IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM HAMMERS AND MACHINERY FOR FORGING IRON AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Sharp, of Jarrow, in the County of Durha
Millwright, and William Elder, of the same Place, Engine Smith, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM HAMMERS AND MACHINERY FOR
FORGING IRON AND OTHER SUBSTANCES."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION, filed by the said George Sharp and William
Elder at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition
and Declaration, on the 20th May 1857, pursuant to the 9th section of
the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
3 TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, GEORGE
SHARP, of Jarrow, in the County of Durham, Millwright, and WILLIAM ELDER,
of the same Place, Engine Smith, do hereby declare the nature of our said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM HAMMERS AND MACHINERY FOR FORGING
IRON AND OTHER SUBSTANCES," and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement
(that is to say):
Our Invention consists of improvements upon the machine known as the
helve or tilt hammer," generally used for forging iron and other substances,
but which is also applicable for punching, shearing, and rivetting metals. We

page_text: make the hammer perfectly self-acting, and more convenient for the workman
than any hitherto made; the working parts being nearly all under the floor
plates prevent the danger of accidents, and its peculiar construction renders it
less liable to get out of repair than those in general use, as well as being much
cheaper.
The manner in which the said improvements are carried out will be clearly
understood by reference to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings and the letters
of reference thereon, in which a represents the hammer; b, the anvil block;
c, the standard or rest in which the end of the hammer works which can be
raised or lowered by the worm wheel and connecting rod d, d, d, and made to
strike either an angular or flat blow from the level line of the anvil block
without swages; e is the stationary steam cylinder direct to the helve of the
hammer; f, the steam piston valve for the admission and egress of steam to
and from the cylinder; g, a screwed bar for changing the length of the stroke,
which is done by turning the wheel fixed on the top, thus giving either a light
.or heavy blow, as may be required. There are four tappets.h, and a collar or
nut fixed on the same, the former falling on india-rubber rings or washers to
prevent vibration, and the latter keeping the bar in its place, by being fixed in
a box and fastened with a screwed nut. i is a catch, which moves under the
boss to keep the tappet bar g up when lifted, which is done by a vee-shaped
piece of iron fastened on the side of the helve, which catches the tappets h,
and is kept there by a spring until a trigger or slide moving from the top of
the piston rod strikes it off as the hammer falls by striking against the quadrant
k, which is fixed on the same spindle as the catch i; 7 is a lever for lifting the
valve by hand; m, a lever for stopping the blow of the hammer; n, a steam
cock and handle; o, a feed pump for the boiler, attached in this position when
the steam from the boiler is used only for the hammer.
Having thus fully described the nature of our said Invention; and the manner
in which the same is to be performed, we desire it to be distinctly understood
that we do not confine ourselves to the exact details herein set forth, as such
may be varied or modified without departing from the principle thereof; but
we claim as our Invention, and which, to the best of our knowledge and belief,
has not been hitherto used within the realm,..
Firstly, the application of a stationary steam cylinder direct to the helve of
the hammer,
Secondly, the arrangement of the valve motion, and the simple manner of
changing the length of the stroke.
And, thirdly, the efficient mode of raising and lowering the after end of the

page_text: hammer for a flat or angular blow, as all such improvements are herein
described, and illustrated in the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said George Sharp and William Elder, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this 19th day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.