CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR SHAPING OR FORMING METAL INTO BOLTS, RIVETS, NAILS, AND OTHER ARTICLES, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES
Year: 1834

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MILES
BERRY, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the Parish of Saint
Andrew, Holborn, and County of Middlesex, Engineer and Mechanical
Draftsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date
at Westminster, the Nineteenth day of February, in the fourth year of His
reign, and in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-
four, did give and grant unto me, the said Miles Berry, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, His especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said Miles Berry, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Miles Berry, my executors, administrators,
or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times hereafter during the term of years therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the
Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, an Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR SHAPING OR FORMING METAL INTO BOLTS, RIVETS,
NAILS, AND OTHER ARTICLES, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE
TO OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES," being a communication made to me by a certain
Foreigner resident abroad; in which said Letters Patent is contained a
proviso obliging me, the said Miles Berry, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, and to
cause the same to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in

page_text: part recited Letters l'atent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto
had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Miles Berry, do hereby declare that the nature of the said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon (that is to say) :—
These Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for Shaping and Forming
Metal into Bolts, Rivets, Nails, and other Articles, consist in the improved
arrangement and construction of the working parts of several different machines
applicable to the shaping or forming of metal rods or wires into bolts, pins,
rivets, nails, spikes, screw blanks, and such other kind of articles, that is to
sayThese machines are capable of cutting off portions of such rods or
wire, and heading or shaping them into the desired form, and are intended to
operate upon the metal either hot or cold, as circumstances may require,
several of which machines are somewhat alike in their general construction,
arrangement, and operation, although differing in the detail of the working
parts, and as it is impossible to construct machines of this description without
using some parts which are not new, and have been before used in machines
of a similar nature, I wish it to be understood that I lay no claim to the
exclusive use of any of the several parts of the machines separately (unless
herein-after particularly stated), but only to the general construction and
arrangement of the machines, as described, and to the application of the
several parts to the same.
The first machine I shall describe is exhibited in the several Figures
on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, and is intended to shape or
form bolts, rivets, nails, screw blanks, or such other articles out of rods
of metal or lengths of wire, and consists of a feeding apparatus, by which
the length of wire or rod is successively brought into the machine, and
introduced into a pair of holding chaps and heading dies, which close upon
the end of the wire or rod, and cut off the required length to form the
bolt, rivet, or screw blank, and afterwards bring it opposite the end of a
heading punch, which is moved forward by toggle joints and cams, and com
presses the end of the wire into the recess in the dies, and thereby forming the
head of the bolt, rivet, or screw blank; and after effecting this object the
heading punch is drawn back by the action of the toggle joints and cams; the
holding chaps then move back to their former position, and open to allow of
the now headed bolt or rivet being removed, and a fresh part of the rod or wire

page_text: introduced between them by the feeding apparatus, after which the other parts
of the machine go through a succession of operations, as before. By theso
means the metal rods or wire are cut into lengths, and headed, so as to form
bolts, rivets, pins, screw blanks, and such kind of articles, the shape of the
heading dies being formed to suit the various shapes required on the article to
be manufactured.
Fig. 1 is a plan view of the machine, Fig. 2 is a side elevation, Fig. 3 is
a vertical section, taken longitudinally through the machine, and Figure 4 is a
similar section, taken at the dotted lines A, B, in Fig. 1, and showing the
holding chaps and heading dies open to receive the rod or wire to be operated
upon. Fig. 5 is another section, shewing the chaps and dies closed upon
the wire, and in the position they are in after having cut off a portion of the
rod, and are moved upwards opposite the end of the heading punch. a, a, is
the framework of the machine, of wood or iron; b is the main shaft turning
or bearings on the framework, and carrying the cams that actuate the different
parts of the machine, and which shaft receives its motion from a steam engine
or other first mover by toothed wheels, or a band passed over a rigger or pulley
on its end; c, c, are the toggle joints which move the head punch. One of
these toggle joints is connected to the cross head d, and the other to the
punche working in a guide box f mounted upon cross bars. The holding
chaps and heading dies h are mounted in the box or case i, also placed
upon a cross bar. k, k, are strong rods or tubes of iron, secured at one
end to the cross head d, and at the other ends to the cross head /
at the back of the box i. Between these cross heads the main strain of
the machine is sustained by the rods k, while the heading is performed.
The end of the length of rod or wire m, m, is first passed between guide
rollers 1, 2, 3, which also assist in straightening the wire before being
carried into the dies. It is next passed between wedges 4, 4, mounted in the
pieces 5, 5, upon the cross bar. These pieces have adjusting screws fitted
against the wedges, which are used as safety holders to prevent the rod being
drawn back by the feeding tongs on their return to bring into the machine a
fresh part of it. The wedges should press but with a very slight friction on
the wire when it is being drawn into the machine, but on any movement
backwards they immediately tighten upon the wire, and prevent its return.
The rod or wire is next passed through the feeding tongs or apparatus 6, 6,
and thence through the cross head and box i into the heading dies h. The
feeding apparatus consists of a pair of levers n, n, mounted upon pins 7, 7, as
their fulcrums, fixed into the sliding pieces 8, 8, which move in guides 9, 9.
To the outer ends of the levers n, n, are connected the bent sliding bars 10,10,

page_text: them upon the
moving in bearings 11, 11. Upon the lower part of these sliding bars are
placed adjustable tappets 12, 12, actuated by cams or wipers 18, 13, upon
the main shaft b, which cams or wipers, as the shaft revolves, come in contact
with the tappets 12, 12, and force them back, at the same time moving the
sliding bars 10, 10, thereby causing the levers n, n, to make the tongs 6, 6,
take fast hold of the rod or wire. The further movement of the sliding bars
causes the feeding apparatus to move forward upon the guides 9, 9, and carry
into the dies the quantity of wire required for one operation. There is a
lengthwise adjustment shewn on the sliding bars at 14, 14. The wire or rod
being thus brought into the machine, the heading dies and holding chaps
immediately close upon it. when the wipers 13, 13, cease to operate upon the
tappets 12, 12. The sliding bars and feeding apparatus are then at liberty to
move back into their former position, ready to bring forward another pertion of
wire, which may be effected by the springs 15, 15, connected to the feeding
apparatus, or in any other manner. On the return of the picces 8, 8, they
come in contact with the end of the wedges 4, 4. and tighten
wire during the time the feeding apparatus has not hold of it. On the end of
the rod or wire being brought into the heading dies (and projecting a proper
distance through them to form the head of the bolt, rivet, or screw blank,) the
holding chaps immediately close, and cause the heading dies to take fast hold
of the wire. This movement is effected by the levers o, o, turning horizontally
upon pins 16, 16, fixed in a cross har of the machine. One end of each of
these levers are formed into slots, through which the lower ends of the legs of
the holding tongs are passed, the reverse ends of them being connected
together by a hinge joint and pin at 17, which pin also serves as a guide
working in slots in the case i. The other ends of the levers o, o, work in the
groove of the cams p. p. by the rotation of which they are alternately moved
outward and inward, and open and close the holding tongs. As soon as the
enins p, p, have extended the ends of the levers o, o, and closed the dies, the
cam comes into operation upon the upper side of the longer arm of the lever
2, which is mounted upon a pin 18. The other end of the lever 7 works in a
slot in the bar s, which bar passes through loops on the end of the legs of the
holding tongs. As the cam 7 revolves, it depresses the longer end of the
lever, and raises the other, and with it the cross bar s, and at the same time
raises the holding dies into the position shewn in Fig. 5, that is, opposite to
the end of the heading punch e; at the same time the back part of the heading
dies cuts off the required length of wire or rod to form the bolt, rivet, or screw
blank. There is a hardened steel plate 19, fixed into the case i, which holds
the wire as the dies are rising, and acts as a counter blade or cutter. While

page_text: the dies are carrying the piece of rod opposite to the heading punch, the cam t
comes into operation upon the piece u suspended from the toggle joints, and
raises them into a nearly straight line, thereby forcing the punch forward, and
compressing the projecting end of the wire into the cup or recess of the dies,-
and forms the head of the bolt, rivet, or screw blank; and as soon as this is
performed the cam t ceases to act upon the piece u; and the toggle joints or
levers are free to fall down into their former position, which may be accelerated"
by weights or springs. As soon as the heading punch has ceased to act upon
the wire, the cami v comes into operation upon the lever w, and raising the
longer end, depresses the shorter, and with it the bar s, and the holding tongs
and heading dies, when the inclined grooves of the cams p, p, will cause the
levers o, o, to collapse, and open the legs g, g, as shewn in Figure 4, thereby
allowing the now-headed bolt, pin, rivet, or screw blank to fall away below,
when a fresh portion of the rod or wire will be brought into the dies, and the
same operation performed as before. In order to keep the dies tightly closed
during the time the heading of the wire is performed, there are two inclined
planes x, x, formed on the holding tongs, which, as they rise, come into
contact with the inclined end of the pieces y, y, suspended by pins within the
case i, and adjustable by the screws, . There is a bridle piece 20 extending:
from the framework to the piece u, in order to keep it in its proper position-
with the cam t. 21 is a stop piece or rest for the toggle joints. 22 are the
bridle or coupling pieces to keep the toggle joints to the cross head d and the
punch e. 23, 23, are adjusting screws for the bearings of the punch e, and
which is also capable of adjustment lengthwise. I would remark, that in order
to head bolts, pins, rivets, or screw blanks of different lengths in these
machines, different sized heading dies must be put into the holding chaps, and
different lengths of wire brought into them. This is done by the adjustment
of the tappets 12, 12, and the adjustment chap 14 on the sliding bars 9, 9, and
also that in this case the heading punch must be capable of adjustment length-
wise, which may be done by lengthening or shortening its smaller end.
The next machine I shall describe is of a more simple construction than the
foregoing, and is intended to make bolts, rivets, pins, and screw blanks of a
larger size. Sheet 2 shews several Figures of this machine, and as the move-
Inents of nearly all the operative parts are the same as in the foregoing
machine, I shall use the same letters of reference to denote similar parts, as in:
the former, and therefore refer to the foregoing description for the further-
illustration of this Drawing. In this machine the main shaft b is placed under
the holding tongs and heading dies, and has a pair of double-grooved cams.
p. p, into which the legs g of the tongs work, and which cams give all the

page_text: movements to the holding tongs and dies, instead of the levers 0, 0, 1, and w,
and cams p, p, q, and v in the former machine, and the togglo joints c, c, are
actuated by a long lever instead of the piece u.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken vertically
through the machine shewing the toggle joints down, and the heading punch
brought back, and the dies and tongs drawn down and open with the end of
the rod or wire projecting into them; Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section of
the machine in the samo position, (the face plate of the box i being removed
to expose the interior). Fig. 4 is a similar section to Fig. 2, but shewing the
different parts of the machine in the positions they are in after the dies have
cut off the required length of rod, and carried it up opposite the end of
the punch o, and when the toggle joints are forced up by the lever, and
the punche is in the act of heading the bolt, rivet, or screw blank. Fig. 5
is another transverse section of the machine in this position. Fig. 6 is a
plan view with the heading parts shewn in section. There is not any feeding
apparatus shewn connected to this machine, as the rod or wire may be fed
into the dies by hand or by a similar apparatus as that described in Sheet 1,
or in any other convenient manner. The legs g. 9, of the holding tongs work
in the grooves o, o, of the double cams p, p; these grooves have inclined
planes o, o, in them, which, as the cams revolve, alternately open and close
the tongs and dies, as shown in the sections Figs. 3 and 5. These cains p, p.
have also excentric grooves q and v in them (see Fig. 2 and 4) in which the
studs w. w, upon the ends of the legs g. 9, work, and as the cams revolve
theso grooves alternately raise and lower the heading tongs and dies; is a
long lever attached to one of the toggle joints c which is worked by the cam /,
and raises the lever and with it the toggle joints c, c, and forces forward the
punch e, and performs the heading of the bolt, rivet, pin, or screw blank, as
before described; and after the cam has ceased to act upon the end of the
lever u, the toggle joints are free to be brought down into their former position
ready for the next operation.
The next machine I shall describe is shewn in two representations in
Sheet 3; Fig. 1 shewing the toggle joints raised in the act of heading the
wire or rod to form the bolt, rivet, or screw blank; Fig. 2 shewing them
down after this operation has been performed. This machine is somewhat
like that first described in its operative parts, but the levers which give the
movements to the toggle joints and holding chaps and heading dies have
yokes or straps on the ends which embrace their several cams or tappets,
and the holding tongs and heading dies, instead of rising upwards to carry the
portion of wire or rod opposite the end of the heading punch, move sideways

page_text: h is a projecting piece on the sliding part of the dies, having an inclined
plane which is acted upon by another inclined plane on the projecting part i
of the lever as it is moved inwards, thereby forcing the part to slide towards
the other part d of the dies, and at the same time cut off the required portion
of the rod or wire which is introduced through a hole in the plate a. As the
lever is moved inwards it forces the heading punch 1, which slides in the
guide box m, on to the end of the portion of rod or wire, and compresses it
so as to form the head. As soon as this is effected, the lever b is moved
outwards to its former position, when the bridle picce t, which connects the
parts and i together, will draw back the part f of the dies, and open then,
when the headed pin or rivet can be removed and a fresh portion of the rod
or wire introduced into the dies, at the same time the bridle piece n, which
connects the lever 6 to the punch 7, will return the punch ready for another
operation. In this machine the recess for forming the shape of the head is
made on the end of the punch instead of in the dies, but it may be mado
differently if thought desirable. It will be seen by Fig. 2 that the peculiar
shape of the parts h and i will keep the dies closed during the operation of
heading, and prevent them springing open. I would remark that there may
be a small spring tappet adapted to this machine, which may be moved by the
lever and made to knock out the headed pin or rivet from the dies as soon as
they are opened.
Having described these improved machines or apparatus for shaping metal
into bolts, pins, rivets, screw blanks, and such other articles, I shall proceed to
describe the machine represented in Sheets 5 and 6, which is intended to be
used in shaping or forming metal rods or wire into spikes, nails, or such other
articles, and consists of two indented swedging rollers which, as they revolve,
give to the metal the required form for two sides of the spike or nail as the
rod passes between them. In connection with the swedging rollers there are
two large discs or wheels, the peripheries of which work against the sides of
the small rollers, and keep the metal between them, and at the same time
giving it the required shape for the other sides of the nail or spike.
Figure 1 is a plan or horizontal view of the machine; Figure 2 is a side
elevation, and Figure 3 a vertical section taken in the middle of the machine.
a, a, is the metal framework or standards carrying the several bearings of the
shafts, wheels, and pinions, and is connected together by screw bolts; b, b, are
the indented or swedging rollers (scen best in Fig. 3) fixed on the shafts c
and d, which receive their rotary motion from any first mover; e is a toothed
pinion fixed on the shaft c gearing into another pinion f on the shaft d;
g and h are the large wheels or discs, the peripheres of which are turned
perfectly smooth, and run in contact with the sides of the intended rollers b, b,

page_text: at their peripheries. The wheels or discs g, h, receive their rotary motion
from the beveled pinions i, k, fixed on the shafts c and d, taking into gear
with the beveled wheels l, m, and m fixed on the sides of the discs. The
metal rod or wire is passed downwards between the swedging rollers b, b, and
the discs g, h, and as they revolve the rod or wire becomes indented, and
passes from them in the form of spike nails, as shown in Figure 3. Tho
shaping of spike nails, screw blanks, and such other articles by indented or
swedging rollers, has often been done before. I therefore wish it to be under-
stood that the only features of novelty which I claim in this machine are,
first, the application of the large discs or wheels to such indented or swedging
rollers; and I should remark, that these discs should be at least three to four
times the diameter of the swedging rollers; and, secondly, the general arrange-
ment and construction of this machine, as herein shewn and described.
Having described these improvements in machinery or apparatus for shap-
ing or forming metal into bolts, rivets, nails, and other articles, I need only
remark that parts of these improved machines or apparatus may be appli-
cable to various other useful purposes, for instance, some of these improved
machines may be made capable of shaping or forming tenter hooks or
such other articles; and that presses for punching holes in boiler plates or for
cutting out collars, washers, or button blanks may be constructed after the
manner of these machines; but I do not claim such application as part of this
Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said Miles Berry, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-four.

page_text: after cutting it off the length. And the feeding apparatus shewn in this
machine is also different from that first described, but the same or any other
apparatus which will bring the required portion of the wire or rod into the
dies may be adapted to this or the other machines. a, a, is the framework;
b, the main shaft; c, c, the toggle joints which work the heading punch
sliding in the guide box d. To the middle of the toggle joints is connected
the piece e, which is acted upon by the cam f as it revolves, and forces it
upwards, thereby causing the toggle joints to force forward the punch and
form the head. There is a yoke or strap 9 which passes from the piece c,
and carries a pin or stud which is acted upon by the cam h, which cam as it
revolves brings down the toggle joint after the heading, thereby drawing back
the punch. The holding tongs i, i, are mounted in a part of the framework,
one of the legs being connected at its extremity to the bridge piece k, the end
of the other leg being connected to the toggle pieces 1, 1, mounted within
the bridge piece k; these toggle joints are connected by the bridle piece or
strap m to the end of the lever n which works on the pin o as its fulcrum.
The other end of this lever is formed into the yoke or strap p which passes
round the cam 9 on the main shaft. As this cam revolves it alternately raises
and depresses the end of the lever n, and at the same time raising and
depressing the toggle joints 1, 1, which are thereby made alternately to open
and close the legs of the holding tongs at the times required. As soon as the
holding dies close upon the rod or wire, the next movement, viz., that of
cutting off the length to form the bolt, pin, or rivet, takes place. This is
effected by the cam as it revolves raising and depressing the end of the
lever s; the end of this lever is formed into the yoke or strap t which embraces
the cam ; the lever s turns upon the pin u as its fulcrum, and its other end is
connected by the strap piece v to the arm lever w, which is connected by the
piece to the holding tongs, and thereby moves them a short distance side-
ways for the purpose of cutting off the portion of the wire or rod, and carrying
it opposite the end of the heading punch. After the heading is performed,
the tongs are brought back into their former position, and opened ready for
another operation. y are adjusting wedges against which the tongs rest
while the heading is performed; is a guide piece placed in front of the tongs
to keep them in their proper position with the heading punch. The feeding
apparatus shewn connected to this machine is actuated by cams on the end of
the shaft b. The cam 1 works in the yoke 2 of the pendulum rod or lever 3,
which is suspended from the pin or stud 4. The rod 5 connects the lever 3
to the short arm 6 on the end of the cross shaft 7, which turns in bearings on
the end of the framework. On this cross shaft there is fixed a short arm or

page_text: These levers turn upon pins on the
lever 8, see Fig. 2, which works in the sliding plate 9 of the feeding apparatus,
and as the cam 1 revolves the arm 8 alternately moves the feeding apparatus
outward and inward to bring into the dies the required length of wire. The
feeding tongs are made to open and close upon the rod or wire by the cam at
10 which works in the yoke 11 on the end of the rod 12. The other end of this
rod is connected to the short arm or lever 13 on the end of the cross shaft 14
(turning in bearings on the end of the framework). Upon this shaft 14 are
fixed two other arms or levers 15, 15, see Fig. 2, which are connected to the
bridle piece 16 jointed to the toggle pieces 17, 17, which are again connected
by joints to the end of the levers 18, 18.
frame of the feeding apparatus as their fuleruns, and are connected at the
other ends to the feeding tongs 19, 19, which they alternately open and close
upon the rod or wire, and cause them to carry into the dies the required
length to form a bolt, pin, rivet, or screw blank. There is a holding piece 20
which keeps the rod or wire from moving out of its proper position with the
dies, and which is attached to a weighted lever 21 turning on a pin 22, and
is connected to the arm or lever w by the strap piece 23. There is a counter-
balance or weighted lever 24 placed upon the cross shaft 14, which will assist
in keeping the feeding tongs closed, and to this lever should be connected a
rod 25 and a treaddle 26 with a counter balance weight by which the
workman attending the machine can keep the feeding jaws open while
introducing a fresh rod or length of wire into the machine. I would further
remark that when working hot metal rods or wire in this machine there
should be channels bored in the holding tongs and heading dies through
which cold water should be kept constantly running to keep them cool.
In Sheet 4, Figs. 1 and 2 are representations of an apparatus or machine
for forming small rivets or pins, and consist of a lever which gives the motions
for cutting of the portion of wire or rod for the rivet, and afterwards com-
pressing the end to form the head. This machine may be fed by hand or
other means.
Fig. 1 is a plan view with the heading dies shewn in section and open after
having formed a rivet. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the dies or punch closed
upon the portion of wire or rod after having it ent off the length and when in
the act of forming the head. a, a, is a metal plate or frame upon which the
dillerent parts are mounted; b is a lever which may be worked by hand or other
means, having its fulcrum on the pin c; d is one half of the heading dies
secured on the plate a by bolts, and is adjustable, as regards its position to the
heading punch, by the screw e; f is the other half of the heading dies which
slides upon the plate a, and is kept in its proper position by guide pins g, g;