Improvements in the Method of and in Machinery for Milling the Bolsters of Cutlery, applicable also for other purposes.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in the Method of and in Machinery for Milling the
Bolsters of Cutlery, applicable also for other purposes.
I, CHARLES PEACH, of 86, Melbourne Street, in the County Borough of Derby,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the processes of and apparatus for milling that part of
table cutlery commonly called the "bolster" which consists of a groove or grooves
and a flange or flanges separating the handle from the blade.
In my improved machine I employ a rotating milled cutter mounted to revolve
or travel around the knife and held against it with a yielding pressure; a suitable
stop being provided and adapted to have contact with a suitable form or gauge,
such for example as the previously shaped solid handle of the knife, or a gauge
fitted on the tang of a blade intended to be fitted to a loose handle, whereby the
extent of the milling is determined.
Another important feature of my invention consists in holding the knife in a
stationary chuck and causing the rotating milling cutter to revolve or travel
thereabout, instead of having a stationary cutter and revolving a rotating chuck
thereabout, as has been customary heretofore; this feature and others of importance
I will now describe.
I employ a main framework mounted upon a suitable pedestal formed in part by
a horizontal cylindrical casing open at both ends. A cylinder extends through
the casing and is adapted to rotate therein, the said cylinder being longitudinally
recessed to receive a frame pivotted thereto and actuated by a spring secured to the
cylinder. The frame has also a recess in one end thereof into which the knife
blade projects during the milling of the bolster.
A shaft extends longitudinally through the frame to one side of the recess and
at its outer extremity carries a milling cutter having a flat part for cutting the
flange of or milling the bolster, a curved ridge for cutting the groove and a disc or
washer of less diameter than the greatest diameter of the wheel. Secured to one
end of the cylinder and recessed to fit about the end of the frame and leave the
before mentioned recess uncovered is a plate which bears against the end of the cas-
ing during the rotation of the cylinder.
The cylinder is rotated from the end opposite that in which the recess is located
by gearing consisting preferably of a toothed annulus about the end of the casing.
a gear wheel contiguous to said annulus mounted on a shaft loosely bearing in and
projecting from the cylinder and a small gear wheel mounted on and rotating with
a pulley fixed on a shaft and driven from any suitable source of power, a loose

page_text: pulley being mounted on the hub of the fast pulley. By forming the annulus
with one tooth more than the before mentioned wheel every revolution of the gear
thereabout causes a slight rotation of the cylinder.
The shaft carrying the milling cutter is rotated from the above named shaft
carrying the driving pulley by means of two pinions.
From the foregoing description the mechanism for rotating and revolving the
milling cutter will be understood.
The mechanism for holding and presenting the knife to the milling cutter will
now be described. This consists of a bar or frame rigidly secured to the side of the
cylindrical casing projecting beyond the latter at one end and formed with a
sleeve in which a spindle has its bearing. The bar has a longitudinal recess therein
adjacent to the aforesaid casing in which slides a latch having at one end a lateral
projection against which bears a spring housed in a recess in the bar and at the
outer end a lateral projection. The spring tending to force the latch and hold
its lateral projection in contact with the before mentioned recessed plate secured
to the end of the cylinder: fixed to one end of the aforsaid spindle is a swinging
arm extending along the front of the bar or frame which has secured to its inner
face at its free end a plate having a curved inner edge provided with a shoulder
against which the latch is adapted to engage and hold the arm in a fixed position.
A spring is secured to the underside of the arm bearing at its free end against
a pin projecting from the bar, the tendency of the spring being to force the arm
upwards upon the latch being disengaged from the shoulder, the disengagement
is effected by the inclined head of a screw secured near the edge of the above nien-
tioned recessed plate causing the latch to slide upon the cylinder making une
revolution. The arm is drawn down for engagement of the shoulder
under the latch by any suitable means, such as a treadle or lever
connecting with a rod pivotted to the arm. A belt-shifter in the shape of a
bell crank lever is pivotted to the frame and to the rod, and by the upward move-
ment of the arm the belt is moved from the fast to the loose pulley. At its other
end (the arm being secured at one end) the before mentioned spindle carries a
plate recessed to receive a pair of jaws constituting the chuck for holding the
knife, the lower one of which is rigidly secured to the plate, the upper or movable
jaw is held in place by two screws the heads of which rest against springs in
countersunk recesses in the upper edge of the plate, the tendency of the springs is
to keep the jaws apart, on the top of the plate is a screw with a hand wheel engag-
ing a threaded opening in the plate and bearing against the top jaw, an adjust-
able
gauge is secured in the lower part of the plate by a set screw against which the
end of the knife handle er tang rests to determine the proper position of the latter
in the holder.
In work, the knite to be operated upon having been secured in its place between
the two jaws, the arm is drawn down against the tension of the spring under it
by means of the commuting red until the latch engages under the shoulder, the
knite being at the same time lowered into contact with the willing cutter and
the belt shifted from the loose to the fast pulley thus throwing the machine into
operation.
As the milling cutter is rotated and revolved around the knife as already de-
scribed it is held against the same with a yielding pressure through the tension
spring, the disc on the cutter shaft coming in contact with the handle of the knife,
preventing the milling being carried too far, and determining the depth of the
groove and the extent to which the top of the flange is cut away. I'pon the milling
cutter making a complete revolution about the knife the before mentioned inclined
head of the screw comes into action disengaging the latch from the shoulder,
permitting the arm to be raised by its spring, lifting the knife from the milling
wheel, and actuating the belt shifter to transfer the belt from the fast to the loose
pulley and stopping the machine.
By my invention I use the previously shaped blade as a gauge to determine the
extent to which the metal is to be cut away, by mounting the milling wheel so as

page_text: to be held in contact with the knife with a yielding pressure, adjacent to the said
wheel is a stop preferably in the form of a disc the operating surface of which is
flush with the edge of the milling wheel and adapted to come into contact with the
knife blade or gauge and prevent further action of the cutter.
Another important feature of my invention is the arrangement of milling cutters
and rotating carrier having a number of holders whereby a number of knives can
be rapidly and successively presented for action of the milling cutter.
To accomplish this the frame of the machine has an annular flange projecting
upwards supported by any suitable pedestal, in the centre is a vertical casting
formed with a lower cylindrical part and an upper part enclosing a casing for the
driving and supporting mechanism for the milling cutters, said casing being con-
stituted in part by a plate, there are also slots in the sides of the casing through
which the knives pass as the work holder is rotated; a worm wheel bearing against
the base and located within the flange thereon, the said wheel having a hub en-
gaging about the cylindrical part which serves as an axis for the wheel, the latter
being rotated from any suitable source of power by a worm shaft carrying a pulley.
A platform is arranged concentrically with the hub of the wheel overhanging the
latter and the flange thereby enclosing the worm wheel. The said platform has a
vertical face and adjacent to this is a V shaped groove formed in the horizontal
surface of the platform, serving as a rest for the ends of the handles or tangs of
the knives held in notches in flanges on the vertical surface of the platform by a
series of workholders, one for every two knives; the said workholders consist of.
plates each having four feet (two to each knife) suitably notched to embrace the
knife handle or tangs against which they are tightly clamped by screws working
into the platform and operated by a hand wheel. The milling cutters or wheels
are of a contour to impart the proper curvature to the surface to be acted upon
and are of the usual construction and secured to the lower ends of two shafts.
Adjacent to the milling wheels and of the same diameter are discs or washers to
come into contact with the knife blades and act as stops to prevent undue cutting
away of the metal. The two shafts carrying the milling cutters extend longi-
tudinally through and bear in frames pivotted at the upper end between the sides
of the casing and at their upper ends said shafts carry bevil wheels which mesh
with suitable gears on a driving shaft journalled in a cap on the casing; the said
shaft carrying a driving and loose pulley.
At their lower ends the above named frames and milling wheels are forced to-
wards each other by means of springs which supply the yielding pressure referred
to
In the operation of the machine a number of knives having been secured in
position the platform is slowly rotated by means of the worm bringing the knives
successively between the opposite rotating milling cutters which cut away the
metal of the bolsters until stopped as already explained. The operation being
continued until all the knives have been operated upon.
The milling cutters might be made movable and the work holders remain
stationary if desired or one milling wheel might be employed instead of two and
the knives be reversed in their holders, but the invention as herein before described
is deemed much more preferable and expeditious.
Modifications may be made within wide limits without departing from the prin-
ciple of my invention both in the construction of machinery and in its application
for operating upon various articles.
1
1000
W. SWINDELL,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: '
Improvements in the Method of and in Machinery for Milling the
Bolsters of Cutlery, applicable also for other purposes.
I, CHARLES PEACH, of 86, Melbourne Street, in the County Borough of Derby,
Engineer, 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 the processes of and apparatus for milling that part of
table cutlery commonly called the "bolster" which consists of a groove or grooves
and a flange or flanges separating the handle from the blade.
In my improved machine I employ a rotating milling cutter mounted to revolve
or travel around the knife and held against it with a yielding pressure: a suitable
stop being provided and adapted to have contact with a suitable form or gauge,
such for example as the previously shaped solid handle of the knife, or a gauge
fitted on the tang of a blade intended to be fitted to a loose handle, whereby the
extent of the milling is determined.
Another important feature of my invention consists in holding the knife in a
stationary chuck and causing the rotating milling cutter to revolve or travel
thereabout, instead of having a stationary cutter and revolving a rotating chuck
thereabout as has been customary heretofore; this part of my invention will be
more clearly understood upon reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings,
upon which;-
-
Figure 1, is a vertical sectional view;
Figure 2, is a horizontal sectional view;
Figure 3, is an end elevation partly in section, looking from the left of Figure 1,
and Figure 4 is an elevation.
In the second part of my invention I use the previously shaped blade as a
gauge to determine the extent to which the metal is to be cut away, by mounting
the milling wheel so as to be held in contact with the knife with a yielding pres-
sure, adjacent to the said wheel is a stop preferably in the form of a disc the
operating surface of which is flush with the edge of the milling wheel and adapted
to come into contact with the knife blade or gauge and prevent further action of
the cutter.
Another important feature of my invention is the arrangement of milling cutters
and rotating carrier having a nuniber of holders whereby a number of knives can
be rapidly and successively presented for action of the milling cutter.
This portion of my invention will be more clearly understood upon reference to
Figures 5, 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
Figure 5 being a vertical sectional view;
Figure 6 a plan view and Figure 7 a sectional detail.
In carrying out the first part of my invention I employ a main framework A
mounted upon a suitable pedestal the upper end of which is shewn at A', and
formed in part by a horizontal cylindrical casing A3 open at both ends. A cylin-
der B extends through the casing A2 and is adapted to rotate therein, the said
cylinder being longitudinally recessed to receive a frame C pivotted thereto at c
and actuated by a spring secured to the cylinder. The frame C has also a
recess C¹ in one end thereof into which the knife blade projects during the milling
of the bolster.
A shatt D extends longitudinally through the frame to one side of the recess C¹
and at its outer extremity carries a milling cutter E having a flat parte for cutting
the flange of or milling the bolster, a curved ridge for cutting the groove and a

page_text: disc or washer E¹ of less diameter than the greatest diameter of the milling wheel E.
Secured to the end of the cylinder B by screws f and recessed at f¹ to fit about the
end of the frame C and leave the before mentioned recess C¹ uncovered, is a plate F
which bears against the end of the casing A2 during the rotation of the cylinder.
The cylinder B is rotated from the end opposite that in which the recess C¹ is
located by gearing consisting preferably of a toothed annulus g about the end of
the casing A, a gear wheel G contiguous to said annulus mounted on a shaft H
loosely bearing in and projecting from the cylinder B and a small gear wheel I'
mounted on and rotating with a pulley K fixed on a shaft H and driven from any
suitable source of power; a loose pulley K¹ being mounted on the hub of the fast
pulley K. By forming the annulus 9 with one tooth more than the wheel G
every revolution of the gear thereabout causes a slight rotation of the cylinder B.
The shaft D carrying the milling cutter is rotated from the shaft H carrying the
driving pulley by means of two pinions d and h.
From the foregoing description the mechanism for rotating and revolving the
milling cutter will be understood.
The mechanism for holding and presenting the knife to the milling cutter will
now be described. This consists of a bar or frame L rigidly secured to the side
of the cylindrical casing A³ projecting beyond the latter at one end and formed
with a sleeve I in which a spindle M has its bearing. The bar L has a longi-
tudinal recess 1' therein adjacent to the casing A2, in which recess slides a latch m
having at one end a lateral projection m' against which bears a spring I³ housed
in a recess in the bar L and at the other end a lateral projection m². The spring Is
tends to force the latch on towards the right Fig. 2 and hold its lateral pro-
jection ma in contact with the plate F: fixed to one end of the aforesaid spindle M
is a swinging arm N extending along the front of the bar or frame L, which has
secured to its inner face at its free end a plate n having a curved inner edge pro-
vided with a shoulder at n¹ as shewn in dotted lines on Figure 4 against which the
latch m is adapted to engage and hold the arm in a fixed position see full lines
Figure 4.
A spring O is secured to the underside of the arm N, bearing at its free end
against a pin o projecting from the bar L, the tendency of the spring being to
force the aim upwards upon the latch being disengaged from the shoulder n¹, the
disengagement is effected by the inclined head of a screw fa secured in the head F
near the edge of the above mentioned recessed plate causing the latch m to slide to
the left (Fig. 2) upon the cylinder B making a complete revolution. The arm N
is drawn down for engagement of the shoulder a¹ under the latch by any suitable
means, such as a treadle or lever (not shewn) connecting with and P pivoted
to the arm N at 2, a belt shifter Q in the shape of a bell crank lever is pivotted to
the frame A, and also to the rod Pat q' and upon the upward movement in 'he
arm the belt is moved from the fast pulley K to the loose pulley K¹. At
other end (the arm N being secured to one end) the before mentioned spindle M
carries a plate R recessed to receive a pair of jaws S S constituting the chuck for
holding the knife, the lower one S of which is rigidly secured to the plate the upper
or movable jaw S' is held in place by two screws ss the heads of which rest against
springs SS in countersunk recesses in the upper edge of the plate R, the tendency
of the springs being to move the jaw S¹ way from the jaw S on the top of the
plate is a screw T with a hand wheel t at its upper end engaging in a threaded
opening in the plate R and bearing against the jaw S¹, a gauge U is adjustably
secured in the lower part of the plate R by a set screw against which the end of
the knife handle or tang rests to determine the proper position of the latter in
the holder.
In work the knife to be operated upon having been secured in its place between
he two jaws S, S¹, the arm N is drawn down against the tension of the spring 0
by means of the connecting rod P until the latch m engages under the shoulder n¹,
the knife being at the same time lowered into contact with the milling cutter E

page_text: and the belt not shewn shifted from the loose pulley K¹ to the fast pulley K thus
throwing the machine into operation.
As the milling cutter is rotated and revolved around the knife as already de-
scribed it is held against the same with a yielding pressure through the tension
spring, the disc E¹ on the cutter shaft coming in contact with the handle of the
knite preventing the milling being carried too far and determining the depth of
the groove and the extent to which the top of the flange is cut away. Upon the
milling cutter making a complete revolution about the knife the before mentioned
inclined head of the screw comes into action disengaging the latch m from the
shoulder permitting the arm N to be raised by its spring O, lifting the knife
from the milling wheel, and actuating the belt shifter to transfer the belt from the
fast to the loose pulley and stopping the machine.
•
In carrying out the second part of my invention I employ a frame the base 1 of
which has an annular flange 2 projecting upwards supported by any suitable
pedestal not shewn, a casting is secured in a vertical position on said base by
means of a nut 4 and is formed with a lower cylindrical part 3 and an upper
enclosing casing 6 for the driving and supporting mechanism for the milling
cutters, said casing 6 being constituted in part by a plate 7, there are also slots 8
and 9 in the sides of the casing 6 through which the knives pass as the work
holder is rotated; a worm wheel 10 bearing against the base 1 and located within
the flange thereon, the said wheel having a hub 11 engaging about the cylindrical
part 3 which serves as an axis for the wheel, the latter being rotated from any
suitable source of power by a worm shaft carrying a pulley, a platform 15 is
arranged concentrically with the hub 11 of the wheel 10 overhanging the latter and
the flange 2 thereby enclosing the worn wheel. The said platform has a vertical
face 16 and adjacent to this is a V shaped groove 17 formed in the horizontal sur-
face of the platform, serving as a rest for the ends of the handles or tangs of the
knives 18 held in notches 19 in flanges 20 on the vertical surface 16 of the platform
by a series of work-holders, one for every two knives: the said work-holders con-
sist of plates 21 each having four feet (two to each knife) suitably notched to
embrace the knife handle or tangs (see Fig. 6) against which they are tightly
clamped by screws 22 working into the platform casting at 5 and operated by a
hand wheel 22. The milling cutters or wheels 23 and 24 are of a contour to im-
part the proper curvature to the surface to be acted upon and are of the usual con-
struction and secured to the lower ends of two shafts 26 and 27 by nuts 28 and 29.
Adjacent to the milling wheels 23 and 24 and of the same diameter are discs or
washers 30 and 31 to come into contact with the knife blades and act as stops to
prevent undue cutting away of the metal. The two shatts 26 and 27 carrying the
milling cutters extend longitudinally through and bear in frames 32 and 33
pivotted at 34 and 35 to the sides of the casing fi and at their upper ends said
shafts carry evil wheels 36 and 37 which mesh with suitable gears 38 and 39 on
a driving shaft 40 journalled in a cap 41 on the casing 6; the said shaft carrying
a driving pulley 42 and loose pulley 43.
At their lower ends the above named frames 32 and 33 and milling wheels 23
and 24 are forced towards each other by means of springs 44 which supply the
yielding pressure referred to.
In the operation of the machine a number of knives having been secured in
position by the plates 21 the platform is slowly rotated by means of the worm 10
bringing the knives successively between the opposite rotating milling cutters 23
and 24 which being yieldingly pressed against opposite sides of the knives by
springs 44 cut away the metal of the bolsters until stopped as already explained.
The operation being continued until all the knives have been operated upon.
The milling cutters might be made movable and the workholders remain
stationary if desired or one milling wheel might be employed instead of two and
the knives be reversed in their holders, but the invention as hereinbefore described
is deemed much more preferable and expeditious.

page_text: Modifications of my invention may be made within wide limits without departing
from the principle thereof both in the constructions of machinery and in its appli-
cation for operating upon various articles; for example the form of milling cutter
may be varied to suit the different classes of bolster required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim
18:-
1. In a milling machine for milling the bolsters of knives and similar articles,
the combination with means for holding the knife, of a milling cutter held against
the knife by yielding pressure, means for rotating said cutter and means for causing
said cutter to travel or revolve around the knife, substantially as described.
2. In a milling machine for milling the bolsters of knives and similar articles,
the combination with means for holding the knife, of a milling cutter held against
the knife by yielding pressure, means for rotating said cutter means for causing
said cutter to travel or revolve around the knife and a stop adapted to make con-
tact with a suitable form to determine the extent of action of the milling cutter
substantially as described.
3. In a machine for milling the bolsters of table knives and similar articles,
the combination with means for holding the knife, of a milling cutter held against
the knife by yielding pressure, means for rotating said cutter, means for causing
said rotating cutter to travel or revolve around the knife, and a stop adjacent to
the cutter adapted to make contact with the previously shaped handle or a gauge
fitted on the tang of a blade which is intended to be fitted to a loose handle to
determine the extent of action of the milling cutter, substantially as described.
4. In a machine for milling the bolsters of table knives and similar articles, the
combination with means for holding the knife, of a milling cutter the operating
surface of which has a straight part for milling the top of the flange of the bolster
and a curved ridge for forming the groove, or other cutters adapted to the different
forms of bolster, said cutter being held against the knife by yielding pressure,
means for rotating the cutter, means for causing the cutter to travel or revolve
around the knife, and a stop adjacent to the cutter adapted to make contact
with the previously shaped handle or a gauge fitted on the tang of a blade which is
intended to be fitted to a loose handle to determine the form and height of the
flange, and the form and depth of the groove of the bolster, substantially as de-
scribed.
5. In a bolster milling machine, the combination with a work-holder for holding
the knife, of a milling cutter held in contact with said knife by yielding pressure,
means for rotating said cutter, means for revolving or causing said rotating cutter
to travel around the knife while in contact therewith, and means for automatically
throwing the milling cutter and knife out of contact at a predetermined point in
the operation, substantially as described.
6. In a bolster milling machine, the combination with a work-holder for holding
the knife, of a milling cutter held in contact with said knife by yielding pressure,
means for rotating said cutter, means for revolving or causing said rotating cutter
to travel around the knife while in contact therewith, and a circular disc on the
axis of the cutter contiguous thereto, the peripheral surface of which is adapted to
make contact with the previously shaped knife handle or gauge in determining the
form of the bolster, substantially as described.
7. In a bolster milling machine, the combination of a milling cutter, means for
pressing the same into contact with the work, and a stop rigidly connected with
the cutter and arranged to make contact with a previously finished part of the knife,
whereby the milling is arrested when the said stop comes into contact with the
work substantially as described.
8. In a milling machine for milling the concaved face of the bolster of knives
adjoining the blade, a milling cutter held in contact with the work by yielding
pressure, and a stop rigidly connected with said cutter and adapted to make con-

page_text: tact with the previously shaped blade to prevent excessive milling, substantially
as described.
9. In a milling machine for milling the concaved face of the bolsters of knives
adjoining the blade, two milling cutters held respectively in contact with opposite
sides of the work by yielding pressure, and stops, one rigidly connected to each
cutter, and adapted to make contact with the previously shaped blade to prevent
excessive milling substantially as described.
10. In a milling machine for milling the concaved face of the bolster of knives
adjoining the blade, a milling cutter held in contact with the work by yielding
pressure, a stop rigidly connected with said cutter and adapted to make contact
with the previously shaped blade to prevent excessive milling, and means for mov-
ing the knife while in contact with the cutter substantially as described.
11. In a bolster milling machine, the combination with a milling cutter held in
contact with the work by yielding pressure, of a work-holder adapted to hold a
number of knives, and means for moving the work-holder and cutter relatively
to each other whereby the knives are successively presented to the action cf the
cutter, substantially as described.
12. In a bolster milling machine, the combination with two milling cutters
pressed towards each other by yielding pressure, of a work-holder adapted to hold
a number of knives, means for moving the work holder and cutters relatively to
each other, whereby the knives are successively passed between the cutters, sub-
stantially as described.
13. In a bolster milling machine the combination with a rotable platform and
means for securing a number of knives in position thereon, of two frames pivoted
to stationary part of the machine above the platform and yieldingly pressed to-
wards each other, two milling cutters having bearings in the frames respectively,
means for rotating said milling cutters and means for rotating the platform to suc-
cessively present the knives between the milling cutters, substantially as de-
scribed.
14. In a bolster milling machine, the combination with a rotatable platform and
means for securing a number of knives in position thereon, of two frames pivoted
to a stationary part of the machine above the platform and yieldingly pressed to-
wards each other, two milling cutters having bearings in the frames respectively,
stops, one for each cutter, adapted to make contact with the opposite sides of the
previously shaped blade to prevent excessive milling, means for rotating said
milling cutters, and means for rotating the platform to successively present the
knives between the milling cutters, substantially as described.
Dated this 11th day of December 18018
Dated this 11th day of Dacaın har
18018
W. SWINDELL.
Imperial Chamlar, Albert Street, Derby,
Agent for the Applicant.
W. SWINDELL.
Imperial Chamlar, Allart Street, Derby,
Agent tor the Applicant.