Cutting Glass Plates by Machinery.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 9th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 14th Nov., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Cutting Glass Plates by Machinery.
1, WILLIAM JOHN WILSON of 6, Malden Road, Watford, Herts., Chemist, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object the cutting of glass plates (particularly those
intended for photographic purposes) by machinery, whereby the operation is effected
with far greater rapidity and precision than by hand as hitherto practised.
In carrying out my invention, the plates are presented in succession to the cutting
tools; and, according to one arrangement, the cutting is effected by the motion of
the plate under the stationary tool or tools which are mechanically brought down
and pressed on the plate at the proper time, whilst, in another arrangement, the
cutting is effected by the motion of the cutting tool or tools over the plate whilst
the latter is at rest.
The first arrangement comprises an endless carrier band upon which the plates
are laid in continuous succession and provided with means whereby the plates are
gripped or carried along and presented to the action of the cutting tool, the carrier
being suitably supported under the pressure of the cutting tool. The latter is a
diamond carried on a holder mounted above the carrier and brought down at the
proper moment as each plate comes beneath it, and raised again after completing a
cut by a quick-acting mechanism operated from the carrier or from one of its driving
rollers, the pressure of the tool upon the plate being regulated by a spring or
weight as many such tools being used as it is required to make parallel cuts at one
time.
The other arrangement comprises a rotating table provided with mechanically
actuated grippers or equivalent means whereby the plates laid upon the table in
continuous succession are firmly held when under the action of the cutting tool or
tools. The table receives intermittent motion through successive portions of a
revolution, with intervening periods of rest, and a plate laid on the table during a
period of rest is by the next partial revolution of the table brought into position to
The cutting tool is
be acted on by the cutting tool during the next period of rest.
mounted in a sliding carriage working on guides above the table, in such manner
that the tool may be brought down upon the plate, drawn across it, and lifted, after
which it returns to its original position during the next partial revolution of the
table in readiness for operating on the next succeeding plate. If the plate is to be
again cut at right angles to the direction of the first cut, it is brought by such
partial revolution under a second tool similarly mounted and operated by which it
is cut during the next period of rest, the guides for this second carriage being of
course suitably arranged in the desired direction of the cut to be made. After the
cutting is completed, the grippers release the plate at the next stoppage and it is
removed from the table.
Each carriage may carry as many diamonds as there are parallel cuts to be made
at one time and the carriages may be operated by hand or by mechanical means
from the axis about which the table rotates, or otherwise.
DL: 0th dox of January 1891

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Cutting Glass Plates by Machinery.
I, WILLIAM JOHN WILSON, of 6, Malden Road, Watford, Herts., Chemist, 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:-
My invention has for its object the cutting of glass plates by machinery (parti-
cularly photographic plates which have been coated with sensitive emulsion) whereby
the operation of dividing the plates, after they have been coated, into smaller plates
of any of the various standard sizes sold, is performed with greater rapidity and
precision than can be done by hand as hitherto.
The invention consists essentially of mechanism whereby the plates are held and
presented in succession and in proper position to the cutting tool or tools which are
mechanically applied to and removed from the plate at the proper times, and wherein
the cutting is effected by a relative motion of the plate and cutter produced either
by the movement of the cutter over the plate or by the movement of the plate past
the cutter, as will be hereinafter more fully described.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this Speci-
fication, wherein
Figures 1 to 6 illustrate a machine adapted to cut each plate into four by two
cross-cuts at right angles to one another, Figure 1 being a side elevation and
Figure 2 a part plan of the machine whilst the other figures shew details drawn to
a larger scale, Figure 3 being a vertical section (taken on line 1-1 Figure 2, and
on line 2-2 Figure 4) illustrating one of the cutter-operating mechanisms,
Figure 4 being an end elevation of the same, Figure 5 being an elevation of one of
the plate holders in position beneath the cutter-operating mechanism shewn in
Figure 3, and Figure 6 being a detail plan of its gripper-operating mechanism.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.
In this machine the glass plates to be cut are carried by an intermittently-rotating
table by which they are presented in succession to the action of the cutter which is
traversed across the plate whilst the latter is at rest, each plate, if it is to be cut
across in two directions at right angles to one another-being presented to the
action of two cutters in succession; the plate being brought by the partial revolu-
tion of its carrier table in the interval between the action of the first and second
cutters to the proper position for the direction of the second cut. A is the carrier
table, fixed on a vertical shaft A', and receiving intermittent rotary motion through
successive portions of a revolution with intervening periods of rest. B B B B are
the frames of the four plate holders carried by table A. They are all alike and are
similarly operated, each comprising four jaws 6 by which the four edges of the
plate Z are gripped. Three plates are shewn in position in Figure 2, one of which
has been just placed in its holder B₁, another of which (contained in holder B²) is
about to receive its first cut (indicated by the dotted line 2¹) and the third of
which (contained in holder B³) is about to receive its second cut (indicated
by dotted line 22) at right angles to the cut which was made at the
previous stroke of the machine. The holder B is vacant, the plate having
been removed therefrom after having been cut as described. C' C² are the two
cutters receiving reciprocating motion on parallel lines, both being mounted on a
horizontally-sliding bar C in position to operate on the plates which for the time
being occupy the positions B2 and B3 in Figure 2, the plate in passing from
the one position to the other being carried by the rotation of table A in the
direction of the arrow, through an arc of 90° so that, although the cutters work
on parallel lines, their cuts will be at right angles to one another on the plate,
as denoted by the lines It will thus be seen that at the next quarter
revolution of the table A the plate in holder B' will be brought into position

page_text: to be cut by cutter C, whilst the plate in holder B2 will be brought into
position to be cut by cutter C³, and the plate in B³ will be brought into
position to be removed, the vacant holder B being at same time brought into
position to receive a fresh plate, and so on continuously.
Having explained the general operation of the machine, I will now describe
it in detail.
The table shaft A' is driven by a ratchet propelment from a crank pin A³,
said propelment consisting of a ratchet disc a keyed on A' a lever arm a
carrying a spring-pressed pawl 2 engaging with a, the arm being loose on A¹
and connected by rod a³ with crank pin A2 which is carried by tooth wheel D
gearing with a pinion on the driving shaft E. The table A is held stationary
during the action of the cutters by a notched disc F keyed on shaft A¹ whose
notches correspond to the several plate holders and in one of which engages a
nib g on a locking lever G pivoted at to the frame and actuated by a cam G¹ on
the shaft of wheel D through a lever and rod 3, the locking lever G being
engaged with disc F by a spring g' and disengaged by the cam G. In order that the
table shall not over-run the pawl a' as it approaches its position of rest, a brake a
is provided, the said brake gripping a pulley on the shaft, so as to prevent it from
rotating too freely.
Each plate holder comprises four gripper jaws b carried by slide blocks working
in radial slots of the plate holder frame and connected by links with arms upon
a central axis h, the links having rows of holes (not shown) through any one of
which the joint pins may be passed to adapt the jaws to plates of different sizes.
Referring to Figure 6, it will be seen that the links of two opposite jaws are
connected to the opposite ends of a lever fast on the vertical axis h, whilst the
other two links are connected to the ends of a lever ² loose on said axis but con-
nected to through the medium of pins ³ and of springs ht which are fixed to the
boss of and bear against said pins ³ fixed to h', the object of this arrangement
being to equalize the pressure of all four gripping jaws, which are simultaneously
operated in the one direction by a spring attached to a fixed point of table A
and to an arm 7 fast on axis and operated in the other direction by a
stationary cam plate H against which bears a friction roller carried by the arm .
is a stop for the lever 2. This cam plate H is a disc of the form shewn in
Figure 2 so as to allow the springs to cause the jaws to grip the plate Z when
the plate holder is in the position of B2 and B³, the cam plate acting on the arms h
of the holders in the other two positions (B4 B¹) so as to force the jaws outwards to
release the plate which has been cut and permit the insertion of a fresh one.
The
acting part of each gripper jaw which comes in contact with the edge of the plate
is formed of two rollers b (preferably ivory) and the part of the jaw on which rests
the coated face of the plate (which is placed face downwards) is formed of a strip
of steel 6 fixed to the slide block and inclined, as shewn in Figure 5, so that
only the extreme edges of the plate rest upon these supports 6°.
The cutters CC2 are both carried by bar C and being similarly operated it will
be sufficient to describe the operation of C2 which is shewn in Figures 3 and 4.
The cutter is a diamond, mounted in a holder adjustably pivoted to the end of a
lever c fixed on a rock shaft c¹ pivoted between centres in a bracket arm c² fixed to
the slide bar C. To the shaft is fixed another arm opposite to c, to which is
connected a spring whose tension is regulated by a nut and screw for adjusting
the pressure of the diamond on the glass plate. To the lever e³ is also connected a
thrust rod i which terminates in a friction roller and is acted on near the opposite
ends of the stroke of the cutter by stationary cams 1 and 12. The thrust rod i is
guided in its vertical motion by a radius link ² jointed to it and pivoted at 13 to the
bracket arm, said link having a tail piece adapted to engage with a catch lever j
pivoted at to the bracket c² and pressed by a spring into engagement with i³ as
shewn. The cams I¹ 12 are carried by a stationary bar I, forming part of the frame
and indicated by dotted lines in Figure 3, and to this bar is also fixed a bracket J
carrying a tappet against which the tail end of the catch lever strikes, as shewn

page_text: in Figure 3, just before the diamond cutter carrier reaches the extremity of its
return stroke. Thus, the continued motion of the carrier towards the left in
Figure 3 causes the catch to release the cutter mechanism which during said
return stroke has been held out of operative position. On the commencement of
the forward stroke, the roller runs on the straight part of cam 1' which prevents the
cutter coming down on the plate, but on the roller reaching the inclined part of the
cam the cutter comes slowly down upon the upper surface of the plate; the parts
being so adjusted that the cutting action shall begin at a short distance from the
edge of the plate, so as to avoid the cutter catching the edge of the plate and
splintering it. By the traverse of the cutter mechanism towards the right of
Figure 3, during this forward stroke, the thrust rod i comes beneath the other cam I²
by which the diamond is lifted off the plate just before it reaches the extreme edge
of the plate. This cam I2 is set rather lower than the cam I so as to allow the
catch lever j to engage the tail piece and hold the cutter in its raised position
during the return motion of the cutting mechanism towards the left of Figure 3.
The other cutter C₁ being similarly operated and the parts being indicated by the
same reference letters, the same description applies. The bar C is mounted to run
between pairs of grooved guide rollers mounted in brackets on the frame and it
receives reciprocating motion through a link 1, lever L, and link m from a crank-
pin M on a disc M' keyed on the shaft d.
It must, however, be understood that, although the arrangement above described
is preferred, my invention is not limited thereto, and that the relative rectilineal
motion of the plates and of the cutters might, although less conveniently, be
produced by making the cutters stationary and imparting to the rotary plate holder
table and its appurtenances, and also to the cams and tappet for putting the cutters
in and out of operation, a rectilineal to and fro motion of translation in the direction
of the motion above described in respect of the cutters, such alteration in the working
of the machine involving no change of principle but only structural alterations
which need no special description.
It will also be understood that, if desired, each cutter mechanism might have two
or more cutter levers c placed at proper distance apart on shaft c', the two cutters
acting simultaneously and making parallel cuts at equal distances from each other
and from the edges of the plate Z which would, in that case, be divided into nine
parts, or into six parts if only one of the cutter mechanisms has two cutters.
will also be understood that the second cutter C2 may be put out of action if it is
desired to cut the plates in one direction only.
It
I have, however, illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 a simpler form of machine
adapted for this last mentioned purpose, in which the cutting is effected by the
motion of the plates beneath a stationary cutter which is mechanically brought
down and pressed on the plate at the proper times, Figure 7 being a central longi-
tudinal vertical section and Figure 8 a plan of the essential parts of the machine.
Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12, illustrate the manner in which the cutter passes from one
plate to another.
N is an endless carrier band continuously running on drums OP supported in a
suitable frame, the band being provided with transverse slats n acting as gripping
jaws for the plates and supported under the pressure of the cutter by rollers R. The
band runs between fixed side guides S which may be slightly flared at the point of
entry of the plates between them, the object of these guides being to keep the plates
to be cut in alignment. The cutter is carried by a lever arm c on a rock shaft c¹
pivoted in brackets c² and is pressed upon the plates Z by a spring c*. It is raised
off, and let down cn, the plates at the proper times by a roller c" mounted on the
diamond holder, which roller does not at any time come in contact with the plates
but which rides over the rib n² of slats n the latter being notched at n¹ to give free
passage to the diamond cutter. In Figure 9 the cutter is shewn as having finished
its stroke and about to be raised by wheel coming in contact with rib n'. In
Figure 10 the cutter is shewn in its raised position and held clear of the edges of
the adjacent plates by the wheel riding on rib n², while in Figure 11 the cutter is

page_text: seen in contact with the next plate and about to commence a fresh cut. Owing to
the angular position of the slats n in passing round the drum P, it is easy to place
a plate Z between two consecutive slats by which the plate will be firmly gripped,
when by the forward motion of the band N the slat passes off the drum P and
assumes its normal upright position. Similarly the slats in passing round drum O
release the plates Z which are then removed by hand. Thus the plates laid in
continuous succession on the carrier band are presented to the action of the cutter
of which it will be understood more than one may be mounted on the same rock
shaft, if it desired to make two or more parallel cuts at one time.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is-
1. A machine for cutting glass plates, wherein the plates are held and presented
in succession to one or more cutters mechanically applied to, and removed from the
plates at the proper times, and wherein the cutting is effected by a relative motion
of the plate and cutter produced either by the movement of the cutter or of the
plate, substantially as herein specified.
2. In a machine for cutting glass plates in two directions at right angles to one
another, the combination, with an intermittently-rotating series of plate-holders, of
cutter mechanisms receiving reciprocating rectilinear motion, and of mechanism
whereby the cutters are brought during their motion in one direction and during
the period of rest of the plate holders into operative contact with the plates
and during their motion in the other direction out of contact with the plates, as
described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings.
3. In the herein described machine for cutting glass plates in two directions at
right angles, the combination, with the rotating plate holders, of the locking
mechanism for holding the plate holders stationary during the cutting operation, as
specified.
4. In the herein described machine for cutting glass plates in two directions at
right angles, the plate holders each consisting of a set of radially-movable gripper
jaws operated from a common centre by a spring 6 and a stationary cam H about
which the holder revolves, as and for the purpose specified.
5. In the herein-described machine for cutting glass plates, the combination, with
the reciprocating cutter bar or carriage C and with mechanism consisting of the
spring-actuated cutter lever c and its catch mechanism, of the stationary cams I¹ I2
and tappet J for putting the cutter into operative contact with the plate during
its forward stroke and out of contact therewith during its return stroke, substan-
tially as described.
6. The herein-described machine for cutting glass plates in two directions at
right angles, constructed and operating substantially as described with reference.
to Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings.
7. The herein-described machine for cutting glass plates in one direction only,
consisting in the combination of an endless carrier band N for the plates as
described with a cutter which is brought down and mechanically pressed on the
plates at the proper times, substantially as specified.
8. In the machine for cutting glass plates described in Claim 7, the means for
putting the cutter in and out of operative contact with the plates, substantially
as described with reference to Figures 9 to 12 of the drawings.
Dated Uctober 9th 1891
Dated Uctober 9th 1891
W. J. WILSON,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.