Improvements in or relating to Wood Embossing Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Wood Embossing Machines.
A communication by MARVIN B. CRIST, of Indianapolis, in the County of Marion
and State of Indiana, United States of America, Manufacturer.
I WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street Liverpool, and 6 Bank Street
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, 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 an improvement in that class of wood-embossing
machines in which the embossing is produced by means of a cylindrical die.
In this class of machines, it is found in practice that the die-shaft is liable to be
bent or deflected from the straight line, when under pressure, thus causing the
cramping of the shaft in its bearings when solid bearings are used, or an unequal
wearing of the friction-rolls, when anti-friction-roll bearings are used.
The objects of the improvements are, first, to provide for the die-shaft self
adjusting bearings which shall be adapted to yield to the deflection of said shaft
under pressure; and, second, to provide improved means for turning the die-shaft
by hand and for preventing the longitudinal movement of the die-shaft, all as
hereinafter fully set forth.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.
Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of a wood-embossing machine, having anti-
friction-roll bearings for the die-shaft and provided with the improvement.
Fig. 2 represents a front elevation of the upper part of the machine.
Fig. 3 represents, on an enlarged scale, a diametrical longitudinal section of the
die-shaft and one of its end bearings, showing the means for preventing the longi-
tudinal movement of the shaft and for turning the shaft by hand for the purpose of
adjusting the relation of the die to the work.
Fig. 4 represents an end elevation of the shaft-holding device.
Fig. 5 represents a plan of that portion of the die-shaft which engages the holding
device, shown in Fig. 4.
In the drawings, A, A, indicate the ends of the main-frame of the machine.
B, indicates the work-table which is mounted in the main-frame so as to be vertically
adjustable therein, and which carries the pressure-roll, C, whose periphery projects
slightly above the upper surface of the table. Said pressure-roll is provided with
suitable mechanism, (not shown) for rotating it.
The hollow die-shaft, D, carries the cylindrical die, E, which is opposed to the
projecting peripheral surface of the pressure-roll C.
The die-shaft is supported at each end, so as to resist upward pressure, in
bearings, F, and, G, which are each attached to the main-frame by means of a pair
of brackets H, H, rigidly bolted to the frame and forming bearings which receive a
pair of journals, I, I, which are formed on the ends of the shaft-bearing, and whose
axes are arranged at right angles to the axis of the die-shaft, so that, when the
die-shaft is deflected from its straight line by the passage of the material to be
embossed between the pressure-roll and the die, the bearing turns on its journals, I, I,
and yields to the changed position of the die-shaft. Bearings F, and G, are each
provided with a pair of anti-friction-rollers, J, J, between the peripheries of which
the die-shaft rests.
For the purpose of turning the die-shaft by hand, and for preventing end-wise
movement of the shaft when at work, a hollow hub, K, having at one end an
outwardly projecting radial flange, L, and a pair of inwardly projecting radial

page_text: lugs, M, M, is mounted in a circular bearing, N, which is secured to the outer face
of the shaft-bearing G. Each side of the flange L is provided with a circular
groove, O; and corresponding grooves are formed in the inner opposed faces
of the bearing N, and a series of balls, P, P, are mounted in said grooves so as to
form a ball-bearing for the hollow hub C, which will resist end-wise movement.
A hand-wheel, R, is secured to the outer end of hub K.
One end of the die-shaft is provided on opposite sides with open T shaped slots,
as at S, Fig. 5, which slots are adapted to receive and interlock with the inwardly
projecting lugs M, on hub K; so that, when interlocked, the shaft is held against
longitudinal movement, and the hub revolves with the shaft.
In operation, the material to be embossed, passing between the pressure-roll and
the die, springs the shaft to a greater or less extent, and the bearings for the
shaft, F, and G, yielding to the changed position of the bearing surface of the
shaft, are automatically tilted in opposite directions, and all cramping of the shaft
in its bearings, or unequal wearing of the contact surfaces of the anti-friction-rolls
is avoided.
The hub F, which prevents the longitudinal movement of the shaft, being
mounted in the bearing N which is secured to the tilting shaft-bearing, necessarily
follows the movement of said shaft-bearing and presents no obstacle to the free
rotation of the shaft.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion & in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is
1. In a wood-embossing machine, the combination with the main-frame and the
die-shaft, of a pair of bearings for said shaft which are pivotally connected to the
main frame so as to tilt thereon, the axes of said pivotal connections being arranged
at right angles to the axis of the die-shaft, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
2. In a wood-embossing machine, the combination of the main-frame, the die-shaft
carrying a cylindrical die, the pair of bearings each provided with a pair of friction-
rolls which support the die-shaft, said bearings being each provided with a pair of
journals whose axes are arranged at right angles to the axis of the die-shaft, and
the brackets secured to the main-frame and forming bearings for said journals,
whereby the die-shaft bearings are adapted to be tilted by the deflection of the
die-shaft when pressure is applied to one side of the die, all substantially as
set forth.
3. In a wood-embossing machine, the combination of the hollow hub K having
flange L and lugs M, the circular bearing N provided with balls P and arranged to
enclose said flange, and the die-shaft adapted to interlock with the said lugs, all
arranged to co-operate substantially as set forth.
Dated this 7th day of April 1893.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.