Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 5th Mar., 1892

page_text: in the tension slide piece, 19 oil space, 20 milled head, 21 toothed under rim of
same, 22 wings on the vibrating lever extending forward, 23 hub of the vibrating
lever, 24 check-pieces receiving a crank pin, 25 oil tube, 26 bottom cap, 27 step
set in part 26, 28 nose cover, 29 cover ring enclosing the tension screw and the parts
lying about it, 30 pin.
Referring to Figures 14, 15 and 16, which illustrate the tension claw and its
attachments, 31 is a hardened point, 32 claws, 33 dowels, 34 spring finger, 35 double
tapered hole in the shank 36. The tension claw fits between the wings 22, the
pin 30 passing through the hole 35, and the point 31 resting on the step 15. An
alternative construction serving the same purpose is illustrated in Figure 18,
wherein 37 is the cylindrical hole in the shank, 38 the pin, 39 spherical expansion
on the centre of same. The tension claw is specially formed as shewn in
Figures 14, 15 and 16, its shank being rounded, so that it may roll freely between
the parts 22 to permit the fork to settle itself down upon the knife or cutter and
distribute the tension equally upon the latter. For either of these devices, the
constructions shewn in Figures 19 to 29 may be substituted. These latter
accomplish a like result, and also adjust and equalise the tension on the three tines
of the knife or cutter.
In all the designs, the motion transmitting mechanism is by preference the same
as that shewn in Figure 1, although any of the well-known constructions of
mechanism serving the same purpose may be substituted for it. 40 is the main
shaft, 41 balanced disc thereon, 42 hollow pin overhung therefrom, whose centre is
struck from the axis of motion of the vibrating lever, which axis is in the same
plane as the axis of rotation of the disc 41, 43 bearing or bushing piece square
exteriorly supported upon and rotating about the pin 42 and moving between the
jaws or cheeks 24. 44 is the knife or cutter.
When the tension is varied the tension screw and its milled cap do not rise or fall
relatively to the body of the machine; this is a special advantage which is
incidental to the application of the principles of construction which form the leading
features of the present invention. It is a result which has not been obtained
hitherto in shearing machines, in which the tension cap is set in a position corre-
sponding with that illustrated in the drawings. The under surface of the cap 20
bears upon the upper end of the motion tube, and when the tension screw 18 is
rotated it causes the slide-piece 14 to move up and down in the motion tube 6 to
increase or decrease the degree of tension respectively.
The raising of the slide-piece 14 cants the tension claw about its fulcrum pin,
depressing its forward end, and thus applying tension to the knife or cutter; the
application of the tension in this manner tends to raise the power lever bodily, the
upward thrust being resisted by the bearing of the point 8 upon the step 27.
The tendency to cant the vibrating lever bodily is resisted by the bearing of that
lever upon the motion tube, the upper bearing surface being lubricated from the
reservoir 19 and the lower ones through the oil tube 29 and the oil hole 9; the
interior lower part of the motion tube also forms an oil reservoir which is fed
through the orifices last mentioned. In its normal position the tension locking
spring 11 appears as shewn in Figure 1; when the tension is to be varied its thumb-
picce 12 is depressed with the thumb of one hand until it clears itself from the
teeth or notches 21 and thus leaves the cap-piece 20 of the tension screw free to be
turned with the other hand. The upper end of the hub of the vibrating lever is
semi-circular in section as shewn in Figure 9 and only half embraces the upper end
of the motion tube. The spring 11 is secreted between the motion tube 6 and the
cover ring 29, the thumb-piece 12 projecting through a hole or short slot in the
ring 29. A special advantage resulting from the general design and the particular
construction of parts illustrated in the drawings is found in the facts that the
working parts are completely enclosed at all times, are always of uniform size, and
are specially adapted to prevent the fleece or hair from catching in the machine.
We are aware that the employment of a tension locking spring in combination
with a tension screw and toothed cap is not novel.

page_text: The devices shewn in Figures 14 to 18 are designed to effect adjustment of the
tension claw upon the knife or cutter. In Figures 14 to 18 the tension claw is free
to move in any direction upon the point 31, which is the point of application of
tension to it, the fulcrum being at the pin 30 which is fixed in the wings 22, and
adapted to allow the claw to roll slightly to effect the adjustment before referred to,
and thus to equalise the tension of the claws 32 upon it. There is no novelty in
the construction of those parts of the tension claw shewn in Figures
which are forward of the fulcrum pin. In the constructions shewn in Figures 19
to 29 two, or in some cases all three of the fingers of the claw are made with a
spring action to effect an automatic adjustment and equalisation of tension on the
three tines of the knife or cutter. In practice we prefer to use the construction
shewn in Figures 19 and 20, wherein all three of the fingers have an independent
spring action.
to 18
In all the drawings the same figures of reference indicate similar and corre-
sponding parts.
Referring to Figures 3 and 11, it will be seen that the motion tube is not used,
but the tension-slide is retained the bearing of the vibrating lever is taken
directly on the machine case whilst the upward thrust is taken upon a point secured
to the machine case; 45 is the lower section of the machine case, 46 a half bearing
therein, 47 upper bearing, 48 tension slide-piece, 49 step bearing therein, 50 key-
way or slot, 51 jaw in part 48, 52 tension screw, 53 thumb-piece of tension screw,
54 spline, 55 hardened point, 56 bracket supporting the part 55 and screwed to the
part 45.
In the construction shewn in Figure 4, the form of the case of the machine is
identical with that shewn in Figure 1; the motion tube modified in design and the
tension locking spring as shewn in that figure are also used. The bearing of the
vibrating lever is not, however, rubbing, but rolling; it is taken on two or more
series of antifriction balls, and the tension is resilient, not rigid as in the
constructions previously described; it is applied by a spring, and the tension screw
serves the purpose of varying the tension only. It is found in practice that shearers
are in the habit of applying tension much in excess of the degree actually required
and thus causing injury to the machines; it is to obviate this disadvantage which
attaches to the use of direct tension machines that the present modified construction
has been devised. The spring is made very slightly stiffer than is necessary to
apply the maximum tension which should be exerted, so that even when the tension
screw is slacked back clear, excessive tension cannot be applied, and injury to the
machine is therefore avoided. 57 is a step bearing in the foot of the hub of the
vibrating lever, 58 motion tube, 59 foot piece slipped into the lower end of
the motion tube, 60 hardened point set therein, 61 tension spring, 62 cap plate,
63 step bearing, 64 hardened point set in the lower end of the tension slide piece 65,
66 tension screw, 67 oil chamber, 68 thumb-piece of tension screw, 69 antifriction
When the tension
balls, 70 oil holes, 71 collar or ring at head of motion tube.
screw is operated to lift the slide-piece 65 the rear end of the tension claw is raised
by the spring 61 and the tension thus increased; when the slide-piece is depressed
the tension is diminished by a reverse action. The antifriction balls are put in
when the vibrating lever is set in position, and the orifices through which they are
inserted into their races are closed in any suitable manner.
Referring to Figures 19 and 20, 72 is the shank of the tension claw made with
forked ends 73 fitting between the wings 22. The pin 30 passes as before through
the wings 22 and also through the forks 73 and the fingers 74 and 75, all of
which are capable of free motion on the pin 30. The spring 76 is preferably split
so as to form three tongues each of which acts on one of the fingers; the adjust-
ment is then more independent. The parts 72 and 77 are made so as to prevent the
fingers from springing back too far when the tension is relieved.
In the modification shewn in Figures 21 and 22, 78 is a spring secured by the
screw 79 to the centre finger 80, and split so as to form two parts forward of
the screw 79 each of which bear on the side fingers 81. The pin 30 passes through

page_text: the wings 22 and the rear ends 83 of the fingers 80 and 81, and the hardened
point 31 is set permanently in the rear end of the spring 78.
The construction shewn in Figures 23 and 24 differs from that already described,
in that the resilient pressure is applied to two only of the fingers. 84 is the centre
finger forming also the shank of the claw, and 85 are side fingers. To the middle
finger a split spring 86 is secured by a screw 87, and the two leaves of this spring
bear upon the back of the side fingers and apply resilient pressure to them. The
pin 30, as before, passes through the wings or brackets 22, the rear ends of the side
fingers, and the shank of the centre finger.
Figures 25 and 26 illustrate an arrangement similar to that shewn in Figures 19
and 20, but in which an independent wrist pin and fulcrum pin are used. 88 is the
shank of the tension claw, 89 bifurcated ends of same, 90 wrist pin, 91 centre
finger, 92 side fingers, 93 rear ends of fingers, 94 split spring, 95 screw securing
same to the shank 88.
In the constructions shewn in Figures 27 and 28, 96 is the shank of the tension
claw, 97 reduced turned part of same, 98 centre finger, 99 end of same screwed
into the part 97, 100 collar on part 98, 101 and 102 bored hubs of side fingers 103
and 104 respectively, 105 spring secured centrally to the part 98 by a screw 106
and bearing at the ends on the fingers 103 and 104 which are both rotatable
independently on the part 97, so that all three points of application of tension to
the knife or cutter are capable of independent adjustment. The centre finger being
solid with the shank exerts an unrelieved pressure upon the middle tine of the knife
or cutter, but the side fingers being depressed by a spring, exert a resilient pressure
upon the outer tines of the knife or cutter.
Either of the constructions shewn in Figures 14 to 28 may be used with a
vibrating lever of the kind herein described; and methods of adaptation of the
saime to other forms of knife, bars and equivalent parts in machine shears of other
constructions where such adaptations are possible, will be readily understood by any
skilled mechanic.
The constructions described may also be modified and varied within wide limits
without departing from the principles of the invention. Thus, the spring 76 might
be placed on top of the fingers as 86 Figure 23 or the arrangement of the parts 73
and 77 altered or the spring 86 might be secured to the side fingers and inade to
bear on the shauk of the centre finger; or in lieu of the spring 105, a spring might
be made to bear on the parts 101 and 102, which latter would then be suitably
'formed exteriorly so as to act with the spring and resist any tendency of the fingers
to turn on the part 97.
In lieu of the compound springs 76, 82, 86, and 94 separate single springs might
be provided. The arrangement shewn in Figures 25 and 26, wherein an independent
fulcrum pin and wrist pin are used may be embodied in either of the constructions
shewn in Figures 19 and 20, or 23 and 24.
In the constructions shewn in Figures 23 and 24, the fingers must be so arranged
that those which are acted upon by spring pressure when set in the same plane as
the rigid fingers, must be subject to the degree of tension by reason of the action
of the spring or springs necessary to ensure proper working of the outer tines of
the knife or cutter.
In Figure 29, 107 is the shank pivoted on the pin 30 to the wings 22, 108
and 109 are the fingers pivoted on the pin 110 to the wings 22, 111 is a spring
pinned to the part 107, and bearing on the backs of the parts 108 and 109.
Figures 30 and 31 are intended to illustrate possible modifications in con-
struction, which, however, we think are inferior to the constructions already
described: Figure 30 shews a method of procuring a longer tension leverage by
lengthening the shank of the tension claw but without lengthening the machine;
and Figure 31 shews a construction wherein a solid central motion spindle is used
instead of the motion tube already described. In either of the constructions shewn
in these figures the tension claw may be formed after any of the methods already
described. The shank 112 of the claw 113 is extended rearwardly through the

page_text: hub of the vibrating lever which latter must be formed after the manner shewn in
Figure 3, and is tapped at its rear end 114; at this point the tension screw 115,
which is provided with a tension cap 116, passes through it, and bears upon a
shoe 118 set in the tail of the vibrating lever, 117 is the tension locking spring,
119 is the orifice in the hub of the vibrating lever through which the shank 115
passes. In Figure 30, 120 is the shank of the tension claw 121, 122 lug formed
between the wings 22, 123 shoe thereon, 124 tension screw passing through the
part 120, and bearing on the shoe 123, 125 milled cap of tension screw, 126 motion
spindle, 127 bridge piece for securing same in the machine case, and corresponding
with the part 7 already described.
It will be evident that the principles of construction involved in the tension
adjusting mechanisms described are applicable to claws or their mechanical
equivalents having two, or more than three fingers
In the types of the machines shewn in Figures 1 and 3 the centre bearing is
very long in the type shewn in Figure 4 the centre bearing is on two pairs of
series of antifriction balls moving in races a considerable distance apart in all
cases the upward thrust is taken on points, and the arrangement of parts is such
that the pressure on the points is as small as possible. In practice I prefer to
make the shank of the tension claw longer than the parts lying forward of the
fulcrum pin, so that the total pressure on the point at the rear is less than the total
pressure upon the knife or cutter.
The construction shewn in Figure 4 may be modified by dispensing with the
tension slide-piece 65, in which case the motion tube is tapped and the tension
screw 66 made to hove in it, the point 64 being set in the tension screw or that
screw itself worked to a point.
A motion tube or motion spindle supported centrally is one of the chief features
of the invention. Heretofore, the centre-stud or equivalent part used in machines
of this class, has been secured by screwing or riveting one of its ends into the
machine case; the system of central support has, however, the great advantage
that full bearing surface is afforded at both ends of the tube where it is of most
value, and wear and friction is thereby lessened.
Having now particularly described and explained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In a machine for the purposes described, the combination of a motion tube or
hollow spindle at the centre of vibration, a tension slide-piece, and mechanism for
moving the slide-piece up or down in the tube, the slide-piece being in mechanical
connection with the tension claw or with some part of the mechanism connected
with the tension claw.
2. In a machine for the purposes described, a motion tube or hollow spindle, à
vibrating lever having a hollow hub fitting about said tube or spindle and rotating
thereon, a tension claw fulcrumed on the vibrating lever and having its rear end
passing into the interior of the tube or spindle through an orifice or open jaw
therein, and mechanism within the tube or spindle for raising and for depressing
the rear end of the tension claw to vary the tension.
3.-The combination of a motion tube 6, a slide-piece 14 therein, a tension
screw 18 and its cap 20 bearing on the end of the tube 6, and a fulcrumed tension
claw or lever in mechanical connection with the part 14, substantially as described.
4. The combination, substantially as described, of the motion tube 6, vibrating
lever as shewn in Figures 9 and 10, footstep pivot 8 and bearing 27, tension claw
fulcrumed on the wings 22 of the vibrating lever and in a mechanical connection
with a slide-piece 14, and the tension screw 18.
5. The combination of the parts marked 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,
20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 30, 31, and 36, substantially as described and illustrated.
6. In a machine for the purposes described, wherein a vibrating lever and a
lever or bar operating to apply tension independently of the action of the vibrating

page_text: lever are employed, centreing the vibrating lever upon a motion tube or spindle
supported centrally or approximately so, substantially as described.
7.-The combination with a vibrating lever having a hub 23 and brackets or
wings 22, of a tension claw fulcrumed on the part 22 and having a shank which
passes into the hub 23, and mechanism within the hub 23 for altering the cant of
the tension claw about its fulcrum, substantially as described.
8. In a machine as herein described, the combination with the vibrating lever
and the tension claw, of a tension slide-piece constructed substantially as shewn in
Figures 12 and 13 of the drawings.
9. The combination with the tension screw cap 20 and its inverted toothed
crown 21, of a locking spring 11 secreted between the cover ring 29 and the motion
tube and engaging with said toothed crown, as illustrated in the drawings.
10. In a machine for the purposes described, a motion tube or spindle provided
with bridge-pieces or their equivalents, which spring from it at or about its centre,
by which bridge-pieces such tube or spindle is secured in the machine case, sub-
stantially as described.
11. In a shearing or clipping machine, a motion tube or spindle 6 provided with
bridge-pieces 7 seated in and secured to the machine case, and constructed sub-
stantially as described with reference to Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings.
12. The construction of a vibrating lever having a central hollow hub, a foot-
step bearing therein, and wings 22 branching from the hub, substantially as
described with reference to Figures 9, 10 and 11 of the drawings.
13. The combination of the motion tube 6 supported centrally or approximately
so, a vibrating lever constructed as shewn in Figures 9 and 10 or in Figure 11,
and a footstep bearing between the motion tube 6 and the bottom cap 26 of the
hub of said lever, substantially as described.
14. The combination of a vibrating lever having a crosshead or hub, bearings
in the machine case therefor, a footstep bearing, a tension claw or tension lever
. fulcrumed on the vibrating lever, and mechanism within the said hub in connection
with the tension claw or lever for canting the same about its fulcrum to vary the
tension, substantially as described with reference to Figure 3 of the drawings.
15. The combination of the vibrating lever, bearings in the machine case, foot-
step bearing, tension claw, and tension mechanism, substantially as described and as
illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings.
16. The combination of the parts marked 46, 47, 48, 52, 53, and 54, and the
vibrating lever, the tension claw, and the footstep bearing, substantially as
described and as illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings.
17. In a machine for the purposes described, the combination of a spring for
applying tension, and a screw or equivalent means for relieving the tension, sub-
stantially as described.
18. The combination of the motion tube, vibrating lever, tension claw, and
tension mechanism, substantially as described with reference to Figure of the
drawings.
19. The combination with the motion tube, vibrating lever, and tension claw, of
the parts marked 61, 62, 64, 65, 66, 68, and 71, substantially as described with
reference to Figure 4 of the drawings.
20. In a machine for the purposes described, the combination with the vibrating
lever of a pin set in wings or brackets projecting from the vibrating lever, and a
tension claw fulcrumed on said pin and adapted to roll between such wings or
brackets to equalise the bearing of its claws upon the knife or cutter, substantially
as described.
21. The combination of a cylindrical pin 30 supported in the wings or brackets 22
of the vibrating lever, and a tension claw having a shank 36 constructed so as to
permit it to roll between the said wings or brackets 22, aud having bored in it a
double-conical hole through which the pin 30 passes, substantially as described with
reference to Figures 14, 15 and 16 of the drawings.
22. The combination of a fulcrum pin 38 having a spherical enlargement 39

page_text: about its centre and supported in the wings or brackets 22 of the vibrating lever,
and a tension claw having a shank 36 constructed so as to permit it to roll between
the said wings or brackets 22, and having bored in it a cylindrica! hole fitting the
said spherical enlargement 39, substantially as described with reference to
Figures 17 and 18 of the drawings.
23. The combination with a tension claw substantially as described having in it
a cylindrical hole, of a fulcrum pin fixed on the vibrating lever and having a
spherical enlargement fitting said hole, substantially as described with reference to
Figures 17 and 18 of the drawings.
24. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with a tension lever or
bar of a tension screw and a tension slide-piece substantially as described, whereby
the tension may be varied by rotating the tension screw, but without altering the
vertical position thereof relatively to the machine case.
25. In a machine for the purposes set forth, a tension claw in which the fingers
are secured pivotally in the shank or in wings on the vibrating lever, in com-
bination with a spring secured to the shank and bearing upon the fingers for the
purpose of applying tension thereto, substantially as described.
26. In a machine for the purposes set forth, a tension claw provided with a
shank upon which the tension mechanism acts, and a spring interposed between
such shank and the fingers, which latter are pivoted to the shank or to the wing of
the vibrating lever, substantially as described.
27. The combination of the parts marked 22, 30, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76, with
mechanism for moving the shank 72 about the pin 30, substantially as described.
28. In a machine for the purposes set forth, the combination with wings such
as 22 on the vibrating parts, of centre fingers pivoted in such wings, and a spring
shank secured to such fingers at one end, and at the other in connection with the
tension mechanism, substantially as described.
29. The combination with wings such as 22 on the vibrating parts and tension
mechanism, of the parts marked 30, 78, 80, 81, and 82, substantially as described
with reference to Figures 21 and 22 of the drawings.
30. In a machine for the purposes set forth, the combination with a tension
claw consisting of a central finger integral with a shank and side fingers pivoted to
the shank, all said parts being pivoted to the vibrating parts of tension mechanism
in connection with the shank, and springs for conveying the tension to the side
fingers, substantially as described.
31. The combination with wings such as 22 on the vibrating parts and tension
mechanism, of the parts marked 30, 84, 85, and 86, substantially as described with
reference to Figures 23 and 24 of the drawings.
32. The combination with wings such as 22 on the vibrating parts, and tension
mechanism, of the parts marked 30, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, and 94, substantially as
described with reference to Figures 25 and 26 of the drawings.
33. In a machine for the purposes set forth, the combination of a bar such
as 96 pivoted in wings such as 22 on the vibrating parts and in connection with
tension mechanism, of side fingers such as 103 and 104 rotatable on the part 96
and acted upon by a spring or springs secured to that part, substantially as
described with reference to Figures 27 and 28 of the drawings.
34. In a machine for the purposes set forth, the combination with wings such
as 22 on the vibrating parts and tension mechanism, of a shank 107, fingers 108
and 109, pins 30 and 110, and spring 111, substantially as described.
35. The combination with operative mechanism substantially as described, of
the parts marked 30, 74, and 76 constructed as shewn in Figures 19 and 20 of the
drawings.
36. The combination with the vibrating lever and parts therewith connected, of
a tension ciaw having a shank 112, and a tension screw 115, substantially as
described and as illustrated in Figure 30 of the drawings.
37. The combination with a vibrating lever having a hollow hub, of a solid
spindle 126 supported centrally, wings 22 on the lever, and tension claw such

page_text: as 120 fulcrumed pivotally in such wings, tension spring 124, and lug 122, sub-
stantially as described and as illustrated in Figure 30 of the drawings.
Dated this 30th November 1891.
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.