whilst
as much water or other liquid is confined in the cylinder 7, or partly in it and
partly in the air vessel 24, as will quite fill the cylinder 7 when the cam 21 is in its
highest position, so that the air cannot at any time get into the cylinder 7. The
air is charged into the vessel by means of a pump to a pressure suited to the pres-
sure intended to be applied by the press. A valve 25 is fitted to the communicating
pipe 23 for the purpose of confining the air in the vessel 24. A pressure gauge 26
is fitted to the air vessel 24, and whenever the pressure applied by means of the
toggle levers 1, 2, is enough to depress the bottom plate 20 at all below its position,
as determined by the stops 22, the gauge 26 will then serve to indicate the pressure
actually being applied by the press, so that the operators can stop the action as soon
as a pressure known to be sufficient for the purpose in view is attained. The
upward movement of the plate 20 is limited by bars 27 crossing beneath lugs on
the cylinder 7; these bars 27 have eyes in their ends, down through which project
rods 28 fixed to the plate 20, on which rods 28 nuts are screwed beneath the
bars 27.
The herein-before described combination of hydraulic ram (21), cylinder (7), and
air vessel (24) serves many useful purposes. During the pressing operation it acts
as a yielding block or cushion, and prevents any sudden strains from taking
injurious effect. It maintains the pressure almost to the full amount for a long

page_text: time after the movement of the toggle levers has been stopped, notwithstanding any
yielding or contracting of the substances or articles being pressed, whether such
contraction be due to cooling, or to the exudation of oil or other fluid, or to other
causes. This effect, which is of great practical importance in many kinds of pressing
operations, is due to the air in the vessel 24 acting as a spring whilst its action is
increased in the cylinder 7 in the proportion of the area of the ram 21 to the area
of liquid in the air vessel 24.
The arrangement may also be used so as to economise the power applied to tho
press. Thus, if by means of the toggle levers 1, 2, a pressure is produced such as to
depress the bottom plate 20, and thereby necessarily increase the pressure in the
air vessel 24, if, before slackening off the press, the valve 25 in the communicating
pipe 23 is closed, the pressure will be confined in the vessel 24. Then, when about
to commence a new pressing operation, the valve 25 may be opened and the stored
pressure be utilised in performing the first part of the operation by raising the
bottom plate 20 so as to compress the substances or articles between it and the
upper plate or platen 9, which last must of course be previously set down upon
them and be held by being engaged with the toggle levers, or otherwise.
The combination of the hydraulic ram (21), cylinder (7), and air vessel (24) may,
as shown in Figures 4 and 5, on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings, be advan-
tageously used with a common screw press, or it may be used with any positive-
action press.
The essential features may also be applied in connection with the upper platen of
a positive-action press, and also with either upper or lower platen or plate of a
hydraulic press.
Having thus particularly described the said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, as communicated to me by the said E. Richard Esmond, I have
to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise details herein described or
delineated, but that what I believe to bo novel and original, and claim as the
Invention secured to me by and in terms of the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
1. The combination with a positive-acting press of a yielding bottom plate (20),
substantially as herein-before described.
2. The combination of the right-and-left screw spindle (4), screwed blocks (3),
and toggle levers (1, 2,) with the platen (9) attached to counterbalanced fol-
lowers (10) having sockets (11) and yielding bottom plate (20), substantially as
and for the purposes herein-beforo described with reference to Figures 1, 2, on the
accompanying Drawings.
3. The arrangement of the upper and lower links (16) connected to the internally-
screwed blocks (3) on the right-and-left screw spindle (4), and guided by grooves (17)
in the followers (10), substantially as and for the purposes herein-before set forth.
4. The combination of the bottom plate (20), ram (21), with the valved communi-
cating pipe (23), closed air vessel (24), and pressure gauge (26), substantially as and
for the purposes herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Baird Handyside, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
JAMES B. HANDYSIDE (LB)