IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING BOOKS, PAPER, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Sidebottom, of Downham Road,
Islington, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR
CUTTING BOOKS, PAPER, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES."
Sealed the 30th April 1858, and dated the 3rd November 1852.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Sidebottom
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 3rd November 1852.
I, ALFRED SIDEBOTTOM, of Downham Road, Islington, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING
Books, PAPER, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the cutting of books, paper, wood, or other
articles or substances. In this machine much time will be saved by
the application of a traversing motion to a bar or guide plate on the
table of the machine, connected with the main shaft by connecting rods,
working eccentrics, causing whatever article is placed on the machine
for the purpose of being cut to be carried forward under the presser,

page_text: thereby coming in contact with the cutters, and which presser retains
the article in its place during the operation of cutting, and continues to
hold it until the cutters are raised and the article free, when the presser
instantly leaves it by the action of a spring connected with it by a rod,
and the book or other article is allowed to be displaced with its shavings
by another, and is carried off at the other side of the machine, which
latter will be cut at the next revolution of the shaft. Thus the machine
is continually cutting and delivering the books or other articles without
loss of time. In the accompanying Drawing letters of reference are
placed upon and denote corresponding parts at each of the Figures
respectively.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Fig. 1, is a front elevation of the machine complete; Fig. 2, is a side
elevation; Fig. 3, is an enlarged view of the cam hereafter mentioned;
Fig. 4, is a plan view of the cutters and cutter plate; Fig. 5, is au
elevation of one of the cutters, shewing the mode of fastening on to the
plate.
At Figs. 1, and 2, A, A, A, A, mark the frame work of the ma-
chine; B, B, a shaft, to which is attached the motive power for working
the machine; C, C, the shaft on which work the cranks D, D, and
eccentrics E, E, and cam I, for the purposes hereafter mentioned;
G, is the ascending and descending platin, to the under side of which
is affixed the cutters I, II; I, is the presser. The cutters are secured
to the platin by means of screws passing through the platin, and tapping
into the back of the cutter plate. The cutter is caused to register by
ineans of steady pins. The form of these cutters is more clearly
shewn at Fig. 4, a plan view of the cutters and cutter plate, and
Fig. 5, an elevational view of one of the cutters and mode of attach-
ment to the plate. K, Figure 1, marks the table of the machine upon
which the articles to be cut are placed. Upon this table is the tra-
versing bar or guide plate I, and is kept in close and parallel contact
with it by means of dovetail pieces fixed to the said bar, which traverse
in corresponding mortices in the table (see , s, Fig. 1). The centre of
this table is cast hollow, to admit of a piece of wood, lead, tin, or other
metals or alloys of metals. The platin is caused to ascend and descend

page_text: by the rods connected with the cranks or eccentrics D, D, and is kept
in its true horizontal position in its ascent and descent by guide pins
working in brasses, which traverse in mortices cast in the end frames, as
seen in Fig. 2, M, M. The traversing bar L, is set in motion by the
rods and levers connected with eccentrics E, E, fixed on the shaft C.
This traversing bar is for the purpose of carrying forward the article
placed on the machine under the presser, thereby coming in contact
with the knives. The presser I, is acted upon by a rod, also con-
nected with the main shaft of the machine, working a peculiar shaped
cam, seen more clearly and enlarged at Fig. 3. At the moment the
concentric part of such cam passes the centre of a small roller on
which it works, and with which it is kept in contact, a spiral spring in
a hollow cap on the top of the machine acts, and causes the presser
directly to ascend for the purpose of liberating the book or other
article under it. When required to elongate or shorten the presser rod,
according to the thickness of the book or other article to be cut, it is
accomplished by means of screws, which are cut right and left, and act
upon the rod by turning the exhagonal nut marked O (Fig. 1). This
presser opérates in the following manner:-The book or other article to
be cut, being placed on the machine, is brought under the presser, which
retains it in its place while being cut, and continues holding the article
till the cutters have ascended and the article is quite free, so as to prevent
the possibility of the book, &c. being raised with the cutters. The cutters
may be formed whole or in segments, and the angles or segments of
circles properly secured afterwards, as when formed whole the temper
ing is difficult to perform without losing the geometric precision which
is necessary. These knives may be adjusted to the size & to the shape
of the article to be eut. The ring and rods which are worked by the
cam, and give motion to the presser rod, are formed in one piece, and
's seen more clearly at P, P, P, Fig. 8, which also shews the peculiar
Arm of the cam E, and the point of contact with the roller R. The
entre block of the cutter plate, Fig. 4, is of cast iron or wrought
ira, to the sides of which the knives are fixed; the hole shewn in the
cene is to admit of the presser rod passing through. Fig. 6, shews
à mhod of effecting the same purpose as done by the traversing bar L,

page_text: that is, by traversing the table itself by similar means, as shewn in this
Figure.
I claim the general combination of the parts as described, the peculiar
form of the cutters shewn, as also the adapting the form of the cutters
to the description of work required; also the traversing motion given to
the guide plate on the table, or to the table itself, for carrying the
articles forward under the presser, and afterwards, as soon as released,
displacing them, and delivering them off at the other side of tho
machine.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alfred Sidebottom in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 3rd May 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
ALFRED SIDEBOTTOM, of Downham Road, Islington, in the County of
Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Third day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the six-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Alfred Sidebottom, Her special
licence that I, the said Alfred Sidebottom, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alfred Sidebottom, my execu-
tors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, 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 "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING BOOKS, PAPER, AND OTHE
SUBSTANCES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the sal
Alfred Sidebottom, by an instrument in writing under my hand ad
seal, should particularly describo and ascertain the nature of the aid
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performeḍand

page_text: 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 Alfréd Sidebottom, do hereby
declare the nature of the 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 (that is to say):
My Invention consists in certain new mechanical arrangements and
combinations of parts constituting a machine or apparatus for cutting
books, paper, and other substances; and by the use of a machine
constructed according to my said Invention, much time is saved by the
application of a traversing motion to a bar or guide plate placed on the
table of the machine, such said bar being connected to the main shaft.
by eccentric rods, thereby causing the articles when placed on the
machine to be carried forward under a pressing piece, such 'said piece.
holding the article firmly whilst it is being cut, and continues to hold it
until the cutters are raised and are free from the article just cut. The
pressing piece then leaves the article, which is displaced, together with:
its shavings, by the next articlo to be cut, the article so being cut being
carried off at the opposite end of the machine to that which it entered
at, and in like manner the next article will be cut at the next
revolution of the machine. And thus the machine will be cutting
and delivering the articles in succession without loss of time, the
attendant having nothing else to do but to feed the machine. But in
order to explain my said Invention as completely as possible, I will.
proceed to describe the best means I am acquainted with for carrying.
my said Invention into practical effect, and which I have found to
answer extremely well, reference being had to the illustrative Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the numeral figures and letters of reference
marked thereon respectively, as follows:-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

page_text: view of the cam hereafter mentioned and referred to; Figure 5, is a
plan view of one form of cutters and cutter plate; Figure 6, is án
elevation of one of such said cutters, shewing the mode of attaching and
securing the same to the above-mentioned plate; Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,
exhibit views explanatory of another mode of constructing cutters. At
each of these Figures the same letters or reference are employed to
denote corresponding parts, in so far as such parts appear or can be
seen at each of the Figures respectively.
.
At Figures 1, and 2, of Sheet 1, A, A, marks the framing of the
machine; B, the main driving shaft working in suitable bearings in
said framing; C, a fly wheel keyed upon the shaft B; D, D', are fast
and loose pullies, over which a strap or band passes for actuating said
shaft; E, is a crank shaft working in suitable bearings in the framing
A, A; F, F, are eccentrics fixed upon each end of the shaft E; G, is a
spur wheel, also fixed upon said shaft. This wheel takes or gears into
a pinion H, fixed upon the shaft B. I, marks a sliding, casting, or
platin; this platin is connected to the crank shaft E, by rods K, K, and
said platin is retained and guided in its proper course by slots or
openings formed in the main framing A, as exhibited at Figure 2, of
Sheet 1. I, marks a wrought iron strap formed with rods a, and b.
The rod a, passes through a hole in the top of the framing A; and the
rod b, has a left-handed screw cut or formed thereon; and there is
another and a short rod c, which passes through a hole in the platin I.
The lower end of this rod has a piece of metal P, which I call a
presser, securely fixed thereto; and the upper end of the rod b, has
a right-handed screw formed thereon. The rods b, and c, are connected
together by a long nut or socket piece M, which has a right and left
handed female screw formed therein, into which the screwed end of
the rods b, and c, are inserted; the strap I, passes over the shaft E,
and embraces a cam N, which is securely fixed upon the shaft E.
The construction and arrangement of this cam and strap will be better
understood by referring to Figure 4, of Sheet 2, at which Figure it will
be seen that there is a roller «, attached to the lower part of the strap
L; and the shape of the cam N, is such that the part, thereof presses
upon the roller a, during the time the cutters are descending and

page_text: ascending, after which the part d, of the cam N, leaves the roller a, and
the elastic force of the spring O, raises the rods a, and b, affixed thereto,
by which the pressure of the picce P, will be removed from the article
which was previously held thereby, and between it and the table Q
said table being connected to the framing A, by screws f, f, by which
the table can also be adjusted to the required level and height from the
cutters 0, 0, hereafter described. The centre part of the table Q, is
formed hollow, and has a piece of wood, lead, tin, or other suitable
material fixed therein, to protect the edges of the cutters O; the table
Q, is also formed with dovetailed grooves, into which the guide bars R,
fit and slide. These bars are connected to the traversing bar S, which
carries or pushes forward and under the pressing piece P, the article
to be cut by ineans of the rods T, T, the lower ends whereof are con-
nected to each end of the bar S, and the upper ends thereof are connected
to the eccentric rods U, U; and thero is a slot æ, formed in each of said
rods, into which a pin g, takes, the same being fixed into a casting W,
which is adjustable upon the framing A, A, for the purpose of altering
the range of action of the traversing bar S, as required, said pins being
the fulcra of the rods U. U. The cutters O, O, are formed of three
plates of steel, and are adjusted to the platin I, by screws, as shewn at
Figure 1, to suit any particular size of books or papers; but as it would
be necessary to have different sets of cutters to suit such different sizes,
I propose in some cases to employ adjustable cutters, constructed and
arranged as exhibited at Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, where a, marks a portion
of the platin marked I, at Figures 1, and 2: "This platin is constructed
with V guides, over which is fitted and slides a plate b, which has a slot i,
formed therein, through which passes the rod c; the plate b, is also
constructed with V guides, upon which slide the castings d, and e; and
to these, as also the part 1, of the platin I, cutters 2, 3, 4, are attached
by screws, as shewn. ff, are screws for adjusting the cutter holders
in the required position upon the plate b. By thus arranging the cutters
I am enabled to make one set of cutters answer for cutting books and
other articles of different sizes, by which I effect a great saving in the
expense of the machine.
The operations of this machine are as follows, assuming the bar.S..

page_text: platin T, and cutters O, and pressing piece P, to be in the position
exhibited at Figure 3-The attendant places a book (or other article
to be cut) upon the table Q. and against the traversing bar S, and
augle plate s, attached thereto, for presenting the book square under
the pressing piece F, as shewn at Figure 3", of Sheet 1. Motion is then
imparted to the driving shaft, and transmitted from thence to the several
parts of the machine in the following order :-The rotation of the
eccentries F, will cause vibratory movement of the rods T, by which
the bar S, will push in the direction of the arrow's flight; and simulta-
neously with these movements the platin I, and cutters, will be raised
by the rods and cranks K, and E'; and the pressing piece P, will also
be raised by the elastic force of the spring X, and by the roller a,
coming into contact with the part d, of the cam N, as it rotates, and
thus allows the book or other article to be cut to be advanced by the bar
S, immediately under the cutters. The presser P, is now brought down
upon the book by the part d. of the cam acting upon the roller a, and
thus the book is firmly held, and remains so, while the platin and cutters
descend and the book is cut; and simultaneously with the descent of
the cutters the bar S, is moved back, and the attendant then places
another book or article upon the table as before. The cutters now begin
to rise, but the presser still holds the book until the cutters are freed
from it, by which time the presser will be released, and the next book
coming against the one lastly cut will push it away; and in this manner
and by these means the machine is continually cutting and discharging
so long as the machine is fed.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner tho same is to be and may be performed, I desire it to be
distinctly understood that I do not claim the exclusive use of any of the
separate parts above mentioned and referred to, except in so far as the
same may be employed in combination and for the purposes of my said
Invention; which I hereby declaro to consist in, and I claim as of my
Invention of improvements in machinery or apparatus for cutting
books, papers, and other substances,--
First, the mechanical combinations and arrangements herein-before
particularly described, set forth, and represented by the illustrative

page_text: Drawings hereunto annexed, and constituting a machine for the above
purpose.
Secondly, the arranging and combining together of the cutters of
paper cutting machines, in such manner that one set of cutters may be
rendered available for cutting books or other articles of different sizes,
as herein-before particularly described, set forth, and represented
at Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, of the illustrative Drawing hereunto
annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Sidebottom, havo hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Third day of May, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
ALFRED SIDEBOTTOM. (L9.)
Witness,
ALEX PRINCE,
4, Trafalgar Square,
Charing Cross.