Improvements in and relating to Machines for Making Washers.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 24th June, 1890-Accepted, 26th July, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Machines for Making Washers.
I, SAMUEL JOHNSTON SHIMER, of the Town of Milton, in the County of Northumber-
land, in the State of Pennsylvania, in the United States of America, Manufacturer,
io hereby declare the nature of my invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention has relation to Improvements in Machines for Punching Metal
Washers from a plate or bar fed to the machine; and the object has been and is to
simplify and improve the mechanism involved in that certain machine whereon Letters
Patent No. 16,470 were granted to me under date of November 13, A.D. 1888, for
Improvements in Machines for Making Washers, and the objects are accomplished by
means of the mechanism, construction and combination thereof, shown in the accom-
panying drawings, wherein :
Figure 1 is a perspective of my newly invented and improved Washer Machine.
Figure 2 is a front view in elevation of the same; the front plate of the punch-
head box being removed to show the punch-head and block.
Figure 3 is a side view.
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Figure 4 is a central vertical section of the same taken from the front to rear, on
the line -x of Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a plan view of the bed-plate, showing the shifting-plate, the clearer-bar
and one of the spring washer-pickers; the others of the last named elements being
omitted because their multiplication would merely show them in repetition.
Figure 6 is a view of the improved die.
Figure 7 is a top plan view of the same.
Figure 8 is a bottom view thereof.
Figure 9 is a vertical central sectional view of the die and a view of the detachable
die-ring.
Figure 10 shows side, top and end views of the washer-picker.
Figure 11 is a vertical central section of the die, detachable die-ring, and washers in
the die, with the central punch held in the washers, and a side view of the washer
picker, showing the relation of the parts as dropping a made washer from the bottom
of the mass in the die.
Figure 12 is a bottom plan view of the die-bed showing the seats for the elastic
cushion and guide pins.
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Figure 13 is a detail sectional view of the die bed taken on the line
Figure 12, and showing the die removed in elevation from the seat in the die bed.
Figure 14 is a perspective of the rocking arms for reciprocating the shifting-plate
or bed under the dies."
Figure 15 is a perspective of the keeper plate which lies over the die-bed to keep
the plate from which the washers are punched from buckling or lifting; guide
holes for the punches being arranged therein on an oblique angle to the front of the
machine.
Figure 16 is a perspective of the bed-piece carrying the washer-pickers.
In my former patented invention, as well as in the present invention, the object is
to perfect a machine which makes the washers from above the bed and delivers the cut
washers below in the direction of the cutting stroke of the punch, and while I
have in the present instance shown and described an improved mechanism

page_text: generally, the gist of the invention involving my improvements is included in and
about the dies of the machine.
Referring to the drawings, A designates the bed of the machine, consisting of
a strong and substantial casting having a seat or bed at the front to receive the
different parts of the die elements as will be hereinafter fully specified; the bed
of the machine is extended rearwards, as at 1, and at the front has formed on it
and projected vertically from it, a strong standard 2, formed with a hollow punch-
head box 3. On the rear of the bed is a standard 4, carrying a sleeve 5, in
which a bearing is arranged, and in the rear of the standard 2 is a bearing 6,
in which bearings is mounted a driving shaft 7, carrying a fly-wheel 8, two band-
pulleys 8, 9, of different diameters, to provide means for driving the machine at
different speeds, and a small gear-wheel 10. In the top of the standard 2, is formed a
sleeve in which is arranged a shaft 11, the outer end of which has a bearing in the plate
covering and closing the front of the die-head box, as at 12, and on the rear of
this shaft is mounted a large gear-wheel 13, meshing with the small gear-wheel 10
on the driving shaft. On the shaft 11 in a suitable recess in the die-head is an
eccentric 14, having loosely mounted thereon a wedge-shaped block 15, by means
of which the die-head is reciprocated, as herein after specified. In the die-head box is
arranged the upper section 16, of the reciprocating die-head, fitted in the box, and
formed with an opening 17, to take the wedge-shaped block and large enough to
permit its free movement. In the lower part of this section 16 is a transversely
arranged recess 18, into which the opening containing the block opens; as at 19, and
in this recess is a shifting-rack 20, having a rack 21, on its upper face and at the end
is formed with an upward projecting piece 22. In the end of the recess 18 is a small
gear-wheel 23, having its journal extended beyond the face of the punch-head block
and provided with a crank-handle 24. By turning the handle the gear engages the
rack on the shifting rack and moves it until the projection thereon comes directly
under the end of the wedge-shaped block, when the block is in operative position or
condition to lift the punch-head; by moving the shifting rack back to the position
shown in figure 2, the block is free, and its shaft may turn and it move without
moving the punch-head. The lower portion of the section 16 of the punch-
head is made smaller than the upper portion as at 25, and formed with
grooves 26, in its side faces to take tongues on the lower section. The lower
section 27, of the punch-bead, carrying the punches, has upwardly extended side-
pieces 28, 29 formed with tongues 30, engaging the grooves on the upper section, and
the parts being united as shown in figure 2, of the drawings, they are additionally
secured by means of headed screw-bolts 31, let into their spliced edges. The lower
part of the section 27 is chambered out as 132, and projected forward as at 32, and
formed with punch-seats 33, arranged in oblique direction to the front line of the
head. The punch seats have openings 34, leading from them through the head,
through which the chips of the center of the washers are discharged, and sliding down
the incline are caught in a trough 35, and carried thence to a receptacle, as shown in
figure 1 of the drawings. In the die-seats of the head are fixed the dies 36. Over
the front of the die head box is secured a plate 37, having an aperture 38, through
which the journal of the small gear operating the shifting rack projects, and at the
upper end of the plate is the bearing 12 in which the one end of the shaft 11 in the
upper part of the machine is mounted. In the recess 132 of the punch-head are fixed
inclined clearing plates 39, having their upper ends lodged against a stud as shown in
figures 1 and 4 of the drawings and their lower ends arranged just clear of the inner
edges of the punch-openings. These plates serve to throw the center chips forward as
they rise out of the holes, and thus frees them from each other, and keeps the punch
head comparatively clear.
Over the die head box is secured a bridge-piece a, through which are projected two
vertical standards b, their lower ends being secured to the die-head, and having on
their upper ends heads as shown. On the projecting portions of these standards are

page_text: arranged springs c, the force of which act as cushions and relieve the die-head from
jars and tends to raise the die head to its highest position.
The front of the bed of the machine is formed with two substantial bench
pieces, 40, 41, in which are set vertical guide-pins, not shown, to engage the guide
holes in the die-bed plate; the benches also, have formed in them seats, not shown, in
which the elastic cushions or supports are arranged. On these bench-pieces is
arranged the die-bed plate 42, (see figures 12 and 13). This plato is provided with
pin holes 43, to set over the guide pins of the bench-pieces; and has cushion seats 44,
in which the elastic cushions are arranged. In the die-bed plate are the requisite
number of die-seats 45, one or more, as may be desired; and grooves 46, leading to
the dies, are made therein to take the backs of the washer-pickers. The die-seats 45,
are shouldered as shown (see figure 13) to take and hold the die.
This
B designates the die. This is preferably made of two parts of an exterior conforma-
tion to be seated in the die seats of the die-bed and to this end I have shown it
consisting of a main die or shell 48, having an upper part 49, of larger exterior
diameter than the lower portion, to set in the shouldered recess of the die-seat in the
bed; and having the lower portion 50, to fit the lower part of the die seat.
lower portion is provided with open end slits or slots 51, the purpose being to make
this part of the die have a limited spreading function tending to grasp the washers
with a slightly yielding grip. The lower end of the die is enlarged, as at 52, so that
the washers will be free from contact with the die when they reach that part, and be
in condition to be engaged and separated by the washer picker. When the picker is
used the die has an opening 53, in its side through which the picker projects to engage
with the washers. In the upper part of the die shell is formed an annular seat 54, in
which the die ring 55, is arranged, as shown. In the upper part of the die may be a
key-slot 56, in which a threaded bolt or key may be inserted to key the die in its bed,
and in the edge of the shoulder of the die shell, is a notch 57 extending under the
die-ring, which affords means for inserting the end of the hand-piece to knock the
ring-die from its seat when desired. By making the die of an outer and lower part,
and a ring die seated therein as shown and described, I attain the desired object of
having a die combining the elements of great strength and superior cutting quality;
the shell being of the strongest steel and tempered for strength and the cutting ring
die being tempered for cutting purposes. Thus if the ring die becomes dull and
breaks, it can readily be replaced by a new one, or taken out and sharpened.
Across the face of the die-bed is arranged a keeper plate 58, (see figure 15).
This plate is arranged far enough above the surface of the die bed and dies to
allow the bar or plate from which the washers are made to pass under it and
over the die-bed. It serves to keep the bar or plate in position for punching and
prevents it from buckling or lifting when the punches are withdrawn. In the
keeper plate are the requisite number of holes 59, through which the punches 36
enter to engage the bar below.
In ways in the benches of the bed of the machine, is mounted a shifting or
reciprocating clearing block 60, having its clearing end 61 arranged at an angle as
shown and in the bed over this shifting block is fixed a clearing bar 62, arranged
parallel with the clearing edge of the shifting block. On the bottom of the shifting.
block are formed downward projecting teeth or lugs 63, which are engaged by seats
in arms 64, on a rock-shaft or sleeve 65, mounted in the base of the bed of the
machine (see figures 1, 4 and 14). The rock-shaft is extended through the side of
the frame of the machine and has connected to it an arm 66, the free end of which is
connected to a rod 67, which at the other end is connected to a lever 68, mounted on
a fulcrum pin 69. The upper end of this lever engages in a race 70, in the face of a
wheel 71, mounted on a shaft in a bearing 72, on the side of the machine, which
shaft has a gear wheel 73 on its end, which engages a wheel 74, on the shaft, in the
top of the machine. The race in the wheel 71 is given such an angle as to eventuate,
through the lever and rod connections to the rock shaft, in throwing the shifting block
the requisite distance back and forth under the end of the dies.

page_text: At the front of the machine, under the die bed is arranged the bed-piece 75, (see
figure 16) of the washer-pickers. On the outer straight edge of this bed-piece is a
vertical flange 76, having the requisite number of holes in it to take and hold the
stems of the washer-pickers. The inner portion of this bed-piece flared inwards as
shown, and is formed with a requisite number of T-slots 77, to take the washer-
pickers. The washer-pickers 78, are formed with blades or flat heads 79, having side
flanges 80, at their lowest portions to engage the T-slots, and have stems 81, extended
and projected through the holes in the flange on the bed-piece, the projecting ends
being threaded and provided with nuts to hold them in position. On the stems are
arranged springs 82, the force of which push the beads of the pickers constantly
inwards. The picker end of these washer pickers are formed with a picker point 83,
and steps 84, 85 the former of which gives the picker play over the released washer,
and the latter is made to give room for the play of the shifting block in the bed of
the machine.
C, designates the center-punch, consisting of a metal pin of the size of the center
hole of the washer. It is made a plain cylinder of substantially the length of that
part of the die holding the impacted washers, as at 86, and at the lower end is
projected a distance below the bottom of the die and made of smaller diameter, as
at 87. It will be perceived by constructing the center-punch smaller at the lower
portion, and chambering out the die at its lower portion, the washer is freed from both
elements when it reaches that position in its passage through the die and over the
center punch.
In the passage through the die, the washers become so impacted as to adhere to
cach other, and unless cleared of their impact would be delivered in such condition.
To clear the punches and separate the washers the washer pickers are provided.
These, as will be seen in figure 4, of the drawings, press continually inwards, tending
to loosen each bottom washer as it comes in contact with the end of the picker, and
entirely separating it when the point of the picker strikes the line between the
washers, as seen in figure 11 of the drawings.
The punch C is held in position by the washers which surround it. When the
dies or punches 36 descend they carry before them the dies B as far as the springs or
cushions on which the die seat will permit them to move, and the punches 6 until
they strike the shifting block 60 when they are arrested and the cut is made.
When the punches 36 are returned the die-bed is forced back to its normal position
by the elastic cushions on which it rests, carrying with it the dies B, which by reason
of their frictional engagement with the washers, raise them, and they in turn take
with them the punches C. Before the last described movements take place the pickers
have separated the lowermost of the washers and when the parts return to their
normal positions these separated washers remain upon the shifting block 60, and are
by the clearing bar 62, removed when the shifting block is moved.
D designates the feed mechanism, consisting of the following constructions: On
the side of the machine frame are mounted two box-housings 88, 89, carrying journal
boxes 90, in which are mounted a pair of feed rollers 91, 92, the boxes of which are
adjusted by set-screws 93, let through the plates on the top of the standards of the
housing. In the middle of the respective rollers, is formed an annular groove 94,
which tends to accumulate the lubricating material and supply it to the plates as they
are passed between the rollers to the punches. On the necks of the rollers are
mounted meshing gears 95, the lower one not being shown, which turn the rollers to
move with their contacting surfaces in the same direction to carry the bar in the
direction of the punches. On the neck of the upper roller is a ratchet gear 96, which
is engaged by a pawl 97, pivoted to one of the standards of the housing. On the
ratchet gear is eccentrically connected a pitman 98, having its upper end connected
and adjustably held in a radial slot 99, in the gear. wheel 101, mounted on a shaft
journaled to the side of the machine, and meshing with the small gear on the main
shaft in the top of the machine. This mechanism turns the ratchets, one tooth at
each rotation of the punch shaft, and is arranged so as to push the bar forward in

page_text: advance of the descent of the punch. At the rear of the feed rollers is a trough 102,
in which a lubricating substance is placed, in which the plates or bars are given a
bath, and then removed and fed to the rollers, a crank 103, being provided by which
the preliminary feed may be accomplished, and after the bar has been moved in the
proper position under the punch the rolls feed it regularly.
Under the machine is arranged a receptacle 104, of any proper kind to receive the
cut washers.
I have herein dsscribed and illustrated a machine intended to carry more than a
single punch, but it will be perceived that the principle of my present invention is
equally applicable to a machine carrying a single punch; the purpose of the present
illustration and description being to show the adaptation of the invention to machines
cutting or punching more than a single washer at a stroke.
The operation is as follows:-The center punch being arranged and fixed in the
die as heretofore specified, a bar or plate is given a plunge in the lubricator in the
trough, and then taken out and passed through the feed-rollers and under the keeper
plate until in position under the punches; the machine then, being in operation, the
punches descend cut out the washers, and when the die is full, and the mass of
washers project below the enlarged part of the die, the pickers press the lower ones
off; the shifting piece carries them against the clearing bar and they are shoved
forward and dropped down through the opening in the machine, into the vessel set to
receive them.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :--
1. The die herein described, consisting of a tubular shell, provided at the lower
portion thereof with open end slots, 51, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
2. The die herein described, consisting of a tubular die shell having an exterior
conformation adapted to hold it in a seat in the die-bed, and formed with an annular
recess in the upper portion of its bore, and vertically arranged slits in its lower
portion, and a die ring seated in its annular recess, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
3. The combination of the reciprocating punch, the die formed with vertically
arranged slits in its lower portion, and the center-punch having its lower portion of
smaller diameter than the body of the center-punch, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
4. The combination in a washer-making machine wherein the cut washers are
discharged from the lower end of the die, of a bed-piece mounted under the die-bed
and having a slot formed therein, and a spring actuated washer picker arranged in
said slot, to push free the lower washers, substantially as described.
5. In a washer making machine, the combination of the bed-piece mounted under
the die bed and formed with a groove across its upper face a spring actuated washer
picker in said groove, a clearing bar behind the die, a shifting block mounted in ways
under the die-bed, and means substantially as described for reciprocating the shifting
block, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
6. In a washer making machine, the combination of the upper shaft mounted in the
top of the punch head box, and carrying a gear wheel, the shaft, mounted in bearings,
on the side of the machine, and having a gear wheel to mesh with a gear-wheel on
the shaft in the top of the punch head box, a wheel having a cam race in its face, a
rocking lever pivoted to the side of the machine, and arranged with its upper end in
the cam race of the wheel and its lower end connected to a rock-shaft mounted under
the front part of the machine, and a shifting block for delivering the washers mounted.
in ways under the die bed and connected to a rock shaft, substantially as described.
7. In a washer making machine, the combination with the shaft mounted in the
top of the punch head box, and provided with an eccentric, a wedged shaped block
loosely mounted on the eccentric, a punch head fitted to the interior of the punch-

page_text: head box and formed with a recess to receive the wedge-shaped block and a trans-
versely arranged recess in its face below the block and having an opening into the
block recess, a shifting block mounted in the said transversely arranged recess and
having a rack gear on its face and an upward projecting piece at its end, and a gear
journaled in the recess in which the shifting block is mounted to engage the rack of
said block, substantially as described.
Dated this 24th day of Jane 1000