Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Cutting and Spearing Spring Plates, and for Studding and Slitting the same.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Jan., 1835
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Oct., 1895-Accepted, 22nd Jan., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Cutting and
Spearing Spring Plates, and for Studding and Slitting the same.
We GEORGE WILLIAM WILLFORD and FRANK COCKING (trading as
Willford & Cocking) of Park House Works, Attercliffe Sheffield in the County
of York Spring Manufacturers do hereby declare the nature of our said invention
to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to an improved method of preparing spring plates
preparatory to fitting, that is, spearing studding and slitting the same which
have heretofore been done by various and more expensive processes the spearing
by means of shears and the studding and slitting by other and different appliances.
By our invention we intend to cut and spear the plates out of the long bar by
one set of adjustable tools and stud and slit and punch out the centre hole thereof
by a second set. These tools can be adjusted as required.
In the construction of this invention we make a bed or tool holder to which is
fitted a set of adjustable tools corresponding to another set fitted to a ram working
above the said bed or holder.
These tools consist of any required number but we prefer to use three, two of
which are fitted to the said bed or holder and one to the said ram the one in the
ram corresponding to the two in the bed or holder and formed to any required
spear.
The studding and slitting tools are fitted in a similar manner and consist of two
only the slit bed being in the bottom tool and the stud and slit punches in the top
tool. In these tools are the hole and stud for punching the centre hole.
In carrying this invention into effect we place the end of a long bar upon the
first spearing tool in the bed and the ram comes down and cuts off and spears the
first end singly; the bar is then passed forward as far as required and the next
stroke cuts off and spears the other end of the first plate thus forming a complete
plate and the same stroke also cuts off and spears the first end of the second plate;
the third stroke cuts off and spears the other end of the second plate and the first
end of the third plate and so on throughout the length of the bar each succeeding
stroke cutting off two ends. The speared plate is then placed in the studding and
slitting tools which stud and slit one end of the plate at one stroke and in the same
way but by another stroke the centre hole is punched out thus forming by means of
two sets of tools a complete spring plate.
This process will greatly cheapen the production of spring plates the saving in
time and labour being very considerable.
Dated this 22nd day of January 1805
GEO.
DOWNING,
8 Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent,

page_text: Improvements in the Method of and in Apparatus for Cutting and
Spearing Spring Plates, and for Studding and Slitting the same.
We GEORGE WILLIAM WILLFORD and FRANK COCKING, (trading as
Willford & Cocking) of Park House Works, Attercliffe, Sheffield, in the County
of York, Spring Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :--
Our invention relates to an improved method of preparing spring plates by
spearing, studding, and slitting the same, preparatory to fitting; which operations
have heretofore been performed by other and more expensive processes.
According to our invention we cut and spear the plates from a long bar, by one
set of tools, and stud, slit, and punch out the centre hole thereof by a second set.
We make a bed or tool holder, to which is fitted a set of tools corresponding to
another set fitted to a ram working above the bed or holder. These tools may be
of any required number, but we prefer to use three tools, two of which are fitted to
the bed or holder, and one to the ram; that in the ram corresponding to the two
in the bed or holder and formed to any required spear.
The studding and slitting tools are fitted in a similar manner, and consist of two
only, the slit bed being in the bottom tool, and the stud and slit punches in the top
tool. In these tools are the hole and stud for punching the centre hole.
The operation is as follows -We place the end of a long bar upon the first
spearing tool in the bed. The ram then comes down and cuts off and spears the first
end singly. The bar is then moved forward as far as required, and the next stroke
of the ram cuts off and spears the other end of the first plate, (thus forming a com-
plete plate), and the same stroke also cuts off and spears the first end of the second
plate. In like manner the third stroke cuts off and spears the other end of the
second plate and the first end of the third plate, and so on throughout the length
of the bar, each succeeding stroke cutting off two ends. The speared plate is then
placed in the studding and slitting tools, which stud and slit one end of the plate
at each stroke, and in the same manner, the central hole is punched out ;
forming by means of two sets of tools, a complete spring plate.
thus
This process greatly cheapens the manufacture of spring plates, the saving in
time and labour being very considerable.
And in order that our said invention may be particularly described and
ascertained, reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which
similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is a plan view of the knocking off tool 9, which is fixed to the moving
head or ram of the hydraulic or other press.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the two tools 10, 10, which are fixed to the bed of the
press, and upon which the bar is laid for spearing.
Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on the line a b of the tool 9, shown in Fig. 1, and
on the line ed of the tools 10, 10, shown in Fig. 2, with the bar 11 in position
between the upper and lower tools, ready for spearing.
Fig. is a side view, and Fig. 5 an end view of the slitting or slotting tool 12,
for forming the slots 14 in the plate or bar 11.
Fig. 6 represents the punching tool 13, by which the central hole 15 is punched
through the bar 11 and the studs 16, 16, are formed.
Fig. 7 is a plan and Fig. 8 a section of the finished bar.
The slitting and studding operations may be carried out by the same press as
that used for spearing, the tools being so fitted for the purpose as not to interfere
with the spearing operations.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
The improved method of and apparatus for cutting and spearing spring plates,
and for studding and slitting the same, substantially as herein before described and
illustrated by the drawings.
GEO.
DOWNING,
8 Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent.
Dated 22nd October 1895.
GEO. DOWNING,
8 Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent.