IMPROVEMENTS IN CARPENTERS' BRACES AND OTHER TOOLS AND INSTRUMENTS USED FOR DRILLING AND BORING PURPOSES
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
CHESTERMAN, of the firm of Messrs. Cutts, Chesterman, and Bedington, of
Sheffield, in the County of Yorks, Machinists, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Thirteenth day of
November, One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, in the thirteenth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said James Chesterman, my exors, adñiors, or assigns, Her
especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said
James Chesterman, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, or such others as-I,
the said James Chesterman, my exors, adññors, or assigns, should at any time.
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the
term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARPENTERS' BRACES AND OTHER TOOLS AND
INSTRUMENTS USED FOR DRILLING AND BORING PURPOSES;" in which said Letters
Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said James Chesterman, should
cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my
hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in part

page_text: recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had,
will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
James Chesterman, do hereby declare that the nature of my said improve-
ments, and in what manner the same is to be performed, are fully described
and ascertained in and by the present Specification thereof, reference being had
to the Drawing hereunto annexed, that is to say :-
First, my Invention consists of certain improvements in carpenters' braces,
or parts connected therewith, having for their object to render that class of
instruments of readier and more extensive application.
Figure 1 is an elevation, and Figure 2 a longitudinal section, of an improved
instrument of this description. A is the spindle or.stem.
The power
employed to give motion to the bit or drill is applied by hand to the crank
handle B. The crank handle B is connected to a bevil wheel C, and both
the boss of the handle and the wheel are free to rotate on an axis or
stud D, which is affixed by a collar E to the spindle A of the lever. F is the
pad or nozzle for holding the drill. The upper end of this pad terminates
in a stem G, which is free to turn within the lower end of the spindle A
by which it is encased, but is prevented from being disengaged or getting out
of its place by a small screw H, which takes into a groove in the stem G. I
is a bevil pinion, which gears into the wheel C, and is affixed by a feather or
key to the nozzle F, so that both nozzle and pinion must turn together.
Rotary motion is communicated by these means to the drill from the crank
handle B, while the smallness of the space required for the pinion admits of
the instrument being worked much closer than usual to a wall, and parallel
with it. The bosses of the wheel and pinion are both bored out of the same
guage, and are otherwise made to fit upon the same axis, so that they may be
made to change places at pleasure. If the boring to be effected is light, then
the pinion is retained in the position represented in the Drawings, but if the
holes to be drilled are large or require great power, then the wheel is put
upon the nozzle of the brace, and the pinion on the stud D along with the
crank handle, by which the motion of the drill is reduced, and the power
increased in a proportionate degree. K is a handle or lever which occupies a
recess formed in the side of the spindle A, to which it is jointed. The
lever K is used in order to prevent the instrument from turning round
during the operation of boring.
Figure 3 is an elevation, and Figure 4 a plan, of another improved brace.
A, A, is the frame which is held in a fixed position by hand. B is the brace,
which has its bearings in the top and bottom arms of the frame A. C is a

page_text: nozzle or pad for holding the drill which has a bearing formed in the boss D,
in which it revolves. E and F are two spur wheels, one of which E is
affixed to the brace and carried round with it, and by gearing into the other
F, which is affixed to the nozzle or pad causes the bit or drill to rotate.
This arrangement of wheelwork for communicating the motion of the brace
to the bit or drill, admits of working at different velocities by employing
wheels of different sizes.
Figure 5 is an elevation, and Figure 6 a plan, of an apparatus which may
be employed in connection with a common brace to transfer the motion of the
brace to the drill, in a way somewhat similar to that followed in the apparatus
represented in Figures 3 and 4, and before described, but dispensing with
the framework A, A. B is a link or frame in which the axes of the wheel C
and pinion D have their bearings, and within which these axes are free to
turn. The projecting part of the axis of the pinion is hollow and forms a pad
for the drill. The projecting part of the axis of the wheel is of a rectangular
form, so that it may be inserted into the pad of the brace. In using this
instrument it is held with one hand by the handle E, while the other hand is
applied to turn the brace.
An instrument for directing the motion of a drill into another line either
parallel to or different from that occupied by the brace itself, is given in
Figures 7, 8, and 9, of which Figure 7 is a side view, Figure 8 a plan, and
Figure 9 a cross section. A is the handle by which it is held, and to which
there is affixed a metal ring B. C is a pad or nozzle for holding the drill,
this is perfectly free to turn round in the ring B, but prevented from getting
out of its place by the screw D. E is a shank or link, the free end a of which
is inserted into the pad of the brace, while the other end is jointed to
a cross bar F, the ends of which are inserted in the back end of the pad C,
and form axes around which it may partly revolve, these axes and the joint
upon the end of the shank E forming an universal joint through which the
revolution of the brace is transferred to the bit or drill in any required angle. .
Figure 10 is a longitudinal section of a brace, pad, and drill, shewing an
improved method of fixing the bit so as to prevent its being easily withdrawn.
A is the pad, B the bit, and C a screw, which fastens the two together. The
end of the screw is made to take into a recess or notch cut in the side of the
bit, and this recess is cut with the widest end of the notch towards the nozzle
of the pad, so that any tendency to withdraw the drill causes it to be more
effectually held in its place by the screw.
Secondly, my Invention consists of a machine for drilling a number of holes

page_text: at one and the same time, which will be found very suitable for boring in
clothwork, cutlery, and other such like branches of art, where sets of holes
accurately and similarly placed are required. Figure 10 is an external
elevation of the machine; and Figure 11 is a vertical section of the principal
parts of it. A, A, is a framework, which is cast or formed in one piece, with
the bed plate B (upon which the article to be bored is placed). D is a long
boss, also cast or affixed to the frame A. E is a tube which is inserted into
the boss D, and has a collar upon its lower end to prevent its passing up into
the boss. The upper end of the tube is formed into a nut into which there is
fitted a screw F. G is an inner tube which slides like a telescope.tube
within the outer one E, and contains a helical spring H, the upper end of
which abuts against the bottom of the screw F, the lower end of it pressing
against the end of the tube G, so that it has a tendency to press that tube
downward. I is a spindle attached at top to the tube G, and at bottom to a
frame K, K, which is represented in the Drawing as carrying three drill
spindles L, L, L, which spindles gear into each other by the wheels
M, M, M. Motion is given to the spindle L by a band applied to the
V-grooved pulley N, which motion is communicated to the other spindles and
their drills by the gearing M. O is a lever by which the frame K. and the
drills are raised up, this is effected by the application of the foot to a treadle
or strap, thus leaving both hands at liberty' to place and hold the articles to be
bored; and P a sliding guide, which along with the spindle I keeps the drills
always moving in the same vertical planes. The degree of pressure exerted
upon the drills is regulated by turning the screw F further up or down, so as
to compress more or less the spring H. In some cases (as when the work to
be performed by the drills requires great pressure) the helical spring is made
double or even treble, by having other springs of lesser diameter placed
within it. K2, K2, are two steel plates forming part of the carriage K, which
are removeable at pleasure for the purpose of varying the distances between
the drills.
Figure 12 is an elevation, and Figure 13 a plan, of a drilling machine, in
which the pressure exerted in keeping the article up to the drill in boring is
effected by means of a spring and screw in a manner to that just described.
A, A, is the frame of the machine, which may be mounted on a bench or
fixed in a vice when required. B, the drill, which is put in motion by wheel
gearing C, C. D is the bed for the article to be bored; E, the chamber for
containing the spring (indicated by the dotted lines); and F, the screw for
regulating the pressure of the spring as before explained. G, G, is a system

page_text: of levers adapted for pressing back the bed and spring while placing the
article to be operated upon in the machine. This machine, like the preceding,
may be acted upon by the foot.
Figures 14 and 15 are side and end views of the puppet head of a lathe,
shewing the manner of applying spring pressure thereto for the purposes of
boring. A is the chamber for containing the spring; B, the screw; and C,
the spindle against which the article to be bored is placed, and which may be
acted upon by the levers, or by the foot as described in reference to Figures
12 and 13.
Thirdly, my Invention consists of an improved machine for boring telescopic
tubes and other hollow articles. Figure 16 is a front elevation, and Figure 17
a side elevation of this machine. A, A, is a framework which is securely
fixed on a bench or some other firm foundation. B is a vertical hollow spindle
having its bearing in the frame A, A. At its upper end it has a screw thread
cut into so that an upright hollow saw-toothed cutter or drill C may be readily
connected thereto. D is a pulley,affixed to the spindle B, by which rotary
motion is communicated to the spindle and cutter. E,. E, is a pair of upright
guides within which there is a sliding carriage F, to which the wood or other
substance to be cut is made fast by two holders G, G. The carriage is raised
up by the hand with the assistance of the cord H, one end of which is
attached to the upper end of the carriage, and the other is passed over the
fixed pulley I. The carriage is kept from coming down upon the revolving
cutter by the ring on the end of the cord H. being put on to a hook K, and
when in that position the substance to be cut is fixed in the holders G, G, by
means of screws L, L. The end of the cord being then disengaged from the
hook K allows the carriage along with the substance to be cut to descend
upon the cutter which should be revolving when this is done. If the weight
of the carriage and the material upon it is not sufficient to cause the cutter to
enter quickly enough, the weights M, M, are put on the bracket N, which is
attached to the carriage. A sectional elevation of the cutter is given in
Figure 18. It is composed either wholly of steel tubing or of wrought iron or
brass steeled at the upper end, where it has formed upon it a set of saw teeth.
(or I employ other forms of cutters, whichever may be best adapted to act
upon the material operated upon). As these teeth cut up into the solid
substance of the block, the saw dust, or, borings. fall down both inside and
outside of the cutter. The saw teeth have a considerable amount of "set"
given to them so that there may be plenty of clearance for the escape of the
saw dust or borings. By the employment of this sort of cutter nearly the
whole of the substance bored out of the interior is preserved, and may.in many

page_text: cases be turned to useful account, the borings, for example, of wood, ivory, or
metals. Figure 19 is a sectional elevation, and Figure 20 a cross section, of a
double cutter of the sort just described, by the use of which not only the
interior or core of the tube is bored out, but the exterior surface of the tube is
cut or blocked out at the same time. B, B, is the hollow spindle of the
machine. C', C, the hollow cutter, which is screwed into the spindle B.
C, C, is another hollow cutter which occupies a position in the interior of
C', C, and is concentric and parallel with it. At the lower ends of these
cutters, where the junction between them is effected, there are pierced a
number of small holes for the escape of the saw dust or borings which fall
into the annular space between the cutters during the operation of cutting.
The block of material out of which the tube is to be taken is fixed in the
machine, and the cutting proceeded with as before. When the operation has.
been completed the tube is taken out of the annular space between the cutters.
In the same way a greater number of cutters may be combined, and a set
of different-sized tubes cut at one operation.
Fourthly, my Invention consists of certain improvements in the class of
instruments known by the name of ratchet braces. Figure 21 is an elevation,
Figure 22 a longitudinal section, and Figure 23 an horizontal section of one
improved instrument of this sort, the peculiar feature of which is, that the
ratchet wheel, the ratchet and spring, are entirely encased within the eye of
the handle or lever, and thereby completely protected from dirt or injury.
A is the handle; B, the stem and nozzle for holding the drill; C, the ratchet
wheel; D, the ratchet; and E, E, the chamber in which the wheel and
ratchet are enclosed. F is a cover to that chamber by which it is closed in,
and G the screw tube which is furnished with a centre upon which the
pressure is exerted. in working with such braces.
Figure 24 is an elevation, and Figure 25 an under plan, of another ratchet
brace, which differs from the preceding in being provided with a pair of bevil
wheels by which rotary motion may in some cases be more conveniently
applied to the drill than by means of the ratchet handle. The wheel A. is
keyed to the brace spindle B, the other wheel C which gears into it has its
axis affixed to a collar placed on the brace spindle. Motion is communicated
to the wheels, the spindle, and the drill, by the crank handle D, which can be
removed at pleasure when it is found necessary to work only with the ratchet
lever handle E.
.
Figure 26. is an elevation of a drill spindle, being a modification of the
instrument last described. The movement of the drill is in this case
entirely effected by the means of wheel gearing, the ratchet and lever being

page_text: altogether dispensed with. A is the brace spindle; B, B, the wheels; C, the
crank handle by which they are put in motion, D, another handle by which
the instrument is held and prevented from turning round while being used.
Figure 27 is a horizontal section of another modification of brace, somewhat
similar to the ratchet brace, but in which the friction of the rubbing parts is
made to perform the office of the ratchet wheel and ratchet. A is the brace
spindle; B, a collar formed upon it; C, the handle or lever which has its
centre or fulcrum in the chamber D. When the lever or handle is pulled
round from right to left (the direction in which it advances in boring), the
point a of the lever presses against the periphery of the collar B and carries
round the spindle and drill along with it, but in the back stroke, or from left
to right, it is relieved from its hold of the collar B, leaving the drill in its
position for the forward stroke.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention in the several
parts thereof, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that
what I claim is,―
First, the carpenter's brace, represented in Figures 1 and 2, and before
described, in so far as regards the attachment of the bevel wheel C and crank
handle B to the same axis D and the jointed lever or stay bar K, and the
method of encreasing the speed or the power by the change of the wheels, as
described.
Second, I claim the brace represented in Figures 3 and 4, and before
described, in so far as regards the wheelwork for communicating the motion
of the brace to the bit or drill.
Third, I claim the motion-transferring apparatus represented in Figures 5
and 6, and before described.
Fourth, I claim the instrument represented in Figures 7, 8, and 9, and
before described, in so far as regards the combination of the parts forming the
universal joint with a collar and handle, as before described.
Fifth, I claim the improved construction of drill or bit represented in Figure
10, and before described.
Sixth, I claim the hole-drilling machine represented in Figure 10" and
Figure 11, and before described, in so far as regards the combination of means
employed to actuate simultaneously the different drills, and the combination of
spring and screw in a direct line with each other to produce pressure, and the
means of removing that pressure by the application of the foot.
Seventh, I claim the drilling machine represented in Figure 12 and Figure
13, and before described, in so far as regards the combined action of the

page_text: spring and screw in a direct line with one another, and the multiplying gearing
connected therewith.
Eighth, I claim the construction of lathe poppet head represented in Figures
14 and 15, and before described.
Ninth, I claim the tube-boring machine represented in Figures 16 and 17,
and before described.
Tenth, I claim the double cutter or concentric cutters represented in Figures
19 and 20, and before described.
Eleventh, I claim the improved ratchet braces respectively represented in
Figures 21, 22, and 23, in Figures 24 and 25, and in Figure 26, all as before
described.
Twelfth, I claim the brace or boring tool represented in Figure 27, and
before described, in so far as regards the friction handle or lever C and its
action on the collar B.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Chesterman, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty.
JAMES (L.s.) CHESTERMAN.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Thirteenth day of May, in
the year of our Lord 1850, the aforesaid James Chesterman came before our