A New or Improved Process for Casting and Finishing Printers' Leads and other articles, and Machinery or Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Apr., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 6th Jan., 1893-Accepted, 25th Mar., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Process for Casting and Finishing Printers' Leads
and other articles, and Machinery or Apparatus therefor.
We GEORGE TAYLOR, of 45 Kendall Terrace Leeds, in the County of York,
Electrotyper and CHARLES JAMES WATKINSON, of Seacroft, near Leeds, aforesaid,
Electrotyper, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a new or improved process for casting and finishing
printers leads and other articles by machinery or apparatus constructed and arranged
as herein described.
Its object is to provide a simple and effective process for accurately producing
leads and other articles of predetermined width and thickness.
The
According to this invention the lead, pewter, or tin, or combinations of them, is
melted in a suitable tank, or receptacle heated by any convenient means.
tank or receptacle is provided with suitable valve or valves for controlling or
regulating the flow of the molten metal from the tank or receptacle to the casting
machine consisting of a grooved pulley and any desired number of flanged and
other pulleys of varying sizes, round or over which an endless metallic band (say of
copper or steel) passes (and is tensioned by weights or their equivalents) to which
motion is imparted from any convenient source of power. The molten metal is
conveyed from the melting tank to the casting machine by means of a trough provided
with a suitable contracted mouthpiece arranged to deliver the molten metal into the
groove formed in the periphery of a pulley or disc wheel covered by the endless
metallic band. When desired the grooved pulley may be arranged to rotate between
the flanges of one of the pulleys round which the endless metallic band passes, and
suitable guides may be provided for retaining the endless band in position on the
grooved and other pulleys. The molten metal becomes set or cast in the said
groove as it passes between the endless band and the pulley and after travelling
round in the groove with the endless band and pulley to a suitable point it is
conveyed through a guide trough (provided when desired with rollers) to the
cutting apparatus at the exit end of the said guide trough. The cutting apparatus
may consist of one or more revolving or other cutters actuated by a suitable
arrangement of shafts and gearing from any moving part of the machine. It will
readily be understood that by the above described mechanism the lead is cast in a
continuous strip which may be cut to any required length according to the timing
of the feed and cutting apparatus. After the leads are cut to length they are
conveyed through another spout to the finishing or sizing mechanism, consisting of
a pulley or disc mounted on a shaft in suitable bearings so as to receive a rotary
motion from any convenient source. The pulley or disc is armed with a jaw or
gripping device for receiving the end of the lead and causing it to be wrapped
round the periphery of the said pulley or disc. During the rotation of the pulley
or disc the lead is brought in contact with one or more revolving or stationary
cutters which pares the lead to the required width and thickness. Suitable guides
and cams are employed for holding the lead in position for releasing it from the
gripping jaw. When the lead has been pared to size it falls onto a table or
travelling sheet and may be conveyed thereby (or by hand) to and between the
straightening rollers-preferably one large and two or more smaller rollers mounted
in adjustable bearings over the periphery of the larger one to which is hinged a
table so as to impinge upon the periphery of the main straightening roller.
The leads are then ready for use.

page_text: When desired the grooved periphery of the casting machine is embossed, engraved,
or otherwise marked whereby type and other articles in continuous strips may be
produced.
Doted this Fifth dor of Anvil 1800
GEORGE TAYLOR,
CHARLES JAMES WATKINSON,
By W. Fairburn-Hart,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Process for Casting and Finishing Printers' Leads
and other articles, and Machinery or Apparatus therefor.
We, GEORGE TAYLOR of 45 Kendall Terrace, Leeds, in the County of York,
Electrotyper, and CHARLES JAMES WATKINSON, of Seacroft, near Leeds, aforesaid,
Electrotyper, 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 a new or improved process or method for casting and
finishing printers' leads and other articles by machinery or apparatus constructed
and arranged as herein described.
Its object is to provide a simple and effective process for accurately producing
leads and other articles of predetermined width and thickness.
According to this invention the method or process used for producing printers'
leads or other articles (all of which for the sake of brevity are hereafter termed the
leads) consists in first casting the leads in a continuous strip on a machine provided
with revolving pulleys over which an endless metallic band passes. Between the
periphery of one of the pulleys and the metallic band the molten metal is run, and
as it travels round with the pulley the lead becomes set in the groove of the pulley.
The continuous strip on leaving the casting machine is conveyed either by hand, or
by spouts, or travelling sheets to machinery mounted on the same or separate
framework for levelling or reducing the leads to a predetermined and uniform size,
width, and gauge, and for ending and straightening them, all of which may be
constructed as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:-
Figs. 1, 2, and 3 are respectively a side elevation, an end elevation, and a plan of
a machine for casting the leads.
Fig. 4. is an elevation of a single framework having machines for levelling or
reducing the leads to size, width, or gauge, and for cutting to length or straightening
them.
Fig. 5. is a front elevation of machine for roughly cutting the leads to the
required thickness.
Fig. 6. is a front elevation of machine for finishing the leads to size, width, and
gauge.
Fig. 7. is a front elevation of machine for ending the leads or cutting them into
lengths.
Fig. 8 is a front elevation of machine for straightening the leads.
Figs. 9 and 10 are respectively plans of' machines shown at Figs. 5 and 6.
We will first describe the machine for casting the leads, A is the framework of
the machine on which are mounted in bearings a, a, a', a', a³, a², a', a', a', a', (which in
the drawings are shown as pedestals, provided or attached to the same) the
pulleys B. Č. D. E. One or all, or any of the said pulleys may be grooved or
flanged, but in practice we prefer to cut a groove of suitable depth and width in the
periphery of the pulley C, and to provide the pulley B with flanges bb between
which the pulley C passes. Over or partially round the said pulleys is passed

page_text: an endless band F made of any suitable metal, such as for instance, copper or steel,
and hereafter termed the metallic band. For sake of clearness, we have illustrated
at Fig. 14, which is a diagram not drawn to any given scale, how we pass the
metallic band F round pulley B, under and partially around pulley C, over
pulley D, and partially round pulley E. In this diagram the pulleys are designedly
shown apart, and the belt F, in dotted lines, at a little distance from their
peripheries in order that the way in which it passes round the pulleys may be
readily traced.
The metallic band F may be tensioned by means of weights, levers, or it or their
equivalents. But a convenient method of tensioning the metallic band F is to
mount the pedestals a, a' either in slides, or to attach them to the framework A by
bolts working in slot holes a, a. To the axle or spindle e on which pulley E is
mounted, is attached the bifurcated lever e¹ to which is jointed a notched lever e.
In the notches of the lever e³ is passed a pin e mounted in the short end of the
bell crank and weighted lever e, which lever is fulcrumed to the framework A at e.
By this means the metallic band F may be drawn taut by hand before the pin e³ is
engaged with one of the notches of lever e², and afterwards tightened to the requisite
degree of tension by means of the weighted lever e*.
Above the pulley B, and attached to the framework A, is arranged a trough G,
the bottom of which is preferably, though not necessarily so, formed of a number of
rollers g, g to assist the strip in passing through the trough. At the exit end of the
said trough is provided apparatus for cutting the strips into lengths, say for example
a little over a yard, more or less, long. The cutting apparatus may consist of one
or more revolving cutters H; in the drawings one cutter mounted on the revolving
lever hand works against a stationary cutter H¹ fixed to the mouth of the trough G.
The revolving lever is mounted loosely upon the horizontal shaft carried in
bearings on the framework A. On the outer end of the said shaft h¹ is also
mounted and keyed, or otherwise fixed, a tappet piece and which is made to
engage with a pin or projection ³ on the boss of lever h. The lever his retained
in the position, shown at Fig. 1, by the ratchet wheel (fixed or formed on the
boss of lever h) and pawl until the tappet piece has been brought by the
shaft into contact with the pin h³, and is carried round with the shaft ; and during
the rotation of the lever h the shearing cutters H H₁ are made to engage together
for cutting a length off the continuous strip. A rotary motion is imparted to the
shaft from the axle of pulley B through bevel gearing I, vertical shaft 11, and
bevel gearing I. The required motion for rotating the pulley B and causing the
endless metallic band F to travel is obtained from any convenient source of power
through driving pulley J, shaft J', carried in bearings a, a, and spur gearing J².
The lead, pewter, tin, antimony, or other suitable metal, or combinations of them,
is melted in a suitable tank or receptacle of convenient size, heated by any suitable
means, and provided with one or more valves for controlling or regulating the
supply of the molten metal from the tank to the casting machine.
The molten metal is conveyed from the melting tank to the casting machine by
means of a trough provided with a suitable Vd, or contracted mouthpiece K arranged
to deliver the molten metal into the groove formed in the periphery of pulley C,
and which is partially covered by the endless metallic band F.
The molten metal after being thus run into the said groove and retained therein
by the metallic band, as it travels round with the band becomes set or cast in the
groove, and after travelling round therewith to a suitable point is raised out of the
groove by a pawl L (retained in position on the periphery of pulley C by a spring !)
which directs it into the spout G for conveyance to the cutters H, H':
It will be readily understood that the lead is cast in a continuous strip and will be
passed to the trough G and cutters H. H' so long as the supply of molten metal is
allowed to flow into the groove in pulley C and the metallic band F caused to
travel. The leads may be cut into varying lengths by means of timing the
revolution of the lever carrying the cutter H.

page_text: After the leads have been cut to length they conveyed through a spout, or by
hand, or by an endless band to the sizing and finishing machinery, which is
preferably, though not necessarily so, arranged on a lower level than the casting
machine.
In the drawings we have shown the machines for performing the various
operations of finishing the leads to size and gauge mounted upon the same frame-
work M, but we distinctly wish it to be understood that they may be arranged on
separate framework and in different positions.
N is the framework of the rough finishing machine provided with a shaft N' capable
of receiving a rotary motion from cone shaft N', which may be imparted thereto from
pulleys m on shaft m'. On the shaft N' is mounted a disc N, the periphery of which is
recessed on either side for receiving the sides of the trough No, which may be
slightly wider than the width of the finished size of the leads. The disc is provided
with a recess on which is mounted a gripper N, carried by a short shaft or trunnions
in the bearings N', fixed to each side of the disc. The requisite opening and closing
motion is imparted to the gripper by a lever N8, fixed to the gripper at one end,
and it is also attached to the sliding piece N working in the slide No (on the disc)
armed with a runner N¹¹ arranged to come in contact with the cam N (when the
gripper has to be opened) fixed to the framework N. The gripper is retained in a
closed position by means of the spring N. Above the disc is mounted a second
shaft N, on which is mounted a cutter N, capable of revolving at a high speed;
motion being conveyed thereto from any suitable source, say from pulleys m³
through pulley N. The leads to be roughed to size are passed through the
trough N to the gripper N6, which is open when opposite the trough and closes
immediately afterwards, and the lead is drawn round with the disc between the
spring guides N, N18, and the revolving cutter N15 whereby the latter removes
the surplus lead. When the disc is in the position, shown at Figs. 5, and 6,
the gripper will be about commencing to open for delivering the partly finished
lead.
The partly finished lead is then conveyed by any of the herein before named
means to a second sizing machine, which planes its edges and surface to the
required width and thickness. The main parts of this machine, as shown at
Fig. 6, are of a similar construction to those shown at Fig. 5 and are therefore
marked with the same letters of reference. But instead of having a rotary cutter,
the machine is provided with three adjustable cutters 0, 0, 0, which may be
somewhat similar to those used in joiners planes for working wood. The cutter O
is mounted in the slide O³, whereby its position may be adjusted vertically by the
screw armed with a hand wheel. The cutters O¹, O' are carried by pendant
pieces from the crosshead O' in an angular direction see Fig. 10, and are capable
of adjustment by means of set screws and slot holes in a lateral direction. Motion
for rotating the disc may be imparted to the pulley N2 from pulley m³ on shaft m'.
After the leads have been planed to size, that is width and thickness, they may then
be passed to an ending machine for cutting the leads to the finished length, this
may be done by any suitable apparatus such as a machine as shown at Fig. 7, in
which a stationary adjustable cutter P is mounted in suitable framework P¹. To
the same framework is pivotted at P³ a second cutter P, which is raised for
shearing purposes by means of an excentric P* mounted on a shaft to which motion
is imparted from say pulley m through pulley P, shaft P7, and spur gearing Pt.
But we wish it to be distinctly understood that we do not make any claim to this
form of cutting machine, as any other suitable machine would answer our purpose
equally as well.
When the leads have been "ended" they are passed to the straightening
machine, which consists of a disc Q (without a gripper) mounted on a shaft Q'
which is carried in bearings on the framework Q. A rotary motion may be
imparted to the disc Q from say pulley m through pulley Q³. Above the discQ
are mounted two rollers Q, Q, (kept in contact with the leads by springs Q*, Q*);

page_text: between the rollers and the periphery of the disc Q the leads from trough Q' (of a
similar construction to N° Figs. 5 and 6) are passed for being straightened. The
leads after passing between the periphery of the disc Q and the rollers QQ are
delivered onto the adjustable (as regards angle) receiver Q7, provided with
rollers Q ready for use. The receiver Q7 is connected to the framework at Q',
and it is also pivoted to the levers Q10, whereby its angle of inclination to the peri-
phery of the disc may be easily and readily adjusted according to the thickness of
the leads operated upon.
It will be readily understood that printers' leads, say each one yard (more or
less) or 216 ems long, and beginning at say for instance at 4 to pica, and increasing
say 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 to pica may be speedily produced with perfect accuracy,
absolutely true, and to gauge and at a reduced cost than leads cast in the ordinary
manner.
By indenting, engraving, or otherwise forming the peripheries of the pulleys B,
C, D, and E, as well as the surface of the metallic band F, other articles may be
cast, thus for instance, if it was required to cast round rods of leads such as are
used for making some class of bullets, then the groove in the pulleys would require
to be semi-circular, and a corresponding recess, would require to be provided in the
metallic band F.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
1st. The process of casting and finishing printers' leads and other articles, which
consists in first, running the molten metal, from the melting tank, between the
periphery of a grooved pulley and tensioned endless travelling metallic band for
casting it into a continuous strip, then cutting it in lengths, afterwards passing them
through planing machines having rotary discs, and rotary and stationary adjustable
cutters, for reducing them to size, width, and gauge, and finally straightening the
leads by means of a rotary disc above which are mounted two or more rollers, all
substantially as herein described and set forth.
2nd. In machinery or apparatus substantially as herein set forth for casting
printers' leads and other articles, the casting machine provided with any desired
number of pulleys, such as B, C, D, and E, over or around which is passed a
tensioned travelling metallic band, such as F between which and the periphery of
one of the pulleys the molten metal is run and cast into a continuous strip during
the motion of the said pulleys and metallic band, and afterwards conveyed through
a trough, such as G to cutting apparatus, such as H, H', all substantially as
described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.
3rd. In a machine for casting printers' leads or other articles, the metallic band,
such as F, arranged to work in conjunction with any desired number of pulleys,
such as B, C, D, E, substantially as and for the purposes described with reference
to Figs. 1 to 3.
4th. In machinery or apparatus such as herein described for casting and finishing
printers' leads or other articles, the employment and construction of the machinery
shown and described with reference to Figs. 4 to 8 either mounted upon the same
or separate framework for planeing, ending, and straightening the leads as set
forth.
5th. In machinery or apparatus such as herein described and illustrated for
producing printers' leads and other articles, the machine shown at Fig. 8 for
straightening the leads provided with a revolving disc, such as Q, over which are
mounted two or more pulleys Q, Q' for straightening the leads on the periphery
of disc Q, and conveying them to an adjustable receiver Q', substantially as herein
described.
6th. The arrangement and combination of the various parts forming the
machinery or apparatus as a whole for producing printers' leads and other articles

page_text: substantially as herein described and illustrated at Figs. 1 to 10 of the accompanying
drawings.
Dated the Fifth day of January 1893.
GEORGE TAYLOR,
CHARLES JAMES WATKINSON,
By W. Fairburn-Hart,
Agent.