Improvements in or in connection with Flexible Shafts.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 9th Oct., 1897
}
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or in connection with Flexible Shafts.
I, GEORGE HERMAN GILLETTE, of 70 West 87th Street, New York, in the County,
and State of New York, U.S.A. Manufacturer, 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 mechanism for applying power for operating rotary and
other tools irrespective of their position, while the same are being moved about
different parts of the work. As herewith illustrated my invention is embodied in
a horse clipping machine, although it is applicable to other purposes, such for
instance, as drilling, burnishing or cleaning various stationary objects.
The particular feature of the present invention lies in the means employed in
enabling the flexible shaft used in the construction of this device to yield freely
to enable the operator to apply a cutter at any desired angle without in so doing
causing the shaft to become kinked or crowded or to produce undue friction within
its casing. In order that my invention may be clearly understood and explained
in detail I have annexed hereto a sheet of drawings in which Figure 1 is a side
elevation, and Figure 2 a front elevation of portions of my machine, fully illustra-
ting the features of invention.
In said Figures A indicates an arm or support forming a portion of a stand of
any character, and B indicates a yoke at the upper end of said arm A, said yoke
having the bearing a, in which is journalled a shaft b, one end of said shaft b,
being provided with a sprocket wheel c and balance wheel C. A bevelled gear D
is secured upon the shaft b, said bevelled gear meshing with another bevelled
gear E which latter is rigidly connected at the upper end of a rod d which it
causes to rotate when actuated through the movement of the bevelled gear D.
United with the rod d at d¹ is one end of a chain F, the other end of which chain
is connected to the stem e of a cutter G, the said cutter being operated by the
rotation of the said stem e. The chain which comprises the rotary portion of my
flexible shaft is enveloped throughout to the extent of that portion of its length
which is adapted to yield, by a coil H of spring wire or the like, said coil being
formed in even convolutions, and the said coil H is encased within a suitable
flexible covering I such as of textile material.
J indicates a hollow stem which contains the rotatable rod d, and said stem J is
bifurcated at its upper end to form the bearings f which rotatably support the
shaft b, and at the same time causing the bevelled gears D and E to mesh together
as seen in the drawing.
Purposely an intervening space is provided between the adjacent ends of the
hollow stem J and the coil H, and a sleeve K which is secured to the end of the
coil H at one end, is placed slideably over the lower portion of the hollow stem J,
being free, within certain limits, to move vertically upon said stem. The sleeve K
is provided with a vertical slot k, and a stud 1, which is secured in the hollow
stem J, through said slot k, prevents the sleeve K from having a rotary movement,
but at the same time permits its vertical play.

page_text: Instead of the slot k in sleeve K and stud in hollow stem. J, I may reverse
these elements by placing the projection or stud on the inner side of the sleeve K
and allow it to move in a vertical slot formed for the purpose in the hollow stem J,
this modification however not being illustrated as it is comprehensible without.
In the operation of this device, when the shaft bis rotated, as by driving belt L,
or any other suitable means, as a sprocket chain (not shown) engaging with the
sprocket wheel c, the bevelled gear 1) thereon, meshing together with the bevelled
gear E, causes the rod, the chain and likewise the cutter stem e to rotate, and
thereby to operate the reciprocating knives of the cutter as is well understood in
the art. When the flexible shaft is held out straight for its entire length, as
partially shown in Figure 2, there is of course nothing to prevent the free rotation
of these parts, and the movement is free and smooth.
I have found in practice however, before my present invention, that when the
flexible shaft is curved in order that the cutter may be moved to different parts of
the object being shorn, for instance as in the position illustrated in Figure 1, or
any other curves, then there is a tendency for the chain or shaft F to become
kinked, or to set up undue friction within the coil H. Now by the employment
of my improved sleeve K and its ability to slide vertically up on the hollow stem J,
thereby lengthening or diminishing the length of the casing for the chain or
shaft Fautomatically the said sleeve being held against rotation by the means
named, I find that an equilibrium is maintained between the chain or shaft and
its casing and perfect freedom of rotary movement is attained for the said chain
or shaft F under all conditions of curvature.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
First. In a power applying apparatus, the combination of a flexible shaft, and
means for rotating the same, a flexible casing for said shaft, and means for
enabling said casing to be contracted or extended automatically with the curva-
ture of the shaft, substantially as set forth.
Second. In a power applying apparatus, the combination of a flexible shaft, a
hollow stem, and a rotary rod extending through said stem and united with said
flexible shaft, a means for rotating the same, a flexible casing for the shaft, and
a sleeve connecting said flexible casing and hollow stem, together with stems
permitting said sleeve to slide vertically substantially as set forth.
Dated this 6th day of August 1897
F. W. BARKER,
Applicants' Agent.