Year: 1895

page_text: I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to multiple drilling machines or apparatus whereby a
plurality of drills are used for the purpose of boring a plurality of holes into or
through any desired object or objects, said holes being arranged at regular or
irregular intervals in an infinite variety of shapes and forms, oval, square, round
and the like and all of said holes being drilled simultaneously to the same or various
depths and parallel to each other or not, as desired.
These objects are accomplished by the employment of adjustably arranged drill
carrying spindles in combination with flexible shafts independently adjustable in
all directions.
The apparatus comprises a column or upright main frame of the machine, which
carries and supports the remaining portions thereof, said column having mounted
on it the upper and lower frames which carry respectively the upper and lower
groups of drill spindles. The upper frame has a rear extension and downward
extension by means of which it may be bolted to the column. The lower frame
has a rearward and upward extension which abuts against the downward extension
of the upper frame, and by means of which the lower frame also may be bolted to
the column. The upper frame is in the form of a plate provided with a suitable
marginal strengthening rib and having suitable apertures and bearings to receive
the various shafts and spindles which are mounted therein. The lower frame will
preferably take the form of an open frame, and has in its under face a T-shaped
groove extending entirely around the same, enlargements, of said groove being
formed at the corners of the frame for the purpose hereinafter set forth. The
frames are connected at their four corners by tie-bolts, which are inclosed in
hollow columns interposed between the frames or in any other suitable manner,
but obviously they may be cast in one integral piece, this latter construction being
preferred in some of the styles of the machine in which I embody the invention.
Supported, preferably, on the upper part of the frame is the driving mechanism
for the separate drill spindles, suitably geared together to produce the required
speed and all operated from a common countershaft, on which is a cone pulley
whereby different speeds may be given to the machine.
I will now proceed to describe the construction and mounting of one of the
spindles it being understood that the same description is equally applicable to the
remaining upper spindles.
Each spindle is provided with a longitudinal groove and with a spindle collar
which is adjustable on said spindle and which may be clamped thereon after
adjustment by means of a screw. The spindle fits within a sleeve and may be
adjusted longitudinally, the two rotating together. This sleeve is mounted in a

page_text: suitable bearing on the upper frame and is provided at its lower end with an
adjustable split collar, clamped on it by a screw to prevent upward movement of
the sleeve. Above the bearing there is placed on the spindle a loose collar and
above this collar the sleeve is reduced, forming a shoulder. A nut is mounted on
the threaded upper end of the sleeve and serving, in connection with the shoulder
to clamp upon the sleeve a pinion which meshes with the central gear. The
pinion is longitudinally grooved internally, and a corresponding slot is formed
through the sleeve and a spline or key extends through the said groove and slot
and into the groove in the spindle thus so uniting the pinion, sleeve and spindle
as to cause them to rotate together, while at the same time it allows the spindle
to be moved vertically therein as desired, its downward motion being limited by
the collar.
f
The lower drill spindles which carry the drills, are all similarly constructed and
mounted, and the following description of one of them applies equally well to all.
Each spindle is connected with the lower frame by means of a two-part
supporting bracket, one member of which is adjustably connected with the said
frame. This connection is effected by means of a bolt which passes through a
slot in the horizontal portion of the said member the rectangular head of which
bolt fits in the groove of the lower frame while its lower end receives a washer
and a clamping nut by which the said member may be clamped against the under
face of the lower frame so as to bring the spindle into any position desired. The
enlargements of the groove permit the introduction of the heads of the bolts into
said groove and also their removal therefrom, in an obvious manner. It will be
observed that not only may the bolt be adjusted to any desired point in the
grooved frame, but the member may be adjusted radially around said bolt as a
centre and also adjusted in or out relatively thereto by reason of the slot and its
free end may be brought to any desired position in a plane parallel with the lower
frame. The member has a vertical portion at its free end, grooved and the other
member of the bracket frame is adjustably mounted on this vertical portion and is
provided with a rib or tongue to fit the groove. Clamping bolts passing through
a slot in the second member and screwing into the member serve to clamp the two
members of the bracket together after adjustment. The second member is
provided with bearings to receive the spindles and by means of the vertical
adjustment of the said member which carries the spindle, this latter may be
vertically adjusted as desired.
The drill spindle is provided at its lower end with a socket to receive a drill
chuck and drill. Steel washers may also be interposed between said socket and
the lower bearing to prevent excessive friction. The portion of the spindle
between the bearings is threaded to receive adjusting and locking nuts arranged
in pairs at the top and bottom of the said threaded portion, said nuts, in con-
junction with pairs of steel washers interposed between them and the bearings
serving to hold the drill spindle in position without excessive friction and at the
same time to give it the proper "end shake."
The shafts are laterally flexible but they have their equivalents in rigid shafts
flexibly joined to the driving and drill spindles. I do not desire to be limited to
two sets of adjusting and locking nuts, since it will be manifest to any skilled
machine builder that in many forms of a machine embodying my invention that
they will not be required and that a single nut may answer the purpose. In such
event the single nut would most probably be placed on the drill spindle at a point
above the uppermost bearing which when set would draw the steel washer or the
shoulder ou the socket of the spindle firmly against the underside of the lowermost
bearing as will be readily understood without further elaboration.
The drill spindles are connected with the corresponding upper drill spindles by
means of flexible shafts of any well known type. These Hexible shafts permit the
desired adjustment of the lower spindles being of sufficient length for this purpose
and serving to transmit the rotary motion of the upper spindles to the lower ones
in whatever position these latter may be arranged. Suitable sockets are mounted

page_text: on the ends of the spindles to receive the ends of the flexible shafts and complete
the connection.
The work-holding table, may be of that type which both holds the work and
feeds it to the drills, and which may be of any suitable construction and
provided with any suitable mechanism for these purposes. These features,
however, form no part of my present invention and therefore need no description.
here.
The machine thus organized operates in the following manner. A number of drills
equal to the number of holes to be simultaneously drilled are employed, and the
lower spindles are independently adjusted to the proper position horizontally by
means of the connection described between the two-part bracket and the lower
frame so as to form the holes at the desirel intervals. Each lower spindle is also
independently adjusted as to its vertical position, by means of the relative
adjustment of the two parts of the bracket to regulate the depth of the several
holes to be drilled. The free vertical movement of the upper spindles permit the
lower spindles to be freely moved and adjusted horizontally and vertically without
affecting the driving mechanism. Each change in the position of any one of the
lower spindles varies its distance in a direct line from its driving spindles and the
freedom of the vertical movement of said driving spindle is provided for
the purpose of causing it to adjust its position to these varying distances and thus
prevent any binding or straining of the parts. The adjustable collars on the
upper spindles serve by limiting the downward movement of these spindles, to
prevent their disengagement from their driving mechanism, and to determine the
amount of slack of the flexible shafts.
The work is then secured on the work-holding table, and fed to the drills, and
these latter being actuated through the medium of the mechanism described, the
holes will be simultaneously drilled in the work at the desired intervals and to the
desired depth, in one continuous operation and without rehandling the work. It
is obvious that when a large number of similar articles are to be operated upon,
the machine having been once adjusted, all the articles may be operated on
successively with great rapidity, and the holes drilled at exactly the same
intervals and to exactly the same depths in each article. The range of adjustment
of the spindles is only limited by the size of the machine, and the mechanism
for imparting motion to the adjustable spindles is of great simplicity and
efficiency.
I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details herein described as these
may be variously modified without departing from the nature of the invention.
Nevertheless the form in which the invention is herein described both in its
general aspect as well as in its various details, is recommended after a long
experience with it in various uses as a commercial and practical embodiment of
the invention.
201 1
XT
1.
1008
Improvements in Multiple Drilling Machines.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 :-
This invention relates to multiple drilling machines and has for its object the

page_text: une axes parallel to each other.
These objects are accomplished by the employment of adjustably arranged drill
carrying spindles in combination with flexible shafts independently adjustable in
all directions. The nature of the invention and its purposes or objects will be
more fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, the following
description thereof and the claims appended hereto.
In the drawing:
Figure
is a front elevation, partly in section, of a machine embodying my
invention in one form.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same, partly in section.
Figure 3 is a plan view.
Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the lower frame, in which the lower drill
spindles are mounted, the same being shown detached from the machine.
Figure 5 is a detail sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on line 5--5 of
Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a detail plan section of the top of one of the upper drill spindles and
its associated parts, taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a detail plan section, taken on line 7—7 of Figure 5.
Figure 8 is a side elevation of one of the arms which hold the lower drill
spindles, the same being shown detached from the machine.
Figure 9 is a plan section of the same, taken on line 9-9 of Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a sectional view of the same, taken on line 10-10 of Figure 8.
Figure 11 is an elevation, partly in section, of one of the lower drill spindles,
detached.
A indicates the column or upright main frame of the machine, and carries and
supports the remaining portions thereof, said column having mounted on it the
upper and lower frames, B and C, which carry respectively the upper and lower
groups of drill spindles. The upper frame B has a rear extension B' and down-
ward extension B2 by means of which it may be bolted to the column A. The
frame C has a rearward and upward extension C₁ which abuts against the
extension B2, and by means of which the frame C also may be bolted to
the column A. The upper frame B, is shown in the form of a plate provided
with a suitable marginal strengthening rib b, and having suitable apertures and
bearings to receive the various shafts and spindles which are mounted therein.
The lower frame C, will preferably take the form of an open frame, and has in its
under face a T-shaped groove c, extending entirely around the same, enlarge-
ments, el of said groove being formed at the corners of the frame for the purpose
hereinafter set forth. The frames B and C are connected at their four corners by
tie-bolts C, which are inclosed in hollow columns C³ interposed between the
frames or in any other suitable manner, but obviously they may be cast in one
integral piece, this latter construction being preferred in some of the styles of the
machine in which I embody the invention. D represents a plate secured on the
top of the column A, preferably by the same bolts which secure the extension B¹.
From this plate rise diverging arms D', provided at their extremities with
bearings d, in which is mounted a counter-shaft E, provided with a stepped
pulley E¹ by means of which it may be driven from any suitable source, and having
also secured on it pulleys E2 and E³. The upper frame B is provided with a
plurality of fixed shafts F, F, F2, F3, shown in the present instance as four in
number, although it is obvious that the number may be varied as desired. The
shaft F is provided with a sleeve f, mounted to rotate thereon and provided at its
lower end with a gear G, and at its upper end with a pulley H, as shown in
Figure 1. The shaft F has mounted on it a sleeve f¹, provided at its lower end

page_text: with a gear G¹ and having above said gear a pulley H¹. The shaft F' is similarly
provided with a gear G2 and pulley H2, and the shaft F³ with a gear G³ and
pulley H. It will be observed that the pulleys H and H* are arranged above the
pulleys H and H3 and these respective pairs of pulleys are connected with each
other by belts I and I, the former passing over the pulleys H and H³, and the
latter over the pulleys H and H. The shafts F1 and F or more strictly
speaking, the sleeves thereon, are provided at their upper ends with pulleys H
and H, by means of which they are driven through the medium of belts E4 and Es
from the pulleys E' and E³.
The several fixed shafts are similar in their mounting and general structure, and
for the purpose of illustration I have shown in detail in Figure 5 the shaft F
The frame B is provided with a boss or bearing extending both above and below
the web thereof and in which the shaft F is secured by means of a bolt f². The
sleeve on said shaft has formed in one piece with it the pulleys H' and H*, &
sufficient space being left between said pulleys for the passage of the belt I¹. The
gear G¹ is secured to the lower end of the sleeve f¹ by means of bolts, g, passing
through a combined washer and clamping disk g', interposed between said gear and
the top of the boss or bearing 62. The upper end of the shaft F1 is reduced and
threaded externally to receive a nut, h, which, in conjunction with an interposed
washer holds the sleeve in position on the shaft. An oil-cup 2 screwing into
the end of the shaft, supplies lubricating material between the shaft and sleeve, the
shaft being provided with suitable oil passages f and being reduced circum-
ferentially to form an oil chamber f between the shaft and sleeve.
Around each gear G, G1, G2 and G³ are located a group of spindles J, which are
the upper drill spindles. In the present instance I have shown six spindles
associated with each central gear, but it is obvious that the number and arrange-
ment may be varied as desired. I will now proceed to describe the construction
and mounting of one of the spindles J, referring more particularly to Figures 5, 6
and 7, it being understood that the same description is equally applicable to the
remaining upper spindles.
Each spindle J is provided with a longitudinal groove j, and with a spindle
collar J which is adjustable on said spindle and which may be clamped thereon
after adjustment by means of a screw j¹. K represents a sleeve in which the
spindle J fits and may be adjusted longitudinally, the two rotating together. This
sleeve is mounted in a suitable bearing 63, on the frame B, and is provided at its
lower end with an adjustable split collar K¹, clamped on it by a screw k¹, to
prevent upward movement of the sleeve. Above the bearing 63 there is placed on
the sleeve a loose collar K³, and above this collar the sleeve K is reduced, forming
a shoulder. K³ is a nut, mounted on the threaded upper end of the sleeve K and
serving, in conjunction with the shoulder k, to clamp upon the sleeve Ka pinion L,
which meshes with the central gear G₁. The gear L is longitudinally groovel
internally, and a corresponding slot is formed through the sleeve K, and a spline or
key, extends through the said groove and slot and into the groove; in the
spindle J, thus so uniting the pinion, sleeve and spindle as to cause them to rotate
together, while at the same time it allows the spindle to be moved vertically therein
as desired, its downward motion being limited by the collar J¹.
The lower drill spindles M, which carry the drills, are all similarly constructed
and mounted, and the following description of one of them applies equally well to
all. Each spindle is connected with the frame C by means of a two-part supporting
bracket, N, one member N' of which is adjustably connected with the frame C.
This connection is effected by means of a bolt C which passes through a slot n, in
the horizontal portion of the member N¹ the rectangular head of which bolt fits in
the groove c of the frame C. while its lower end receives a washer and a clamping
nut by which the said member N¹ may be clamped against the under face of the
frame C so as to bring the spindle into any position desired. The enlargements cl
of the groove e permit the introduction of the heads of the bolts Cỉ into said
groove and also their removal therefrom, in an obvious manner. It will be

page_text: observed that not only may the bolt Cª be adjusted to any desired point in the
grooved frame, but the member N' may be adjusted radially around said bolt as
a center and also adjusted in or out relatively thereto by reason of the slot n and
its free end may he brought to any desired position in a plane parallel with the
frame C. The member N has a vertical portion at its free end, grooved as shown
at n' and the other member N2 of the bracket frame N is adjustably mounted on
this vertical portion and is provided with a rib or tongue n' to fit the groove n¹.
Clamping bolts N³ passing through a slut n³ in the member N2 and screwing into
the member N', serve to clamp the two members of the bracket N together after
adjustment. The member N2 is provided with bearings N' to receive the
spindles M and by means of the vertical adjustment of the member N2 which
carries the spindle, this latter may be vertically adjusted as desired.
The spindle M is provided at its lower end with a socket, m, to receive a drill
chuck O, and drill o. Steel washers of may also be interposed between said socket
and the lower bearing N to prevent excessive friction. The portion of the
spindle M between the bearings N is shown as being threaded to receive adjusting
and locking nuts M1 M² arranged in pairs at the top and bottom of the said
threaded portion, said nuts, in conjunction with pairs of steel washers m¹ interposed
between them and the bearings Ñ, serving to hold the drill spindle M in position
without excessive friction and at the same time to give it the proper "end shake."
The shafts Pas shown, are laterally flexible but they have their equivalents in
rigid shafts flexibly joined to the driving and drill spindles. While I have
shown two sets of adjusting and locking nuts M', M³, I do not desire to be limited
thereto, since it will be manifest to any skilled machine builder that in many forms
of a machine embodying my invention that they will not be required and that a
single nut may answer the purpose. In such event the single nut would most
probably be placed on the spindle M at a point above the uppermost bearing N*,
which when set would draw the steel washer o¹ or the shoulder on the socket m of
the spindle firmly against the underside of the lowermost bearing N₁, as will be
readily understood without further elaboration.
The spindles M are connected with the corresponding spindles J by means of
flexible shafts P, of any well known type. These flexible shafts shown permit the
desired adjustment of the lower spindles M, being of sufficient length for this
purpose and serving to transmit the rotary motion of the upper spindles to the
lower ones in whatever position these latter may be arranged. Suitable sockets p
are mounted on the ends of the spindles J and M to receive the ends of the flexible
shafts and complete the connection.
Qrepresents the work-holding table, which, in the present instance is of that
type which both holds the work and feeds it to the drills, and which may be of any
suitable construction and provided with any suitable mechanism for these purposes.
These features, however, form no part of my present invention and therefore need
no description here.
The machine thus organized operates in the following manner. A number of
drills equal to the number of holes to be simultaneously drilled are employed, and
the lower spindles are independently adjusted to the proper position horizontally
by means of the connection described between the two-part bracket N and the
frame C, so as to form the holes at the desired intervals. Each lower spindle is
also independently adjusted as to its vertical position, by means of the relative
adjustment of the two parts of the bracket N, to regulate the depth of the several
holes to be drilled. The free vertical movement of the upper spindles permits the
lower spindles to be freely moved and adjusted horizontally and vertically without
affecting the driving mechanism. Each change in the position of any one of the
lower spindles varies its distance in a direct line from its driving spindles and
the freedom of the vertical movement of said driving spindle is provided for the
purpose of causing it to adjust its position to these varying distances and thus
prevent any binding or straining of the parts. The adjustable collars on the upper
spindles serve by limiting the downward movement of these spindles, to prevent

page_text: their disengagement from their driving mechanism, and to determine the amount of
slack of the flexible shafts.
.
The work is then secured on the work-holding table, and fed to the drills, and
these latter being actuated through the medium of the mechanism described, the
holes will be simultaneously drilled in the work at the desired intervals and to the
desired depth, in one continuous operation and without rehandling the work. It is
obvious that when a large number of similar articles are to be operated upon, the
machine having been once adjusted, all the articles may be operated on successively
with great rapidity, and the holes drilled at exactly the same intervals and to
exactly the same depths in each article. The range of adjustment of the spindles
is only limited by the size of the machine, and the mechanism for imparting
motion to the adjustable spindles is of great simplicity and efficiency.
Although I bave shown a preferred form of mechanism which I have devised
for imparting motion to the upper spindles, I do not wish to be understood as
limiting myself to the precise mechanism herein before described and shown in the
drawing, as it is obvious that other means may be employed for this purpose
without departing from the principle of my invention. Nevertheless the form in
which the invention is herein shown both in its general aspect as well as in its
various details, is recommended after a long experience with it in various uses as a
commercial and practical embodiment of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:
1. In a multiple drill, the combination, with the drill-carrying spindles, and
flexible shafts for driving the same, of a frame arranged in a plane at right angles
to the axes of the spindles, and bracket supports for the said spindles, connected
with said frame and independently adjustable in all directions in the plane of the
same, substantially as described.
2. In a multiple drill, the combination, with the drill carrying spindles, and
flexible shafts for driving the same, of an open frame, and bracket supports for
the drill-carrying spindles adjustably connected with said frame, substantially as
described.
3. In a multiple drill, the combination with the drill-carrying spindles and their
flexible driving shafts, of a frame and a two-part bracket support for each spindle,
one member of which is horizontally adjustable on the frame, and the other
member of which is vertically adjustable on said first mentioned member and
carries the spindle, substantially as described.
4. In a multiple drill, the combination, with the frame C, having groove c, and
bolts C, of the two-part bracket supports N, each composed of a member N¹
baving a horizontal portion slotted to receive a bolt C, and a vertical portion
grooved at n¹, and a member N2, having a tongue n², slot n³ and spindle
bearings N, and clamping bolts N³, substantially as set forth.
5. The combination, with a support having bearings N', of a drill spindle
mounted in said bearings and having an intermediately threaded body portion,
nuts on said threaded portion, and washers interposed between the nuts and
bearings, substantially as described.
6. The combination, with the support N, having bearings N*, of the spindle M
mounted in the bearings N', having an intermediately threaded body portion and
provided with socket m, washers o interposed between said socket and the lower
bearing, washers m³ on said intermediate portion and nuts M¹ M³ for holding said
washers in position, substantially as described.
7. In a multiple drill, the combination with driving and drill-carrying spindles
and flexible shalts connecting the driving spindles with the drill-carrying spindles,.
in pairs, of a frame upright, a frame carrying the driving spindles and a frame
carrying the drill carrying spindles, both said frames projecting from said upright,.

page_text: and columns and tie-bolts connecting the projecting portions of said spindle
carrying frames.
8. In a multiple drill, the combination with the drill carrying spindles and their
flexible shafts, of an upper frame provided with a plurality of central shafts
having gears and driving pulleys, and the upper drill spindles arranged in groups
around each central shaft, each spindle being provided with a pinion to mesh with
the gear thereon and connected with one of the flexible shafts, substantially as
described.
9. In a multiple drill, the combination, with the lower drill carrying spindles and
their flexible shafts, of the central shafts. F, F1, F2 and F3, having respectively
gears G, G', G' and G³ and pulleys H, H1, H2, and H³, the upper spindles J
connected with the flexible shafts and having pinions L to mesh with said gears,
the belts I and I¹ connecting the pulleys H, H and H' and H³ respectively,
the pulleys H and H' on the shafts F1 and F, the countershaft E having
pulleys E, E and the belts E and E³ connecting said last mentioned pairs of
pulleys, substantially as described.
10. In a multiple drill, the combination of a plurality of driving spindles which
are severally movable longitudinally a plurality of drill carrying spindles which
are independently adjustable laterally, and flexible shafts each connecting a
driving with a drill-carrying spindle, substantially as described.
11. In a multiple drill, the combination of a plurality of longitudinally movable
driving spindles, a plurality of drill carrying spindles which are adjustable in all
directions and flexible shafts connecting the driving and drill-carrying spindles in
pairs, substantially as described.
12. In a multiple drill, the combination of a plurality of stationary drill-driving
pinions, rotatively supported in a suitable frame and provided with axial openings,
driving spindles longitudinally adjustable in said openings, laterally and vertically
adjustable drill-carrying spindles and non-telescopic shafts connecting the driving
and drill-carrying spindles in pairs.
13. The combination, with the frame B, having bearing 63, of the sleeve K
mounted in said bearings and having adjustable collar K, loose collar K³ and
reduced threaded upper portion, the pinion L mounted on said sleeve, the nut K
for clamping said pinion in place, the spindle J, free to move longitudinally in said
sleeve and provided with groove j, and the key l, connecting said pinion, sleeve and
spindle, substantially as described.
Dated this 12th dow of New 190s
Dated this 12th day of May 1906.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.