Improvements in Machines for Centering Work for Lathes and other Machine Tools.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 8th May, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Centering Work for Lathes and
other Machine Tools.
I, LUCIUS ERSKINE WHITON, of 59 Howard Street, in the City and County
of New London and State of Connecticut, U.S.A. Manufacturer, 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 is in the class of machines specially provided for centering rods
of metal, or other material, and this present improvement relates particularly to
the manner of supporting the work while being operated upon, and to the
construction of certain elements of such machinery to the end that such elements
may be assembled and properly adjusted more readily, and with less labor, than
has been possible heretofore.
To assist in the explanation of my invention the accompanying drawings have
been provided, in which
Figure 1 is an elevation of a centering machine provided with the various
improvements hereinafter described and explained in detail.
Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the left hand portion of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the machine bed taken on line 2-2 of
Figure 2 and shows mounted on said bed, in elevation, a certain improved work
supporting vise.
Figure 4 is a view of said vise in vertical section.
Figure 5 is a plan view of said vise, showing the upper portion of its frame work
in horizontal section.
Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of a circular plate on which the vise is
pivotally supported, said view being taken on line a-x of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6.
Figure 8 is an elevation of a portion of a complete centering machine illustrating
particularly a gauge, pivotally secured to the drill-spindle frame and showing also
the manner in which, by the proper use of the latter, the said vise is adjusted on
the machine bed relatively to the drill. In this view a portion of the side of the
bed of the machine is broken away to expose to view the means provided for the
ready adjustment of said frame-work, to bring the drill in proper alignment with
the work-supporting vise.
Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of the machine bed, showing properly mounted
thereon the drill-spindle frame, also the adjusting gauge pivotally secured thereto
and the said means provided for the adjustment of the drill spindle frame.
Figure 10 illustrates the manner in which the vise is locked at any desired point
on the machine bed.
Figure 11 is a detached view of the gauge already referred to and
Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the free end of said gauge.
Machines of this class referred to consist, briefly described, of a bed portion a
upon which is properly mounted, near one end, a suitable head-block or frame
work provided with bearings that support a drill spindle c. Drill spindle c bears
one or more pulleys by means of which the machine may be connected by belt
with a suitable counter-shaft. On machine bed a (at the left hand of the head block
as here shown) is also located some suitable device by means of which work to be

page_text: drilled and centered is supported. This device is adjustable on the machine bed
either toward or away from the drill, in order to bring the work carried thereby
into engagement, or to carry the same out of contact, with said drill. It is the
aim of this invention to provide a work supporting device superior to those now in
use and to this end the vise above referred to is so constructed that it forms an
essential feature of said invention and, together with the said spindle-frame
adjustment, gauge &c., help to perfect this class of machinery and increase its
usefulness.
Referring again to the drawings, a indicates the bed of a centering machine
and b a head-block located thereon, which supports, in suitable bearings b', a drill-
spindle c. Spindle c is shown as provided with a cone-pulley c Said spindle is
shown as provided at one end with the usual operating handle c 2 and the opposite
end thereto is properly constructed to receive and support a drill c 3. d indicates
a work supporting vise as a whole, said vise being mounted over the machine bed
and capable of adjustment relatively to the drill c3. Vise d instead of being
mounted directly upon the machine bed is supported upon a circular plate e upon
which latter the said vise is centrally swivelled in a manner and for a purpose
hereinafter explained. Bed a is provided upon its upper side with tracks a
extending in the direction of and parallel to, the length thereof. Circular plate e
(supporting the vise d) rests on these ways a¹ and when desired may be moved
thereon, plate e being provided on its underside with grooves suitable to coact
with said ways. The means by which plate e may be locked on the ways a¹ and
thus be prevented from movement on the bed a after adjustment is described
hereinafter.
Referring now particularly to the construction of the work supporting vise, the
reference letter d denotes a circular base-plate forming the lower portion thereof.
When vise d is mounted upon plate e its base-plate d is swivelled to plate e as
already mentioned. From base-plate d' the main portion of the vise-frame extends
upwardly. This upwardly extending portion is located at one side of the axial
centre of the base-plate d¹ and serves to support the jaws of the vise, which latter
are denoted by letters fand g. Each jaw and g is provided with a rib extension,
denoted, respectively, by letters f' and 9', conforming in shape to, and fitted to
slide in, a dove-tail groove d 3 extending vertically in the vise-frame d, said
extensions, when thus in position, serving also to maintain jaws f and g in vertical
alignment. The letter denotes a right and left hand screw, located in the rear
portion of the dove-tail groove and extending vertically therein; the said groove
being properly chambered for the reception of said screw. The lower end of
screw his seated in the base-plate d and the upper end thereof is supported in a
suitable bearing d4 through which the screw passes, and, in order that it may be
readily rotated, a handle is secured to its upper end. Screw h engages the inner
faces of the extensions f¹ and g¹ which latter are properly threaded to coact with
said screw and it will be readily understood that the rotation of the screw / will
cause extensions f¹ and 9' to travel either toward or away from each other
according to the directions of such rotation of the screw. The screw and the
connected jaws and g may be adjusted together, vertically, a limited distance, by
means of a threaded nut 2 mounted upon the upper end of said screw. By
properly rotating said nut (which rests upon the upper end of the bearing d 4)
the screw and its connected parts may be raised or lowered slightly thus
providing a limited vertical adjustment of the vise-jaws relatively to the drill.
The grasping or clamping portions of the jaws f and g are so shaped as to best
hold the class of work for which it is desired to use the machine. As these
machines are usually used for centering the end of round rods, the confronting
clamping portions, of said jaws are here shown as provided with "V" shaped
notches 2 and 92 respectively. Should the article to be clamped be placed
between the jaws as shown in Figures 4 and 8 it will be seen, by reference to
said figures, that the jaws when brought up against the said article will tightly
grasp and hold the same. To permit jaws ƒ and g to come sufficiently close

page_text: together to clamp rods of very small diameter the jaw fis made quite thin and a
central, vertically extending opening, to coact therewith, is provided in the jaw g
(see Figures 1, 2 and 8). With jaws f and g formed as described it will be seen
that, through the proper rotation of screw h, said jaws may be so brought together
as to completely close the opening between them thereby making it possible to
clamp rods from the smallest diameter up to those of considerable size.
The preferred shape of jaws fand g, and the manner in which the same are
operated to clamp the work, is best illustrated in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 8 and, by
reference to said figures, it will be seen that that particular part or end of the
work to be centered by the drill c3 is in the same horizontal plane as said drill,
also that the longitudinal centre of the work is in vertical alignment with the
swivelled centre of the vise.
upon.
e as
It is frequently desired to center both ends of the work operated upon by this
class of machinery. To facilitate this operation the vise d is so constructed that
(excepting in cases where the piece to be centered is of unusual length) each end of
said piece may be, in turn, introduced to the drill c3. This feature avoids the
necessity of removing the work from the vise, after one end has been drilled, and
again clamping the same in order that its other end may be similarly operated
To make this possible the vise d is swivelled upon its supporting plate
already mentioned. The location of the ways, in which the vertically movable
jaws slide, at one side of the axial centre of base-plate d' should be particularly
noted. This arrangement locates the supports for the jaws, and their adjusting
devices so far back from the holding portions of the jaws that much shorter rods
may be centered than if horizontally movable jaws were provided and located one
on either side of said axial center. This will be clearly understood when it is
remembered that plate d' swings only half way around and in thus swinging, to
present opposite ends of the rod to the drill, the supports of the vise, (i.e. the
vise-frame, handle o' &c.) swing away from said drill and are never caused to pass
between said axial centre and the drill. Referring particularly to the manner in
which the swiveling is accomplished, the letter k indicates a vertical rod which
serves as an axial center on which the vise d turns. Rod k passes downward
through the plate e and is tapped into said plate. Rod k projects upward into
the base plate d' and, to secure the latter pivotally thereto, a head k¹
the upper end of said rod. When plates e and d together with rod k, are
assembled in the manner described, it will be understood that by properly rotating
the threaded rod k, said plates may be drawn tightly together, or, may be so
adjusted that the plate d may be freely turned upon the plate e.
proper adjustment has been attained, rod k may be secured against accidental
rotation by means of a set screw k2 located in said plate (see Figure 7). The
outer end of said screw k 2 projects radially from any convenient point of the
circumferential edge of the plate e.
formed on
When such
The manner in which vise d is turned upon its swivel point is shown in Figures 2
and 3 from which views it will be seen that, by the use of this feature, either end of
a piece of work supported in the vise can be readily presented to the drill in proper
position to be operated upon by the latter.
That portion of rod k projecting downward from plate e forms an element of a
certain locking device provided for securing the vise against accidental displacement
on its ways a', said locking device being fully described hereinafter.
In connection with the swiveling of vise d means is also provided to prevent any
vibration or partial revolution of the vise on its pivot, while the drill c3 is at work.
The frame work d (in which is cut the dovetail groove d3) is provided, in the
lower portion of a radial extension d 2 thereof with a vertically extending chamber m
within which is located a bolt n that is encircled by a spiral spring confined
between the enlarged head of said bolt and a shoulder m' in the chamber m the
3 tendency of said spring being to force said bolt n downward. The upper end of
bolt n is formed as a rack the teeth of which are in meshing contact with those
of a gear segment o pivotally secured at m 2 within chamber m, said segment o

page_text: Having an operating handle o' extending outward from chamber m. By means of
the operating handle o' bolt n can be raised against the pressure of its encircling
spring n'.
Plate e is provided on its upper face with two buffers e¹ located within the
circular path described by extension d2 of frame d when the vise is revolved on
the pivot ; during which movement of the vise the bolt n also rides in a circular
path upon the face of plate e. Buffers e, serve as stops to limit the rotation of
vise d to an exact half revolution (see Figure 2), the lower portion of extension d 2
coming in contact with one of the said buffers e', (or rather with the end of an
adjusting screw p located in each of said buffers) at the completion of such
half revolution in either direction. It should be noted in this connection that when
extension d 2 is in contact with either of the screws p the vise d is, or should be, in
such alignment, relatively to the drill spindle, as to properly present to the drill
any work clamped in and carried by said vise."
Plate e is provided with an oil groove e 2 concentric with rod k with the exception
that said oil groove crosses the path described by the bolt n directly in front of
each buffer el said points of crossing being denoted in the drawings by letter e 3.
Groove e 2 is made sufficiently large and of proper shape, at the points e 3 to receive
the lower end of bolt n. The instant extension d 2 comes in contact with the
screw p of either buffer the bolt n will at once snap downward into the space e 3 of
groove e 2, directly in front of said buffer, and, as a result the complete vise will be
locked in position for use (Figures 2 and 6). When it is desired to again turn the
vise the bandle o¹ is first properly operated to withdraw bolt n from the point e 3
of groove e 2. When said bolt is withdrawn, the vise is free to be swung a
half turn upon its pivot, at the completion of which half turn the extension d 2
comes in contact with the screw p of the opposite buffer and the bolt n snaps into
the space e 3 adjacent to said last named buffer, thereby again locking the vise.
It will now be readily seen that by means of screws p the buffers e need not be
accurately fitted, said screws being easily adjusted to check the rotation of vise d
at just the point desired.
That portion of the wall of groove e 2, with which the bolt comes in contact
when locked, is preferably beveled somewhat as at e 4 Figures 4, 5 and 6 to conform
with the beveled end of the bolt n. As said bolt is forced downward its spring its
end wedges against said beveled wall and thus serves to hold the vise rigidly and
prevent all possibility of vibration.
To secure disc e and its super-imposed parts in any position on bed a, within the
limits of the ways a', the following described locking device has been provided.
The lower end or rod k passes downward into the machine bed through a slot a 2
in the top thereof; said slot being of considerable length and extending in a direction
parallel to the length of the machine.
By reference to Figures 3 and 10 it will be seen that near the lower end of
said rod k is hung a bar k 3 one of whose ends lies directly beneath, and preferably
in contact with, a rod s. Rod s is parallel to the slot a 2, is of length somewhat
greater than the possible travel of the carriage and is suitably supported in
bearings in the machine bed. At one end of said machine (the left hand as
shown in the drawings) said rod k extends through the end wall of the bed and
bears upon its outer end an operating handle s'. The circumferential surface of
rod s has a flattened portion extending throughout a considerable part of its length
and such flattened portion is shown in the said Figures 3 and 10 as being in contact
with the bar k 3.
It will be apparent that should said rod s be rocked the rounded portion of its
surface will be brought as a cam into contact with the bar k 3 thus crowding said
bar downward, (sce dotted lines in Figure 10) the latter drawing with it the rod k,
causing the plate e to bind upon its ways and thus prevent accidental movement
of the plate on said ways. When rod s is again rocked to bring its flattened portion
in contact with the bar k 3 the strain is at once relieved on said rod k leaving the
plate e again free to be moved.

page_text: From the manner in which plates e and d', together with rod k, are assembled
(already fully explained) it will be apparent that any downward strain of rod k, to
clamp the plate e, will in no wise affect the plate d' to prevent the easy rotation of
the latter.
Brief reference has already been made to an important improvement embodied
in this invention relating to the manner of mounting the drill spindle frame b upon
the machine bed, comprising certain means of adjustment for said frame. This
improvement consists of securing frame b to an intermediate plate a 3 instead of
directly to the machine bed. Plate a 3 conforms in shape to the top of the machine
bed and has formed on its under side, a semi-circular rib a 4. A groove for the
reception of said rib is forined on the top central part of the machine bed, and,
when rib a 4 is in place therein the plate a 3 is capable of being rocked slightly on
said rib. It should be noted that that portion of the top of the machine bed lying
directly under the plate a 3 is sufficiently depressed so that when the plate a 3 is
in position, said plate forms practically a continuation of the bed proper of the
machine.
Plate a 3 is secured to the machine bed by means of screws a 5 certain of which
pass upward through openings in the top of the machine bed and are tapped into
the plate a 3 and others simply extend upward through the top of said machine
bed to serve as gauges or studs against which the bottom of plate a 3 may abut
and be clamped by the first mentioned screws a 5. By reference to Figures 8 and 9
it will be seen that plate a 3 may be rocked on its rib, as already described, and
that when thus rocked the frame 6 mounted thereon will be correspondingly moved.
The frame b may thus be rocked and adjusted until the drill spindle c is in the
proper position relatively to the vise d and when such position is reached it will be
apparent that, by properly manipulating the various screws a 5, the plate a 3 may
be securely locked to the machine bed a.
With the above described manner of mounting the drill spindle frame, a very
accurate adjustment of the same can be secured without the necessity of finely
fitting said frame and accurately mounting it upon the machine bed, thus avoiding
considerable labor which otherwise would be necessary.
Reference letter t denotes a gauge which is provided in connection with this
class of machines by the use of which the work may be readily adjusted relatively
to the drill. Gauge t consists of an arm pivotally secured at one end to the drill
spindle frame (see Figures 8 and 9). The free end of arm t is cup shaped as at t
and said arm is so pivoted that when properly rocked, such cup shaped portion (¹
may enclose the outer end of the drill-spindle and also the drill located therein and
when in this position the end wall of the cupped portion is in contact with and
supported by the end of the journal bearing in which the drill spindle revolves.
When in use gauge t is first rocked to the position just mentionel and the vise dis
then moved forward on its ways until the work carried thereby comes in contact
with said gauge or preferably with an adjusting screw t2 supported therein. The
screw t 2 is so adjusted in the cup-portion t¹ that when the work abuts the same,
said work is then in proper position relatively to the drill to be operated upon by
the latter. Vised is then lecked in position, gauge t is rocked out of the way and the
machine is then ready to be started. Gauge t is preferably provided with stops t 3,
which, coacting with a stud u located near the pivotal support of the gauge as
shown, serve to limit the rocking of said gauge and thus hold the same ever in
position for use.
In addition to the gauge t, an auxiliary gauge or stop w may be provided
consisting simply of a screw, supported in the frame b in the manner shown in the
Figures 1, 8 and 9. This last named gauge is useful when it is desired to regulate
the position of the vise d upon the bed, regardless of the position of the work which
said vise holds. When it is desired to use said screw-gauge w it is so adjusted as
to engage with the vise d then the latter is moved into the position desired, such
engagement preventing further movement of the vise toward the drill and forming
a stop to which the vise may be adjusted.

page_text: When it is desired to set the machine for centering both ends of several pieces
of the same length, one of said pieces is placed between the jaws fand 9 and
clamped loosely therein, the plate e and vise being for the time moved away from
the drill. The piece to be drilled is adjusted until the center of its length is
approximately over the center of the pivot bolt k. The vise is now moved toward
the drill until the end of the clamped piece abuts the gauge t. The vise is then
revolved to bring the opposite end of the piece into engagement with said gauge
and, if the two ends of the piece are found to be not equi-distant from the center
of the vise, said piece is moved longitudinally a distance sufficient to bring them
The vise and the work clamped therein, are then adjusted on ways a' until
the end of the piece again abuts the gauge t and said vise is then clamped in
position by partially rotating rod s in the manner described. Having once properly
adjusted the vise any number of pieces of a given length may be successively
clamped and drilled.
To simplify this application the machine here illustrated is shown as fitted up
with a single drill spindle. It will be readily seen however that the double form
of spindle frequently used in this class of machines could be as well mounted upon
the frame 6 without interfering in the least with the means provided for the ready
adjustment of said frame already described; said double form of spindle being
also equally operative with the form of work supporting vise described in this
present application.
The described improvements are not complicated, neither are they expensive to
produce and assemble. They add materially to the convenience of adjusting and
operating this class of machines and make it possible to produce more work in
a given time than has been heretofore possible.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In combination with a drill spindle, work supporting mechanism revolubly
mounted upon a base-plate having at opposite sides bevelled offsets e 4, a bolt
mounted in said work supporting mechanism, adapted to engage the said offsets and
an adjustable stop in the path of the radially projecting part of said work
supporting mechanism, substantially as specified.
2. In combination, a bed, a carriage mounted to slide thereon, a work-support
revolubly mounted on said carriage by means of a central bolt extending through
the base of the work support and through the said carriage and bed, a cross-bar k 3
on said bolt, and a rock shaft with flattened circumference as set forth, engaging
said cross-bar, substantially as and for the purpose specified..
3. In combination with a drill spindle and its journal bearing, a stop-gauge
consisting of a hinged arm whose free end is cupped and may be swung over said
spindle, as set forth, one end wall of said cup being in engagement with, and
supported by the said journal bearing when in use, substantially as specified.
Dated this 20th day of October 1896.
Witnesses :-
VIRLA KING WHITON.
DAVID ERSKINE WHITON.
LUCIUS ERSKINE WHITON.