Improvements in Apparatus for Making Lucifer Matches or the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 5th May, 1896-Accepted, 6th June, 1896
. COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Making Lucifer Matches or
the like.
1, JOSEPH CHARLES DONNELLY of No. 1934 North Twenty-first Street, in the
City and County of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, United States of
America, Machinist, 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 machines for making matches, having reference, more
especially, to mechanism for cutting splints from the block and assembling them
row by row in suitable plates or holders by means of which the dipping or
"heading" operation may be expeditiously effected; and to this end the invention
comprehends a novel construction and arrangement of block feeding hoppers, and
of co-acting feed mechanism therefor; a novel construction and arrangement of the
cutters and of their supporting and operating parts; a novel construction of
transfer mechanism for receiving the splints and introducing them to the dipping
plates or holders; a novel construction and arrangement of the plate supply
hopper, and of the devices for removing the plates in respect to the transfer
mechanism; and, also, various novel features of construction and organization of
parts whereby advantages are gained, as will be hereinafter described and
claimed.
In the annexed drawings-
Figure 1 is a plan of the machine with the plate-supply hopper removed and the
auxiliary wood-feeding hoppers broken away.
Figure 2 is a partial front view of the machine.
Figure 3 is a view of the left-hand side thereof.
Figure 4 is a view of the right-hand side of the machine, the exhaust fan therefor
being shown in Fig. 4.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 are separate views of certain cams hereinafter referred to.
Figure 8 is a plan of the auxiliary wood-feeding hopper.
Figure 9 is a side elevation thereof.
Figure 10 is an end view of the same.
Figure 11 is a sectional detail through the forward end of the hopper, showing
the follower and one end of the operating screw therefor.
Figure 12 is a detail of the screw driving mechanism.
Figure 13 is a plan thereof.
Figure 14 is a detail of the devices for actuating the tension rollers of the screw
driving mechanism.
Figure 15 is a plan of the cutter-bar, as attached to the reciprocating carrier,
a part of the cutter-clamp bar being broken away to show the underlying
cutters.
Figure 16 is a sectional detail through the cutter-bar, as on the line a-a of
Fig. 15.
Figure 17 is a plan of two of the cutters greatly enlarged.
Figure 18 is a sectional elevation of one of the cutters.
Figure 19 is an elevation of the splint receiving and transferring cylinder, and
its adjuncts.
Figure 20 is an end view of said cylinder, showing the ratchet-and-pawl
mechanism for intermittently rotating the same.
Figure 21 is a vertical section through a portion of the dipping plate, the transfer

page_text: cylinder, the upper portion of the carrier, the cutter-bar thereon, a feed-hopper and
a portion of the underlying exhaust chamber, the parts being shown in the
position they occupy immediately upon the introduction of a row of splints to said
plate.
Figure 22 is a sectional elevation of the carrier and the transfer cylinder showing
the air exhaust passages from the cylinder to lateral conduits on the main frame,
said carrier being represented as in its lowest position.
Figure 23 is a horizontal section, as on the line b-b of Fig. 22.
Figure 24 is a plan of the main exhaust chamber as detached from the
machine.
Figure 25 is a vertical section, as on the line c-c of Fig. 24.
Figure 26 is a plan of the duplex hopper with the cap-plates removed.
Figure 27 is a sectional detail of said hopper, as on the line d-d of Fig. 1.
Figure 28 is a sectional elevation of one set of main feed rolls, and their
immediate connections.
Figure 29 is a vertical section through a portion of the main hopper and the feed
rolls therein, as on the line e-e of Fig. 1.
Figure 30 is a detail of the pawl-and-ratchet mechanism for actuating the feed
rolls.
Figure 31 is a detail, in end view, of the lever and link connections for operating
both pawl-and-ratchet mechanisms simultaneously.
Figure 31 is a section of the main exhaust chamber, showing the lever 16 and
its fulcrum stud.
Figure 32 is a plan of the plate supply hopper.
Figure 33 is a vertical section of said hopper, showing plates therein, and one of
the feed-pawl devices.
Figure 34 is a similar section of the forward portion of said hopper.
Figure 35 is a section through one of the sides of the hopper, as on the line f-f
of Fig. 32.
Figure 36 is a front elevation of the bracket or support upon which the plates
are successively delivered from the hopper.
Figure 37 is a side view of said bracket or support.
Figure 38 is a sectional detail of the locking mechanism for the transfer cylinder
above referred to.
Figure 39 is a detail, in plan, of the main driving mechanism and immediate
connections.
The numeral designates a substantial supporting frame of appropriate shape
and size for its intended purpose; and 2 the main driving shaft to which motion is
imparted from a suitable source of power. Supported on the upper forward
portion of the main frame is a frame 3 in which are formed two converging
chambers by way of which the wood is fed to the cutters. The frame 3 thus
constitutes a duplex hopper. It comprises a channeled base 4 that is bolted to an
underlying air chamber 5 (hereinafter described) fixed between the sides of the
main frame, the rear walls of the chamber converging at a point midway of the
sides of the main frame, and the inner or discharging ends of the chambers
terminating in a common transverse line or edge that intersects the apex of the
said walls, whereby the wood discharged from each of the chambers will be fed
similarly upon such line or edge so as to present the maximum amount of material
thereto for a purpose below explained. The hoppers are covered by cap-plates 6
which are bolted to the base portion. Within each of the hoppers, near the
discharging ends thereof, are feed-rolls 7, preferably milled, by means of which
the wood is periodically fed forward. In the present instance there are two rolls
in each hopper, the same being formed on shafts 8 that extend inwardly at right
angles to the hopper, or substantially so. The shafts of the rolls in the respective
hoppers thus converge toward the median line of the machine. These shafts are
mounted in boxes 9 that are supported upon and bolted to the top of the air-
chamber 5 above referred to, and the shafts of each set of rolls are provided with

page_text: co-acting gears 10, whereby the rolls may be driven in concert. Each of the
lower shafts is extended rearwardly and journaled in a box 11 on a cross-bar of
the main frame, such extension having affixed thereto a ratchet wheel 12 with
which engages a suitable actuating pawl 13. This pawl is pivoted to the outer
arm of a rock-frame 14 that is mounted on the extension, to the end that when
said frame is oscillated, the ratchet wheel, and, perforce, the shafts and the feed
rollers are intermittently rotated. The inner arins of the respective rock-frames
are connected by means of links 15 with one arm of a bell-crank lever 16 which is
fulcrumed to a stud 16 mounted in a lug 16 on the wall of the air-chamber 5.
The other arm of this lever is connected by means of a link 17 with a crank-
arm 18 on a rock-shaft 19 which has its bearings in the side walls of the main
frame, said shaft having affixed thereto an arm 20 which rests upon and is
actuated by an appropriate cam 21 on the main driving shaft. The arm 20 is
held normally in engagement with the cam by means of a suitably-disposed
spring 20, one end of which is secured to the arm and the other end to the
main frame. (See Fig. 3.) By this construction the feed rolls are simul-
taneously operated; the contour of the cam (Fig. 5) determining their periodical
actions in harmony with the other co-acting mechanisms hereinafter described.
Within each of the hoppers there are located in rear of the feed-rolls, spring-
actuated plates 22 which are adapted to bear against blocks of wood of different
thickness and thus force them against the back or feed line of the hopper. In
the present instance these plates are fixed to vertically-disposed studs adjacent
to the forward wall of the hopper, the upper ends of the studs extending
through the cap-plate and being provided with arms 23 that are connected by
spiral springs 24, the tendency of which is to force the arms toward the center of
the hopper.
Let into the top and bottom of each of the hoppers, immediately in advance of
the feed-rolls, are plates 25 which are provided with longitudinal guide-ribs 26 into
which the opposed surfaces of the block are forced by the feed rolls, such ribs
thereby guiding and steadying the blocks as they are presented to the cutters
below described.
Extending outwardly from each of the hoppers is an auxiliary hopper 27 which
is adapted to receive the wood and to feed it into the main hopper and into the
bite of the feed rolls. This auxiliary hopper comprises a trough, one end of which
is bolted to the end of the main hopper while the other or outer end is supported
upon a suitable pedestal, such auxiliary hopper thus communicating with the main
hopper and being, in effect, a continuation thereof.
The bottom of the trough extends below the main hopper so as to form a
chamber for the reception of a screw 28 that extends the entire length of the
trough, and has its bearings in the respective ends of the latter. Arranged within
the trough is a follower 29 which is operatively engaged with the screw whereby
when the screw is turned the follower is impelled forwardly within the trough.
On the side walls of the trough are ledges 30 which are on the same horizontal
plane as the floor of the main hopper, which ledges are designed to sustain
the blocks of wood within the auxiliary hopper. Hence the follower in its
movement advances such blocks toward the main hopper.
The follower herein shown is of the following construction: 31 is a slide that is
fitted to longitudinal guide-ways in the side walls of the trough. Pivoted to this
slide, near the forward upper corner thereof, is a head 32 on the lower end of
which is a segmental nut 33 that normally engages the screw. Extending through
the upper portion of the head is a stem 34, on the forward end of which is a
transverse plate 35 that rests upon the lateral ledges in the trough, and on the rear
end of which stem is an arın 36 provided with lugs 37 that extend over upon the
respective sides of the trough. Pivoted to the upper part of the head is a hand-
lever 38 which is suitably connected by means of links with the stem. A spring
encircling the stem tends to maintain the latter, and, perforce, the plate normally
advanced. The nut being engaged with the screw, the follower is bodily advanced

page_text: thereby as above mentioned, thus effecting the feeding forward of the wood.
When the follower reached the inner end of the trough, the lugs 37 abut against
suitably-disposed studs 40 on the latter, thereby checking the progress of the
follower, in which event the motion of the screw is temporarily arrested by means
hereinafter described. To retract the follower to the outer end of the trough the
nut is disengaged from the screw and the follower drawn hack. This is effected by
forcibly grasping the hand lever 38 and a handle extension on the head, the stem
thus being retracted against the action of the spring so as to withdraw the plate
from the wood and permit the head to be swung upward on its pivot.
On the projecting end of each of the screw-shafts is a pulley 41 which is geared
by means of a belt 42 with a pulley 43 on the main driving shaft. The pulley 41
has a frictional connection with the screw-shaft, so that when the advance of the
follower is checked as above described, the resistance will overcome the frictional
In the
connection, and, in consequence, the pulley 41 will turn idly on the shaft.
present instance the connection comprises a friction head 44 affixed to the screw-
shaft, the pulley 41 being mounted on a sleeve 41" on said shaft, and being pressed
normally into engagement with the head by means of a suitably-disposed spring 45.
Other means to this end may be provided."
Mounted in close relation to each of the belts 42 is a tension roller 46 which is
so constructed and arranged that it may he engaged with or retracted from the
belt. When the roller is in its normal position it is engaged with the belt and the
latter is operatively driven by the pulley on the main shaft; but when the roller is
retracted from the belt, and the tension is thus removed, the belt is idle, and, in
consequence, the screw-shaft is quiescent. Hence by operating the tension roller
the action of the screw may be arrested at any stage of the operation of feeding
the wood in the auxiliary hopper.
The rollers for the respective belts are mounted on arms 47 that are affixed to
rock-studs 48 supported in bearings on the respective sides of the main frame.
Fast on these studs are toothed sectors 49 which are engaged by corresponding
sectors 50 on a common transverse shaft 51, which shaft is provided with a hand-
lever 52 whereby, it may be operated to effect through the co-operation of the
sectors the retraction of the tension rollers from the respective belts. Secured to
the lever, immediately above the shaft, is one end of a spiral spring 53, the other
end thereof being attached to the main frame, to the end that when the lever is
thrown rearward or forward, as the case may be, the spring, passing the center of
the shaft, maintains the lever in either position.
Simultaneously with the stopping of the auxiliary feed mechanisms, the feed
mechanisms in the main hoppers are arrested. This is attained by the provision of
a rock-arm 54 adjacent to the cam-actuated arm 20 of the main feed, which arm is
connected, by means of a link 55, with the hand-lever 52 and is provided with a
stud 56 that is adapted to be swung under a lug 57 on the underside of the arm,
and thus maintain the latter out of action with its cam; that is to say, when the
hand-lever is thrown forward, the arm is swung forward until the stud thereon
abuts against the opposed edge of the lug, which latter arrests the movement of the
lever until the arm is raised to the highest point by the cam, whereupon the lever
upon being moved farther forward, throws the stud under the lug on the arm and
the latter is thus held above the path of the cam.
Reciprocative vertically in a plane intersecting the discharging portion of the
hoppers is a series of cutters 58 which are constructed and arranged to sever
splinta from the opposed ends of the blocks in the respective hoppers as the blocks
are projected; and then to introduce the splints thus cut to a transfer mechanism,
which, in turn, punches the splints into dipping plates or holders, as hereinafter
more fully described.
The cutters herein shown comprise tubular heads 59 of novel. construction
provided with shanks 60 that are snugly fitted to parallel ways in the edge of the
cutter-har 61, and are clamped upon the latter by means of a superposed clamp-
bar 62. The bar 62 is preferably made in sections which are screwed or otherwise

page_text: secured to the cutter-bar. The clamp-bar, as I have termed it, is provided on its
under side with a longitudinal tongue or rib 63 that registers with a corresponding
groove or way in the cutter-bar, such groove or way being immediately rearward
of the series of cutter ways. The shanks of the cutters are bevelled on their upper
edges, the lower forward edge of the clamp-bar being correspondingly bevelled to
receive the shanks, to the end that when the clamp-bar is applied the cutters are
drawn thereby uniformly into line against the tongue 63 and fixedly held in
alignment. (See Figs. 15 to 18, inclusive, and Fig. 21.) When the cutters are
thus set, the tubular or working heads thereof are in the same vertical plane as the
projecting ends of the blocks in the respective hoppers, so that in the descent of
the cutters the heads will pass down into the wood and sever match splints there-
from, which cutters in their succeeding ascent will carry the splints upward above
the blocks. The lower or cutting edge of each of the heads is beveled to secure a
clean cutting action, the underportion of the shank, adjacent to the cutting edge,
having therein, concentric with the tube, a bevelled groove 64 which is designed to
prevent the jamming of the wood should a tube be broken during the operation of
the machine, the edge of the groove in that case shaving off any excess of wood
that might be forced against it. It will be observed that the lower edge of the
head is bevelled on the inside, as well as on the outside, to the end that the splint
cut from the block will be of larger diameter than the upper portion of the head,
and will be thereby compressed and held rigidly in place.
The cutter-bar is mounted upon a vertically-reciprocative carrier 65 which is
provided with lateral guides 66 fitted to ways in the main frame, said carrier being
actuated from the main driving shaft by means of eccentric 67 with which it is
connected by eccentric rods 68. The top of the carrier is beveled or inclined and.
there is interposed between such bevelled portion and the cutter-bar a correspond-
ingly-bevelled block 69, which constitutes, in effect, a sliding wedge by the
longitudinal movement of which the cutter-bar and its cutters, may be adjusted
vertically in a horizontal plane. Fitted to one of the guides 66 is a set-screw 70
which bears against the larger end of the wedge, so that by properly manipulating
the screw the wedge may be moved inward to effect nice adjustment of the parts.
The cutter-bar is held fixedly in its positions of adjustment by means of depending
screws 71, the heads of which are fitted to recesses 72 in the carrier. The wedge
is provided with vertical channels to permit the free passage of the screws.
The cutter-bar is detachably held in and between the lateral guides of the
carrier by means of lock-screws 73 which are fitted to the said guides, adjacent to
the ends of the bar, in such manner that the screw-heads, which are each cut away
on one side, may be turned against or away from the end flanged on the forward
corners of the bar. (See Fig. 15.)
The lower forward edge of the duplex hopper has secured thereto, in the path of
the cutter-heads, a metallic cutter-strip 74 upon which are preferably formed
projections 75 that register with the cutter tubes, so as to effect a clean cutting of
the splints from the lower end of the block. The front edge or face of the strip
is bevelled, or inclined, as at 76 to form in conjunction with a projecting portion 76*
of the bar 61 a cutting factor should a cutter-head be broken, and also to secure
clearance for the waste material from the blocks of wood. (See Fig. 21.)
Between the duplex hopper and the carrier is formed a space or conduit 77 into
which the waste material is discharged, the opposed face of the carrier being covered
by a plate 78. The lower portion of the space or conduit communicates directly
with the exhaust chamber (5) above referred to, which chamber is connected, by
means of a pipe 5, with a fan or exhaust engine (Fig. 44) which exhausts the air
from the chamber and effects, amongst other things, hereinafter specifically named,
the final and effective discharge of the waste material.
The ends of the exhaust chamber 5 communicate directly with and virtually
form a part of pockets or conduits 79 on the respective sides of the main frame,
which pockets or conduits open into the guide-way for the reciprocative
carrier.

page_text: The side guides 66 which work in these ways are hollow or tubular at and
above the lateral conduits, and have communication with the latter by openings 80,
the relation of the parts being such that the communication thus had is unaffected
during the reciprocation of the carrier, for a purpose directly explained.
Mounted in bearings in the hollow side guides of the carrier, immediately above
the cutter-bar and parallel therewith, is a rotatable hollow cylinder 81, the ends
of which are headed and provided with axial studs or trunnions 82. The cylinder
is provided at its ends with peripheral openings 83 that communicate with the
hollow guides so that, through the connections described, the air will be continually
exhausted from the cylinder. In the cylinder are two series of circumferential
openings 84 that communicate with the interior of the cylinder; the two series
being diametrically opposite to each other. The openings in each series are formed
at right angles to the axial line of the cylinder, and the disposition of the cylinder
is such that when the cylinder is in one position the openings occupy a vertical
position, one set thereof being directly above and in line with the underlying
cutters; and when the cylinder is turned a half revolution the other openings
occupy a corresponding position in respect to the cutters.
By the above construction it will be obvious that when the carrier is lowered to
effect the cutting of the splints as previously described, the cylinder will be
lowered therewith, and that since the vertically-disposed slots in the cylinder are
in alignment with the cutters, the slots, in their descent, will embrace the
individual splints. Hence when the carrier is raised the lower ends of the splints
will be held in the cutters and the upper ends thereof will lie in the slots; the air
as it is exhausted from the cylinder in the manner explained thus tending to draw
the ends forcibly into the slots. In the succeeding descent of the carrier, the
position of the cylinder relative to the cutters being unchanged, and the blocks in
the hoppers having been advanced by the feed-rolls, the cutters strike the blocks
to cut another row of splints therefrom, the ends of the previously-cut splints thus
being thrust from the cutters, and the cylinder being turned a half revolution in
the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 21, so as to bring the second series of
slots into position to receive the succeeding row of splints in like manner.
When
the splints are released from the cutters they are held against the cylinder by
suction, and are, therefore, turned by and upon the cylinder. The sides of the
slot in the patli traversed by the splints are extended so as to form bearing
surfaces 85 for the splints, the upper ends of which latter as they are thrust from
the cutters extending against or adjacent to a longitudinal abutment or thrust
bar 86 on the cylinder. This bar, when the cylinder and splints are turned as
above stated, and the carrier is moved upward, bears against the opposed ends of
the splints and thrusts their upper or free ends into engagement with a superposed
plate or holder such as hereinafter described. The plate is advanced step-by-step
so as to receive the succeeding rows of splints which are similarly brought forward
by the cylinder and forced upward thereby, it being understood that there is a
properly-disposed abutment bar for each series of slots.
I preferably, though not essentially, gradually reduce the openings of each series
from the central opening to the end openings, so that as the air is exhausted
from the ends of the cylinder a uniform suction upon the several splints will be
effected.
Although any appropriate mechanism may be employed for turning the cylinder,
and locking it temporarily in its successive positions relatively to the cutters, I have
shown to this end simple and efficient means which I shall proceed to describe,
reference being had more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 4, 6, 19, 20 and 38 of the
drawings: On one end of the cylinder, or to the projecting head thereof, is fixed a
ratchet wheel 87 having two oppositely-disposed teeth, and adjacent to this wheel
is loosely mounted a sleeve 88 provided with a projecting arm 89 carrying a pawl 90
that co-acts with the teeth of the ratchet wheel. Formed on or secured to the
sleeve is a pinion 91 with which engages a vertically-arranged rack 92 which
is guided in boxes 93 in the top and bottom walls of the conduit 79. The lower

page_text: end of the rack is connected by means of a link 94 with a rock-arm 95 one end of
which is loosely mounted on the shaft 19, while the other or free end engages a
face cam 96 (Fig. 6) on the main driving shaft, such cam thus controlling the
operation of the rack. The construction of the parts is such that when the carrier
is in the extreme upward position, preparatory to its descent to release the splints
from the cutters, as above stated, the pawl lies slightly forward of the opposed
tooth of the ratchet wheel, as seen in Fig. 20. When the splints have been
released from the cutters the pawl is in engagement with the tooth, and as
the carrier continues its descent the pinion and pawl being turned through the
medium of the rack, the ratchet wheel, and, perforce, the cylinder with its com-
plement of splints, are turned a half revolution. During the continued descent of
the carrier, and its appurtenances, the cylinder is locked against rotary movement,
the rack during such movement being lowered through the contour of the cam
at the same speed relatively as the descent of the pinion. The rack and pinion
are correspondingly operated in concert during the succeeding ascent of the
cylinder, and in the next following descent of the parts the pawl is similarly
actuated in respect to the second tooth on the ratchet wheel, the cylinder is locked
in position, and a repetition of the previously described operation is effected.
In the hub of the ratchet wheel 87, and also in a collar 97 which is affixed to the
stud or trunnion on the opposite head of the cylinder, are two diametrically-opposite
holes 98 with which are adapted to be engaged at predetermined intervals vertically
reciprocative bolts 99 fitted to brackets 100 on the respective sides of the carriage.
Journaled in bearings in the carrier is a rock-shaft 101, on the respective ends of
which are crank-arms 102 that are linked with the longer arms of levers 103
fulcrumed on the sides of the carriage, the shorter arms of the levers being
connected with the bolts respectively. On the body of the rock-shaft is a crank-
arm 104 which is connected by means of a link 105 with a rock-arm 106, one end,
of which is loosely mounted on the shaft 19 and the other or free end rides upon
an appropriate cam 107. The arm 106 is held yieldingly upon the can by means
of a stout spring 108, one end of which is secured to the arm and the other end to
the main frame. The contour of the cam (see Fig. 7) is such that when the cylinder
has been set in respect to the cutters as herein before stated, the rock-shaft is
turned to effect, through the intermediate connections, the projection of the bolts
into the opposed openings or recesses in the respective ends of the cylinder,
thus locking the latter in place, and that, preparatory to the partial rotation of
the cylinder, the rock-shaft is turned to retract the bolts and thus free the
cylinder.
Referring to the rack mechanism into which the splints are projected, row by
row, from the cylinder as above mentioned, 108 designates a rectangular hopper
which is secured to the top of the main frame by means of tie-rods 109. This
hopper is open at top and bottom, its sides being provided on their lower inner
edges with horizontal flanges 110, and, at intervals apart, above said flanges, with
vertically-disposed tapering ribs 111. The flanges are foreshortened at the forward
end of the hopper, such end being reduced or cut-away the thickness of a plate
above the upper surfaces of the Hanges, or substantially so, for a purpose below
explained. In the inner side of the rear wall of the hopper is secured a strip 112,
which forms a ledge slightly above the plane of the Hanges. The plates 113 are
piled in the hopper, one upon another, the rear end of the lower-most plate resting
upon the ledge 112, and the forward portion thereof bearing upon the underlying
ends of the flanges, such ends being preferably reinforced by tapering pieces 114
of hardened steel let into the same. The rack-plates are each provided with
parallel rows of holes for the reception of the splints, each plate being provided
on its under side, near its respective lateral edges, with longitudinal racks 115 whose
teeth are equal in number and position to the rows of holes in the plate.
Engaging the teeth of the respective racks on the lowermost plate are pawls 116,
the arms of which are fixed to studs 117 mounted in bearings in the respective sides

page_text: of the main frame, just forward of the hopper, whereby when the said studs are
oscillated the engaged plate is moved forward step-by-step to present a row of
holds to each succeeding row of splints in the transfer cylinder; the plate thus
being withdrawn through the reduced forward end of the hopper. As this end is
immediately above the acting thrust-bar in the underlying transfer cylinder, such
end performs the function of a "backer" to sustain the plate during the introduction
of the splints thereto.
In the first step of the plate it is disengaged from the ledge so as to bear
throughout the length of the lateral supporting flanges in the hopper, the
contiguous plate thus resting upon the ledge. Owing to the pieces 114 on the
forward ends of the flanges being bevelled on their upper faces, as shown,
the plate drops squarely upon the same, instead of upon the corners of such
pieces, and hence the otherwise liability of breaking the corners by the impact of
the plate is obviated.
By the foregoing construction of the plate supply hopper the lowermost plate
during its forward movement is relieved materially from the great weight of the
superposed plates, since the latter only hear upon the forward portion of the bottom
plate. Inasmuch as the plates rest more or less upon the ribs in the hopper the
weight upon the bottom plate is also thereby considerably reduced. Besides, these
ribs obviate all liability of the plates binding against the walls of the hopper, and,
at the same time, insure the proper position of the lowermost plate in respect to
the pawls and the underlying transfer cylinder.
In the present instance the studs 117 are provided on their outer ends with
arms 118 that are connected by links 119 with rearwardly-arranged levers 120 that
are in turn connected by means of links 121 with arms 122 fixed on the rock-
shaft 19, herein before described, whereby during the operation of the shaft the
pawls 116 are periodically actuated.
Secured to the respective sides of the frame-work just forward of the plate-
supply hopper 108 is a bracket 123 which is provided with suitably-disposed
ledges 124 upon which the respective edges of the plates are supported as they are
ejected from the hopper. The succeeding plates with their complements of splints
are removed from the bracket manually or automatically, as desired.
Although any suitable mechanism may be employed for throwing the machine
into and out of operation, as desired, yet I prefer to mount the driving pulley 125
loosely upon the main shaft 2, and provide an appropriate clutch, 126, whereby it
may be made fast or loose as required. As the clutch herein shown is a toggle-
clutch of usual and well-known construction no particular description thereof is
necessary.
It is connected with one arm of a bell-crank lever 127 that is fulcrumed
to a bracket on the inner side of the main frame, the other arm of the iever
projecting through a slot in the side of the frame and being connected by means of
a link 128 with the shorter arm of a suitable hand lever 129, whereby the clutch
may be readily thrown into and out of gear with the driving pulley. Mounted
below the cam 96 (which is fixed to the main shaft) is a brake-lever 130, one arm
of which carries a brake-shoe 131, while the other arm is provided with a cam
surface 132. Bearing upon this surface is a roller 133 on the lower arm of a
lever 134 that is fulcrumed on the side of the main frame, the other arm of the lever
being pivotally connected with the link 128, and the several parts being so
constructed and relatively arranged that when the hand-lever is operated to retract
the clutch from the pulley, the lever 134 bears upon the cam surface of the brake
lever and forces the brake shoe thereof against the periphery of the cam 96;
thereby insuring the rapid and effectual stopping of the entire mechanism.
Secured to the lever 134 directly above its fulcrum, is one end of a spiral
spring 135, the other end thereof being attached to the main frame, to the end that
when the lever is thrown forward to disengage the clutch and apply the brake, or
is moved rearward to engage the clutch and release the brake, as occasion may
require, the spring passing the center of the fulcrum maintains the lever in either
predetermined position.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a match-making machine, the combination, with splint-cutting mechanism,
of two converging feed hoppers, the bottoms of which are on the same horizontal
plane and the inner or discharging ends of which terminate in a common transverse
line or edge in the path of the splint-cutting mechanism, whereby there is cut
simultaneously from separate blocks of wood a row of uniformly separated splints,
substantially as described.
2. In a match-making machine, the combination, with splint-cutting mechanism,
of two feed hoppers, the rear walls of which converge centrally of the cutting
mechanism and the inner or discharging ends of the two hoppers terminate in a
common transverse line or edge that intersects the apex of said walls, substantially
as described.
3. In a match-making machine, the combination with a feed hopper, of feed
mechanism therein, and automatically-yielding plates in rear of said mechanism,
pivotal studs for said plates, opposite arms on the studs of the successive plates, and
springs connecting the arms successively, whereby the plates bear against blocks
of different thickness and force them against the back or feed line of the hopper,
substantially as described.
4. In a match-making machine, the combination, with a feed hopper provided
with guide ribs therein, of a feed mechanism in rear of said ribs, and automatically-
yielding presser plates in rear of said mechanism, pivotal studs for said plates,
opposite arms on the studs of the successive plates, and springs connecting the arms
successively, substantially as described.
5. In a match-making machine, the combination, with splint-cutting mechanism,
of two feed hoppers converging toward the same, the bottoms of which hoppers are
on the same horizontal plane and the inner or discharging ends of which terminate
in a common transverse line or edge in the path of the splint-cutting mechanism,
feed mechanisms in said hoppers, respectively, and means for simultaneously
actuating said feed mechanisms, whereby there is cut simultaneously from separate
blocks of wood a row of uniformly separated splints, substantially as described.
6. In a match-making machine, the combination, with splint-cutting mechanism,
of two feed hoppers converging toward the same, the bottoms of which hoppers are
on the same horizontal plane and the inner or discharging ends of which terminate
in a common transverse line or edge in the path of the splint-cutting mechanism,
feed rolls in the respective hoppers, the shafts of said rolls converging toward the
median line of the machine, and means for simultaneously actuating said shafts,
substantially as described.
7. In a match-making machine, the combination, with splint-cutting mechanism,
of two feed hoppers converging toward the same, the bottoms of which hoppers are
on the same horizontal plane and the inner or discharging ends of which terminate
in a common transverse line or edge in the path of the splint-cutting mechanism,
feed rolls in the respective hoppers, the shafts of said rolls converging toward the
median line of the machine, co-acting gearing on the shafts of each set of rolls,
pawl-and-ratchet mechanism for actuating said shafts, a driving shaft, a cam
thereon, and operative connections between said cam and the pawl-and-ratchet
mechanism, substantially as described.
8. In a match-making machine, the combination, with the auxiliary bopper, of
a longitudinal screw-shaft therein, means for operating said shaft, and a follower in
said hopper comprising a slide guided in the hopper, a head pivoted thereto
provided with a segmental nut which engaged the screw-shaft, a bearing plate on
said follower having independent movement longitudinally of the follower, and
means for independently moving said plate, substantially as described.
9. In a match-making machine, the combination, with an auxiliary hopper, of a
longitudinal serew-shaft therein, means for operating said shaft, and a follower in
said hopper comprising a slide guided in the hopper, a head pivoted thereto
B

page_text: provided with a segmental nut which engages the screw-shaft, a stem extending
through the upper portion of the head, a plate on said stem, a spring tending to
maintain the stem and plate normally advanced, and means for retracting said
stem and plate against the action of the spring, substantially as described.
10. In a match-making machine, the combination, with an auxiliary hopper,.
provided with a stop near the forward or discharging end thereof, a longitudinal
screw-shaft in said hopper, a friction pulley on said shaft, a driving shaft, a pulley
on said shaft, a belt cnnecting said pulleys, a belt tension roller, and its supporting
and operating parts, of a follower in said hopper comprising a slide, a head pivoted
thereto provided with a segmental nut which engages the screw-shaft, a bearing
plate on the forward end of the head, means whereby said plate is longitudinally
movable in respect to, and independently of, the head and stops on the follower
adapted to abut against the stops first-named, substantially as described.
11. In a match-making machine, the auxiliary hopper, a follower therein, a shaft
for actuating said follower, a frictional pulley on said shaft, a driving shaft, a
pulley on said shaft, a belt connecting said pulleys, a belt-tension roller, an arm
supporting said roller, a rock-stud for said arm, a toothed sector on said stud, a
sector co-acting therewith, a shaft for said latter sector, and means for operating
said latter shaft, substantially as described.
12. In a match-making machine, the combination, with splint-cutting mechanism,
the converging main hoppers, the bottoms of which are on the same horizontal plane
and the inner or discharging ends of which terminate in a common transverse line
in the path of the splint-cutting mechanism, the feed mechanisms in said hoppers,
and means for simultaneously operating said mechanisms, of auxiliary hoppers,
auxiliary feed mechanisms therein, means for actuating said last-named feed
mechanisms simultaneously, and means for automatically rendering the same inactive
independently of the first-named feed mechanisms, substantially as described.
13. In a match-making machine, the combination of a main feed hopper, feed
mechanism therein, a main driving shaft, operative connections between said shaft
and feed mechanism, an auxiliary feed hopper communicating with the main
hopper, feed mechanism in said auxiliary feed hopper communicating with the
main hopper, and means for arresting said latter feed mechanism and thereupon
automatically throwing the said connections out of operative position, substantially
as described.
14. In a match-making machine, the combination, with a main feed hopper, feed
mechanism therein, a main driving shaft, a cam thereon, connections between said
cam and feed mechanism, of an auxiliary feed hopper communicating with the
main hopper, feed mechanism in said auxiliary hopper, and means for simultaneously
arresting said last-named feed mechanism and moving the said connections above
the path of the cam, substantially as described.
15. In a match-making machine, a splint cutter comprising a hollow tubular
head, provided with a shank, the lower or cutting portion of the head being
internally and externally bevelled, to the end that the splint cut from the block will
be of larger diameter than the inner upper portion of the head and will be thereby
compressed and held rigidly therein, substantially as described.
16. In a match-making machine, the combination, with a cutter bar, of cutters
thereon provided with shanks having their upper surfaces beveled downward in
respect to the forward end of the shanks, and a clamp-bar bevelled coincidently
with said shanks, superposed on the latter, and secured to the cutter-bar, together
with a tongue or rib against which the ends of the cutter-shanks are drawn when
the clamp-bar is applied, substantially as described.
17. In a match-making machine, the combination, with a cutter-bar provided
with a longitudinal groove or way therein, and with transverse interspaces com-
municating with said way, of cutters provided with shanks having their upper
surfaces bevelled downward in respect to the forward ends of the shanks, which
sbanks are fitted to said interspaces, and a clamp-bar provided with a longitudinal
tongue or rib that registers with said groove or way, and with a bevelled portion

page_text: that is superposed on the shanks, whereby the cutters are drawn uniformly into line
against said tongue or rib and fixedly held in alignment, substantially as described.
18. In a machine for making matches, the combination, with a cutter-bar, of
cutters thereon provided with shanks, having their upper surfaces bevelled
downward in respect to the forward ends of the shanks, and a superposed clamp
constructed to engage said bevelled surfaces, whereby said shanks are clamped on
the bar and drawn up into alignment, substantially as described.
19. In a match-making machine, the combination, with a cutter-bar, of cutters
thereon provided with shanks which are rearwardly enlarged so as to be wedge-
shaped in vertical longitudinal section, and a bar imposed on said shanks and
adapted to draw them into alignment and clamp them fixedly therein, substantially
as described.
20. In a match-making machine, the combination, with a reciprocative carrier
having its upper edge bevelled or inclined, of a longitudinally-movable wedge
having a correspondingly-bevelled face imposed upon said edge, a cutter.supporting
bar imposed on the upper or horizontal face of said wedge, and means for guiding
the bar vertically during the longitudinal movement of the wedge, together with a
splint-receiving device mounted above the cutter-supporting bar, substantially as
described.
21. In a match-making machine, the combination, with a carrier, and a vertically
adjustable cutter-supporting bar thereon, of an adjustable wedge interposed between
said bar and carrier, means for longitudinally moving the wedge, and vertically-
adjustable means connecting said bar to the carrier and adapted to secure the bar
in its position of adjustment, together with a splint-receiving device mounted above
the cutter-supporting bar, substantially as described.
22. In a match-making machine, the combination, of a reciprocating cutter head
carrying a line of cutters, means for feeding stock to said cutters whereby a row
of splints is produced, a transfer device mounted above the cutters in said head
and adapted to receive the successive rows of splints from the cutters, means for
actuating said device independently of the cutter-head, and a splint-receiving plate
adjacent to said device and adapted to receive the splints therefrom, substantially
as described.
23. In a match-making machine, the combination of a reciprocating cutter-head
carrying a line of cutters, means for feeding stock to said cutters whereby a row
of splints is produced, a hollow transfer device mounted above said head, means
for exhausting air from said device to the end that the row of splints will be drawn
thereto by suction, and means whereby said splints are thrust from the said device
into a splint-receiving plate, substantially as described.
24. In a match-making machine, the combination of a reciprocating cutter head,
a transfer device mounted thereon, means for moving said device independently of
the cutter head, and a splint-receiving plate or holder adjacent to said device
substantially as described.
25. In a inatch-making machine, the combination of a reciprocating cutter head,
a transfer device mounted thereon, an abutment co-acting with said transfer
device, means for moving said device independently of the cutter head, and a
splint-receiving plate or holder adjacent to said device, substantially as described.
26. In a match-making machine, the combination of a reciprocating head, a
rotatable cylinder mounted thereon, said cylinder having provisions for receiving
and retaining the splints as they are cut, an abutment or thrust bar on the cylinder,
a splint receiving plate or holder adjacent to the cylinder, and means for rotating
said cylinder, substantially as described.
27. The combination, with a source of splint, supply, of a plate or holder, and a
chambered structure in which a current of air is induced, the same being constructed
to receive one end of a row of splints and to effect the engagement of the opposite
end thereof with said plate, substantially as described.
28. The combination with a source of splint supply, of a splint-receiving
device, means whereby a current of air is induced to effect the end wise

page_text: engagement of the splints with said device, and a plate or holder to which
the ends of the splints are subsequently presented, by said receiving device,
substantially as described.
29. The combination of a reciprocative splint receiving device, actuating
mechanism therefor, means for exhausting the air from said device, means
for presenting or directing splints to said device, and a plate or holder to which
the splints are subsequently directed by said device, substantially as described.
30. The combination of a reciprocating cutter-head, a rotatable transfer
device mounted thereon, and provided with ways or openings to receive one
end of a row of splints at intervals apart, and a splint-receiving plate or holder into
which the opposite ends of the splints are introduced, substantially as described.
31. The combination of a reciprocating cutter head, a rotatable transfer device
mounted thereon, means for intermittently rotating said device, and means for
removing the splints therefrom while the cylinder is at rest, substantially as
described.
32. The combination of reciprocating cutter-head, a rotatable transfer
device mounted thereon, means for exhausting air from said device, means for
intermittently rotating the same, and a splint receiving plate or holder into
which the splints are thrust by said device, substantially as described.
33. The combination of a reciprocating cutter head, means for feeding wood
thereto, a transfer device mounted on said head, means for exhausting air from
said device, and a splint-receiving plate or holder into which the splints are thrust,
substantially as described.
34. The combination of a reciprocating cutter-head, means for feeding wood,
thereto, a rotatable transfer cylinder mounted on said head, said cylinder being
provided with circumferential openings to which the splints are laterally applied,
means for exhausting air from said cylinder, and a splint receiving plate or holder
into which the splints are thrust by said cylinder, substantially as described.
35. The combination of a reciprocating cutter-head, means for feeding wood
thereto, a rotatable transfer device mounted on said head, means for intermittently
rotating said device, a splint receiving plate or holder into which the splints are
inserted by the transfer device, and means for temporarily locking said device,
substantially as described.
36. The combination, with a carrier provided with hollow guides, the supporting
and operating parts for said carrier, of a hollow splint receiving device commu-
nicating with said guides, means for exhausting the air from said device by way of
the guides, means for presenting or directing splints to said device, and a plate or
bolder into which the splints are end wise inserted by said device, substantially as
described.
37. The combination, with a carrier provided with hollow guides, the supporting
and operating parts for said carrier, of a hollow rotatable device communicating
with said guides, means for exhausting the air from said device by way of the
guides, means for directing or presenting splints to said device, a plate or holder,
and means for actuating said device to effect the introduction of the splints
end wise to said plate or holder, substantially as described.
38. In a match-making machine, the combination, with a carrier, its supporting
and operating parts, cutters on said carrier, and means for feeding wood to the
cutters, of a transfer device mounted on the carrier and adapted to receive the
splints as they are cut, means for exhausting the air from said device, and a rack
or holder to which the splints are directed by the transfer device, substantially as
described.
39. In a match-making machine, the combination, with a carrier, its supporting
and operating parts, cutters on said carrier, and means for feeding wood to the
cutters, of a rotatable transfer device, mounted on said carrier, means for
intermittently rotating the same, and a plate or holder to which the splints are
directed by the transfer device, substantially as described.
40. In a match-making machine, the combination, with a carrier, its supporting

page_text: and operating parts, cutters on said carrier, and means for feeding the wood to
the cutters, of a rotatable transfer device, mounted on said carrier, means for
exhausting the air therefrom, means for intermittently rotating said device, and a
plate or holder to which the splints are directed by the transfer device,.
substantially as described.
41. In a match-making machine, the combination, with a carrier, its supporting
and operating parts, cutters on said carrier, and means for feeding wood to the
cutters, of a rotatable transfer device mounted on said carrier, means for
intermittently rotating the same, and a plate or holder to which the splints are
directed by the transfer device, together with means for temporarily locking said
device, substantially as described.
42. In a match-making machine, the combination, with a carrier provided with
hollow guides, the supporting and operating parts for said carrier, cutters on the
carrier, and means for feeding wood to the cutters, of a hollow transfer device
mounted on the carrier and communicating with said guides, means for exhausting
air from the device by way of said guides, and a plate or holder to which the
splints are directed by the transfer device, substantially as described.
43. In a match-making machine, the combination, with the cutters, and means
for supporting and operating the same, of a rotatable cylinder mounted on the
carrier and provided with circumferential openings or slots corresponding in
number and position with the cutters so as to receive the splints as they are cut,
means for exhausting the air from said cylinder, and means for intermittently
turning the cylinder, substantially as described.
44. In a match-making machine, the combination, with the cutters, and means
for supporting and operating the same, of a rotatable cylinder provided with
circumferential openings or slots corresponding in number and position with the
cutters so as to receive the splints as they are cut, said openings or slots being
graduated in size as described, means for exhausting the air from the ends of said
cylinder, and means for intermittently turning the cylinder, substantially as
described.
45. In a match-making machine, the combination, with the cutters and means
for supporting and operating them, of a rotatable cylinder provided with
circumferential openings or slots corresponding in number and position with the
cutters so as to receive the splints as they are cut, means for exhausting the air
from said cylinder, means for intermittently turning the cylinder, a plate or
holder, and means for actuating the cylinder to thrust the splints into said plate or
holder, substantially as described.
46. In a match-making machine, the combination, with the cutters, and means
for supporting and operating them, of a rotatable cylinder provided with
circumferential openings or slots arranged to receive the splints as they are cut,
an abutment or thrust bar on the cylinder, means for exhausting the air therefrom,
plate or holder, and means for actuating the cylinder to thrust the splints into
said plate er holder, substantially as described.
a
47. In a machine for making matches, the combination, with the cutters, and
means for supporting and operating them, of a rotatable cylinder provided with
two diametrically-opposite series of openings, means for intermittently rotating
said cylinder to bring the series successively into line with the cutters so as to
receive the rows of splints as they are successively cut, means for exhausting the
air from the cylinder, and means for removing the splints from the cylinder at
predetermined intervals, substantially as described.
48. In a machine for making matches, the combination, with the cutters and
means for supporting and operating them, of a rotatable cylinder reciprocative
with the cutters and constructed to receive the splints as they are cut, a fixed
ratchet wheel on said cylinder, a pinion, a pawl connected therewith and engaged
with the ratchet wheel, a rack engaging said pinion, a driving shaft, a cam thereon,
and connections between said cam and rock, substantially as described.
49. In a machine for making matches, the combination, with the cutters, and

page_text: means for supporting and operating them, of a rotatable cylinder reciprocative
with the cutters, and constructed to receive the splints as they are cut, means for
intermittently rotating said cylinder, bolts to lock said cylinder at predetermined
intervals, a driving shaft, a cam thereon, and connections between said cam and
the bolts, substantially as described.
50. A hollow transfer cylinder for match-making machines, said cylinder being
provided with circumferential openings therein that communicate with the interior
of the cylinder, and such openings being formed at right angles to the axial line
of the cylinder, in combination with a reciprocative support for said cylinder,
means for reciprocating said support, and means for exhausting the air from the
cylinder, substantially as described.
51. In a match-making machine, a plate-supply hopper provided with lateral
horizontal flanges therein reduced at their forward ends, and with a strip or
ledge at the rear of and slightly above said flanges, the lowermost plate in the
hopper normally resting upon said strip or ledge and upon the flanges, and the
superposed plates resting upon said lowermost plate in combination with means for
withdrawing the lowermost plate step-by-step from the hopper, whereby when the
said latter plate is withdrawn from the ledge the plate is bodily sustained upon
the flanges, and the contiguous plate is sustained at one end upon the ledge and
at its opposite end upon the underlying plate, substantially as described.
52. In a match-making machine, a plate-supply hopper provided with plate
supports therein, and with a strip or ledge at the rear of and slightly above said
supports, the lowermost plate in the hopper normally resting upon said strip or
ledge and upon the supports, and the superposed plates resting upon said lowermost
plate, in combination with means for withdrawing the lowermost plate step-by-step
from the hopper, whereby when the said latter plate is withdrawn from the ledge
the plate is bodily sustained upon the supports, and the contiguous plate is sustained
at one end upon the ledge and at its opposite end upon the underlying plate,
substantially as described.
53. In a match-making machine, a plate-supply hopper provided with lateral
horizontal flanges therein having at their forward ends bevelled impact pieces,
together with a strip or ledge at the rear of and slightly above said flanges, the
lowermost plate in the hopper normally resting upon said strip or ledge and upon
the supports, and the superposed plates resting upon said lowermost plate, in
combination with means for withdrawing the lowermost plate step-by-step from
the hopper, whereby when the said latter plate is withdrawn from the ledge the
plate is bodily sustained upon the supports, and the contiguous plate is sustained
at one end upon the ledge and at its opposite end upon the underlying plate,
substantially as described.
54. In a match-making machine, a hopper, splint holding plates therein, means
for moving the successive plates step-by-step from the hopper, and means for
thrusting splints into the plates immediately below the forward end of the hopper,
substantially as described.
55. In a machine for making matches, the combination of a reciprocating cutter
head, mechanism for reciprocating the same, a transfer device mounted on said
head, means for feeding wood to the cutters, splint receiving plates, into which the
splints are inserted by said device, means for actuating said plates in concert with
the transfer device, and mechanism for arresting the wood feeding means and the
plate actuating means independently of the mechanism for reciprocating the cutter
head, substantially as described.
Dated this 1th dan of Wow 1906
JOSEPH CHARLES DONNELLY.
Wm. P. Thompson & Co.,
Of 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.
JOSEPH CHARLES DONNELLY.
Wm. P. Thompson & Co.,
Of 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.