CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING METALS, AND ALSO IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPA- RATUS APPLICABLE TO AGRICULTURAL AND SANATORY PURPOSES
Year: 1849

page_text: CATION.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
WHITWORTH, of. Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria,
by Her Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain,
bearing date at Westminster the Nineteenth day of December, in the
thirteenth year of Her reign, did for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Joseph Whitworth, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Joseph
Whitworth, my executors, administrators, and assigns, and such
others as I, the the said Joseph Whitworth, my executors, adminis-
trators, or assigns, 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, exercise, and vend,
within England, Wales, and the town of Berwick upon Tweed, my
Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
FOR CUTTING METALS, AND ALSO IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPA-
RATUS APPLICABLE TO AGRICULTURAL AND SANATORY PURPOSES;" in which
said Letters Patent is contained a proviso obliging me, the said Joseph
Whitworth, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention,

page_text: and in what manner the same is to be performed, and to cause the
same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
6
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Joseph Whitworth, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following description thereof,
reference being had to the drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters 1
and figures marked thereon, (that is to say):
My improvements in machinery or apparatus for cutting metals
consist, Firstly, with reference to lathes, in the application of two or more
cutting tools acting at the same time at different points of the surface or
circumference of the work to be operated upon, either when employed 1
for "roughing out" the work, or when "finishing" it:
Secondly, with reference to slide lathes only; my improvements consist
in the application of an additional bottom and top slide rest, combined
and arranged with a separate and distinct traversing motion:
Thirdly, with reference to slotting machines, general shaping machines,
planing machines, and other like machinery actuated by a crank; my
improvement consists in peculiar arrangements of mechanism, whereby
either the cutting tool or the material to be operated upon is made to
pass more rapidly in one direction than another.
My improvements in machinery or apparatus applicable to agricultural
and sanatory purposes consist,-Firstly, in the peculiar adaptation of
cutters to the mowing or cutting of grass, corn, or other crops, and in
the arrangement of machinery or apparatus for actuating such cutters:
Secondly, in the peculiar arrangement of machinery for sweeping the
channels of streets.
In the accompanying drawings, Sheet I. Fig. 1, is a front elevation of
my improvements applied to slide lathes; Fig. 2, is a vertical section, and
Fig. 3, is a plan or horizontal view of the same. A, A, represents the bed
of a slide lathe; B, B, is the traversing carriage or bottom rest; C, C, is
the guide screw driven by change wheels from the fast headstock, in the
ย

page_text: ordinary manner, and imparts a longitudinal traversing motion to the
bottom rest B, B; D, D, is a screw with right and left hand threads
placed transversely to the bed A. A, and passing through the bottom
rest B, B; E, E, is an ordinary top slide rest in front of the lathe, having
a nut F, which takes into the right-hand thread of screw D, D; G, G,
is an additional top slide rest placed on the back part of the lathe, having
likewise a nut H, which takes into the left-hand thread of the screw D, D;
J, represents the cutting tool in front of the lathe, and K, an additional
cutting tool at the back of the lathe. The top slide rests E, E, and G, G,
are shown provided with the usual longitudinal and transverse slides
for adjusting and setting the cutting tools. L, L, represents a shaft under
the operation of turning or being cut. M, M, are the lathe centres. By
turning the screw D, D, in one direction or the other, the tools J, K, will
be brought into contact with or removed from the article under operation.
The screw D, D, also affords the means of imparting a transverse motion
to the top slide rests for "surfacing," in which case the position of the
cutting tools J, and K, would be fixed at right angles to that in which
they are shown. It will be evident that the top slide rest at the back
of the lathe is not absolutely necessary for carrying into effect: my Inven-
tion, of causing several cutting tools to act at different points of the cir-
cumference of the work, as the several cutting tools might be arranged
one above the other in the top slide rest in front of the lathe; but it
will be seen, that by employing the cutting tools on opposite sides of the
work, as exhibited in the drawings, the strain or pressure occasioned by
the action of cutting tools on one side only is counteracted, by a balance
of forces being established; it is on this latter account, as well as being
more convenient, that I prefer having the cutting tools arranged on oppo-
site sides of the work to that of placing them at different points of the
circumference on the same side. Figures 1, 2, and 3, represent also such
of my improvements as are applicable to slide lathes only. On the bed
A, A, is an additional bottom rest B*, B*, provided with slide rests E*, E*,
and G*, G*, and cutting tools J*, and K*; with the former apparatus applied
to the bottom rest B, B, as before described. C*, C*, is a guide screw,
imparts a longitudinal traversing motion to the bottom rest B*, B"; the
guide screw C*, C*, may derive motion from the guide screw C, C, or may
which

page_text: be driven by independent means. The two bottom rests B, and B*, may
move in opposite directions, if required, so that a shaft L, may be slidden
or turned from the centre toward each end, but when cutting a screw
the two bottom rests must move in the same direction as the thread of
the screw to be cut.
Fig. 4, is a front elevation, Fig. 5, is a sectional elevation, and Fig. 6,
is a plan or horizontal view, exhibiting a mode of applying my improve-
ments to hand-turning lathes. A, A, represents the bed of an ordinary
turning lathe, having secured to it by the bolts and keeps b, b, the lower
part c, c, of the hand slide rest. There are two plates d, e, which slide
upon the lower part c, c, having nuts f, and g, through which pass the right
and left hand screw h; j, is a grooved shaft, on which are keyed (though
free to move along it) the worms k, and I, gearing into the worm wheels
m, and n. The two top slide rests now to be described being of similar
construction, the following description of one of them will be sufficient:
o, is the longitudinal slide, secured to the plates d, e, by the screws p, p,
which pass through the circular slots q, q, by which means the slide rests
may be set to any required angle horizontally; the worm wheels m,
and n, are placed at the bottom of the longitudinal slide o, and the centres
of their axes pass through the centres from which the circular slots are
produced; the spindler, passes upwards through a bearing cast to the
longitudinal slide o, and has a pinion s, keyed to the top end of it; the
pinions, gears into a rack t, which takes into a dovetail groove in the
slide u; the rack t, is secured endwise to the slide u, by the screw w,
which said screw at one end is screwed into the slide u, and at the other
attached to the rack t. By these means the tools hereafter described can
be independently adjusted longitudinally. Another adjustment (the
transverse of the latter) is provided by means of the slide a; with a screw
y, fitting into the slide u; z, z, represent two tools or cutters secured to
the top slide rest by screws and nuts. It will be evident, that if by any
means a rotatory motion be given to the shaft j, it will be transferred by
the worms k, and I, to the worm wheels m, n, and to the two vertical spin-
dles; and by means of the pinion s, and racks t, longitudinal motion will
be given simultaneously in the same direction to the two upper parts of
the slide rests which carry the tools.

page_text: The third feature of my improvements is represented in Sheet II. of
the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 7, is a front elevation; Fig. 8,
is a side elevation; and Fig 9, is a horizontal section of my improvements,
shown applied to the slotting machine. A, A, is the frame; B, B, is the
driving shaft passing through the frame of the machine, having on one
end the cone pulley C, and at the other end the pinion D, gearing into
the wheel E. The wheel E, runs loosely on the boss F, at the front of
the frame A. There is a stud a, fixed in and projecting from the side of
the wheel E, having upon it a sliding-piece b. G, (see Fig. 7,) is a crank-
piece having two arms, which, together with its axes e, is made in one
piece for the purpose of strength. The axis or centre of the crank-piece
G, is in a different plane to the centre of the wheel E, and passes through
the boss F, on which the wheel E, turns; f, is a groove formed in the
back of the crank-piece G, in which the piece b, slides; g, is a loose piece
of metal occupying one side of the groove f, which may be forced up
against the sliding-piece b, by screws h, h, to prevent any lateral play of the
sliding-piece b, in the groove f. On the front of the opposite arms of the
crank-piece G, is formed a rebated groove, which extends from the centre
to the outside of the crank-piece G, enclosed by a cap-piece c. In the
rebated groove is made fast the crank-pin k, which may be set at any
distance from the centre of the crank-piece G, to increase or diminish
the length of the traverse of the tool or cutter. H, is the connecting-
rod, attached at one end by means of the crank-pin k, to the crank-piece
G, and at the other end by means of the stud 7, to the long reciproca-
ting slide J, J, which carries the cutting tool K. If rotary motion be im-
parted to the wheel E, it will turn the crank-picce Ġ, with it in the same
direction; and as the centres of the wheel E, and crank-piece G, are in
different planes, the stud a, fixed in the wheel E, will, as it revolves, vary
in distance from the centre of the crank-piece G. When the centre of
the stud a, and the wheel E, are both on the same side, and in a line
with the centre of the crank-piece G, the stud a, will be at its maximum
distance from the centre of the crank-piece G, as shown on the drawing;
but when the centre of the stud a, is in the same line, on the opposite
side of the centre of the crank-piece, it will be at a minimum distance
therefrom. Thus, as the wheel E, revolves at an uniform velocity, the

page_text: velocity of the crank G, will be greatest during that half of its revolution
when the stud a, is at a minimum distance from its centre, and the long
reciprocating slide J, will consequently move more rapidly at that time;
a reverse effect will take place when the stud a, is at a maximum distance
from the centre of the crank-piece. In the arrangement shown, the re-
ciprocating slide J, would move more rapidly in going up, which would
be at the time the tool K, is not cutting. The distance apart of the
centres of the wheel and of the crank-piece, and of the centres of the
wheel and stud a, determine the relative velocities in the two directions
of the reciprocating slide J. It will be readily understood, that the same
mechanism is applicable to general shaping machines, planing machines,
and other like machinery actuated by a crank, wherein it is desired that
the material to be operated upon or the cutting tool shall travel more
rapidly in one direction than another.
In Sheet III. Figures 10, and 11, represent a side elevation and plan
of my improvements in machinery or apparatus applicable to agricul-
tural purposes. A, A, is a frame, to which is attached in front the swivel
or lock B, B, of ordinary construction, having a guide wheel C, C;
D, D, are the shafts for applying a horse, if such power is to be
employed; E, E, are the hind wheels, one of which is made broader on
the periphery, and has secured to it the spur wheel G; F, is a pinion
keyed on the shaft a, gearing into the spur wheel G. On the shaft a,
is a second spur wheel J, gearing into a pinion K, on the shaft b. L, is
a bevel wheel keyed at the end of the shaft b, gearing into a pinion M,
on the vertical hollow shaft n; at the lower end of the vertical hollow
shaft n, is fixed the cap R, to which the circular cutter N, is attached.
The bearings for carrying the vertical and horizontal shafts are in
brackets attached to the frame. On forward motion being given to the
machine by the horse or other power employed, a rapid rotary motion
through the train of wheels above described, from the running wheel E,
will be given to the circular cutter. The rotary motion of the circular cutter
may be suspended by means of the ratchet-clutch a, through the medium
of the lever y, and rod z, by the driver of the machine. O, is a guide
roller, the axle of which is mounted on a forked bracket attached to the
lower end of the vertical rod p, which roller is for the purpose of main-

page_text: taining the circular cutter at a proper height from the ground. The
rod p, passes upwards through the hollow shaft n, and is prevented from
revolving, by a square formed on its upper end passing through a square
slot in the bracketq; the bracket q, also forms a bearing for the spindle
carrying the chain pulley r, and worm wheel s; a connexion is formed
between the chain pulleyr, and the vertical rod p, by the chain t. Q, is a
shaft, having at one end a worm working into the worm wheels, and at the
other end a hand wheel u, for the purpose of raising the circular cutter
from the ground when required. The shaft Q, has its bearing at W.
In cutting grass or other crops which require spreading, I propose
to make the circular cutter revolve in the direction of the arrow shown
in Fig. 11; in cutting corn or other crops which do not require
spreading, I propose to make the circular cutter revolve in a contrary
direction to the arrow, which may be done by an elongation of the
hollow shaft n, and by placing the bevel wheel M, at the upper end in
an inverted position. Such latter arrangement will cause the corn or
other crops to fall in a more convenient manner for gathering. Curved
blades or scythes might be employed instead of the circular cutter, as
shown at Figures 12, and 13, in which n, is the hollow shaft represented
in Fig. 10, to which are fixed the arms a, a; b, b, are studs, screwed at
the upper end, and passing through holes in the extremities of the arms
a, a; the studs b, b, can be fixed by the nuts c, c; to the lower end of the
studs b, b, are attached the scythes d, d, which may be easily removed at
any time when worn or broken. O, is a guide roller, whose axis is
immediately below the hollow shaft n, to allow more room for the grass
or other material which has been cut to get clear of the scythe than
it would otherwise do if the roller O, was placed in the position shown
in Fig. 10.
In Sheet III. Figures 14, and 15, represent a side and an end eleva-
tion of my improvements in machinery or apparatus applicable to sana-
tory purposes. A, A, are two wheels (similar to the wheels of a cart)
carrying the frame and shafts B, B; C, C, is a spur wheel fixed to the
far-side wheel A, gearing into a pinion D, on one end of the shaft a, a;
b, is a bearing through which this end of the shaft a, a, passes; and both

page_text: bearing and shaft are spherically formed, that is, as a ball and socket
joint, to allow the obliquity of the shaft a, a, to be more or less as
required. The other end of the shaft a, a, which is grooved, passes
through a bearing attached to the armed frame g, which also supports
the shaft f; on this end of the shaft a, is the bevel wheel E, which turns
loosely thereon, and gears into another bevel wheel F, on the shaft f;
at the lower end of the shaft f, is fixed the circular brush G; d, is a
ratchet-clutch keyed on the shaft a, which can be thrown into or out of
gear by the lever e; the lever e, has a bolt and nut at r, for retaining
the clutch either in connexion with or detached from the bevel wheel E,
as the case may be. The bearing frame g, together with the whole of
the apparatus thereon, may move endwise in either direction upon the
shaft a, a, to permit the brush to follow the line of the curb-stone. H, is
a lever for regulating the position and action of the brush G, G, on the
ground, and also to the curb-stone; the lever H, has an universal joint
at the end h, attached to the bearing frame J, which frame is adjustable
vertically; at the other end of the lever H, is the bearing frame g,
attached to it by a joint pin q. A helical spring k, is for regulating and
tempering the pressure of the broom or brush upon the ground, one end
of which spring is attached to the lever H, and the other to a chain l,
carried over and fixed to the chain pulley m. L, is a bracket or
bearing supporting the axle of the chain pulley m, and worm wheel n,
which are both keyed on the same spindle; there is a worm o, fixed on
the same spindle as the hand wheel p, by which means the brush may
be raised entirely from the ground. On forward motion being given to
the machine by a horse or other power employed, the circular brush
will be caused to revolve by means of the gearing described. The rotary
motion may be suspended by disconnecting the ratchet-clutch from the
bevel wheel E; the lever H, affords the means of readily adjusting the
brush in every necessary direction to the curb-stone as well as the
ground; the obliquity of the shaft a, gives to the circular brush a slight
pressure towards the curb-stone, and renders unnecessary a spring
for that purpose.
Having described the features of my several improvements, and the

page_text: manner in which they may be carried into effect, I desire it to be
understood, that with respect to my machinery or apparatus for cutting
metals and other substances, I claim,-
First, the adaptation to a turning lathe. of two or more cutting
tools, acting simultaneously, and placed at different radial points
of the surface (in preference at opposite points) of the work under
operation:
Secondly, the adaptation of an additional bottom slide rest, when
combined and arranged with a separate and distinct traversing motion:
Thirdly, with reference to slotting machines, general shaping machines,
planing machines, and other similar machinery, tools, or apparatus,
which receive their reciprocating motion by means of a crank, I
claim the construction and arrangement of mechanism, exhibited in
the drawings, for causing either the cutting tool or the material to
be operated upon to pass more rapidly in one direction than in the
other.
With reference to machinery or apparatus applicable to agricultural
and sanatory purposes, I claim,-
Fourthly, the construction and arrangement of machinery with disc,
annular, or scythe cutters, as shown in the drawings, for the purposes
of mowing or cutting grass, corn, or other crops, as described:
Fifthly, the construction and arrangement of machinery for the
purposes of cleansing the channels of streets by means of a circular
brush, with lever and other apparatus connected therewith, for the
purpose of adjusting the positions and actions of the brush, as exhibited
in the drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Whitworth, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of June in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty.
JOSED WHITWORTH
0
JOSEPH WHITWORTH (L.S.)
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the Nineteenth day of June
in the year of our Lord 1850, the aforesaid Joseph Whitworth came
before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged
the specification aforesaid, and all and everything therein contained

page_text: and specified in form above written; and also the specification aforesaid.
was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made for that
purpose.
Enrolled the Nineteenth day of June in the year of our Lord One