IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU- FACTURE OF BROOMS AND BRUSHES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR THE SAME
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry John Cubitt Keymer, of Norwich, in the County
of Norfolk, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF BROOMS AND BRUSHES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR THE SAME."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry John Cubitt Keymer
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th March 1877.
HENRY JOHN CUBITT KEYMER, of Norwich, in the County of Norfolk, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BROOMS AND BRUSHES, AND IN AP-
PARATUS FOR THE SAME."
My Invention relates to mechanism for working and adjusting the broom or
brush board or stock under the apparatus, to bore the holes, or to fill them with
tufts of fibre, bristles, bass, or other suitable material, so that this material may be
caused to spread in the manner required; also to a new mode of fastening, holding,
and fixing the tufts in the holes of the brush board or stock; and to an adjustable
brush holder or pattern in which the brushes are held while the brush boards or
stocks are shaped or finished by revolving cutters; and also to an improvement in
the stem of the boring bit.
My Invention consists, in the first place, in a combination of parts whereby the
vice plate, on which the brush board or stock is held, is caused to move the requisito
distance from one hole to another to be either bored or filled, and at each movement
thereof to cause a corresponding inclination of the brush board or stock, so as to
insure the required angular direction of the material with which the holes are filled.
The said vice plate works upon a ball stud or joint, on which it can either revolve
or cant, and its requisite movements are governed by a guide plate, to which are
jointed two half circular racks at right angles to each other, and which gear into
straight fixed racks. The ball stud is fixed to an arm on a compound slide or slides,
capable of moving either longitudinally or transversely by means of a pinion on a
ratchet spindle gearing with racks on the slides. On the said spindle is a ratchet

page_text: wheel, with which works a pawl on each side lifted into and out of gear by a
shifting bar between, which bar is moved as required at each reversal of the
compound slide or slides. The drill or apparatus is kept at an equal distance apart
from the vice plate at every position thereof.
My Invention consists, in the second place, in a modification of the above, by
which is secured the self-adjustment to the requisite angle of the vice or holder,
which is moved by hand from one hole to another. The pattern or template may
be either fixed to or from the holder, and may be either flat or concave, or a pattern
brush board or stock may be fixed on the opposite side of the centre pivot, and any
number of these holders may be connected together and worked from the one
pattern.
The self-adjustment of the holder is effected by means of a cross bar working on
a variable centre, and carrying at its ends connecting rods, at one end of which is
an universal joint in which one end of the holder works, and thereby gives the
required inclination to the board or stock longitudinally. An adjustable radius
bar is affixed to the holder, and may either work in a fixed slot, when a flat pattern is
used, or be actuated by a slotted lever when a concave pattern is used in a concave
rest. The cross bars, connecting rods, and radius rods are double acting, that is to
say, they effect corresponding movement on each side of the centre cross bar.
In the third place I use a modification of the holding apparatus, and the means
of adjusting hole to hole for drilling or filling holes at right angles to the face of the
board or stock. This modification consists of the holder having parallel sliding
motions longitudinally and transversely, such movements being communicated to
the holder by means of a slotted lever at each end, such levers being connected by
means of a cross bar or spindle, which works on a variable centre pin or bearing, or
the levers may be worked from a variable joint. At the end of these levers,
opposite to that at which they are connected to the holder, a pattern brush or
template is connected at a distance from the fulcrum or centre pin equal to that of
the holder therefrom.
Any number of the drills or the filling apparatus have an intermittent sliding
motion imparted to them, and are made to operate as required at each adjustment
of the pattern brush or template on a corresponding number of brush boards or
stocks. And for boring or filling the ends of brushes called tufts or wings, I employ
a flat adjustable inclined table, on which are placed separate holders, each holding a
board or stock, to each holder working on a pivot, and having one end toothed, a
straight rack gearing with the teeth in each holder, whereby one holder, being
moved as desired, gives motion to the others. Opposite to the toothed end of the
holder is a jointed projection or pin, which is moved from hole to hole in the
inclined table corresponding with the number of holes required in the tuft or wing.
My Invention also consists of a sheet metal fastener doubled longitudinally and
spread out at the ends (by preference steel), which is forced into the centre of the
holes in the board or stock, and the fastener being placed with the edges upwards,
its four corners spring, or are forced outwards into the wood, and thus the material
is held firmly fixed in the stock. The form of this fastener can be varied as to the
parts between the two ends thereof.
My Invention consists, in the fourth place, in an adjustable template for holding
the brushes whilst being shaped by revolving cutters. The main plate has in its
centre a stud upon which works a cross head or clamp, and upon each of the studs
is placed a brush with the bristles or other material downwards, and close to and
around the material is an edge or shield standing up from the main plate on which
the brush board rests. Between the inside edge of the brush and the centre stud is
a loose piece working on a pin at one end thereof, which pin is fixed in the plate.
The clamp or cross head has on the centre stud an oblong boss or cam, which opens
the said loose pieces as required, and causes the material forming the body of the
brush to be firmly held sideways, when the clamp is screwed down upon the brush
back, thereby holding all firmly. When the sides of the brush back have been

page_text: shaped, a wedge is placed under the bottom of the plate to give the proper angle,
shape, and appearance to the tuft or wing end of the brush back. The outside edge
or shield being composed of a number of pieces or squares screwed on to the bottom
plate, such pieces can be readily adjusted to suit the size or shape of the brush body,
and when each brush in this pattern is shaped on the outside, it is changed to the
other side, and thus has both sides shaped and finished. Upon the under side of the
main plate is fixed the pattern, which may be either of wood, iron, or other suitable
material.
For boring I use a drill with a stem of a circular section and parallel sides.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry John Cubitt Keymer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
15th September 1877.
HENRY JOHN CUBITT KEYMER, of Norwich, in the County of Norfolk, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BROOMS AND BRUSHES, AND IN AP-
PARATUS FOR THE SAME.'
"
My Invention of "Improvements in the Manufacture of Brooms and Brushes, and
in Apparatus for the same," relates to mechanism for working and adjusting the
brooin or brush board or stock under the apparatus to bore the holes, or to fill them
with tufts of fibre, bristles, bass, or other suitable material, so that this material
may be caused to spread in the manner required; also to a new mode of fastening,
holding, and fixing the tufts in the holes of the brush board or stock.
My Invention consists, in the first place, in a combination of parts, whereby the
vice plate, on which the brush board or stock is held, is caused to move the requisite
listance from one hole to another, to be either bored or filled at each movement
thereof, to cause a corresponding inclination of the brush board or stock, so as to
insure the required angular direction of the material with which the holes are filled.
The said vice plate works upon a ball stud or joint, on which it can either revolvo
or cant, and its requisite movements are governed by a guide plate, to which are
jointed two half circular racks at right angles to each other, and which gear into
straight fixed racks. The ball stud is fixed to an arm on a compound slide or
slides, capable of moving either longitudinally or transversely by means of a pinion
on a ratchet spindle gearing with racks on the slide. On the said spindle is a
ratchet wheel, with which works a pawl on each side, lifted into and out of gear by
a shifting bar between, which bar is moved, as required, at each reversal of the
compound slide or slides. The drill or apparatus is kept at an equal distance apart
from the vice plate at every position thereof.
My Invention consists, in the second place, in a modification of the above, by
which is secured the self-adjustment to the requisite angle of the vice or holder,
which is moved by hand from one hole to another. The pattern or template may
be either fixed to or form the holder, and may be either flat or concave, or a pattern
brush board or stock may be fixed on the opposite side of the centre pivot, and
any number of these holders may be connected together and work from the one
pattern.
The self-adjustment of the holders is effected by means of double ended forked levers,
carrying cross bars, upon which also work at each end connecting holder bars, in
and through which the pivots of the holders revolve. By this combination the
holders may be caused to partake of what is called or known as compound or
universal movements. An adjustable radius bar is affixed to the holder, and inay
either work in a fixed slot, when a flat pattern is used, or be actuated by a slotted
lever when a convex pattern is used in a concave rest. The cross bars, connecting

page_text: rods, and radius rods are double acting, that is to say, they effect corresponding
movements on each side of the centre cross bar or square spindle.
In the third place, I use a modification of the holding apparatus, and the means of
adjusting from hole to hole for drilling or filling holes at right angles to the face of
the board or stock. This modification consists of the holder having parallel sliding
motions longitudinally and transversely, such movements being communicated to the
holder by means of a slotted lever at each end, such levers being connected by means
of a cross bar or spindle, which works on a variable centre pin or bearing, or the
levers may be worked from a variable joint. At the end of these levers, opposite
to that at which they are connected to the holder, a pattern brush or template is
connected at a distance from the fulcrum or centre pin equal to that of the holder
therefrom.
Any number of the drills, or the filling apparatus, have an intermittent sliding
motion imparted to them, and are made to operate, as required, at each adjustment
of the pattern brush or template on a corresponding number of brush boards or
stocks. And for boring or filling the ends of brushes, called tufts or wings, I employ
a flat adjustable inclined slotted table, through which are placed separate holders,
cach holding a board or stock, each holder working on a pivot, on which are fixed
toothed wheels gearing into either a straight rack or intermediate wheels, whereby one
holder, being moved as desired, gives motion to the others. On the face of the
inclined table, over a pattern board or stock, is fixed a bow carrying a spring
pointer, under which the hole in the pattern is placed, or at one end of the holder
may be fixed a jointed projection or pin, which is moved from hole to hole in the
inclined table, corresponding with the number of holes required in the tuft or
wing.
My Invention also consists of a sheet metal fastener, doubled or bent longi-
tudinally and spread out at the ends (by preference, steel), which is forced into the
centre of the holes in the board or stock, and the fastener being placed with the
edges upwards, its corners spring or are forced outwards into the wood, and thus
the material is held firmly fixed in the stock. The form of the fastener inay be
varied as to the part between the two ends thereof.
Having thus stated the nature of the said Invention, I will proceed to
describe more particularly in what manner the same is to be performed by the aid
of the accompanying Drawings, in which are represented the parts of mechanism or
apparatus above referred to.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
'
Fig. 1 is a front elevation, and Fig. 2 a side elevation of automatic apparatus
for holding and placing the brush board or stock under the drill to be operated upon
thereby as required. A, A, and A', A', represent the compound slide and standards
which carry the vice plate A, which rests and is capable of turning as required on
the ball stud B. Fixed to the plate A is a guide plate C, fitting on the boss of the
vice plate, D D', are half circular racks which pass through apertures in the
standards A, A'; these racks gear into a straight rack E, which is fixed longi-
tudinally as required by inserting the bar F in the teeth of the same, and is allowed
to slide from one end of the bar F to the other, and when the compound slide and
standards A, A, and A', A¹; being carried by the compound slide L backwards or
forwards, and carrying also the ball stud B and guide plate C, the movement of the
racks D¹ and D² will cause the vice plate A to be turned on its pivot and canted in
such a manner as to give the side or transverse augle to the holes in the board or
stock. The vice plate A when required is made to work transversely level or
without canting by taking the bar Fout of the rack E.
The racks D, D, are made to produce the required canting motion by their gearing
with intermediate pinions G, G, fixed on the pinions g¹, in the standards A, A,
and A, A, such pinions also gearing with pinions H, H, on the spindle I, on the front
end of which is keyed a wheel J gearing with the adjustable rack K fixed to the

page_text: compound slide L, and when the compound slide and standards A, A, and A', A',
are caused to move by means of the pinion M on the ratchet spindle N, the wheel
J travelling in goar with the fixed rack K is caused to revolve and cant the vice
plate A. This plate is made to work longitudinally level or without canting by
taking off the fixed rack K, and by changing the wheel J various longitudinal
angles of holes may be given. O is the main bed plate of the machine.
The work is held on the vice plate A; and a is a flat plate with movements
corresponding with those of the vice plate A; a stay works upon its face and keeps
the piercing apparatus the proper distance apart from the vice plate A, so that tho
board or stock may be pierced the proper depth for each hole.
Figures 3 to 13 represent the modification or modifications referred to under the
second head, of my Invention which relates to the holding apparatus for securing
the proper self-adjustment or angling of the brush or broom board or stock when
moved by hand from one hole to another, according to the pattern or template
applied thereto.
Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the holding and adjusting apparatus; Fig. 4 is a
side elevation of the same; Figures 5 and 6 represent in edge and side views levers
or links which may be substituted for the bow represented in Fig. 4. A, A, are the
ends of the holder plate; A', A', are the revolving jaws, upon one end of each of
which are fixed levers B, B, carrying the threaded nuts C, C, which, by means of
the right and left handed screw D, turned as required through the land wheel E,
are caused to approach towards or recede from each other and carry with thein the
levers B, B, which being fixed to the revolving jaws A', A¹, cause the latter to
revolve on their own axes in the ends of the holder plate A, A, and thereby act on
the grippers A, A, so as to open and release or close and hold the board or stock
to be operated upon; F is the guide or support for the centre pin F" and radius
rod G, which latter works through a slot formed in the said guide or support; the
ends G¹, G', of the radius rods are adjustable on the studs H, H, extending at right
angles from the ends of the holder plate A. On the ends G¹, G, works the bow I,
which has at its centre a joint J, in which is connected one end of the rod K, on
which are fitted two adjustable set collars L, L, for regulating the distance between
the radius rod G and the stud joint M on the stud N, which is caused to move
towards or away from the centre pin F', as required. O is a spring fixed between
the stud joint M and one of the collars L for the purpose of allowing the angles of
the holes near the centre of broom boards to be varied, so that the material used in
filling the holes may cover the staff hole, and also allow of the template being
removed from the pin F. The patterns or templates being thin metal plates with
holes in them corresponding with the holes required to be made in the boards or
stocks, are interchangeable, and secured to the holder plate A, between the studs
H, H, in front of the centre pin F¹, and as each hole is placed thereon the piercing
apparatus, which has an intermittent sliding motion, is caused to pierce the board
or stock as required. The transverse spread or angle of the holes is given to them
by the holder revolving on the axis of the radius rod G, and the longitudinal spread
or angle is given by the bow I and the rod K as the pattern or template is moved
from hole to hole lengthwise. It may also be given by means of the link rods X, X,
and Z, Z, shown in Figures 5 and 6, in substitution for the bow I removed from
the ends G, G¹, and the rod K and joint M from the stud N. The link rods X, X,
and Z, Z, are connected by an universal joint Y to the stud W, one of which is
fixed to each end of the holder A, A. The set collars X1, X¹, and side spring Z¹, on
the rod X, are for the adjustment of the angle of the holes for covering the staff*
holes; the holes in the ends of the rods Z must be alternately changed on the
stud N, as the reverse half in length of the template is placed on the centre pin F¹.
This apparatus may be worked in any position, either vertical, horizontal, or
inclined, preference being given to that position which allows the operator to see
the holes in the pattern or template and the centre pin.
Figures 7 to 13 represent apparatus for holding a pattern board or stock, which,

page_text: on being moved, produces corresponding movenients in any required number of
boards or stocks arranged so as to be operated upon.
Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the apparatus; Fig. 8 is an end elevation; and
Fig. 9 is a plan or horizontal view of the same. A, A, represents the holder of the
pattern board or stock; A, A, A, are the holders, in which are held the boards or
stocks intended to be operated upon; B, B, and B', B', are the parallel holder con-
necting bars, which are held apart parallel by the cross bars C, C, in the centre of
which are jointed main movement levers D, D, which are likewise jointed at their
centre boss (see Fig. 9) and fit over the square spindle E, having its axis in the
bearings F, F, on which it revolves and forms the centre of longitudinal motion for
all the holders. On the spindle E are fixed the discs or plates G, G, which are
placed close to the centre radius rods H, H, on the ends of the holder A, A, when
the rods are exactly square with the centre line. The radius rods H, H, of the
series are connected together by the bars I, I. Upon the ends of the parallel holder
bars B, B, and B, B₁, are fixed guides J, J, for which may be substituted, if
desired, other guides, which may be curved more or less to suit the longitudinal
angles required. In the slots J of the guides J works a roller pin K fixed in the
jaws of the guide stay L, L, the centre boss of which fits and works on the top
of the bearing cap F. a, a, are the centre pins or pivots of the holders A¹ and A, A,
which revolve on the parallel holder bars B, B, and B', B', when these are moved by
the operation of the levers D, D, the holders A, A, and A, A, A, describing, an arc
with a radius determined by the distance H and H³, being held sideways by the
discs or plates G, G.
The end holders A, A, may hold blank boards or stocks if the shape of the faces
of the same requires special regulation as to the depth to be pierced, in which case
the bearings F, F, may have a sliding motion adapted to keep the faces of the
blanks up to fixed ball rollers, stays, or gauges by means of either weights or
springs. The series of piercing apparatus or drills may be brought on a sliding
carriage into the stocks or boards by either treadles, levers, or cams; the centre
spring pin M is connected to a treadle (when desired) in combination with the
clutch that transmits the motion to the piercing carriage, and so timed that until
the pin M is released and allowed to enter the holes in the pattern board or stock.
held by the holder A, A, the piercing apparatus is retained from acting on the
boards or stocks held by the holders A, A, A. This last-described apparatus may
also be employed for shaping boards or stocks by means of revolving cutters instead
of piercing apparatus as described.
Figures 14 to 17 represent apparatus for holding one or any required number
of boards or stocks whilst the tuft or wing ends of the same are being pierced
by the boring or filling apparatus. This holding apparatus is also applicable for
other descriptions of work.
Fig. 14 shows a plan of the main plate with holders shown upon it; Fig. 15 is
a longitudinal front edge elevation; Fig. 16 is a transverse edge elevation, and
Fig. 17 is an underneath plan shewing the slide and gearing; A is the holder of
the pattern board or stock; A², A², A³, are the holders of the boards or stocks
intended to be operated upon; B is the main plate on which the holders A¹, A2, A³,
rest, the ends of which plate revolve in suitable bearings, which are made to slide
and press the face of blank boards or stocks held by the end holders up to a fixed
gauge or stay for regulating the depth to be pierced. In this plate B are formed
slots, B1, B2, B3, of the required length and distance apart, and through which slots
are passed the stems a, a, of the holders A, A1, A2, and As, which stems also pass
through holes in the slide C, which is capable of sliding on the back or under side
of the plate B. The slide Ċ carries the studs b, b, upon which revolve and work in
gear the intermediate wheels E, E, gearing with the wheels F, F, fixed on the stems
a, a, of the holders A, A', A², A³. Upon the front of the plate B is fixed a bow
G, adjustable by the studs H, H; this bow G carries a spring centre pin I, which
is sprung out of the holes in the pattern board by means of the finger lever J, tho

page_text: piercing apparatus being kept out of work by the depression of a treadle, whilst
the pattern board is turned and placed with the required holes under the centre
pin I, which is again released and caused to enter the hole in the pattern board.
The pattern holder A being geared with the other holders, A', A³, and A³, and all
being connected and held apart by the slide C in which they are turned, are thereby
placed in the proper position to be operated upon by the piercing apparatus. The
pattern holder may also be placed in a line with the other holders instead of as
shown. D is a projection on the slide C, to which is connected a rod K, when the
work to be operated upon requires an increasing inclination of the holes from the
centre longitudinally, as in the case of tuft and wing ends of scrubbing brushes,
hair brushes, cloth and other brushes and brooms.
When the apparatus is used for flat work the connecting rod K is removed
from the projection D, and connected to the projection L on the main plate B, the
other end of the connecting rod in either case being connected to an adjustable
joint or other suitable point.
One or any required number of boards may be operated upon, as here described,
from a pattern or a tail pin jointed to the end of a holder A, and a template with
holes as required may be fixed to the main plate, such tail pin being placed in the
holes therein successively.
Figures 18 to 21 represent the sheet-metal fastener or fasteners for fastening
each tuft in the brush, or broom board, or stock; Fig. 18 shows a double spring a,
being a sectional view of the piece of metal before it is folded, and b a plan of the
same, and instead of the edge being straight from corner to corner, it may have an
angle piece, or a curved piece cut out, as shown by the dotted lines; c is a sectional
or end view of the fastener when doubled and ready to insert with the tuft
in the hole; is a plan of the hole and the fastener laid in position for fixing
therein.
Fig. 19 represents a single spring, being in thickness single, with two top corners
turned out or bent the reverse way to each other; a is a sectional view, of this
fastener with the corners turned outwards; b is a plan of the same, and c is a plan
slowing the hole and the fastener in position therein.
Fig. 20 represents a tuft fastened in the board with a double fastener, as shown
in Fig. 18; and Fig. 21 represents a tuft fastened in the board with a single fastener,
as shown in Fig. 19.
The advantages of fasteners made in the forms shown and described arc, that
they require less power than usual in putting in, that their projecting corners
become secure by fixing horizontally with and in the grain of the wood, and that
the appearance of the work is improved, as no indentations are caused in the
edges of the holes, and no pins or ends of wire are required to go through the
back. These fasteners also prevent the liability to split the wood lengthwise of the
grain.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I hereby declare that what I claim as of my
Invention is,
First. The self-acting apparatus for angling or canting the vice plate as repro-
sented in Figures 1 and 2, and described.
Secondly. The self-centreing and self-angling holder worked and moved from
hole to hole by hand as described with reference to Figures 3, 4, 5, and 0.
Thirdly. The arrangement of holders in a series, and the working of them accord-
ing to a pattern held on the opposite side of a fulcrum, as represented in Figures
7 to 13, and described.
.
Fourthly. The series of holders arranged and caused to move according to pattern
as described with reference to Figs. 14, 15, 16, and 17.
Fifthly. The arrangement described of holding blank patterns and pressing the
same against a fixed stay or gauge so that the faces of boards or stocks of any
required shape may be pierced to an uniform depth.

page_text: Sixthly. The continuous adjustment effected by the combination of radius and
connecting rods or levers as described.
And, Lastly. The form or forms of spring fasteners as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry John Cubitt Keymer, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Twelfth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
WILLIAM SPENCE,
8, Quality Court,
Chancery Lane.
H. J. C. KEYMER. (L.S.)