IMPROVEMENTS IN ENGRAVERS' RULING MACHINES
Year: 1885

page_text: I, PHINEAS LAWRENCE, of the firm of Lawrence Brothers, of 48 Farringdon
Street, in the City of London, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of said
invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN ENGRAVERS' RULING MACHINES, communicated to
me from abroad by Theron A. Richards, of Fulton Street, New York, in the United
States of America, Engineer and Machinist, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
The object of this invention is to construct a ruling machine which is adapted
for use on wood, metal or stone; which does not require the removal of any part
or parts when changing from wood to metal or stone, or from one kind of work or
operation to another, and in which each change can be made substantially without
any loss of time; which can engrave a block close to either edge thereof; can be
adjusted to automatically lift the tool; permits the tool to be adjusted at a greater
or less angle from the vertical; permits a quick rotary adjustment of the wave
roll; a longitudinal adjustment of the same; and an adjustment of the tracer;
also to improve the machine in other respects and in its details of construction.
I accomplish these objects by the several combinations of parts hereinafter described
and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification,
Fig. 1 represents a front elevation of a machine embodying my Invention.
Fig. 2, a side elevation of the same, in which some of the parts are omitted for
the sake of clearness.
Fig. 3, a plan view thereof.
Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are detail views of the tool bracket and the parts carried by
the same.
Figs. 8 and 9, enlarged detail views of the tool holder, in which fig. 9 is a cross
section on line α, x, of fig 8.
Fig. 10 represents a detail view of the rear extension of the tool bracket and
its connection with the carriage bracket.
Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail view in cross section of the mechanism for
longitudinally shifting the wave roll.
Fig. 12 represents the tool holding plate, and
Fig. 13 illustrates the preferred construction for elevating the carriage track.

page_text: A, is the foundation, on the tracks or ways of which the bed plate B slides.
This bed plate carries the revolving plate C, on which the block or plate to be
ruled is firmly held by the screw clamps 1. The vertical screws of said clamps are
provided with handles 12 loosely passing through the heads thereof and enlarged
at their ends so that they cannot slip out and will, therefore, always be in place
for use in tightening or loosening the said clamps. The bed plate is moved back-
wards and forwards by a feed wheel D and screw shaft E, in the ordinary well
known manner. The stationary graduated ring F, and an adjustable stop Gare of
the usual construction. The lever H for operating the feed wheel is provided with
a double ender pawl I. This pawl is formed with a cam 2 which co-operates with
spring K fastened to the lever H at 5, and formed with a notch 6. The said cam
is located near the pivot 3 of the pawl, so that the spring shall cause the latter to
bear as lightly as possible upon the ratchet wheel to prevent wear thereof, and
also of the said spring. The spring K, holds the pawl locked in either of its two
operative positions and when the point 4, of the cam engages the notch 6; of the
spring, the pawl is locked in its intermediate or inoperative position. By means
of this double-ender pawl the machine can be run equally well in either direction.
The perspective device, or the mechanism for intermittently rotating the
revolving plate any desired distance is connected with the worm-gear L of said
plate by the wormn-shaft M. Said perspective device is pivoted to the frame of the
machine at 7, and is held in engagement with the worm gear by the screw 8,
which is threaded through a lug 9, of the frame and abuts against said device.
The screw stop 10, passes through a slot in the lug 9 and screws into the frame of
the perspective device, the bead of said screw limiting the inward movement of the
latter. When it is desired to disengage the perspective device from the revolving
plate, the screw 8 is withdrawn a sufficient distance, and the said device is then
shifted on its pivot so as to abut against the lug 9.
For giving a quick rotation to the revolving plate I provide the following means.
1 cast a circular rack N on the under side or lower edge of the piece which carries
the worm gear L on its periphery and gear said rack with a pinion O on the inner
end of the shaft of handle P. When the perspective device is disengaged the said
-plate can be rotated for circle work by operating the handle P. By casting the
circular rack on the same piece or ring on which the worm gear is cut, I greatly
simplify and also cheapen the construction.
The tool carriage R moves on the track or way S rendered adjustable by means
of its depending arms 11, sliding on the vertical part of stationary arms 13, formed
on or connected with the foundation or frame of the machine. A threaded bolt 14
projects from arm 13 through a slot 15 in arm 11 and receives nut 16 on its outer
end, which holds the parts firmly in place after they have been properly adjusted.
.I have illustrated the clamping bolt at one end only but it is to be understood that
both ends of the machine are so provided. To elevate or lower and adjust the
track S, in the desired position, I provide the following means. Near each end of
the said track I form therein a screw threaded aperture 17, for the reception of a
screw rod 18, provided with an operating handle 19, the end of said screw rod
abutting against the upper end of arm 13. Upon loosening the nuts 16, and
simultaneously turning both handles of the screw rods 18 the track will be
elevated or lowered according to the direction in which the said handles are turned.
To determine whether both ends of the track have been equally: elevated or
depressed I graduate the arms 11 and 13 as illustrated in the drawing. After the
parts have been adjusted and clamped the screw rods are removed so as
not to
interfere with the movement of the carriage. Instead of attaching the screw rods
to handles, short screw rods could be used which would not rise; when in their
highest position, above the track, and would not, therefore, necessitate removal.
Such screw rods would be provided with a slot for the insertion of a screw driver,
or with an angular aperture or projection for. the application of an independent
operating handle. Instead of the screw rod abutting against the top of arm 13, a
shorter rod, having its lower part screw threaded to enter a screw threaded-socket

page_text: .engages.
or aperture in arm 13, could be used. The upper part of such rod, where it passed
through the track, would be provided with a shoulder or collar, or with two collars
one above and one below, so as to swivel the same in the track in a manner well
understood and prevent its longitudinal movement. Above the upper collar the
end of the rod would be squared, or otherwise suitably formed, to permit the
application of a handle. In this construction the unscrewing of the rod out of
arm 13 would operate to raise the carriage track. The preferred construction for
vertically adjusting the track S is illustrated in Fig. 3. In this form I mount a
transverse shaft T, in the foundation of the machine and provide each end thereof
with a bevel gear U. In each arm 13 I journal a vertical screw threaded shaft W,
carrying on its lower end a bevel gear V for engagement with said gear U. I
further construct each arm 13 with a vertical slot 20, for the passage of a screw-
threaded lug 21 on track arm 11 with which lug the threaded shaft W.e
The transverse shaft T, is further provided at one end with an operating handlo,
by turning which both ends of the track are simultaneously and equally elevated
or depressed. The object in making the carriage track adjustable is to permit
blocks of varying thickness to be operated upon, especially lithographic stones;
and to accomodate large angular blocks of this material, the arms supporting the
track are placed at considerable distance from the revolving plate, as shewn in
Fig. 13, so that in the rotation of the latter the corners of such stones 'shall not
strike the said arms. The tool and tracer are mounted and arranged as follows:
To the carriage R a bracket 22 is rigidly secured, in which the tool bracket,
consisting of the tracer arm 23, and the tool post 24, is mounted, the former
being directly pivoted in the carriage bracket while the latter is pivoted to the
former at right angles thereto. The tool holder is placed near the. free end of
the tool post and is constructed as follows: A curved slot 25 (Figs. 8 and 9)
is formed in the tool post through which is threaded and headed bolt 26,
provided with a squared part, or a lug 27 projects. Over this bolt is passed
the tool holding plate 28 (see Fig. 12) having on its front face a recess 28¹
for the tool 29 and wedge 30, and on its rear face a guide flange 31, which projects
into the guide slot 32 of the post, said slot being curved from the point of the tool
as a centre. The said plate is further provided with a square hole, or a circular
one 33, having a notch 34 for engagement with the corresponding part of bolt 26.
The tool holding plate, by means of said guide slot and flange, can be shifted to
place the tool at a greater or less angle from the vertical without changing the
position of the point of the tool, as may be required for the execution of different
classes of work. For soft tints, for example, the tool is held at a greater angle from
the vertical than ordinarily. To fasten the tool, tool holding plate and bolt in place,
I use the clamping plate 35 and nut 36. The former, provided with an aperture
for the passage of the bolt, is passed over said holt so as to lie on the tool and the
tool holding plate and the nut is then screwed down to firmly clamp the several
parts in their adjusted position. The object in providing the projection 27 on the
bolt, and the notch 34 in the plate, is to prevent the rotation of the bolt when the
nut is applied thereto. This same object can be accomplished by omitting. said
projection and notch, and in lieu thereof constructing the bolt head 37 of a form to
prevent its rotation in the groove 38 in which it rests, instead of making said head
circular as illustrated. To keep the clamping plate always in alignment with the
tool holding plate I provide the latter with a pin 39 projecting into a hole in the
former. The same end is served by making the bolt square where the clamping
plate surrounds it, and squaring the aperture in said plate to correspond. The
guide or bearing foot 40, is formed on the end of spring bar 41, secured to the
under side of the tool post by screws 42. Said foot projects laterally from said bar
and directly in front of the tool, whereby a perfectly even tint on an uneven block
is secured and the block can be engraved close to either edge. The guide or bearing
foot is adjusted vertically, to regulate the depth of cut, by means of the screw
rod 43 which works in the tool post and presses against the spring bar of the guide
foot, The upper end of said rod carries a graduated and notched plate or disk 44,

page_text: by turning which the depth of cut can be adjusted with the greatest nicety and
exactness. The stout spring pawl 45 fastened to the tool post, locks the disk in
place and prevents its accidental displacement. The tool 29 is lifted from the block,
when not in operation, by means of the spring 46, the tension of which can be
increased by turning down the adjusting screw 47. The upward movement of the
tool post is limited by the screw stop 48, which passes through a lug 49, projecting
from the tracer arm.
The automatic lifting of the tool post is effected by the following mechanism: A
lifter rod 50, is secured to the side of the tool post and carries on its outer end
extending over the carriage R, a vertical screw 51, held in place by a handled lock
nut 52. The said vertical screw may be considered as the adjustable end of said
lifter rod, the same co-operating with the inclined block or cam 53, fixed to the
rack bar 54, of the carriage. The said rack bar, when locking pin 55, is removed
from its left hand end, is permitted to have a limited longitudinal movement on the
carriage, guided by the apertured rack lugs 56, in which the diminished ends or
projections of the rack bar slide. The mode of operation of these parts is as
follows: The tension on screw 46, is first relieved, so that the tool and bearing foot
will drop upon the block and be in proper position to act.
The vertical screw 51,
of the lifter rod is then adjusted or turned down on the incline or cam 53, until the
tool is raised to clear the block, say, one sixteenth of an inch. The pin 55, is then
withdrawn, and if now the rack is moved on the carriage against the right hand lug
the incline will move a sufficient distance from under screw 51, to allow the tool to
again come into .contact with the block. When the pinion 57, is rotated by
handle 58, so as to move or return the carriage from right to left, in Fig. 1, the rack
is first shifted on the carriage until its shoulder abuts against the left hand rack
lug, and thereafter the rack and carriage, of course move together. This initial and
independant movement of the rack, preceding that of the carriage, causes its
attached incline or cam to pass under the adjustable end or screw of the lifter rod
80 as to elevate the tool post and lift the tool from the block. When the pinion 57,
is operated to move the carriage forward, i, e, from left to right, the rack is shifted
on the carriage until its shoulder brings up against the right hand rack lug and,
thereafter, the carriage and rack will move together, but this initial movement of
the rack, of which the incline or cam partakes, causes the latter to recede from
under the adjustable end of the lifter rod, permitting the tool post to descend, so
that the tool may be in proper position to act on the block or plate when the
carriage begins to move forward. This automatic arrangement for lowering and
elevating the tool in advance of the forward and return movements of the carriage,
effects a great saving in time, as the operator is relieved from the trouble of moving
his left hand from the ratchet wheel to the tool at each operation, and also lessens
the liability of accidental cuts. It is especially useful in work requiring much
repetition.
.
The tracer or tracer point 59, which co-operates with the wave roll 68, is
adjustably secured to the tracer arm 23, of the tool carrier. The said tracer arm is
provided with a slot 60, and a groove 61, (see Fig. 5) the former for the passage of
the shank of the tracer, and the latter for holding the head thereof, said head being
so shaped as to prevent rotation of the tracer. The said tracer can be adjusted
nearer to or farther from the pivot of the tool carrier so as to increase or decrease
the lateral movement of the tool, and is retained in its adjusted position by the
lock nut 62. By means of this adjustability of the tracer any pattern on the wave
roll may be reproduced with more or less modification, determined solely by the
position the tracer occupies on the tracer arm. The said tracer is held in contact
with the wave roll by means of a spring 63, which presses against the lateral
extension 64, of the tracer arm, forcing the same outward and therefore the tracer
inward against the said roll. The tension of said spring is varied by the following
means. A bolt 65, with a screw threaded end is screwed into the carriage bracket,
the latter being provided with a cavity for holding the spring surrounding said
bolt. Said bolt is provided with a flange 66, against which the inner end of the

page_text: spring abuts, while its outer end presses against the bottom of the cavity in the
tracer arm extension. Outside thereof the said bolt is provided with an operating
handle or knob 67. When the said knob is operated to unscrew the said bolt the
spring will force the extension outward and after the tracer is thus pressed in
contact with the wave roll any further movement to unscrew the bolt will increase
the tension of the spring. By screwing the bolt into the bracket the tension of the
spring is decreased and by continuing this movement the tracer arm can be clamped
between the carriage bracket and the operating knob so as to hold it in a fixed
position. The tracer arm of the tool bracket is locked by said means to prevent
Interal movement of the tool when it is desired to cut or mark straight or circular
lines.
The wave roll 68, is mounted in the bearings 69 and 70, and is capable of being
shifted longitudinally to a certain extent, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 11. It is so
shifted and also rotated on its axis by the following means: The right hand journal 71,
of said roll is splined to a surrounding sleeve 72, by means of groove 73 and pin 74,
so that the sleeve and journal may slide on each other but must revolve together.
The bearing 70, is let into the sleeve so as to prevent longitudinal movement of the
latter while permitting its rotation. A graduated disk 75, is formed on or secured
to the outer end of said sleeve, which disk may be termed the graduated wave
disk, and by turning which the wave roll may be quickly rotated to any position
desired. The wave disk is retained in its adjusted position by means of the spring
pawl 76, which also performs the function of an indicator in connection with the
graduation marks on said disk, and may be locked thereto by the cam lever 77,
pivoted under the same. To the face of the graduated wave disk I fasten a
graduated bevelled plate 78, through which a threaded shaft 79, passes and engages
a longitudinal screw-threaded cavity in the wave roll journal 71. Said threaded
shaft is provided with a flango 80, which lies against the inner side of plate 78, and
also with a graduated knob 81, fastened to the outer end of said shaft 79, said knob
being placed adjacent to said beveled plate. By turning the graduated knob on the
graduated beveled plate, while it and the wave disk are held stationary by the
pawl, the threaded shaft will be rotated and will force out or draw into the sleeve
the said journal of the wave roll, thus altering the longitudinal position of the
latter. The graduated wave disk and the graduated knob enable an operator to
take a record of his adjustments, both rotary and longitudinal, and at a future time,
if desired, to re-adjust the wave roll to the exact position it had previously occupied.
By means of said wave disk the operator is also enabled to turn instantly to either
wave on the roll.
Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim and secure by
Letters Patent, is
1. The general arrangement and combination of parts constituting the improved
engravers' ruling machine substantially as herein described and as shewn in the
drawings.
2. In an engraver's ruling machine, the combination with the revolving plate,
of the tool carriage and its vertically adjustable track or way, for the purpose of
permitting blocks or plates of varying thickness to be operated upon, substantially
as described.
3. In an engraver's ruling machine, the combination of the revolving plate and
the stationary supporting arms, with the tool carriage, the track or way provided
with depending arms, and mechanism operating to move said depending arms
on said stationary arms, for the purpose of vertically adjusting the said tract,
substantially as described.
4. The combination with the tool carriage and revolving plate of a transverse
shaft provided with a bevel gear at or near each end, two vertical screw threaded
shafts geared to said transverse shaft, the carriage track or way, and its depending
arms provided with screw threaded apertures for engagement with said vertical
shafts, substantially as described.

page_text: 5. The combination with the tool carriage and the pivoted tracer arm carrying
a tracer of the tool post pivoted on and at right angles to the tracer arm, sub-
stantially as described.
6. The combination of the tracer with the tracer arm constructed to permit the
adjustment of the tracer at a greater or less' distance from its pivot, substantially
as described.
7. The combination of the tracer having a head or flange, with the tracer arm
constructed with a slot and groove for holding said tracer and a nut for clamping
the latter in position, substantially as described.
8. The combination with the pivoted tracer arm of the tool post pivoted thereto
and a spring for automatically lifting said tool post, substantially as described.
9. The combination of the tool bracket and the carriage with a clamping device
for holding said tool bracket stationary and preventing movement thereof on its
pivot, substantially as described.
10. The combination of the tool bracket carrying a tracer, with the wave roll,
tool carriage and a spring for pressing said tracer in contact with the wave roll,
substantially as described..
11. The combination with the tool bracket, carriage, and a screw rod provided
with a collar and an operating knob, of a spring arranged on said rod between said
collar and said tool bracket, substantially as described.
12. The combination with the tool post provided with a lifter rod, of the
carriage, and a cam or incline arranged to slide thereon and connected with the
means for reciprocating said carriage, substantially as described.
13. The combination with the carriage and the tool post provided with a lifter
rod, of the carriage rack, the latter arranged to have a limited sliding movement
on the carriage, and a cam or incline connected with said rack for co-operation
with said lifter rod, substantially as described.
14. The combination with the tool post provided with a lifter rod having an
adjustable end, of the carriage and a cam or incline arranged to slide thereon and
connected with the means for reciprocating said carriage, substantially as described.
15. The combination with the tool post of a tool holder arranged to slide thereon
in the arc of a circle and to be clamped thereto in any position to which it may be
adjusted for the purpose of permitting the tool to be placed at a greater or less
angle from the vertical, substantially as described.
16. The combination, with the tool post provided with a curved slot of a tool
holding plate arranged to be guided in the arc of a circle, a bolt passing through
said slot and a thin clamping plate and nut for locking the several parts in
position, substantially as described.
17. The combination with the tool post provided with a curved slot of a tool
holding plate arranged to be guided in the arc of a circle, a bolt passing through
said slot and plate and arranged so as not to rotate and a clamping plate and nut
for locking the several parts in position, substantially as described.
18. The combination with the tool post provided with a curved groove and a
curved slot, of a tool holding plate having a wedge shaped groove on its face and
a curved flange on its back to guide it in the arc of a circle, a bolt passing through
said slot and plate, a clamping plate, and a nut for clamping the tool between said
plates and the said plates to the tool post, substantially as described.
19. The combination with the tool post of the guide or bearing foot arranged in
front of the cutter, substantially as described.
20. The combination with the tool post of the guide or bearing foot projecting
laterally from the spring bar and in front of the cutter, substantially as described.
21. The combination with the tool post of the guide or.bearing foot formed on the
end of the spring bar, and a screw.bolt and disk bearing on said bar for adjusting the
position of the guide foot, to regulate the depth of cut, substantially as described.
22. The combination with the wave roll of a graduated disk arranged thereon
for turning said roll, and an indicator for co-operation with. the said disk, sub-
stantially as described.

page_text: 23. The combination with the wave roll of a graduated disk arranged thereon
for turning said roll, a spring pawl, and a cam lever for holding said spring pawl
in engagement with said disk, substantially as described.
24. The combination with the wave roll constructed and arranged to be shifted
longitudinally, of mechanism for so shifting the same, substantially as described.
25. The combination with the wave roll constructed and arranged to be shifted
longitudinally of a swiveled screw rod engaging one of the journals of said wave
roll, and provided with an operating knob for turning the same, substantially as
described.
26. The combination with the wave roll provided with a graduated disk for
rotating the same and constructed and arranged to be shifted longitudinally of
mechanism for so shifting the same, substantially as described.
27. The combination with the wave roll provided with a graduated disk for
rotating the same and constructed and arranged to be shifted longitudinally, of
a swiveled screw rod engaging one of the journals of said wave roll and provided
with an operating knob for turning the same, substantially as described.
28. The combination with the wave roll arranged to have longitudinal motion,
in its bearings, of a graduated disk secured to a sleeve splined to one of the
journals of said wave roll and a swiveled screw rod engaging the said journal and
provided with a graduated operating knob, substantially as described.
29. The combination with the wave roll arranged to have longitudinal motion in
its bearings, of a graduated disk secured to a sleeve splined to one of the journals
of said wave roll, a graduated plate fixed to said wave disk, a screw rod swiveled
in said plate and engaging the said journal and a graduated operating knob secured
to said screw rod and placed adjacent to said plate, substantially as described.
30. In an engraver's ruling machine the revolving plate provided with a worm
gear and with a circular rack on the under surface of, and adjacent to said worm
gear, substantially as described.
31. The combination with the revolving plate provided with a worm gear, and
the perspective device arranged to be thrown into and out of engagement with said
worm gear, of a circular rack arranged on the underside of said worm gear, and a
pinion meshing with said rack and provided with an operating handle, for rotating
the revolving plate when the perspective device is shifted out of engagement with
said worm gear, substantially as described.
32. The combination with the feed wheel of an operating lever provided with
a double-ender pawl, having a cam located near the pivot thereof, and a spring
bearing on said cam, for the purpose of causing the pawl to bear lightly on the
ratchet wheel, substantially as described.
33. The combination with the feed wheel of an operating lever provided with
a double-ender pawl having a cam located near the pivot thereof, and a spring
mounted on said handle and provided with a notch, said spring arranged to bear
on said cam to hold the pawl lightly in engagement with the ratchet wheel, and to
engage said cam when the pawl is in its intermediate or inoperative position,
substantially as described.
34. The combination with the revolving plate of the screw clamps, the vertical
screws of which are provided with headed rods freely passing through transverse
openings therein, for rotating the same, substantially as described.