CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR MAKING OR MANUFACTURING METAL SCREWS, PART OR PARTS OF WHICH ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO SHAPING METAL FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1837

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MILES
BERRY, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent and Mechanical Draftsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS His late most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing
date at Westminster, the Twenty-eighth day of January, in the seventh year
of His reign, and in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and thirty-seven, did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said Miles Berry, His especial license, 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 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, an Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR MAKING OR MANUFACTURING METAL SCREWS,
PART OR PARTS OF WHICH ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO SHAPING METAL FOR OTHER
PURPOSES," being a communication from a foreigner residing 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
A

page_text: the same is to be performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled in His
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within four 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.
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 making or manufacturing
metal screws, part or parts of which are applicable to shaping metal for other
purposes, apply more particularly to the making or manufacturing of what are
commonly called "wood screws," or that description of metal screws which are
used by carpenters or joiners in uniting pieces of wood, and which screws are
formed from out of a coil or length of wire drawn to the required diameter,
and consist in certain improved arrangements and constructions of machinery,
apparatus, or mechanism for converting such wire into screws by cutting off or
separating the required portion to form the shaft of the screw, upsetting one
end thereof, or heading the same, forming the slit or notch therein, and cutting
or forming the worm or thread on the other end of the shaft, all of which
improved mechanism or apparatus is more particularly shown in the accom-
panying Drawings, and described hereafter (that is to say):-The improved
machinery consists in three separate or distinct machines for performing the
several operations above named, together with a cleaning cylinder or barrel for
cleaning the screws after they are completed, (viz',) an improved construction
or arrangement of machinery or apparatus for cutting off the required length
of wire to form the screw, and upsetting or heading the same; an improved
construction or arrangement of machinery or apparatus for cutting or forming
the notch or nick in the head, and turning the same; an improved construc-
tion or arrangement of machinery or apparatus for cutting or forming the screw
threads or worms on the shafts of the screws, and the cylinder for cleaning
the screws when so made or manufactured; forming in all a combination or
series of machines or mechanism, in which each machine operates separately
from the other, but performs a branch of a general result, and constitute
collectively a general improvement in machinery or apparatus for making or
manufacturing of wood screws from the material, first prepared of suitable
sizes for the shafts of such screws.

page_text: First. The Heading Machine.-The letters of reference employed in the
following descriptions and Drawings are used to identify the same on corre-
sponding parts of the machine in all the different Figures belonging to the
heading machine, of which there is one perspective and thirty other plan,
detached, and sectional Drawings, illustrating the different parts of this machine.
The machine shewn in the Drawings is of a large size, but different sized
machines are used for different sized screws, though in all respects similar in
construction to the one about to be described; and I would here remark, that
this improved construction of machinery for heading screw shafts is also appli-
cable to the heading or forming of rivets, or coachmakers' or other bolts.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the machine; Fig. 2 is a plan or top view of
most of its parts; Fig. 3 is a side view, shewing the location of certain parts;
Fig. 4 is a sectional figure or side view of toggle-joint levers, sliding bar, and
the heading punch, with the lifting arm and its cam or excentric; Fig. 5 is a top
view of the moving part of the feeding table detached, shewing the situation
of the tightening cams and straightening rollers, check or stop screws, &c.;
Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the heading punch, with its sliding bar and
guides, adjusting screws, &c.; Fig. 7 is a detached side view of the moving parts
of feeding table, with the feeding tongs attached, and shewing the connection
with the rocking shaft which actuates them; Fig. 8 is a top view of the hold-
fast tongs, and Fig. 9 is a top view of the feeding tongs, both detached from the
machine; Fig. 10 is an end view of the machine, shewing the arrangement
of the cutting lover and grip lever, with their bearings, connection with their
cams, and with the cutter and clamp of the heading die, and Fig. 11 is a similar
representation of the reverse end, shewing the situation of the feeding cam, the
fastenings of the top part of the framing, with the standards, &c.; Fig. 12
shews a side and edge view of the heading dies and the clamps, with the spring
for opening them, and the connection between the grip lever and clamps of the
dies; Fig. 18 is a detached view of the arms and the rocking shaft for
feeding; Fig. 14 is a side view of the cam, for operating on the tightening cam
of feeding tongs; Fig. 15 is a side view of the cam, which gives the necessary
transverse movement to the feeding table; Fig. 16 is a side view of the cam,
operating on the tightening cam of holdfast tongs; Fig. 17 is a side view of
the counter cam to the main cam, shewing its position to that cam; Fig. 18
is a side view of the cam which lifts the end of the sliding bar of the
heading punch; Fig. 19 is a side view of the cam for effecting the cutting
off; Fig. 20 shews side and edge views of the lever for tightening the

page_text: feeding tongs; Fig. 21, side and edge views of the lever for giving the
required transverse movement to the feeding table; Fig. 22, side and edge
views of the lever for tightening the holdfast tongs; Fig. 23 is a detached
top view of the lifting arm which raises the sliding bar of the heading
punch; Fig. 24 is a side or end view of the lifting arm, shewing the
connecting bars and roller on the top of the sliding bar; Fig. 25 is a
detached representation of the shackle for connecting the lifting arm with
the frame piece; Fig. 26 is a similar view of the shackle bar, connecting the
lifting arm with the top roller or sliding bar; Fig. 27 is a cross section of the
sliding bar of the heading dies detached; Fig. 28 is an end arm of the counter
cam of the toggle joint levers; Fig. 29 shews the box and guides for that part
of the sliding bar of the heading dies where it is connected with the toggle
jointed levers; Fig. 30 is a detached representation of the piece or casting
which forms the seat for the tightening levers, &c.; and Fig. 31 is an end
view of the tightening cam of the holdfast tongs, shewing its bearings and
fixtures and arm for moving it. A, A, are the parts of the framework of the
machine, supported by and securely fastened to the standards B, B, by screw
bolts; C, C, are side rails, bolted to the standards at m, m, (Figs. 10 and
11). These rails form the base for the plummer boxes or bearings H, D, of
the main shafts E and G, these plummer boxes being firmly secured thereto
by bolts n, n, and o, o. E is the side shaft, turning in the bearings D, and
connected with the main shaft G by bevel wheels F, the main shaft turning in
the plummer boxes H, secured on to the rails C by screw bolts o, o. I is the
main cam, mounted on the shaft G, working against the step piece J (see
Fig. 4). I prefer this cam to be cast solid on the shaft, and fitted with a piece
of steel at b, to prevent the wear. J is the step or lower part of the toggle-
jointed levers, which may be cast separate from the toggle joint, and fastened
at c, if thought desirable. K, K, are the toggle-jointed levers, connected to
the sliding bar L by joint pins at d, and to the framing by joint pins at e.
These joints are all fitted with hardened steel to prevent wear. The ends of
the toggle-jointed levers work against each other with plane faces at f, and are
guided towards one another by a tooth or slot at p, and they are kept in con-
tact by a spring 9 pressing against the projecting piece 9, the spring being
fixed on to a cross bar r below. L is the sliding bar of the heading punch,
working in guides at p, p, at one end, and between guides i, i, at the other,
which guides are regulated by set screws, as shewn in Figure 6. The
sliding bar contains the heading punch j, which is fastened by yoke screws k,
and its position is regulated by a screw key at l. M, M, are the clamps for
holding the heading dies, and are formed with a joint on a pins (see Fig. 12),

page_text: fixed on to one of the end standards, and also in the support t, which rests on
the sido rails C. The clamps contain the heading dies u, and are held open by
the spring v.
The dies are formed of square pieces of steel, and are drilled ou
four sides, so as to form four sets of dies, which may be used one after another
as they wear out. The dies are held to their places by screw bolts w, w, the
dies of course corresponding to the length of the screw intended to be made.
The representation at the left-hand side of Fig. 12 is an inside view of one-
half of the clamps, with the heading dies placed therein, and shewing the cavity
for the spring v; also the cavity made in the front of the clamps to admit the
heading punch when making short screw blanks. N is the cutter for sepa-
rating the required length of wire from off the coil; it is mounted at the lower
end on the pin s, and is connected at the upper end by the shackle bar x to the
cutting lever y, the motion of which is regulated by keys f, f, at the sides of
its fulcrum box. O is the tightening cam for the feeding tongs, and is formed
with an excentric groove, and works the lever z, which is connected at one end
to the shackle b, b, and has its fulcrum on the pin at c, c, on the side frame
(see Fig. 1), and has a swivel joint at a, a, (see Fig. 20). The shackle bar
b, b, is connected with the arm a, a, (Fig. 5), which moves the second or
double tightening cam e, e. P is the excentric grooved cam which gives the
transverse movement to the sliding part of the feeding table g, g, g, g, moving
between guides h, h, h, h, and is put into motion, so as to correspond with the
motion of the cutter N. The longitudinal sliding of the table gives motion to
the wire, and brings it into the machine. The cam P works the lever i, i, to
effect this transverse movement. Q is the tightening cam for the holdfasts, and
is an excentric grooved cam, and works the lever g, g, attached by the shackle
bar k, k, to the arm 1, 1, (Fig. 31), which cam is attached to and drives the
second tightening cam m, m. R is the cutting-off cam, having a part n, n,
(see Fig. 10), in order to bring back the lever y, which part works against a
steel pin projecting from the side of the lever at the bottom. 8,2, Fig. 10,
shews the situation of the steel blade or cutter; S is an open excentric cam,
working against the grip lever o, o, Fig. 10, which lever swings on fulcrum
pins q, q, in a box regulated by adjusting keys r, r, and carries up the piece
r, P. (Fig. 12), against the clamp M of the heading dies. The piece p, p, is
of hardened steel, as also its bearings. T is the counter cam to the main
cam I, and is an open excentric working against the arm t, t, Fig. 4, and
brings down the toggle-jointed levers with a quick motion. U is the lifting
cain to raise the heading end of the sliding bar L; it is an excentric grooved
cam, working the lever u, u, which lever swings on pivots or fulcrums at x, x,
on the framework A, and is connected with the cam by steel pins at y, y, it being

page_text: guided or held in its proper position to the cam by the rod z, z, fastened to the
side rail C. The lever u, u, is connected by regulating screws and a swivel
joint arm a, a, a, to the shackle bar v, v, which bar is attached to the lifting
arm or lever w, w; this lever having its fulcrum on the framework at 1, 1,
is connected to the shackle box c, c, c, carrying the roller e, e, e, and also the
shackle bar d, d, d, see Fig. 24; the other end is fastened by screw pin pivots
to the inside of the frame on which the bar turns when the sliding bar rises
and falls. V is the feeding cam, and is an excentric grooved cam. The verti-
cal bar or lever f,f,f, (see Fig. 3), is worked by this cam by means of a pin
9, 9, 9, and it turns on pivots at h, h, h. The lever or bar f, f, f, is connected
with an arm or lever j, j, j, of the rocking shaft by means of a shackle bar i, i, i,
which is made to slide up and down the levers f, f, f, and j, j, j, in order
to regulate the length of wire fed into the machine. The rocking shaft k, k, k,
has also other arms or levers 1, 1, 1, (see Fig. 13), which are connected by
shackle bars m, m, m, (Fig. 7,) to the sliding table Y. W is the framework
of the feeding table, attached to the end standard B, and forms a foundation
for the slide X, and its guides h, h, h, h. X is the slide of the feeding table,
to which is affixed the holdfast tongs & (Figs. 1 and 8), and also the second
tightening cam m, m, as shewn at Fig. 31. The straightening rollers o, o, o,
and the check or regulating screws p, p, p, which overcome the momentum
when working with quick speed, are also fixed on the slide table. Y is the
feeding slide, working in guides j, j, j, j, and to which are affixed the feeding
tongs Z, and also the second tightening cam of the feed tongs. Z is the feed-
ing tongs, thrown open by springs q, q, q, Fig. 5, and closed by means of the
cam e, e, on to the wire. The feeding tongs have rollers with adjusting screws
working against the cam at r, r, r, (Fig. 31). &, &, are the holdfast tongs,
thrown open by springs, and closed in the same way as the feeding tongs, as
above stated. 8, 8, 8, Fig. 2, is a cross bar or guide to hold the clamps M up
to the cutter t, t, t. Fig. 3 is a pillar to sustain or strengthen the framework
and side rails by the bolts, as at u, u, u, Fig. 1. v, v, v, in Fig. 2 and 3,
is a cross piece to strengthen the frame, and keep it from spreading open.
w, w, w, Figs. 10 and 11, are the brackets for carrying the bearings of the
side shaft E.
Operation of the Machine or Mechanism.-The coil of wire is placed on
the reel, as in Fig. 1, one end of it being placed through the straighten-
ing rollers 0, 0, 0, and between the feed tongs Z, and holdfast tongs, and
through the aperture of the steel blade of the cutter N, into the heading
dies. On the machine being put in motion, the cam S moves the clamp of
the dies, and causes it to grip or take fast hold of the wire; the cam R

page_text: then works the cutter N, and causes it to cut off the required length of
wire to form a shaft against the back die, and at the same time closes up, the
end of the die by the steel blade of the cutter passing by the hole of the die
about a quarter of an inch; at the same time, and agreeing with- the motion
of the cutter, the cam P gives the transverse or cross movement to the feed-
roller X, which prevents the wire being bent or crooked between the hold-
fast tongs and cutter. After the wire is separated, the sliding bar and the
heading punch are moved forward by the action of the main cam I, and the
heading punch is caused to compress the end of the wire into the cup of the die,
and form the head of the screw blank. When the heading punch has retired a
small distance, about the fourth of an inch, the cam U raises that end of the
sliding bar L next the heading punch, at the same time the cutter returns back,
and again brings the wire opposite to the aperture of the heading die, and also
the spring v throws open the clamp M, and relieves the screw blank in the die,
the cam S having moved round so as to cease gripping the die; at this time
and during the heading operation, the cam Q has closed the holdfast tongs on
the wire, and the cam O has opened the feed tongs, when the cam V throws
back the feed tongs and brings the sliding piece Y against the set screws p, p, p,
when the feed tongs again close upon the wire, and the holdfast tongs open,
when, by means of the cam V acting on the rocking shaft, it brings forward the
slide piece Y up to the set screws p, p, p, together with the feed tongs; and,
consequently, brings forward the wire again into the die, at the same time
forcing out and discharging the shaft or blank last headed out of the die; at
this time the sliding bar L falls, ready to move up again, and the holdfast
tongs again grip the wire, and the next operation of heading is continued as
above described, a screw blank being headed at every revolution of the main
shaft G. The shackle bar j, j, j, is to be moved down the arms or levers of
the rocking shaft at one end, and also at its other end on the arm f, f, f, when
it is desired to lessen the length of wire fed into the machine, and raised up to
increase it, care being taken always to turn the set screws p, p, p, to corre-
spond therewith, so as to agree with the length of screw desired to be made;
the length of the die must always be the length of the entire screw when
countersunk heads are made, but when button-headed screws are made the
die is to be the length of the body of the screw, exclusive of the head. A
cavity of the required shape to form the head is then sunk in the head of the
heading punch. The screw key l, in the sliding bar L, allows the heading
punch to be adjusted, the same punch answering for a number of lengths of
screws by substituting keys of different thickness immediately behind the
heading punch, both of which are made of steel. It will be perceived that the

page_text: length of wire is never let go of, that either the feed tongs or the holdfast tongs
have at all times hold of it, and consequently uniformity of heat is produced.
Claim. What I claim as new in this improved machine or apparatus, and
desire to secure by the above-named Letters Patent, is, first, the construction
of the clamps of the heading dies, and the manner of effecting the gripping or
closing of the dies, and the rising and falling of the sliding bar of the heading
punch.
Second, the arrangement and construction of the moving parts of the
feeding tables.
Third, the arrangement and construction of the main toggle-jointed levers
and their appendages. The toggle-jointed levers in this case have not a pin
or hinge joint in the middle or between them, as heretofore constructed; and,
further, the constructing and adapting the vertical piece or step J with one of
the toggle-jointed levers.
Fourthly, the construction and arrangement for working the cutter.
And, fifthly, the general arrangement and combination of the parts of the
machine, many of which are not new, but arranged different from any other
machines for a similar purpose.
Machine for Nicking and Turning the Heads of the Screw Blanks.-The
screw blanks, after being formed in the heading mechanism or apparatus, are
brought to this machine. The following description refers to thirty different
Figures, viz, two perspective, and twenty-eight sectional and detached
Figures:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the front side of the machine; Fig. 2 is a
perspective view of the back side of the machine; Fig. 3 is a geometrical
elevation or side view, shewing the cutting spindle, &c.; Fig. 4 is a top view,
shewing the standards; Fig. 5 is an end view, shewing the nicking saw, its
framework, its connecting bars, &c.; Fig. 6 is an end view of part of the
framework and driving pulley for the saw, and its connection with the upright
driving shaft; Fig. 7 is a representation of the connecting bar of the saw
detached, it is bent or cranked for the purpose of passing the main shaft of the
die wheel which is used for holding the screw blanks while they are being
nicked and turned; Fig. 8 shews the guide pieces to the die wheel; Fig. 9 is a
representation of the blank part of the die wheel before the other parts are
applied to it; Fig. 10 are cross sections of parts of the periphery of the die
wheel with a moving die arm attached, and shewing the situation of the screw
blanks in the die; Fig. 11 is a side view of a part of the die wheel, shewing
the adjusting screws for regulating it to receive screws of different lengths, also
the fastennigs of the dies, and a top view of a part of the die wheel; Fig. 12

page_text: is a side view of the die wheel, as seen above the framing, shewing the moving
die arms screwed on to the wheel; Fig. 13 is a side view of the saw, with its
collars; Fig. 14 is an end view of the cutting end of the turning spindle, the
cutters not being in; Fig. 15 is a side view of the same, with the cutters
placed therein; Fig. 16 is a side view of the same; Fig. 17 is an edge view
of one of the moving arms for holding a cutter; Fig. 18 shews a side and
edge view of the spring for holding up the moving die arm while the nick is
being formed; Fig. 19 is a view of the arm or bar which moves the cutting
spindle; Fig. 20 shews the position of the driving shaft and bevel gear;
Fig. 21 is a back side view, shewing the position of the ratchet wheel, and the
ratchet and holdfast catch, &c.; Fig. 22 is a partial section, drawn at half the
real size of the adjusting screws and dies, as when laid open right and left;
Fig. 23 shews a side and edge view of the excentric grooved cam for raising
and falling the saw for cutting the nick; Fig. 24 shews a side and edge
view of the excentric grooved cam for moving the cutting spindle; Figure 25
shews a side and edge view of the excentric grooved cam for holding fast the
screw in the die wheel while the head is being turned, and at Fig. 26 are side
and edge view of two excentrics which give motion to the ratchet and holdfast
cams, which excentrics are united together, the face of one being on one side,
and the face of the other on the opposite side; Fig. 27 is an end view of the
end piece of the framing; Fig. 28 is a cross section, drawn half the real size, of
part of the die wheel, and shewing the dics; Fig. 29 is an edge view of the catch
and lever. A, A, is the framework of the machine; B, B, is the die wheel for
holding the screw blanks, mounted on the shaft a, which shaft turns in plummer
boxes or bearings b, which are attached to the foot part of the standards c, c;
part of the die wheel, with one of its moving die arms d attached thereto, is
shewn at Fig. 10. C is a ratchet wheel, having a number of ratchets or teeth
corresponding with the number of dies for holding screw blanks in the die wheel;
this ratchet wheel is also mounted on the shaft a, and is moved by the driver
e, which turns loosely on the shaft a, the driver e being worked by the rod i,
and the arm f actuated by the cam D, on which the latter rests by means of
the pin 9; the driver e is kept up in contact with the ratchet wheel by the
spring h pressing against the rod ; the ratchet wheel is held in the required
position by the lever j, which is also actuated by the cam D, and draws back-
wards and forwards the holdfast k, which takes on to the teeth on the periphery
of the ratchet wheel. E is an excentric groove cam, for raising and falling the
nicking saw; it actuates the lever m, m, which has its bearings on the piece n.
The lever mis attached by regulating screws 0, 0, to the connecting bars
P. p. (see Figs. 1, 3, and 5), which bars are attached to the slide boxes q, q, in

page_text: 2
which the shaft of the saw r turns on steel pivots 8. F is the excentric grooved
cam which moves the cutting spindle backwards and forwards by working the
arm t, which is suspended and directed by the shackle bar u, see Fig. 1 and 3.
A pin on the bar t working in the groove of the cam, the other end of the
bar t is connected with the lever w, turning upon a centre on the top frame-
work x, and is attached to the cutting spindle by a collar and forked arms
y, y, (Fig. 19), which collar turns on the spindle, and is kept in its place by
other collars forming a flange on each side and fastened to the spindle.
(Fig. 3) is a spring for keeping the part d, d, thrown forward, the spring
sliding on the spindle when it is drawn back. The pins b, b, b, b, (Fig. 16),
work in the excentric grooves e, e, and throw open the holders for the cutting
tools c, c, c, c, by acting against the spring, by which means the tools are made
to clear the screw heads, and as the spindle is thrown still further back, the
piece a, a, (Fig. 3), is carried back against the framing x, which admits of
another screw coming into the line of the centre of the cutting spindle so as not
to stop the rotation of the spindles, and when the spindle is moved up towards
the die wheel, to turn the head of the next screw blank, the spring carries
the tools forward open, and the piece a, a, being brought up to the shoulder
d, d, remains stationary, while the spindle, by the action of the pins b, b, closes
the tools ff, upon the under part the head; at the same time the tool g, g.
advances, and comes in contact with and turns the top part of the head; the
pulley h, h, (Fig. 3,) mounted on the cutting spindle, is driven by the pulley
i, i, (Fig. 20); j, j, (Fig. 3), are regulating screws, to move the tool g, g, up
or down; G is an excentric groove cam, which holds fast the screw in the
die wheel while the head is being turned; it actuates the lever k, k, as shewn'
in Fig. 1, which arm works the arm 1, 1; this arm forms a sort of toggle joint
on the pieces m, m, (see Figures 1 and 4), and presses up the die and holds fast
the screw blanks; H is a cross shaft, on which the different operating cams
are placed, and on which is also mounted the bevelled wheel I, taking into the
pinion K on the horizontal shaft J, that drives the vertical shaft L, which
actuates the driving pulley n, n. This pulley is connected by means of a band
p to the pulley 0, 0, of the nicking saw. M is a vessel containing water, which
is allowed to drip on to the saw while it is cutting the nick; N (Fig. 3) is a
spring attached to the standard c, for the purpose of holding up the die and
gripping the screw shaft while the nick is being formed; P is a guide for the
die wheel, which causes the die arm d to open by the pin q (Fig. 10), which
pin is attached to the die arm, and passes through the holes r, r; (Fig. 9), and
strikes against the guides Q (Fig. 8), which thus opens the dies and allows
the screw blanks to drop out on the under side of the die wheel, and also

page_text: to keep them open, to allow of the die wheel being supplied with screw
blanks.
Operation of the Machine.-The screw blanks are placed in the dies on the
right side of the die wheel (see Fig. 1); at each revolution of the shaft II, the
cam D disengages the holdfast from the teeth of the ratchet wheel C, when
the driver moves upwards and turns round the die wheel one division or
space, when the holdfast k again closes upon a tooth of the ratchet wheel and
holds it firmly, while, by means of the action of the cam E, the nicking saw is
brought down upon the head of the screw, and forms the notch therein. The
saw being gradually brought down during the operation, during this time, by
means of the action of the cam F, the cutting or turning spindle is brought
forward to the head of another screw blank at the horizontal position, and
turns the head by the action of the cam G. When the head is turned, the
spindle retires, and at the same time the nicking saw rises up, when the die.
wheel is again turned round one division, as before described, and a fresh blank
is brought under the saw, and another fresh one brought into the line of the
centre of the cutting spindle, and so on in succession as long as the dies are
supplied with blanks; each screw, as it passes the horizontal line, dropping
out by means of the pin q, q, opening the moveable die arm, the pulley i, i,
drives the pulley h, h, on the turning spindle, and the pulley n, n, drives the
pulley o, o, on the saw spindle, both of which are kept constantly revolving.
What I claim as new, and wish to secure by the above-named Letters
Patent, in this machine or mechanism, is, first, the manner of constructing and
adapting the die wheel for holding the screw blanks.
Secondly, the manner of constructing and adapting the cutting or turning
spindle.
Thirdly, the arrangement and combination of the different parts, and
particularly of the union in one machine of the nicking of the heads of the screw
blanks, and turning of the same, which have heretofore been down separately,
or in two distinct machines.
Machine or Apparatus for Cutting or Forming the Screw Threads or Worms
on the Shafts.-There are two perspective and eighteen sectional or detached
Figures illustrating this machine. The letters of reference in the following
description indicate and answer to corresponding parts in all the Figures; and
I would here remark, that this machine is applicable to cutting the threads of
all kinds of screws of a suitable size for the apparatus. Fig. 1 is a perspective
view of the machine, as seen on one side thereof, and Fig. 2 is a perspective
representation of the back part or other side of the machine; Fig. 3 is a repre-
sentation of the cutting tool detached, and drawn about half its real size;

page_text: Fig. 4 is a view, drawn on a large scale, of the chuck or tool to hold the screw
while the thread or worm is being formed on the screw shaft; Fig. 5 is a detached
representation of the flexible joint piece, shewing the screw which holds the
chuck, and the elastic substance filling the cavity in the leader, for the purpose of
allowing the joint piece to rock and adjust itself to a crooked screw; Fig. 6
represents the revolving rests used instead of a dead rest to support the screw
shaft; Fig. 7 is a representation of the front side of the machine without the
spindle, in order that the remaining parts may be more clearly seen; Fig. 8 is a
partial top view of the machine, the cutting frame, &c., being removed, to render
the other parts more distinct; Fig. 9 is a ratchet bar, and its catches or falls;
Fig. 10 is the arm for throwing forward the spindle, shewn detached; Fig. 11
is a section of the lower rail, shewing the seat for the ratchet bar and spring to
hold down the cutting frame; Fig. 12 is a view of the main cam, for lifting the
cutting frame and throwing the tooth out; Fig. 13 shews the cam for lifting
the cutting frame while chasing up the screw; Figure 14 is the cam for
throwing forward the spindle when the tooth is disengaged; Figure 15 is an end
view of the framing, with the rack, &c.; Fig. 16 is a top view of the cutting
frame detached; Fig. 17 is an end view of the tooth and spring; Fig. 18
is an end view of the cutting frame; Fig. 19 is a side view of the arm and
cutting tool; Fig. 20 is a detached side view of the cam, arm, and weight,
which throws all the mechanism out of gear. A, A, are the standards and other
parts of the framing, which may be made of cast iron, and of sufficient size to
contain thereon six machines, three upon each side; B is the pivot bar,
attached to the cross bars C, C, which are secured to the standards D, D, and
form, with the pivot bar, part of the framework or superstructure of the
machine; E, E, is the cutter frame, attached to the bar B by pivots at a, a,
Figs. 2 and 16; F is the tool holder, attached to the cutter frame by the
adjusting screw nuts b, b, b, the screw pin c, and the thumb nut d; G is the
tooth holder, attached to the cutter frame by pivots at e, e; H is a spring,
attached to the cutter frame by a pin f, and the stirrup g, which is attached to
a projection on the cross bar of the cutter frame by means of adjustable screw
nuts; I is the water can, having a stop-cock at h, and a pipe passes through
the tool holder, in order to discharge water or other preparation upon the tool
during the cutting process, and is supported by an arm and pillar k on the
cutter frame; J is a guide tooth, for traversing the guide screw spindle, and is
secured by a screw at i, (Fig. 1); K is the cutting tool for forming the thread
on the screw blank, and is secured by the screws j; this tool is adjusted in its
place by passing it through the socket of the tool holder till it comes in con-
tact with a projecting stop picce, t, t, on the under side of the tool holder, the

page_text: face of the end or bevel of the cutting tool resting against it, as in Figs. 2 and
19; the tool is sharpened, when dull, by applying the bevel end to the grind-
stone. L is the spindle, turning in bearings 1, 1, on the standards D, D, and has a
pulley n, driven by the belt o, passed over the pulley p on the driving shaft P ;
on the spindle L is mounted a spur wheel g, which works into the rack T; upon
the spindle is also placed an adjustable collar s, and to the spindle is attached the
slide bar Q, by means of the arms t, t, at its end; M is the leader or governing
screw, fastened on to the spindle, and is the index screw for traversing the
spindle in cutting the worm or thread on the screw shaft, and is screwed on to
the spindle; N is the chuck for holding the screw blank, and is attached to the
flexible joint piece on the leader end of the spindle L, by means of a coarse
screw on the joint piece; u, Fig. 4, is a notch in the chuck, into which the
holdfast o, o, takes (Figs. 1 and 2); a (Figs. 4 & 5) is the joint piece passing
into the spindle, and is secured therein by the pin 6; on the front of the chuck
at c is a slot or opening, to admit the screw head at the centre; on the inside is a
countersunk recess, corresponding with the shape of the screw head when it is
standing in direct contact with the end of the joint piece; the end of the joint
piece passes through the slot, and holds the screw in the chuck when it is being
screwed by the operation of the machine; d (Fig. 5) is a piece of india-rubber
or any other elastic substance filling up the cavity in the spindle, it is placed on
the spindle e, Fig. 5; the object of this elastic piece is to allow the joint piece
to rock and adjust itself should the head of the screw shaft not be square
with the body thereof; the hole f (Fig. 5) is made larger at the mouth, but is
of the size of the pin in the middle of the joint piece; 0, 0, are the holdfasts,
placed on pivots v, v, and are held together by a spring w, Fig. 1, and are
opened by a cam xa, Fig. 1, on one end of the shaft y, which passes through
the standard D, D; on the other end of the shaft is an arm m (Fig. 2), against
which the excentric 1, 1, works when the handle n, n, is moved up or down
to open or close the jaws of the holdfast; P is the driving shaft, with its
driving pullies attached; Q is the slide bar, resting on a friction segment z,
Fig. 1; the bar is kept in its place by the guide piece c, c; the segment is
placed on the arm t, t, (denominated the graduator), and is mounted on a stud
u, u, which is affixed to a shaft extending to the back side of the standard D,
passing through it; upon the other end of the pin is affixed the arm v, v, Fig. 2,
which arm is connected by the rod w, w, (Figs. 2 and 7), having a regulating
pin with the lever x, x, which lever is connected with the ratchet bar S by a
screw y, y, and also with the catch bar a, a, a, at z, z; also on the slide bar is
affixed the gage a, a, Fig 1, which gage is secured by the yoke b, b, and indi-
cates the form of the cut of screw; the follower e, e, Figs. 1 and 2, works on the

page_text: gage; R is a spiral spring, fastened to the lower part of the framing and to
the cutter frame, and is of sufficient power to bring the tool into operation in
cutting the screw thread on the shaft; the spring is connected with a lever r, r,
(Fig. 2), which lever is for the purpose of disengaging the spring from the
cutter frame; S, S, is a ratchet bar, having ratchets on both sides of the upper
end of it, and also a slide collar at the lower end at R; T is the rack gear,
taking into a pinion g; the rack is mounted in the standard D and bar C;
U is a shaft, supported on cross bars C, C, upon which is mounted the spiral
or curved cam f, f, which cam moves the lever g, g; this lever is attached at
one end to the slide bar Q, and at the other to the stud h, h, which stud is
affixed to the pivot bar B; upon the shaft U is also mounted a winding block
i, i, which is connected by a strap to the lever or arm j, j, which lever or arm is
attached to the rod, and moves the belt tightener k, k; on the shaft U is also
mounted the excentric and cam 1, 1, to which excentric is attached a strap and
weight m, m, (see Figs. 2 and 20); a handle on the lever n, n, is also mounted
on the shaft U, together with an eccentric cam d, d, d, Fig. 2, placed on the
reverse end of the shaft under the cutter frame, for the purpose of throwing up
the cutter frame on the completion of a screw; next to the end of the shaft U
is also mounted a spring latch or catch b, b, b, and d, d, d, Fig. 2, which is
moved back by a pin deviating from the centre of the shaft, and working in a
slot of the catch; the catch works into the back side of the ratchet bar; 0, 0,
is a catch, working into the front teeth of the ratchet bar; V is a pulley on the
driving shaft, and drives the pulley p, p, by means of the belt q, q; W is the
changing pinion on the moveable stud c, c, c, affixed on the cross bar C,
which pinion is substituted by a change of pinions corresponding to the length
of the screw and number of turns of the thread to be cut; X is a cog
wheel, taking into the pinion W, and is mounted upon theshaft & (Figure 2),
upon which is an eccentric cam S, S, which cam raises the cutter frame
at each revolution of the shaft; Y is a box for catching the chippings and
water; Z is a box for receiving the screws; e, e, e, Figure 2, is a spring catch
on the spindle L, its use is to stop the spindle in a desired position on the com-
pletion of the screws, the arm of which spring is caught (when the spindle is
drawn back) between the projecting piece 9, 9, 9, and pin h, h, h, Fig. 2, and
stops the revolution of the spindle, together with the slot C, Fig. 4, in a ver-
tical position, for the purpose of convenience in disengaging the screw from
the chuck when done, and in putting the next screw in to be cut; i, i, i,
Fig. 2, is an arm on the eccentric 1, 1, for the purpose of stopping the shaft U
and its appendages from turning too far, by which the parts connected with it
are adjusted for operation; j, j, j, Fig. 2, is a spiral spring to hold up the

page_text: catch bar a, a, a; k, k, k, Fig. 2, is a spiral spring attached to the lever g, g,
and to a fixture bolted on the cross bar C, and serves to bring forward the
spindle (by its connection with the sliding bar Q) when the tooth is disengaged
from the leader M; 1, 1, 1, Fig. 2, is a dead rest or die with recesses, in which
the screw shaft rests while cutting; f, f, f, Figs. 1 and 2, is the handle of the
rack. Fig. 6 is a sectional drawing, showing the revolving rest used in the
place of the dead rest 1, 1, 1, shown in the other Figures. a, a, are the revolving
rests, corresponding with the length of screw to be cut; b is the point of the
cutting tool; c, a section of the screw; d, a wiper to disengage the chips. The
arrows shew the direction in which the rollers revolve; they are mounted on
pins attached to a regulating piece on the standard D in such a manner as to
be raised up or down to correspond with the size of the wire and the wear of
the rollers. All of the above described parts may be varied in size, and made
of different kinds of materials, use, and operation of the machine. A screw
blank is first to be placed into the counter sink in the slot of the chuck c,
Fig. 4, with the left hand, his right hand being placed on the handle f, f, f, he
pushes in the rack T, by which the spindle is turned with the joint piece a,
Fig. 5, and is screwed into the chuck which is held by the holdfasts O, O,
until the joint piece comes in contact with the head of the screw blank, and
firmly secures it in the chuck; the handle n, n, is then brought down and
caught by the catch bar a, a, a, (as shewn in Fig. 1), which, by the action of
the cam d, d, d, Fig. 2, lets down the cutting frame, bringing the tooth J into
the leader and the tool cutter K, upon the screw blank (as in Fig. 1); at the
same time the belt tightner k, k, is dropped upon the belt and starts the
spindle L, and disengages the transverse cam f, f, Fig. 2, from the lever g, g,
and allows the spring k, k, k, to throw forward the spindle, and also at the
same time, by means of the action of the excentric cam 1, 1, upon the arm m,
on the shaft Y, upon which the cam x, Fig. 1, is placed; the holdfasts O, O,
are released from the notches in the clutch N, and the spindle allowed to turn,
and at the same time the follower e, e, is brought upon the highest part of the
gage a, a, Fig. 1, and held firmly to it by the spring R, and at the same time
the spring catch b, b, b, Figure 2, is allowed to move up to the ratchet by
means of the pin on the end of the shaft U, the spring throwing forward the
catch, which enters a notch and retains the ratchet bar till the cutter frame
again falls for another cut, when the catch o, o, Fig. 1, takes another notch in
the ratchet, at which time the spindle L traverses back by the action of the
tooth upon the leader, and the first cut is commenced; the slide then begins to
draw back, and with it the gage from under the follower, and the tool is let

page_text: down upon the blank corresponding with the shape of the gage; by these
means the screw may be made gradually tapering, or of the same depth all the
When the cutting is
length, or a gimblet point may be given to the screw.
finished, the cam s, s, lifts the cutting frame and disengages the tooth from the
leader, when the spindle is again thrown forward, and the cam 8, 8, having
turned from under the cutting frame, allows it to fall, bringing the tooth into
the leader again, and the tool upon the blank, when another cut is made, and
so on, a repetition of cuts, say about eight, being required for one screw, which
is, however, regulated by the proportion of the pinion W to the wheel X, each
cut being graduated by the action of the ratchet bar and graduator t, t, Fig 1,
(that is to say), at each cut the cutting frame, as it rises, brings with it the
ratchet bar, by the catch o, o, Figures 1 and 2, raising the ratchet bar one
notch, which the spring latch or catch b, b, b, Fig. 2, catches on the contrary
side, and turns the graduator t, t, by means of the arm v, v; and also by
bringing the lever x, x, against the projecting piece 1, 1, 1, 1, Fig. 2, on the
arm of a, a, a, and draws the same off from the handle n, n, by a succession of
lifts, and allows the handle to rise by the weight m, m, which disengages the
ratchet entirely, and it drops down upon the slide band r, at which time the
transverse cam drives back the lever g, g, and holds back the spindle, when
the rack is drawn back, and disengages the finished screw. The operation of the
graduator is as follows:-At the commencement of the cutting of the screw
the graduator is thrown out of the vertical position in an angle of forty-five
degrees, or thereabouts, when as the ratchet bar lifts up it turns the graduator
towards the vertical and dead point of the circle, and consequently drops the
cutting frame less and less till its gets on the dead point, when the tool is
The individual parts of
applied so lightly that it simply burnishes the screw.
which I claim as new, and desire to secure by the above-named Letters Patent,
are as follows:-
First, the gage and slide bar, and the manner of applying it to the cutting
process, by which any required shape is given to the screw.
Second, the mode of constructing the revolving chuck or holder.
Third, the cutting frame and its appendages, excepting the tooth and spring
H, H, which are not new, although applied in a different way.
Fourth, the elastic substance in the joint piece.
Fifth, the holdfasts, with the manner of opening the same.
Sixth, the general arrangement and combination of the parts of the machine,
many of which are not new, but arranged different from other machines for a
similar purpose.

page_text: In conclusion, I would remark, that the screws may be washed and cleaned
in a revolving barrel, and dried in an oven in the usual manner.
In witness whereof, I, the said Miles Berry, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of July, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven.