A NEW MACHINE FOR BEATING PRECIOUS METALS, APPLICABLE TO LEATHER
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Auguste François Joseph Favrel, of Paris, and
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Gold Beater, for the Invention
of "A NEW MACHINE FOR BEATING PRECIOUS METALS, APPLICABLE TO LEATHER
Sealed the 27th April 1855, and dated the 19th December 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Auguste François Joseph
Favrel at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 19th December 1854..
I, AUGUSTE FRANÇOIS JOSEPH FAVREL, of Paris, and 4, South Street,
Finsbury, London, Gold Beater, do hereby declare the nature of my Inven-
tion of "A NEW MACHINE FOR BEATING PRECIOUS METALS, APPLICABLE TO LEATHER
AND TO FORGING," to be as follows:-
The accompanying Drawing represents a front elevation of the machine.
A is a small steam cylinder, placed upon the upper part of the frame B.
This cylinder A is of a single action, and in its lower part has a steam box A¹,
in which is a slide valve which allows the steam to enter or escape, according
to the movement which is given to it.
The steam enters the cylinder A by the steam pipe C, in front of the steam
box A', and escapes by the pipe D, which communicates with the box A¹ by.
means of a circular passage F cast upon the cylinder A. G' is a piston rod,
fastened at its lower end to the slide bar H, which works vertically upon the

page_text: guides H, H', which are fastened upon the side of the frame B. J is a hammer
of any proper form for the work required. It is fitted by a key to the lower
part of the slide bar H.; upon the side of this slide bar is fixed a piece I, which
moves vertically upon the rod G, and communicates with the slide valve of the
steam box A', by the aid of the lever F. At the moment when the piston or
hammer J has arrived at the bottom of its course, the piece I presses upon the
spiral spring K, which rests upon a ring fixed and regulated before-hand upon
the rod G, to suit the movement of the slide valve. This spring K becomes
compressed until it has acquired sufficient force to overcome the pressure which
it exercised upon the slide valve; the introduction of the steam is then effected,
and the hammer J is raised to an elevation, which is varied according to the
position of the ring G¹ upon the rod G. This ring G¹ being elevated by
the piece I attached to the slide bar II, the slide valve in the steam box A' is
opened, and the steam under the piston allowed to escape, which consequently
makes the hammer J fall. The rod G is also moved by hand, by means of the
lever L. M is a moveable guide bar, in which a toothed circle N, holding
the anvil or washer O is made to turn, so as to present different points of the
surface of the anvil to the action of the hammer J. When the slide bar H,
to which is attached the hammer J, is raised," the bar P, which is attached
to it, raises the lever P, which by means of the connecting rod and the
lever R moves the ratchet S one tooth. A crown wheel T works
upon the
same axle V as the ratchet wheel S, and acts upon the pinion X of half
its diameter. Upon the axle V of the pinion X is a cam Y, which has on
its face a groove of three equal concentric curves. In this groove works
a roller fixed to the lower end of the lever Z, the other extremity of the
lever Z being fastened to the guide bar M, and its motion directed hori-
zontally in a regular manner by the connecting rod M', which slides upon
the frame B. From this it will be understood that three blows of the
hammer performs a complete revolution of the cam Y, and, the washer or
anvil returns to its former position, and then immediately makes a quarter
revolution. This latter movement is caused by the toothed circle N turning
on the guide bar M, and set in motion by the pinion q, fixed to the extremity
of the axle 8, which in its turn is worked by the cam 2, and which works upon
the same axle V as the cam Y, and has on its face only one excentric groove,
so as to cause only one movement for the three caused by the cam Y. By
means of the connecting rod 3 and the lever 4, movement is imparted to the
rack 5, which works the pinion 7, fixed upon the axle 8, in such a manner as
to admit of a retrograde movement without derangement; so that in four

page_text: movements of the toothed circle N, there will have been 12 blows of the
hammer J, and one complete revolution of the anvil O, and a horizontal
movement will then be made by the form or anvil O, which will then have
completed first an oscillating horizontal motion, next a circular motion, &
finally a horizontal rectilinear motion. The slide bar H has attached to its
lower end on the side next the frame an ear A, A, which projects, beyond
the ring G¹, and in ascending touches the ratchet B, B, which acts upon the
toothed wheel C, C, upon which is the star wheel D, D,, which, latter, on
passing the point E, E, is touched by a stay pin, which moves it one degree..
This star wheel D, D, is held by a spring which presses it against the toothed,
wheel C, C, and according to the number of blows which the hammer K is,
required to give, so many teeth of the star wheel D, D, are left open. The
opening F is arranged in in such a manner that after 1, 2, 3, or 4 revolutions of
the wheel C, C, it will be under the rod J, J, which is pressed upon the wheel
C, C, by the spiral spring H, H,.until the opening E, F, and the opening on
the star wheel D, D, comes under it, when it descends into these openings, and
by means of an inclined plane L, L, the bolt K, K, is slid under the hammer
K on its ascension, and thus supports it, and suspend the action of the machine.
This bolt or bar K, K, can be moved to different heights at pleasure, and the.
wheel C, C, and star wheel D, D, can be regulated so that any number of
blows can be given before suspending the action of the hammer K.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed.
by the said Auguste François Joseph Favrel in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 16th June 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, AUGUSTE
FRANÇOIS JOSEPH FAVREL, of Paris, and 4, South Street, Finsbury, London,
Gold Beater, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the eighteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Auguste François Joseph Favrel, Her special license that I, the said
Auguste François Joseph Favrel, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Auguste François Joseph Favrel, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,

page_text: from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of
Man, an Invention for "A NEW MACHINE FOR BEATING PRECIOUS METALS, APPLI-
CABLE TO LEATHER AND TO FORGING," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Auguste François Joseph Favrel, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Auguste François Joseph Favrel, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is, to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawing hereto
annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say: -
My said Invention consists in improved machinery worked by steam for
stamping or forging metal; also for beating or compressing leather and other
similar substances.
Figure 1 of the Drawing represents a vertical elevation, Figure 2 a side
elevation, and Figure 3 a plan, in partial section, of my improved machine.
B, B, is a cast-iron standard or frame, upon the top of which is fixed the
steam cylinder A, by means of a ring or collar 16, secured by flanges, bolts,
or other suitable means. At the upper end it has three or more holes D¹¹ made
in its circumference, and which are for the purpose of giving freer egress to
the steam after the piston has arrived at the end of its stroke, and thus
accelerate the fall of the hammer. At the lower end of the vertical cylinder
is attached by bolts and flanges the cover D¹, cast in one piece with the steam
chest A' and the exhaust chamber E. S, valve-rod guide; S', stuffing box
in which the valve rod S" works; D, steam escape pipe, which conducts the
waste steam to the external copper cylinder cover D. The condensed steam
from the exhaust chamber and the pipe D is carried away by means of the
small tube 25, to which is attached a stop-cock. The steam is conveyed from
the boiler to the steam chest by means of the pipe C. C', piston rod, working
in a guide piece 6, attached to the standard B. The upper part of the rod
passes through the stuffing box of the cylinder to the piston, and is fixed at
its lower end to the slide or hammer bearer H, moving vertically on slides
H³, H³, H³, H³, fixed to the inner sides of the standard B, B. To the slide H

page_text: is attached by a key J¹ the hammer J, of a shape suited to the nature of the
material to be operated upon. On the slide or hammer bearer is fixed a
small stud or pivot carrying an antifriction roller J", which operates vertically
against the moveable guide G', and is held in position by the levers L working
on stud centres 18, the latter lever having a handle for the purpose of starting
the machine. Attached to the guide G¹ are two slides R, R, having inclined
faces, their position on the guide being regulated by set screws 18¹, 18'.
These inclined slides used in conjunction with the hammer and roller are
for the purpose of working the slide valve. To the middle of the guide G¹ is
attached the rod G, the upper end of which is fastened by a fork and pin to
the small lever F, suspended to the moveable piece F'. The valve rod S¹¹ is
secured to the former lever F, and receives motion from it in the following
manner:
By pressing the handle of the lever L upwards, the rod G is lowered, and
consequently through the lever F suspended to the moveable piece F¹, causes
the valve rod S", to ascend and open the induction port by which steam is
admitted into the cylinder, causing the piston to ascend, and with it the
hammer bearer H and roller J". When the latter comes in contact with the
inclined slide R, it lowers the valve by means of the rod G & the lever F,
and in so doing opens the exhaust port, when the hammer immediately falls.
In its descent, the antifriction roller presses against the lower inclined slide R,
which instantly reverses the movement, admitting the steam under the
piston, and so alternately raising and lowering the hammer. The length
of stroke of the piston can be regulated by altering the position of the
inclined slides R, R, with the adjustable screws 18, 18. The blow of the
hammer can be made more or less powerful by admitting the steam into
the cylinder just before the hammer has arrived at the end of its stroke.
It will be obvious to the practical man that by this arrangement I have
complete control over the hammer, and can adjust the force of the blow
according to circumstances. The pipe C is provided with a throttle valve and
governor in the usual manner, to regulate the quantity of steam in the
cylinder. The pressure of the steam is also regulated by means of a safety
valve attached to the boiler.
The mechanical means for altering the position of the body, operated upon
so as to expose all parts equally to the action of the hammer, are as follow:-
O, Figure 1, represents the mould of a square form, and upon which the
material to be stamped is placed. N, a toothed wheel, having an opening
made in it to admit the mould. This wheel is placed and turns when required

page_text: In this groove
upon a moveable plate M, M, of a suitable shape, shewn in Figure 3, and,
having a horizontal motion from right to left, as indicated by the arrows, motion
is given to it by means of the slide or hammer bearer H. Attached to this
is a small antifriction roller P', which works in a helical groove P, made in
the vertical semi-cylinder P", this groove occupying a distance of one-third
of its circumference, and revolves upon the vertical shaft V.. At the base of
this is fixed a paul V¹, taking into the rack T. This rack is fixed on the top
of the. wheel X, which gears with one of, the same diameter S, revolving on
the upper part of the small pivot Y'. Under this wheel is fixed a horizontal
grooved cam Y, of a form represented in the plan, Figure 3.
works a small roller y, fixed to. one of the extremities of the lever Z. The
other end of the lever, is fastened to the plate, M, M, by means of the con-
necting rod M¹. The lever Z has a slot 26 in it, which works on the axis or
pivot W., traversing in a slot made in the..bracket.or bearing B, and made
adjustable by the thumb screw f, placed at the end. By altering the position
of the axis W, I am enabled to vary the movement of the plate M, M, at
will. It is obvious from the above;arrangement that, when the slotted cylinder
P makes one-third of a revolution by the ascent of the hammer slide, it will
cause the wheel X, and also the wheel S of the same diameter, to make one-third
of a revolution, and three movements of the hammer slide will cause the cam Y
to make one revolution, and by this means give to the plate and mould one-fourth
of a revolution. This movement is effected by the toothed crown wheel N
turning on the plate M, M, put in motion by the pinion 9, keyed to the end of
the long shaft 8, turning at the top in the bearing 6.. "The shaft 8 receives
its motion by the toothed wheel 5, fixed to the upper part of the shaft V.
This wheel has teeth only upon one-third of its circumference. It
gears with
the wheel 7 keyed to the shaft 8. Each revolution of this shaft 8 causes a
pall to fall in a catch or ratchet made in the upper part of the wheel 7, so as
to cause it to turn a quarter of a revolution. Thus, when the hammer strikes
on the mould o three times, it causes the crown wheel N to make one-fourth of a
revolution also; consequently a dozen blows on the mould will make it describe
a complete revolution. By altering the gearing, different movements may be
given to the mould. On the small pivot Y, supported by the bracket Z¹¹¹, is
fixed a pinion 10, gearing with the wheel 11, the diameters of which are in the
proportion of 1 to 4. The pinion 12 revolves on the axis z, and gears with a
wheel 13, the diameters of which are in proportion of 1 to 3. On this wheel
is fixed the horizontal grooved cam Y", turning on a stud centre 14, having
an antifriction roller 2¹ working in the groove, thus actuating the lever Z',

page_text: made with a slot 13, working on a stud centre W, being adjustable by the
thumb screws on the bracket B. By altering the position of this stud a
variable motion will be given to the plate M, by the connecting rod M" in
a contrary direction to that before stated. When the hammer strikes twelve
blows, the mould will have turned completely round, and in so doing through
the cam Y", the gearing 10, 11, 12, 13, will describe a third of a revolution,
and by the time the cam Y" has completed its revolution, the mould will have
received thirty-six blows of the hammer.
When this wheel
When the latter strikes a certain number of blows on the mould it is
necessary to stop the machine without the assistance of a person. This is
accomplished by, means of a ratchet wheel, u containing seventy-two teeth.
On the side of this wheel is cast a circular disc 2, and of a little larger diameter
than the ratchet wheel, having a notch " on its circumference. On this disc
the lower part of the rod or paul 20 rests. In the middle of this rod is attached
an inclined plane 3, which is fastened by means of a bracket 4, working in a
horizontal slot in the standard B. Every movement of the helix causes it to
act on a little lever, which works on the ratchet wheel u.
has accomplished its revolution, the vertical rod 19 falls in the notch u¹¹ made
on the circumference of the disc. The inclined plane 3 makes the bracket or
bolt 4 advance under the hammer immediately when it descends. When it is
required to give one hundred and forty-four strokes, it will be simply necessary
to move the thumb screw U, which will by meeting the small disc 2¹ stop
every two revolutions of the ratchet wheel, the rod being pressed in the notch
by means of the spring 19. 21 is a hand lever, for the purpose of raising the
vertical rod 20 out of the notch in the circular disc 4; 15 is the anvil, upon
which the mould and plate rests, and is fixed on stone or on a metal bed plate,
independent of the standard. This machine, owing to its construction, is
particularly adapted for gold-beating, the form of the hammer and its stroke,
and also the method of moving the mould, being arranged for that purpose.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself
to the precise details herein laid down, so long as the peculiar character of my
Invention be retained; but what I claim is,-
First, the general arrangement and construction of machinery, in the manner
and for the purpose herein-before described and referred to in the accompanying
Drawing.
Second, the mode or method of working the slide valve, in the manner
herein-before described and represented in the Drawings.

page_text: Third, the peculiar mode or arrangements for exposing the different parts of
the material to the action of the hammer, as herein-before described and
referred to in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Auguste François Joseph Favrel, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of June, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
A. F. J. FAVREL. (L.S.)