Improvements in Machines for use in Making Bicycle Nipples and similar articles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Sept., 1897-Accepted, 5th Mar., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for use in Making Bicycle Nipples and
similar articles.
I, ARTHUR JACOB MORSE, of the Town of Salisbury, in the County of Litchfield,
in the State of Connecticut, United States of America, Machinist, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
My invention relates to slotting and slabbing machines for use in manufacturing
nipples for bicycle spokes, or other similar devices, and the object is to provide a
machine that will operate on several nipples or other articles at once, producing a
somewhat different operation on each, and that will operate upon said nipples
successively.
To this end my invention consists in the combination in a nipple slabbing
machine, of a disk provided with chambers to hold the nipples, means to rotate
the disk intermittently, a sliding bar carrying a rotable spindle on one end extending
parallel with the face of the disk, two sets of cutters on the spindle to operate
simultaneously on a pair of nipples, and suitable means to reciprocate the sliding
bar.
And my invention consists in certain other combinations of parts hereinafter
described and specifically set forth in the claims.
In the drawings hereto annexed and forming a part of this specification, Figure 1
is the top plan view of my invention, Figure 2 is the front side elevation, Figure 3
is the rear side elevation, Figure 4 is an end elevation looking from right to left
of Figure 1, Figure 5 is an end view of some of the important movable parts in the
opposite position from that indicated in Figure 4, Figure 6 is an end view of the
machine looking from left to right of Figures 1 and 2, Figure 7 is a side elevation
of the spindle or spindles carrying the slabbing cutters, Figure 8 is a section of the
presser plate which holds the nipples in the disk, and Figure 9 shows a nipple before
and after it is slabbed.
Referring specifically to the drawings, A is the frame of the machine having
forward extensions a and a¹, for the sliding bar, B, to move on, and rearward exten-
sions b, b, for the sliding bar, C, to move on. Another pair of extensions, c, c¹,
and care above the extensions, b and b¹, to provide bearings for the driving
shaft, D, which carries a cam-wheel, D¹, to move the sliding bar, C, below it, and a
cog-wheel, E, which meshes with a cog-wheel, E', on a short shaft, F, turning in
bearings over the center of the frame A. The shafts D and F are parallel with each
other and lie with their axes in the same horizontal plane. The shaft, F, also carries
a cam-wheel, F1, which engages a roller, 13, on the inside of the sliding bar, B, to
move the bar toward the disk, G, which carries the nipples to he, and in the process
of being slabbed and slotted.
The disk, G, is secured on one end of a horizontal shaft, G', which turns in
bearings, g, gl, in a bracket, G, secured to the front side of the frame A. Du is
the driving wheel on the shaft D.
The cam-wheel, F¹, is designed to move the bar, B, longitudinally toward the
disk, G; once during each revolution, and a coil spring, d, connected between the
11.

page_text: said bar and the extension serves to retract the bar or draw it away from the disk.
The disk, G, is provided with a circular series of holes which extend through it
near its periphery to hold the nipples. Twenty holes are shown in disk in the
drawings and these holes are just large enough to admit the shanks of the nipples
-which have the appearance of rivets and are countersunk slightly to partly
receive the heads. In order to hold the nipples in and to prevent them from turning
while they, are being operated upon, I provide a bracket, H, having a curved arm
secured by screws to a segment of a disk, h, which carries a curved tension plate, h¹,
on the side next the disk in the path of the heads of the nipples. The tension
plate, h¹, is curved outward at the receiving end to allow the heads to pass easily
between it and the disk. The construction of this segment, h, is shown clearly in
Figure 8 of the drawings. This view shows the plate, h', held in a groove in the
segment, h, by a pair of curved strips, h¹¹h", screwed to the segment. A curved
plate, i, is in the bottom of the groove to form a bearing for the ends of a series
of adjusting screws, i, ¹, etc., which pass through the segment to increase the
tension, and a soft rubber strip is placed between the plate, h', and the plate i.
The bracket, H, extends horizontally and lies against the rear side of the
frame, A, and is adjustable toward and from the disk, G, by means of screws, j, j,
passing through short slots in the bracket.
The nipples are inserted by hand in the disk which revolves in the direction of
the arrow shown in Figure 6. When a nipple reaches a point forty-five degrees
above a horizontal plane extending through the axis of the shaft, G¹, it is slabbed
or made flat on a portion of two opposite sides, after which it is
carried by the disk a distance of ninety degrees during which it is turned over one-
fourth allowing cutters mounted on the same spindle as the other cutters to slab
or flatten the other two sides, thus forming a square section on the shank of the
nipple for the application of a wrench when it is turned on a spoke. After the
same nipple is carried by the disk about fifty degrees, more or less, further, it is
then in position to have its head slotted or recessed for receiving a screw-driver,
as usual, and when it has been carried a few degrees farther it is pushed out of the
disk by a pusher, L, automatically with the other operations.
".
A brief description of the operations has been given before the parts have been
fully specifically described to prepare for a clear understanding of the operation of
said parts which will be hereinafter fully described.
The end of the sliding bar, B, nearest the disk is made broad and is provided with
a pair of bearings, k, k, for the spindle, I¹, of the slabbing cutters, I, I, which are
arranged in pairs for the purpose of slabbing two sides at once. The cutters are
of the usual form, namely disks with serrated peripheries, and they are suitably
mounted to turn with the spindle, and they are separated to allow the ends of the
nipples to pass between them.
I is a pulley in the center of the spindle and between the bearings, k, k, for the
belt which drives the spindle. The cutters, I, I, rotate continuously, and when
the disk is stationary, the cutters are made to approach the disk and slab two
sides of a pair of nipples, then the bar, B, carrying the cutters is retracted by the
spring, d, after which the disk is revolved the distance between two nipples, which
brings two other nipples in position to be slabbed, when the bar and cutters are
forced toward the disk as before. The spindle for the cutters is divided in the center
so that one or the other end may be removed without removing the other. The
inner ends of the spindle are lapped over each other with a flat bar, 1, between,
which bar extends diametrically through the pulley, as shown in Figure 7 of the
drawings. I do not limit myself to this form of connection, however, as it may be
made in various ways. The spindles are held in place, and in their bearings by
angular arms, m, m, secured to the bar and extending outward opposite the ends
of the spindles, and adjusting screws, m³, m³, passing through the ends of the arms
and bearing with their ends on the ends of the spindle, I', as shown clearly in
Figure 1 of the drawings.
The shaft, G', is rotated intermittently by means of a ratchet wheel, J, on the

page_text: end opposite that carrying the disk G. The ratchet wheel is provided with as
many teeth as there are holes for nipples in the disk, the number in this case being
twenty. The recesses in the periphery of the ratchet wheel are shown square and
are preferably made square in order that the disk may be held positively against
movement in either direction during the slabbing and slotting operations.
J is the pawl for turning the ratchet-wheel. Said pawl is connected at one
end with an upwardly extending arm of a bell-crank lever, K, pivoted to the frame.
The pawl, J', is adjustable universally in a vertical plane by slots and screws, not
necessary to be specified. The other arm of the bell-crank lever is connected by
a coil-spring, n, with the base of the machine to carry the pawl longitudinally
when released.
The pawl, J, is operated to turn the ratchet-wheel by means of a roller, k¹,
carried on a short arm or projection, kl, extending from a sleeve, k¹¹¹, on the driving
shaft striking during each revolution of the shaft the upwardly extending arm
of the lever K. A stop screw, o, is shown extending through the frame to engage
the horizontal arm of the lever, K, and prevent the spring, ", from retracting the
lever too far.
Another cam, p, on the sleeve operates a pawl or detent, p', pivoted inter-
mediate its length, which holds the ratchet-wheel against movement during each
operation by means of a square lug on its free end entering the square recesses in
the ratchet wheel J. The pawl, pl, is retracted by a spring ?".
M is the spindle carrying the single cutter, N, on one end for slotting the heads
of the nipples after they have been slabbed. This spindle turns in bearings, I, I,
on the broad end of the sliding bar, C, before referred to. The cutter, N, is on the
opposite side of the disk from the slabbing cutters. Qis the pulley on the spindle, M,
for driving the spindle. The head of a nipple is slotted while two other nipples
are being slabbed and of course while the disk is quiet, therefore the sliding bars B
and C are moved by their cams simultaneously in opposite directions, the disk only
turning when the said bars are receding from it.
In order to hold the nipple in the disk and prevent it from turning when the head
thereof is slotted by the cutter, N, a bifurcated spring-plate is secured to the frame
or bracket, H, and adapted to bear upon the head of the nipple upon opposite sides
of the cutter when the head is being slotted.
The pusher, L, shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, consists of a short rod which
works longitudinally through a stud, r, mounted in the frame. One end of the rod
is connected with one side of the bar, B by a depending bar, r, and the pusher is
reciprocated by and with said bar B. The other end of the pusher is adapted to
strike the end of a nipple and push it out of its aperture in the disk.
I do not wish to be limited to the precise construction of parts shown, as it will
be obvious that they may be changed widely without departing from my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim, is:-
1. In a slabbing machine, the combination of a disk provided with chambers to
hold the articles to be slabbed, means to rotate the disk intermittently, a recipro-
cating bar carrying a rotable spindle on one end extending parallel with a face
of the disk, a pair of cutters on the spindle to operate on the said articles, and
means to drive the spindle, as set forth.
2. In a slabbing machine, the combination of a disk provided with chambers to
hold the articles to be slabbed, means to rotate the disk intermittently, a recipro-
cating bar carrying a spindle on one end extending parallel with a face of the disk,
a pair of cutters on each end of the spindle to operate upon two articles, and means
to drive the spindle, as set forth.
3. In a slabbing machine for nipples for bicycle wheels, the combination of a
disk provided with chambers to hold the nipples, means to rotate the disk inter-
mittently, a longitudinally reciprocating bar carrying a rotable spindle extending

page_text: parallel with the face of the disk, two pairs of cutters on the spindle to operate
simultaneously on a pair of nipples, and suitable means to operate the bar and:
drive the spindle, as set forth.
4. In a slotting and slabbing machine for nipples, the combination of a disk
provided with chambers to hold the nipples, means to rotate the disk intermittently,
a longitudinally reciprocating bar carrying a rotable spindle extending parallel
with a face of the disk, two pair of cutters on the spindle to slab simultaneously
a pair of nipples, suitable means to operate the bar, a second reciprocating bar
carrying a spindle on the opposite side of the disk, a cutter on the latter spindle
to slot the heads of the nipples, and means to operate the spindles, as set forth.
5. In a slotting and slabbing machine for nipples, the combination of a disk
provided with chambers to hold the nipples, means to rotate the disk intermittently,
a longitudinally reciprocating bar carrying a rotable spindle extending parallel
with a face of the disk, two pairs of cutters on the spindle to slab simultaneously a
pair of nipples, suitable means to operate the bar, a second reciprocating bar
carrying a spindle on the opposite side of the disk, a cutter on the latter spindle to
slot the heads of the nipples, a tension plate to retain the nipples in the disk while
they are being operated upon, and means to drive the spindles, as set forth.
6. In a slotting and slabbing machine for nipples, the combination of a disk
provided with chambers to hold the nipples, means to rotate the disk intermittently,
a longitudinally reciprocating bar carrying a rotable spindle extending parallel
with a face of the disk, two pair of cutters on the spindle to slab simultaneously a
pair of nipples, suitable means to operate the bar, a second reciprocating bar
carrying a spindle on the opposite side of the disk, a cutter on the latter spindle
to slot the heads of the nipples, a tension plate to retain the nipples in position in
the disk while they are slabbed, means to drive the spindles, and a pusher connected
with one of the reciprocating bars to remove the nipples from the disk, as set forth.
7. In a slotting and slabbing machine for nipples, the combination of a disk
provided with chambers to hold the nipples, means to rotate the disk intermittently,
a longitudinally reciprocating bar carrying a rotable spindle extending parallel
with a face of the disk, two pair of cutters on the spindle to slab simultaneously a
pair of nipples, suitable means to operate the bar, a second reciprocating bar
carrying a spindle on the opposite side of the disk, a cutter on the latter spindle
to slot the heads of the nipples, a curved tension plate to retain the nipples in
position in the disk while they are slabbed, to drive the spindles, and a pusher to
remove the nipples from the disk consisting of a longitudinally movable rod in a
guideway, said rod being parallel with the shaft of the disk and movable in the
path of the nipples, and a connecting bar between the said rod and one of the said
reciprocating bars, as set forth.
8. In a slabbing machine for nipples, the combination with the frame, of a disk
provided with a circular series of apertures to hold the nipples, a shaft for the disk
carrying a ratchet wheel, a driving shaft, a shaft carrying a cam-wheel parallel
with the driving shaft and geared to the latter, a cam on the driving shaft, a pawl
to rotate the ratchet wheel operated by the cam on the driving shaft, a longitudinally
movable bar operated by the said cam-wheel, a spindle carried by the bar, a pair
of cutters on the spindle, and a pulley on the spindle, substantially as described and
shown.
9. In a slabbing machine for nipples, the combination with the frame, of a disk
provided with a circular series of apertures to hold the nipples, a shaft for the disk
carrying a ratchet wheel, a driving shaft, a shaft carrying a cam-wheel parallel with
the driving shaft and geared to the latter, a cam on the driving shaft, a pawl to
rotate the ratchet wheel operated by the cam on the driving shaft, a longitudinally
movable bar operated by the said cam-wheel, a spindle carried by the bar parallel
with a face of the disk, a pair of separated cutters on each end of the spindle, and
a pulley on the spindle between the bearings, substantially as described and shown.
10. In a slabbing machine for nipples, the combination with the frame, of a disk
provided with a circular series of apertures to hold the nipples, a shaft for the disk

page_text: carrying a ratchet wheel, a driving shaft, a shaft carrying a cam-wheel parallel with
the driving shaft and geared to the latter, a cam on the driving shaft, a pawl to
rotate the ratchet wheel, a bell-crank lever having an arm for engagement with the
cam and an arm connected with a spring, the first. mentioned arm being connected
with the said pawl, a longitudinally movable bar operated by the said cam-wheel,
a spindle carried by the bar, and a pair of cutters on the spindle, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
11. In a slabbing machine for nipples, the combination with the frame, of a disk
provided with a circular series of apertures to hold the nipples, a shaft for the disk
carrying a ratchet wheel, a driving shaft, a shaft.carrying a cam-wheel parallel with
the driving shaft and geared to the latter, a cam on the driving shaft, a pawl to
rotate the ratchet wheel, a bell-crank lever having an arm for engagement, with the
cam and an arm connected with a spring, the first mentioned arm being connected
with the said pawl, a detent for the ratchet wheel, a cam on the driving shaft to
operate the detent, a longitudinally movable bar operated by the said cam-wheel,
a spindle carried by the bar, and a pair of cutters on the spindle, substantially as
described and shown.
12. In a machine of the class described, the combination with the frame, of a disk
provided with a circular series of apertures to hold the nipples, a segment of a disk
supported stationary near one face thereof, a curved groove in the segment in the
path of the nipples, a pair of curved plates in the groove, one of which is adapted
to bear upon the heads of the nipples in the disk, a rubber strip between the two
plates, adjusting screws passing through the segment and bearing on one of the
curved plates, means to cut the nipples while they are held in the disk, and ineans
to intermittently rotate the disk, substantially as described and shown.
13. In a machine of the class described, the combination with the frame, of a disk
provided with a circular series of apertures to hold the nipples, means to rotate the
disk intermittently, a driving shaft, a cam wheel on the said shaft, a longitudinally
movable bar operated by the cam-wheel, a spindle carried in bearings on one end of
the bar, a cutter on the spindle to slot the heads of the nipples, and a pulley on the
spindle, substantially as described and shown.
14. In a machine of the class described, the combination with the frame, of a
disk provided with a circular series of apertures to hold the nipples, means to
rotate the disk intermittently, a driving shaft, a cam-wheel on the said shaft, a
longitudinally movable bar operated by the cam-wheel, a spindle carried in bearings
on one end of the bar, a cutter on the spindle to slot the heads of the nipples, a
bifurcated spring plate secured to the frame and adapted to bear upon the head of.
the nipple while it is being slotted, as and for the purpose described.
15. The combination with the bar, B, the pair of bearings at one end, the pulley
between the bearings, a bar extending through the pulley diametrically, a divided
spindle in the bearings having its inner ends passing on opposite sides of the bar
in the pulley, cutters on the outer ends of the pulley spindle, and angular adjustable
arms carried by the bar, B, to retain the spindle in the bearings, substantially as
described and shown.
Haseltine, Lake
ARTHUR JACOB MORSE.
Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.