CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING SPRIGS, BRADS, AND NAILS
Year: 1827

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, DANIEL
LEDSAM and WILLIAM JONES, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Manufacturers, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King George the Fourth
did, by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing
date at Westminster, the Fourth day of December, One thousand eight
hundred and twenty-seven, in the eighth year of His reign, give and grant unto
us, the said Daniel Ledsam and William Jones, His especial licence that we,
the said Daniel Ledsam and William Jones, our exors, adññiors, and assigns,
and such others as we, the said Daniel Ledsam and William Jones, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during
the term of years therein mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exer-
cise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed,
our Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING SPRIGS,
BRADS, AND NAILS;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso
that we, the said Daniel Ledsam and William Jones, shall cause a particular
description of the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in
part recited Letters Prtent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto
had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, tho said
Daniel Ledsam and William Jones, do hereby declare that the nature of our

page_text: said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are
particularly described and ascertained in and by the Drawings hereunto
annexed, and the following description thereof (that is to say):-
In the said Drawings, Fig. 1 of Drawing No. 1 is a plan, Fig. 2 a front
elevation, and Fig. 3 an end elevation, of one of our said improvements in
machinery for cutting sprigs and brads out of rods or slips of iron, copper,
brass, or other fit and proper metals or compositions of metals. In all of
which said Figures A, A, indicates a cast-iron or wrought-iron frame, upon
which the moveable parts of the said machinery are affixed. B, B, the main
axis, turning upon necks or pivots C, C, supported in brasses D, D, mounted
upon the ends of the frame. E, a rigger or band wheel, affixed upon the
main axis, and to which a rotary motion is communicated by means of a band
passing from another rigger or drum actuated by a steam engine, water wheel,
or any other first mover of the machinery. F, a crank formed in the centre of
the main axis, upon the cylindrical neck of which the brasses G, G, are fitted,
which are held in the lower end of a connecting rod H, the upper end of which
said connecting rod is jointed at I to the staple K, K, which incloses the two
outside knuckles L, L, and the middle knuckle M of a strong hinge or joint,
and through which said staple and hinge a cylindrical bolt N, N, is passed, the
the ends of which are made flat on each side, and are guided upwards and
downwards between steel plates, which are affixed by means of screws in
grooves O, O, formed in two upright cheeks of a swinging frame P, P, which
is supported upon two cylindrical necks or pivots Q, Q, moving in brasses R, R,
affixed in the ends of the frame A, A. S, S, are two stout metal wings, to one
of which the knuckles L, L, of the hinge are united, whilst the other is con-
nected with the central knuckle M. The interior edges of these wings are
hinged to two sliding boxes T, T, which move backwards and forwards upon
the top surfaces of the side rails of the swinging frame P, P, and are guided
between the bevelled plates U, U, which are screwed upon the tops of the
rails P, P, and as shewn in Figure 4. The vibrations of the swinging
frame P, P, are produced in the following manner :-V, V, is a metal frame
affixed to the frame P, P, and between the internal parallel sides of which
the excentric cylindrical metal block W, part of which is shewn in Figure 3,
and the whole of it in Figures 5 and 6 in Drawing No. 2, is made to revolve.
This excentric block W may be mounted upon the main axis of the machine
B, B, in the following manner, and as shewn in the Drawing, viz. :-X,
Figure 2, is a fixed collar or shoulder formed upon the axis; and Y a moveable
one, sliding upon the cylindrical part of the axis, which has also a male screw
cut upon it to receive a female screw or nut Z, and which nut binds tho

page_text: moveable collar Y, with the cylindrical block W lying between it and the fixed
collar X, firmly together; the cylindrical block having a groove a made in it
to allow of the requisite adjustment of the excentric block to suit its work,
as will be described hereafter; or it may be secured by having a hole made
across and through the main axis B, B, to receive a key or wedge, which key
being driven into the hole shall press against the sides of the loose collar Y &
bind the parts firmly together. In order to procure a nice adjustment of the
excentric block W, the following contrivance has been adopted :-Fig. 7 of
the above Drawing is a cross section of the block & the main axis; a screwed
hole b, b, is made from the end of the groove a in the block through the middle
of its thickness, & passing nearly to its periphery; into this screwed hole a
male screw c is put, in one end of which a groove d is formed, into which a
cylindrical pin and metal enters, which is passed through a hole made in the
axis B to receive it. This contrivance, which is usually named a garter piece,
allows the screw to be turned round, but retains it firmly in the short cylin-
drical hole c made in the side of the axis B to receive it, the end of the screw
which enters that hole being also made cylindrical to fit it; adjoining to this
cylindrical part a square is formed upon the screw, by applying a key or wrench
upon which the screw may be turned either way, as required for the adjust-
ment of the excentric block W. Within each of the two sliding boxes T, T,
a steel plate or cutter f is placed, one of which is shewn in Fig. 1, the form of
which is a rhomboid, as seen in the end views of it shewn in Figure 2 and
in Figure 8. These cutters are held in their places within the sliding boxes
and adjusted by means of screws, of which there are two at each end g, g, &c.;
two others h, h, at their backs, which press them forwards; and two others i, i,
beneath them, which press them upwards, and as shown in the section Figure 4.
One of these latter screws i is shewn in section in Figure 8. These moveable
one of which is
cutters are brought into contact with two fixed cutters j, j,
shewn in its place in Fig. 1, and endwise in Figures 2 and 8; the cutting
action of them is shewn in Figure 8, and which also shews an end section of a
stop or guage, which is shewn in its place in the machine in Figures 1 and 2.
The fixed cutters j, j, are held or retained in their places within each end
of the swinging frame P, P, by being passed through a groove l, l, made in
those ends to fit them, and they are bound firmly therein by the four
screws m, m, &c., which urge them forwards against the opposite sides of the
grooves 1, 1, and by two other screws n, n, which press them downwards. The
rods or slips of metal to be cut into sprigs or brads by this machine must be
guided between the cutters 7 and j in the manner following:-In Drawing
No. 2, 0, 0, &c., are a number of parallel metal rods, shewn edgewise in

page_text: Figure 5, and one of them sideways in Figure 9.
These rods are fixed:
at their upper ends to a horizontal bar p, which is secured by nuts and screws
to a beam or rafter; each of them having a hook 7 formed upon that end which
is hung upon the bar p. Their lower ends have each of them a gap or notch r
made in them, as shewn in Figures 10 and 11. These gaps or notches in the
rods are hitched underneath a stout metal bar t, shewn in front in Figure 5,
and endways in Figures 9, 10, and .11, and when so hitched at their lower
ends, and supported at their upper ones, on screwing tho nuts which support
the bar P the whole series of them is strained tight. The cross bar t is affixed
upon the machine frame A, A, at each end, by resting upon two bent metal
bars u, u, shewn from behind in Figure 5, and sideways in Figs. 9 and.10,
which are bound fast. by screws to the frame of the machine, the bar t being
also screwed to the bars u, u. These parallel rods o, o, &c., have affixed upon.
each of them a sliding metal weight v, v, &c.,. one of which is shewn in section.
separately, and upon a larger scale, in Figure 12. These weights have at their
lower ends, which are made cylindrical, tapering holes, one of which is shown
in section at w, in Figure 12, and which holes receive into them the upper
ends of the rods or slips of metal intended to be cut into sprigs or brads; their
lower ends are: passed between.a metal bar x, shewn in front; in Figure 5,
which is affixed to each end of the sliding frame P, P, in front of the fix
cutters, and they rest upon the stops or gauges k, k, as shewn in the
section Figure 10; until they are cut across by the action of the moveable
cutters f,f, when they slide down the inclined planes formed upon the top of
those gauges and fall into the receptacles/ provided to hold them. The stops
or gauges k..k, accompany the moveable cutters f; f, in their progress back-
wards and forwards, they being affixed to the sliding boxes T,ST, in the follow-
ing manner In Figure 8, y shews one of two loops affixed to the under side
of one of the two sliding boxes T; two other loops formed at the inner ends of
two bars, one of which is shewn at 5, are secured by bolts passed through the
cyes so as to form joints or hinges upon which the bars turn... Two screws 1;.1,.
which. fit into: screwed. holes made in the sides of the sliding boxes T, T
being made smaller towards. their points, pass through holes made in the
bars, and have screws and nuts to them, by which latter the bars. are
adjusted at the proper heights to. regulate the. thickness of the sprigs or
brads in cutting them. The backward and forward, movements. of the sliding
boxes T,.T, are produced from the upward and downward movements of the
middle joint of the hinge K, L, M, L, K, shewni in. Figure 1, and united
with those sliding. boxes: through the intermediation of the wings S,.S, which
are jointed to the sliding. boxes:. These alternating upward and downward.

page_text: movements are represented by the dotted lines in Figure 8,. and they are
produced by the action. of the crank F and the connecting rod H, and by
that transferred to the hinged parts above mentioned; whilst at the same.
time the excentric cylindrical block W is acting within the cheeks: V, V, of
the frame, which is united the swinging frame P, P, which carries the sliding
boxes and cutters f, f, and j,j, and produces an alternating.vibratory, action,
the effect of which is to cut the sprigs or brads to their proper tapering
shape, as shewn in Figure 13; and the effect of the alternate vibrations is.
exhibited in Figure 14,, which shews a number of sprigs or brads as laid close:
together, with their heads, and. points in alternate contact. The nice adjust-
ment of the excentric cylindrical block W. by means of the screw c is rendered
necessary, in order that the cuts should be made just before that excentric.
reaches its greatest extent of motion sideways, and requires to be altered.and.
adjusted for every. different size of sprigs or brads to be cut by the machine. A.
fly-wheel 2 is mounted upon one end of the main axis B, B, of this machine,
in order to equalize its movements; and a dead pulley 3, which turns loose upon
the other end of the main axis, and upon which said dead pulley the band can
be slipped when the machine is required to stop or remain at rest.. In order
to cut that kind of nail commonly called by the name of a sparable,; or, more
properly sparrow-bill,. by this machinery,. the following contrivance: has been
adopted: Fig. 15 is a hind view of the various parts.. 4, 4,. &c.,. represent
parts of five metal rods or slips to be cut into sparables.. These rods are passed
through holes or slits made in a moveable guiding bar 5, shewn separately in
Fig. 16, & the ends of which bar pass through and move in. holes made in two
upright standards 6, 6, affixed at each end of the frame A, A, of the machine..
7. is a fixed cutter, and 8 a moveable: one, mounted in the swinging frame:P, P,
in a similar manner: to. those already described. These cutters have.however.
parallel grooves made across their faces, as shewn at 9, 9, and 10;.10,.and.the
solid parts between these grooves are: accurately fitted into them. The first:
cut made by the machine takes out of the end of. cach rod or strip of metal a
tapering part like an ordinary.sprig or. brad, similar to that shewn in Figure 2;.
but the next and succeeding cuts leave a bill at the head of cach nail; as shewn
in Figure 18,. which represents a row of them, and separately in Figure 19.
In order to effect this object: it is necessary that. each metal rod or slip.4, 4,
&c., should alternately be moved sideways at each cut enough to form a bill;
and which motion is produced in the following manner:-11,.11, in Figure 15,..
are two pieces of iron. affixed at each end of the swinging frame: P,.P, which
are bent outwards so as to form inclined planes, which, by the vibratory move-

page_text: ments given to the swinging frame P, P, alternately act against two claws 12, 12,
which are affixed near the ends of the moveable guiding bar 5, and drive it a
sufficient distance to move each rod of metal contained in the slits or holes.
made in the said guiding bar alternately on either side, so as to form the head
into a bill, and which said bill drops down at each cut and lodges upon a guage
similar to that already described, to regulate the width of each nail to be cut
out of the said metal rods or slips. Instead of sliding the boxes T, T, which
carry the moveable cutters f, f, upon the top surfaces of the side rails of the
swinging frame P, P, in the manner already described, we can support and
move them in the following manner:-Fig. 20 is a side view, Figure 21 a top
view, and Figure 6 an end view of the swinging frame of the machine P, P,
altered as follows:-13, 13, in Figure 20, are two broad and stout metal arms,
one of which is shewn in breadth at 13, in Figure 6, which are mounted upon
the two axes, with necks or pivots 14, 14, at their ends, turning in brasses
15, 15, &c., affixed in the sides of the swinging frame P, P, as shewn in
Fig. 20. To the upper ends of these arms are attached the two boxes T, T,
which carry the moveable cutters f, f, and the gauges k, k, upon them, not in
straight lines as in the machine already described, but in arcs of circles,
of which the necks or pivots 14, 14, are the centres, and as marked by the
dotted lines 16, 16, in Figure 20. Instead of producing the vibrations of the
swinging frame P, P, in the manner before described, we can also effect
the same object in the following manner :-In Figure 22, B, B, represent part
of the main axis of the machine; F, the crank; H, the connecting rod, and
P, P, part of the swining frame. To one side of the lower end of the connect-
ing rod I a forked arm 17 is jointed, the other end of which arm is also
jointed to a sliding socket 18, which can be moved up and down upon the bar 19,
and be secured at any required situation by a binding screw 20. The bar 19
moves upon a pin 21 at its lower end, which is passed through holes made
in the block 22, secured to the basis of the machine. Upon the bar 19 another
socket 23 also slides, which has a neck or pivot formed on cach side of it, upon
which the sockets 24, 24, are fitted. This socket 23 can also be secured upon
any part of the bar 19 by the screw 25. To the sockets 24, 24, the arms 26, 26,
are united, which have also the sockets 27 27, formed at their other ends,
which turn upon cylindrical studs 28, 28, affixed to the sliding sockets 29, 29,
which fit upon the bars 30, 30, attached to the side of the swinging frame P, P
and can be secured at the requisite heights on those bars by the screws 31, 31.
The oscillating or vibrating movement of the connecting rod II, produced
by the revolutions of the crank F, is thus also communicated, through the

page_text: intermediation of the various parts just described, to the swinging frame P, P,
and it can be regulated and adjusted as required by moving the sliding sockets.
upon the bars 19 and 30, 30.
We do not mean or intend hereby to claim as our Invention any of the.
various parts of which these machines are composed which are already known
or in use. But we do hereby claim the horizontal position given to the
swinging frames P, P, of our machines; the enabling them to cut sprigs or
brads and nails at each end thereof, by the double action of the hinged parts,-
as described; the manner of feeding or supplying the machines with slips
or rods of metal to be cut; and also the manner of shaping the cutters, so
as to enable them to form bills upon the heads of the cut nails conjointly or
with the alternating movement given to the guiding bar.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Jones, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Second day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight.