IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING SCREWS OR OTHER ARTICLES OF REGULAR OR IRREGULAR FORM
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, &
Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING SCREWS OR OTHER ARTICLES OF
REGULAR OR IRREGULAR FORM." A communication from abroad by Louis
Bollmann, of Vienna, in the Empire of Austria, Manufacturer.
Sealed the 1st May 1877, and dated the 4th November 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th November 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING
SCREWS OR OTHER ARTICLES OF REGULAR OR IRREGULAR FORM." A commu-
nication.
This Invention relates to machinery for cutting screws or other circular forms
by the application of a circular toothed cutter, which has its cutting periphery
formed as a counterpart of the screw thread or other form to be made, the said
cutter being connected by means of toothed gearing with the work, so that both must
rotate at an equal number of revolutions, but in such directions to each other that
they will move at the point of contact or cutting in opposite directions, and the
axis of the cutter being transversely movable so that it can be carried towards the
work while cutting and adjusted for different diameters of screws.
The said Invention may be attached to a turning lathe, in which case the object
to be cut is fastened on the lathe spindle in any suitable manner. To the lathe
spindle is fastened a toothed wheel gearing into a similar wheel that is fastened to
the shaft bearing into the spindle head. On the lathe bed is screwed a bed plate.
The support is fastened to this bed plate by means of two screws; its upper part
may be of angular shape, and supplied with two bearings in which rest the studs of
an arm. The upper end of this arm is fork shaped, having two studs on which
hangs in proper bearings a swinging frame. These studs are hollow, so that a
small shaft can pass through them, on which shaft a small toothed wheel is
fastened.

page_text: The frame carries in a bearing two small shafts with two toothed wheels, one of
which gears into the toothed wheel previously mentioned, and also into its com-
panion, all three having equal numbers of teeth; to. the shaft of the wheel is
fastened the cutter. The shaft of the wheel has fastened on its end at the right
hand a second larger toothed wheel gearing into a like wheel fastened to the shaft,
which bears in proper holes in the centre of the studs of the arm. This shaft
carries on its left-hand end a wheel, which gears into a wheel fastened on the other
shaft. These two wheels bave teeth on their sides. The right-hand end of the
shaft is partly formed spherical and bears in the central hole of the wheel. This
arrangement forms a universal joint connecting the two shafts in such a manner
that they must rotate together, while one of them can be placed more or less into
an oblique position. This is accomplished by screws passing through slots in the
support, which are curved from the centre of the spherical end of the one shaft. By
loosening these screws the apparatus can be set obliquely, while at the same time
the toothed wheels will remain in proper gear. The object of this oblique position
will be explained hereafter.
The frame is formed with a projection representing a section of a circle, and
having teeth which gear into a small screw spindle bearing in suitable eyes cast on
the arm.
By turning this screw spindle with its hand wheel the frame will swing
on the axis, bringing the cutter nearer to or further from the axis of the lathe
spindle in order to adjust it for any desired diameter of screw.
The screw which passes through a slot in the segmental part of the frame
fastens the frame after it is properly adjusted to the arm, so that both form one
part.
In order to bring the cutter in contact with the surface of the work, which is
attached to the lathe spindle in any suitable way, the frame and arm are made to
turn on an axis, motion being given to them by means of a long screw spindle. A
nut is connected to the support and the bearing of the spindle to the frame by
means of two universal joint connections, which allow the nut and spindle to adjust
themselves to the required positions.
On turning the spindle by means of its crank handle in the proper direction the
cutter will move downwards and come in contact with the work.
In order that the cutter may act to the best advantage in cutting screw threads
its axis ought to be placed obliquely, so that the threads on its periphery are at the
point of contact in a line with the threads to be cut on the work, and also that the
direction of its up and downward motions is in the same line. By giving the
support by means of the screws the desired oblique position, as has already been set
forth, this object is accomplished.
The transmission of the rotating motion of the lathe spindle to the cutter by
means of the toothed wheels has the following effects :-
1. The work and the cutter revolve in the same direction and make an equal
number of revolutions.
2. The cutter can swing on the one centre in order to bring its cutting surface in
contact with the work.
3. To adjust the cutter for work of different diameters it can swing on the other
centre; this motion adapts this apparatus also for cutting internal screws, as will be
explained hereafter.
4. The cutter can be placed and moved in an oblique position.
This apparatus can also be applied to cut internal screws or other forms as
follows: It has been already described that at the point where the cutter and the
work come in contact the motions of both must be in opposite directions to each
other; this will occur for external screws when both rotate in the same, and for
internal screws when both turn in opposite directions. As the cutter must now
turn in the opposite direction it is fastened to the shaft of the one toothed wheel,
while the other toothed wheel and its shaft can be removed if it is in the way of
the work. The arm is now fastened to the support by means of the said key,

page_text: which lies in a slot and is pressed against a notch in the arm by two screws; the
fastening screw is slackened so that the frame can swing freely on its axis. The
worm screw is then allowed the same play in the line of its axis by screwing back
a screw, which is one of the bearings of the worm screw. The play thus given
must be as much as to allow the frame sufficient motion on the axis as the cutter
requires to cut to the full depth of the thread.
The different diameters of the screws can be exactly regulated as for external
screws by turning the worm screw with its hand wheel.
The motion of the frame on its axis is transmitted by a screw spindle in the
manner above described.
For internal screws it is necessary that the cutter should be moved as much
towards the right-hand side as to get it into or out of the internal part. For this
purpose the arm has so much play between the bearings of the support that the
said arm with all the parts connected to it can be moved towards the right,
whereby also the wheels will get out of gear and the apparatus out of motion.
catch holds the apparatus in its true position towards the left side while the cutter
is acting.
A
This apparatus may also be applied for cutting other regular or irregular forms,
the work receiving always a shape, which is an exact counterpart of the cutting
surface of the cutter. Two screws of different pitches besides any complicated forms
can be cut at once.
In the case of a screw of a fuze for large ordnance shells having two screw threads,
both of which as well as the entire head are made of one cut, the cutter is made in
several parts.
This Invention is also applicable for cutting a six-square head of a screw simul-
taneously with the threads and other parts; here the cutter for the six-square is
not round, but so formed as to cut the six surfaces. In the same manner I cut the
cams for sewing machines, as also the rotating hooks of the Wheeler and Wilson
sewing machines. To give to the said cutters the exact shape required I usually
make first an exact copy of the work to be produced, and then form it into a cutter
by cutting teeth in the direction of its axis and then harden it. This cutter I
fasten on the lathe spindle, while the unhardened cutter which is to be made is
fastened on the cutter spindle; now by bringing both cutters in contact the soft
cutter will obtain the exact form required. In this manner the cutters can be
cheaply and quickly made.
The advantages of this Invention are manifold, but I will only mention the
following, namely -
First. Quick and cheap production of screws or other forms.
Secondly. Great exactness of the same.
Thirdly. Little wear of the cutting edges.
This apparatus can be much simplified when only external or only internal
screws, or only such of a given diameter are to be made, as many parts can then be
left away. When only fine screw threads or smooth work are to be made it is not
necessary that the apparatus be placed into an oblique position, the universal joint
wheels can therefore then be avoided by making the shafts in one piece.
The shaft of the cutter may be made to bear in a slide rest instead of in a swinging
frame to give to it the motion towards the work.
The cutter can as well be fastened on the lathe spindle and the work on the
moveable cutter spindle. The special peculiarity of this Invention is therefore a
rotating toothed cutter or its equivalent, having its periphery formed as a counter-
part of the form of the screw thread or any other shape to be made on the work,
said cutter being fastened to an arbor, bearing in a moveable frame or slide rest or
their equivalent, which allows its cutting surface to be moved towards and to be
brought into contact with the work, which is fastened to the lathe spindle, and the
shaft of the cutter receiving motion by means of suitable gearing, so that it will
rotate with the same number of revolutions as the lathe spindle, and in such

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th May
1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING
SCREWS OR OTHER ARTICLES OF REGULAR OR IRREGULAR FORM." A communi-
cation from abroad by Louis Bollmann, of Vienna, in the Empire of Austria,.
Manufacturer.
This Invention relates to the cutting of screws or other circular forms by the
application of a circular toothed cutter which has its cutting periphery formed as a
counterpart of the screw thread or other form to be made, the said cutter being con-
nected by means of toothed gearing with the work, so that both must have an
equal number of revolutions, but in such directions in relation to each other that
they will move at the point of contact in opposite directions, the axis of the cutter
or the axis of the work being transversely movable so that it can be carried towards
the work while cutting and adjusted for different diameters of screws.
Figure 1 is a plan of a machine constructed according to this Invention and
applied to a lathe; Figure 2 is a front view; and Figure 3 a side view of the
same.
Figure 4 is a side view with the large toothed wheels removed.
Figures 5 to 20 show details of this machine to which I will refer in the
following description :-
Figures 21 to 26 show another machine, to which this Invention is applied, con-
structed for cutting the screws on the ends of gun barrels for military rifles;
Figure 21 is a front view; Figure 22, a side view; Figure 23, a plan; and Figure 24
a partial section of the same.
Similar letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the Drawings.
In the machine shown in Figures 1 to 20 the object to be cut is fastened on the
lathe spindle in any suitable manner.
A is the bed of the lathe; B, the spindle head; C, the lathe spindle; D, the
lathe pulley. To the lathe spindle C is fastened the cog wheel E gearing into a
similar wheel F that is fastened to the shaft G, which has its bearings at H, H, in
the spindle head B. On the lathe bed A is screwed the bed plate I, shown in
Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12, J is a support fastened to I by means of the two screws
3, its upper part is shaped angular, as shown in Figure 9, and supplied with two
bearings h, k, in which bear the studs 1, 2, of the arm K, shown in Figures 5, 6, 7,
and 8. The upper end of the arm K is fork shaped having two studs 1, 1, on
which hangs in proper bearings 1, 1, the swinging frame L; these studs 1, 11, are
hollow, so that a small shaft q can pass through them, and on this shaft a small cog
wheel M. is fastened, see Figures 2 and 13, 14, and 15.
The frame L carries in the bearing 1, 12, 13, 13, two small shafts with toothed
wheels N and O, of which the wheel N gears into the wheel M, and also into the
wheel O, all three having equal numbers of teeth. To the shaft of the wheel O is
fastened the cutter P. The shaft q of the wheel M has fastened on its right hand
end a second larger toothed wheel Q gearing into a like wheel R fastened to the
shaft, which has bearings in suitable holes in the centre of the studs k¹, k², of
the arm K. This shaft carries on its left end the wheel S that gears into the

page_text: teeth on their sides, and
shaft G is partly formed
This arrangement forms
wheel T fastened on the shaft G. These two wheels have
are shown in section in Figure 10. The right end of the
spherical, and bearing in the central hole of the wheel S.
a universal joint connecting the shafts G, and in such a manner that they must
rotate together, while the shaft can be placed more or less into an oblique
position; this is accomplished by the screws j, j, passing through slots which are
curved from the centre of the spherical end of the shaft G in the support J. By
loosening these screws the apparatus can be set oblique, while at the same time the
cog wheels S and T will remain in proper gear. The object of this oblique position
will be herein-after explained.
The frame L is formed with a projection 5 representing a section of a circle, with
the centre q having teeth that gear into the small screw spindle W (see Figures 4, 5,
6, 12, and 15) bearing in suitable eyes cast on the arm K. By turning this screw
spindle with its hand wheel the frame L will swing on the axis q, bringing the
cutter P nearer to or further from the axis of the lathe spindle in order to adjust it
for any desired diameter of screw.
The screw V which passes through a slot in the segmental part 5 of the frame L
fastens the frame after it is properly adjusted to the arm K, so that both form one
part.
In order to bring the cutter in contact with the surface of the work u which is
attached to the lathe spindle C in any suitable way, the frame L and arın K are
made to turn on the axis, motion being given to them by means of the long
screw spindle X. The nut 6 is connected to the support J, and the bearing of the
spindle to the frame L by means of two universal joint connections that allow the
nut and spindle to adjust themselves to the required positions, as will be understood
by reference to Figures 3 and 4.
By turning the spindle by its crank handle Y in the proper direction the cutter P
will move downwards and come in contact with the work u.
In order that the cutter may act to the best advantage in cutting screw threads,
its axis ought to be placed obliquely, so that the threads on its periphery may be at
the point of contact in line with the threads to be cut on the work, and also that
the direction of its up and downward motions is in the same line. An examination
of Figure 17 will make this understood, P being the cutter and u the work. By
giving the support J by means of the screws j, j, the desired oblique position, as has
already been set forth, this object is accomplished.
The transmission of the rotating motion of the lathe spindle to the cutter by
means of the cog wheels EF, TS, Ŕ Q, M N, Q has the following properties:
1. The work u and the cutter P revolve in the same direction and make equal
numbers of turns.
2. The cutter can swing on the centre 21 to bring its cutting surface in contact
with the work.
3. To adjust the cutter for different diameters of work it can swing on the
centre q. This motion adapts this apparatus also for cutting internal screws, as
herein-after explained.
4. The cutter can be placed and moved in an oblique position.
Figure 12 shows the positions of the parts which I will now explain.
It is required that the teeth of the cutter move at the point of action in opposite
direction to the motion of the screw thread which is to be cut. In Figure 18 u is
the screw being cut, and P the cutter; the arrows indicate the directions of the
motions of both. It will be seen that in this case the motions of both is in the
same direction, namely from left to right; on the upper side this causes the points
of contact to move mutually in opposition to each other.
Figure 19 shows the direction of the cutter P and of the work u for cutting-
internal screws, in this instance the cutter turns to the right and the screw to the
left again, the points of contact working in opposite directions; the cutter must
therefore turn for external work in the direction from left to right, and for internal
work from right to left.

page_text: It will be seen in Figures 4, 12, and 15 that the shaft of the wheels O and P
move in opposite directions to each other. Both these shafts are so arranged that a
cutter can be attached to them. For external work I fasten the cutter to the shaft
of wheel O, but for internal work the cutter is attached to the end of the shaft of
the wheel N. In this latter case the wheel and shaft O is removed to be out of the
way. The position of the different parts will now be altered as a comparison of
Figure 4 with Figure 12 will show, Figure 4 being the position for external, and.
Figure 12 for internal screws.
The changes which are now made are as follows:-
I. The arm K is now fastened to the support J, so that it cannot swing on its
axis (Figure 12). This adjustment is made by means of the key 9 laying
in a slot in the support J (Figures 9, 10, 11), which is pressed against a slot 8 in
the arm K (see Figures 6, 7, 8,) by means of two screws 10, 10. The arm K is
thus stationary and forms part of the support J.
II. The fastening screw V is now fully loosened, so that the frame L is allowed
to swing freely on the axis q to give to the cutter the motion towards the work.
III. To the worm W is now given some play lengthwise in the direction of its
axis by screwing back the screw 11 which is one of the bearings of the worm, see
Figures 5 and 6. The play thus given must be sufficient to allow to the frame L
so much play on the axis q as the cutter requires motion to cut the full depth of
the thread which is to be made.
The motion of the frame L on the axis is transmitted by the screw spindle X in
the same manner as above described.
For internal screws it is necessary that the cutter may be moved as much
towards the right-hand side as to get it into or out of the internal part. For this
purpose the arm K, Figure 5, has so much play between the bearings k, l, of the
support J (see Figures 9 and 10) that the same with all the parts connected to it
can be moved towards the right, whereby also the wheels S and T will be moved.
out of gear and the motion of the apparatus will be arrested. A movable catch Z
which turns on a pin in the support J and is actuated by a spring 12 (see Figures 1,
4, and 12) holds the apparatus in its true position towards the left side while the
cutter is acting. The catch is turned downwards when the arm is to be pushed to
the right.
Figures 18 and 19 show the position of the cutter P and of the work u to be
cut, Figure 18 being a front and a side view for external, and Figure 19 the same
for internal screws, and the arrows showing the directions of motion.
·
This apparatus can also be applied for cutting other regular or irregular forms,
the work receiving always a shape which is an exact counterpart of the cutting
surface of the cutter. Two screws of different pitches besides other complicated
forms can be cut at one operation.
Figure 16 shows the screw of a fuze for large gun shots having two screw
threads, both of which as well as the entire head are made at one cut, the cutter
which is made, as shown, in several parts having the proper form.
I would further call attention to Figure 20, in which is shown the application of
this Invention for cutting a six square head of a screw at the same time with the
threads and other parts of the same; here the cutter for the six square is not round
but so formed as to cut the six surfaces, as is shown. In the same manner I may
cut excentrics for sewing machines as the rotating hooks of the well-known
"Wheeler and Wilson" sewing machines. To give to the cutters the exact shape
. required I make generally first an exact copy of the work which is to be made, and
then shape it to a cutter by cutting in the direction of its axis teeth. This cutter
being hardened I fasten it on the lathe spindle, while the unhardened cutter which
is to be made is fastened on the cutter spindle; now by bringing both cutters in
contact the soft cutter will obtain the exact form required. In this manner the
cutters can be cheaply and quickly made.
This apparatus can be much simplified when only external or only internal screws
or only screws of a given diameter are to be made, as many parts can then be

page_text: omitted. When only five screw threads or smooth work are to be made it is not
necessary that the apparatus should be placed in an oblique position; the universal
joint wheels S and T can therefore then be dispensed with by making the shafts G
and in one piece.
The shaft of the cutter may be made to bear in a slide rest instead of in a
swinging frame to give it the motion towards the work. The cutter may be
fastened on the lathe spindle C, and the work on the movable cutter spindle.
I will now describe the modification of my Invention shown in Figures 21 to 26
of the Drawings.
This machine is constructed for cutting the screws on the ends of barrels for
military muskets, and is supplied with two cutters, one for cutting the threads and
the second to finish the same.
A is the bed to which is fastened the spindle head B, the spindle C carries the
worm wheel E2, into which gears a worm whose bearing is in the standard M2 and
rotated by a chain wheel I fastened to its shaft. To the bed A is screwed the
support H to which are connected the two frames G, G¹, in such a manner that it
may be adjusted in different positions as will be explained. These frames G, G³,
bear each two adjustable centre studs on which revolve in proper centres the
arbors J, J, of the cutters F, F. On these arbors are fastened the two worm
wheels E, E¹, into which gear worms bearing in the standard M¹, M¹. The shaft
of the worm which rotates the cutter E carries on its outer end a chain wheel I¹
similar to the one which drives the lathe spindle C. An endless chain connects
these two chain wheels so that both must rotate in the same manner.
The two worms which drive the cutters are connected together by two universal
joints, so that they must rotate together and at the same time allow their axis to
lay slightly out of the same line, as shewn in Figure 26..
It will be seen that by this arrangement the spindle C and the cutters F, F¹,
must rotate simultaneously and in the same direction. To the support H is also
fastened the counter head R which carries the counter centre m on which the gun
barrel which is to be cut is rotating (Figures 23 and 24). In this machine the
axes of the cutters F¹, F', are stationary, but the axis of the work is moving against
the cutter. This is accomplished in the following manner, see Figure 24:-The
shaft T of the counter head is free to rotate but cannot move lengthwise and carries
an arm S which forms a section of a worm wheel, see Figure 25, into which gears
a small worm screw supplied with a crank handle (see Figure 22), by which it can
be turned, whereby the shaft T will partly rotate. Through a hole which is out of
the centre of T passes a rod U, the end of which forms the counter centre of the
lathe. The gun barrel is resting on its left end on the centre of the lathe spindle C,
and being made to rotate with the spindle by a dog in the usual way, its right
end bears on the counter centre m which is out of centre of the bar U. Now it will
be seen that when the bar U is made to turn partly in its bearing in the head
stock R the right end of the gun barrel will be moved towards one of the
cutters F, F, whereby the cutting will take place. By turning the bar U after-
wards in opposite directions the barrel will be moved towards the second cutter
which has much finer teeth, and is intended to finish the screw thread smoothly.
This machine is so arranged that the motion of the bar U whereby the barrel is
moved towards the cutters is self-acting; this motion being performed by the cam
wheel X which moves the connection rod a that is connected to the arm S, as
plainly seen in Figure 22. The wheel X is driven by a small cog wheel fastened to
the long shaft Q, and having a pulley d that is connected by a rope to the
spindle C, as seen in Figure 21.
When the self-acting arrangement is in use the small worm wheel is brought
out of gear with the arm S by turning the lever w (see Figure 21).
To set this
machine for different diameters or lengths of gun barrels or other similar work, or
also for different pitches of screws, the frames G, G¹, are connected to the support H
in such a manner that they can be adjusted independently nearer to or further
from the work by means of the screw spindle P. The cutters may also be set into

page_text: the required oblique positions by wedges N which are placed between the support R
and the frames G, G₁, as seen in the Drawings.
The advantages of this Invention are manifold. I may only mention the
following:
First. Quick and cheap production of screws or other forms.
Secondly. Great exactness of the same.
Thirdly. Slight wear of the cutting edges.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I do not confine myself to the size, shape, or combination of the parts, as herein
described and shown, as these may be modified in many ways without departing
from the nature of my Invention, and that I claim, the application of a rotating
toothed cutter or equivalent device having its periphery formed as a counterpart of
the screw thread or other shape to be produced on the work, the said cutter
receiving motion by means of suitable gearing, so that it will rotate with the same
number of revolutions as the lathe spindle, and in such a direction that at the point
of cutting the cutter and the work will move in opposite directions, and giving
either the work or the cutter a lateral motion to move the axes of both nearer to
each other to bring the surface of the cutter in contact with the work, all as above
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven:
W ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)