IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR REDUCING METAL BARS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR REDUCING METAL BARS." A communica-
tion from abroad by George Joseph Capewell, of Cheshire, Connecticut, United
States of America Manufacturer
Sealed the 24th April 1878, and dated the 20th November 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th November 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR REDUCING
METAL BARS." [A communication from abroad by George Joseph Capewell, of
Cheshire, Connecticut, United States of America, Manufacturer.]
This Invention relates to machines for reducing the thickness of metal bars by
passing said bars through successive pairs of pressure rollers actuated by appropriate
mechanism.
One part of this Invention consists in certain mechanism for cutting off bars of
metal of suitable length, and feeding the same to the said pressure rollers. This
feeding mechanism comprises, first, a rotating shaft carrying cams; second, a pivotted
horizontally vibrating lever actuated by one of said cams; third, a feed carriage
reciprocated by the opposing action of the said lever and a replacing spring; and,
finally, three movable cutters and one fixed cutter, all operating to sever convenient
lengths or short bars of metal from the long bar, which is constantly presented to
the said feeding mechanism. The three movable cutters are actuated by cams on
the said rotating shaft. The severed bars of metal pass from the feeding mechanism
through a channel to the pressure rollers.
Another part of the said Invention consists in the construction and arrangement
of compressing devices. A reciprocating sash operates by a loose connection the
outer ends of pivotted arms, which carry on their inner ends pressure rollers pre-

page_text: ferably formed in one piece therewith. These rollers are arranged in pairs, the
space between the members of each successive pair being less than that of the
previous pair. The movement of the said sash in one direction causes all of the said
pairs of rollers to close on the metal between them, and compress it; and the move-
ment of the said sash in the opposite direction opens the said pairs of rollers so as
to release the said metal. The compressing faces of the said rollers are grooved so
as to fit the said bars of metal. The said pressure rollers may be arranged hori-
zontally or vertically, as preferred, the movement of the actuating sash being
conformed (as regards direction) thereto.
Another part of this Invention consists in devices for moving the bars through
the machine, and partly turning them in the passage from one pair of rollers to
another, so that all sides will receive equal pressure. The construction of such
devices varies according as the metallic bars are prismatic or cylindrical. In the
former case I employ a fixed guide box or casing having a groove forming part of a
spiral or helix, whereby the said bars receive a quarter turn (or more or less) in the
interval between each two pairs of pressure rollers. With these guides I use a con-
tinuous reciprocating rod, extending from end to end of the machine, and carrying
or operating fingers, whereby the bars are moved through the same.
When cylindrical bars are operated on I employ a continuous rod provided with
pins or studs corresponding in location to each interval between the pairs of pressure
rollers, and substitute for each channelled guide box a pair of telescoping tubes. The
outer tube is fixed, and has an oblique or partly helical guide slot terminating in a
straight slot. The inner tube is movable, and has a pin or stud on its side which
extends out through the said slot. It has also a pressure spring that bears against
the metal bar within. As the actuating rod reciprocates, its pins or studs engage with
the pins or studs on the said inner tubes. As the latter are moved thereby, the
form of the slots in the outer tubes causes the said inner tubes to turn partly round,
and the metallic bars turn with them.
The actuating rod may be made to operate the inner tubes by other convenient
connections.
The general effect of the above apparatus is that the machine delivers the bars
reduced in thickness to any desired extent, but retaining its original shape in cross
section. It is very useful for making awls, sewing machine needles, and many other
articles.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
20th May 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR REDUCING
METAL BARS." A communication from abroad by George Joseph Capewell, of
Cheshire, Connecticut, United States of America, Manufacturer.
This Invention relates to machines for reducing the width and thickness of
metal bars by passing them through successive pairs of pressure rolls which are
suitably grooved to receive the said bars, and actuated by proper mechanism.
One part of the said Invention comprises feeding mechanism for supplying
metallic bars to said pressure rolls. The said feeding mechanism is composed of a
rotating cam-carrying shaft geared with the driving shaft of the machine; a pivoted
arm oscillated by a cam on said first-mentioned shaft; a feed carriage reciprocated
by said pivoted arm and a replacing spring; a longitudinally vibrating cutter
operated by another cam on said first-named shaft; a fixed cutter arranged opposite
thereto; a third cutter worked at right angles to the plane of the other two by a
third cam on said first-named shaft so as to complete the severance of each bar;
and a channel or guideway which conducts the bars successively from said cutters
to the pressure rolls. When the pressure rolls are arranged in vertical series, pair
by pair, the said feeding devices are arranged horizontally on the top of the machine.
When the pressure rolls are arranged in horizontal series, the feeding devices are
vertically arranged at the end of the said machine.
Another part of my Invention comprises the construction and arrangement of the
pressing devices, whereby the bars are reduced in cross section as they pass through
the same. These devices consist of a reciprocating sash operated by the driving
shaft of the machine; arms pivoted to the fixed frame of the machine; and having
at or near their outer ends a pin and slot or equivalent loose connection with said
sash; and grooved pressure rolls rigid with the inner ends of the said arms. These
arms and rollers are arranged in pairs, and are so shaped that the movement of the
sash in one direction causes them to close upon the bars, and compress the same.
The reverse movement of said sash releases the bars. The successive pairs are
arranged with regularly decreasing intervals between the rollers of each pair, so that
the bars may be reduced gradually.
To retain the original shape of the bars it is necessary to turn them on their axes
as they pass through the machine, so that all parts may be equally pressed in suc-
cession. This object has been accomplished by guides interposed in the spaces
between the successive pairs of rollers.
An important part of my Invention consists in the construction of the guides for
turning cylindrical bars. Each of these guides is composed of an outer obliquely
slotted tube and an inner movable tube, having a pin projecting through the said slot
and a spring for holding the bars.
For turning square section or other polygonal bars a grooved or chanelled box is
used as a guide, the channel being helical, so as to give the bars a quarter turn in
passing from one pair of rolls to another.
'
When the machine is arranged vertically it is possible to dispense with a positive
feed for polygonal bars passing through the pressure rolls and guides, as their gravity
will carry them down; but to ensure certainty of action feeding or propelling
devices operating by positive motion are in all cases desirable; and another part of
my Invention comprises such devices, that is to say, I employ for feeding cylindrical
bars through the machine a longitudinally reciprocating rod extending from end to
end of the same, operated by the reciprocating sash above described, and provided at
proper intervals with fingers for engaging with the pins of the guide tubes.
For feeding polygonal bars I employ a similar reciprocating rod, carrying fingers

page_text: when moving away from the discharge end of the machine; or I may employ other
suitable devices for this purpose.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 represents a front view of my improved metal-reducing machine arranged
vertically, the upper part showing the guide for polygonal bars, and the lower part
showing one of the guides for cylindrical bars and a part of the operating rod.
Figure 2 shews one of my improved pressure rolls drawn to an enlarged scale.
Figure 3 shews one of the guides for cylindrical bars, and Figure 4 shows the
inner tube of the same, also drawn to an enlarged scale.
Figure 5 is an elevation of the driving mechanism when the machine is vertically
arranged.
Figure 6 is a top view of the feeding mechanism for supplying bars to the rolls,
the machine being vertically arranged.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of one form of my devices for turning polygonal
or flat-sided bars, and feeding them by positive motion from one pair of rolls to
another.
Figure 8 shews a side view and plan, partly in section and drawn to an enlarged
scale, of my guide for turning polygonal bars.
A, Figure 1, designates the metal frame of the said machine, which is shown as
arranged vertically and supported by legs B; C designates a reciprocating sash or
carriage, which when the machine is vertically arranged moves up and down,
vibrating the outer ends of the arms a, which have the pressure rolls x formed on
or made rigid with their inner ends; this sash consists of two side pieces b, b, con-
nected at the bottom by a curved bar c, and at the top by a similar cross bar, not
shown. The side pieces are shown as broken away near the top to exhibit other
parts of the machine. Said side pieces have corresponding oblique slots d, through
each of which passes a screw d with an elongated straight head. The outer end of
the said screw passes through the longitudinal slot e of one of the arms a, and its
inner end engages with a piece of metal or equivalent device, which prevents it from
being separated from the machine. The amount of motion given to the arms a and
the leverage exerted on the pressure rolls may be regulated by moving the screw d²
along the slots d, e.
A projecting screw-threaded stud held by an outer nut may be substituted for the
said screw, or this stud or screw may be movably attached to the arm a by any
suitable guide and clamp without any slot in said arm, or equivalent devices may
be applied to the sash; all that is indispensable is that there should be a connection
between the sash and the arms a, which will allow vibration of the latter. It is
also exceedingly desirable to be able to regulate the throw of said arms as stated.
Each of the said pressure rolls x is provided on that part of its periphery which
bears against the metallic bars to be reduced with a groove or recess o corresponding
with the shape of said bars, and adapted to receive the same.
The grooves of the rolls in each pair exactly correspond, but those of the successive
pairs regularly decrease in depth as the discharging end of the machine (the bottom
when it is arranged vertically) is approached. Each of the said rolls is centrally
pivotted, by preference detachably, in the middle of a circular recess n, the sides of
which serve as a bearing for it, and prevent strain on the said pivot. These recesses
are formed in the face of the supporting frame of the machine above described. The
said pressure rolls are provided with pipes, two to each roll, which are connected in
each roll by interior channels, and are adapted to receive from flexible tubing a
cooling current of water; or air may be supplied by any suitable blowing apparatus
for this purpose.
For feeding cylindrical bars of metal through the said machine, and turning them
in their passage from one pair of rolls to another, I employ the following devices:-
In the interval between each two pairs of rolls I fasten to the frame of the machine

page_text: a flat plate t, which has a longitudinal tube t¹ rigidly attached to it, the said tube
being slotted at 9. The upper part (when the machine is vertically arranged) of
said slot is oblique or partly helical, and the lower part is straight and longitudinal.
Within this tube is another tube v, which carries the bar to be turned, and has free
longitudinal motion, except so far as limited by its pin p, which slides in said slot.
This pin and slot guide the said inner tube, so that in the earlier part of its down-
ward movement it will be turned partly round on its axis, preferably one-fourth, and
will be turned back again to its former position in its upward movement. The upward
and downward movements of these inner tubes vare effected by the rigid pieces
or fingers m, m, attached to longitudinally reciprocating rod g, carried by the sash C.
The said rod g extends the whole height (or length) of the machine, and each one
of said rigid fingers m engages with one of said pins p, so as to move longitudinally
the inner tube v, to which it is attached.
It will be obvious that the movement of the said sash rod and tubes is upward
and downward only when the machine is arranged vertically.
When the arrangement is horizontal the movement is horizontal too.
The effect of the operation of these devices is to cause each cylindrical bar to take
a quarter turn in passing from each pair of rolls to the next, so that every point on
its surface will receive similar and equal pressure.
To ensure the turning of the said bars with the said inner tubes each one of said
tubes is provided with a spring & working in a slot u, so as to press against and
clamp the bar contained in said tube.
For turning polygonal bars I employ a longitudinally grooved metallic guide box i,
Figure 1; a similar guide box is shewn at 1, Figure 8. The said box has a spiral
or screw-like channel 2 formed within the sides of its groove or passage, as shown,
and so shaped as to turn each bar (preferably one quarter of a rotation) passing
through it. I employ a positive feeding device for moving the bars through said
guides.
Many such devices may be contrived, and I do not limit my Invention or claim
to any particular one, but I prefer in ordinary cases the combination herein-after
described.
In Figure 7 3 designates a framework which braces and guides a vertically reci-
procating rod 4; the said rod extends from end to end of the machine, and carries a
number of fingers, one of the latter being arranged to work in the channel of each
guide box 1; 5 and 6 designate pressure rolls arranged in two pairs above and
below the said guide box; 8 and designate two link bars which connect the
actuating finger 7 to the arm 10, clamped on the rod 4; a fixed stop 11 on the side
of the arm 10 engages with the bar 8, and thus holds finger 7 rigid while moving
toward the discharge end of the guide. When moving in the opposite direction
the said finger is allowed to yield by a helical retracting spring 12, extending from
finger 7 to the arun 10; this yielding avoids resistance and wear. For the same
purpose the end of the said finger is bevelled at 13. The spring 12 holds said finger
in the proper position to operate.
It is obvious that these feeding and turning devices may be used with any other
kind of pressure rolls and actuating devices as well as with those shewn and
described herein.
Figure 6 shows the devices for feeding into the machine the bars of metal, and
for cutting them into the requisite lengths. When the machine is vertically
arranged, as represented in the Drawings, these feeding and cutting devices are
horizontally arranged on the top thereof. a¹ designates a plate or flattened block
secured to the frame A, and provided with a standard or raised block 6' and slot c¹.
The said slot serves as a guide for reciprocating the feed carriage d', which is
adapted to carry the bars of metal in a groove or recess of its surface. The said
carriage d¹ receives its forward motion from the feeding lever f (of the first kind),
which is pivotted on the standard or raised block 6', and horizontally vibrated by a
cam carried by a rotating shaft. Said cam also operates said feeding lever ver-
tically to some extent, causing it to press on the bar of metal during its forward

page_text: motion. To allow this compound motion of said lever fa pin and slot e' or equivalent
connection is made between the carriage d'and lever f. The backward motion of
said feeding carriage is caused by a replacing spring c¹. The said spring also
operates to hold the other end of the lever fagainst the cam x¹. The adjacent parts
of said cam and lever are suitably and correspondingly bevelled, curved, or otherwise
adapted to produce the compound motion ascribed to said lever.
A set screw g' regulates the extent of the backward motion of said feed carriage d'.
Said feed carriage delivers the bars to the cutters. Two of the said cutters operate
horizontally, and two operate vertically. One of these horizontally operating cutters ¿¹
is stationary, being fixed to the plate a¹. Opposite to said stationary cutter i¹ is
another cutter, consisting of a cutting edge carried by a horizontally reciproaating
cutter bar, which is guided and braced by the raised block 61, the latter being
grooved or recessed to receive it. The said cutter bar receives its forward motion
from a cam y on the same shaft which carries the cam x¹, and its backward motion
from a replacing spring, not shown. These two horizontal cutters make impressions
in the sides of the metallic bars which are fed between them, so as to facilitate the
severing of proper lengths.
The vertically acting cutter bar jis pivotted within another recess of the block b',
and operated by a cam z. Its cutting edge faces a similar stationary one attached
to plate a¹. These vertically acting cutters form shears to completely sever each
length of bar after it has been partly severed by the horizontally operating cutters
above described, the cuts being in a line.
The part of the bar cut off at each stroke is forced into a channel m¹ under a
hinged piece n¹, and passes to the first pair of rolls. A spring is placed in the
receiving end of the said channel m³, which raises the pieces as they are cut off in
line with the bars that force them forward.
The shaft of cams x, y, and z is journalled in boxes attached to the frame A, and
provided at one end with a bevel gear wheel L.
Figure 5 shows the devices employed for imparting motion to the said· machine.
These devices consist of a driving wheel A2, having a horizontal shaft which has a
bevel gear wheel connection with the oblique shaft B. The shaft B2 carries at its
other end a bevel gear wheel L', which meshes with the gear wheel L, and thereby
drives the aforesaid feeding and cutting mechanism. These shafts are journalled
in boxes or bearings secured to the frame A.
The driving shaft also carries an excentric spur gear wheel M, meshing with the
excentric wheel N turning on a stud of the frame A. This wheel N is linked by a
bar R (pivotted at each end) to the upper end of connecting rod r, which reciprocates
sash C by reason of its attachment to the lower cross piece c.
The operation of the several parts of this machine has already been described in
detail. The general operation of the said machine is as follows:-The bars of metal
are fed into the machine, cut into pieces of the requisite length, and forced into and
through the channel leading to the rolls by the feeding mechanism which supplies
the machine. The forward ends of the severed pieces are presented to the largest
part of the grooves in the first pair of rolls; as the rolls are turned, the severed
pieces or bars are subjected to their action; as the bars make a quarter turn between
the pair of rolls they are repeatedly compressed from all sides towards their centres;
and, finally, leave the machine in a shape determined by the form of the grooves in
the rolls.
Various changes or modifications may be made in the devices above described
without departing from the spirit of my Invention; thus it may be found practi-
cable to substitute for the aforesaid sash C other devices suitable for effecting the
same purpose, and the devices for holding cylindrical bars in the inner guide tube
may readily be varied.
The said machine may be arranged in any convenient position.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim -

page_text: First. In a machine for reducing metal bars, the combination of a guide or guides
adapted to turn square, prismatic, or polygonal bars with a positive feeding device
for moving the bars through the said guides.
Second. In a machine for reducing metal bars, the combination of a guide or
guides adapted to turn cylindrical bars with the said positive feeding device.
Third. In a machine for reducing metal bars, the employment of guiding devices
adapted to turn cylindrical bars in their passage from one pair of pressure rolls to
another pair.
Fourth. In a machine for reducing metal bars, a positive motion device for feeding
through the turning guides, the said device being arranged to yield in moving back-
ward through said guides in case of encountering any obstacle.
Fifth. The combination of pressure rolls provided with arms which are pivotted to
a stationary frame with a reciprocating sash adapted to actuate the said arms and
rolls, or with any equivalent actuating devices.
Sixth. The combination of parts comprising the feed carriage, the plate, the slotted
feed lever, the cutters, the cams, and the shaft carrying the same, as above described
and for the purposes set forth.
Seventh. In a machine for reducing metal bars, a guide for cylindrical bars con-
sisting of an exterior tube in combination with an inner tube having a slot spring
and pin, and means for operating the said inner tube, as above set forth.
Eighth. In a machine for reducing metal bars, a guide for cylindrical bars con-
sisting of two concentric tubes, one being arranged to slide and turn within the
other, as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
BARA
W". ROB. LAKE. (L.S.)