IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM HAMMERS
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Berry, of Calderdale Iron Works,
Sowerby Bridge, near Halifax, in the County of York, Engineer, for the
------
Sealed the 31st August 1866, and dated the 5th March 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Berry
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
5th March 1866.
I, WILLIAM HENRY BERRY, of Calderdale Iron Works, Sowerby Bridge,
5 near Halifax, in the County of York, Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM HAMMERS," to
be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object the improvement and simplification of the
gear for working the valves of double-acting steam hammers, so as to enable
them to be used either as self-acting steam hammers or as hand-worked
hammers.
The improvements according to my Invention also allow of any variation of
stroke.
In steam hammers having the improvements according to my Invention
the hammer head has attached to it a rod or bar sliding through a guide on

page_text: the cylinder and terminating at the top end in an eye which has a circular
block made to work easily therein, the circular block has a hole through it
to receive a bar or lever made to slide loosely through the block; this lever
is firmly keyed on a short shaft having another lever fixed on its other end,
which lever engages another circular block working in an eye formed in the
spindle of the valve for regulating the admission and eduction of steam. The
short shaft on which the two levers are fixed at nearly right angles is carried
in a cylindrical bush fitting loosely in a bearing on the cylinder cover or other
convenient place. The axis of the shaft is eccentric with the cylindrical bush;
on one end of the bush is a lever with a connecting rod from it to a hand
lever placed in convenient position from which to work it, and is so arranged
that when the hand lever is moved it moves the bush, and so alters the axis
of the shaft. When the handle is in position for stopping the motion of the
hammer the axis of the short shaft is immediately over the eye on the top
of the sliding rod or bar, so that if the hammer and consequently the rod or
bar were raised the circular block would slide up the lever or bar without
moving it laterally; but by moving the hand lever and shifting the axis of the
shaft on the block rising it would cause the lever or bar to move in a lateral
direction in proportion to the distance the axis of the shaft was shifted. Thus
if a long stroke was required the shaft would be moved a small distance, so
that the hammer would have to rise high before the block sliding up the lever
would move it sufficiently to reverse the valve. Upon the hand lever being
moved further the axis would shift correspondingly and the lever assume a
greater angle, consequently the hammer would not rise so high before it
moved the valve sufficient for the return stroke. When the bush is turned it
not only shifts the axis of the shaft in a lateral direction, but also downwards,
and which is necessary to maintain the lead of the valve for the up-stroke
the same for all lengths of stroke, as placing the lever or bar at an angle lifts
the end of the other lever, and therefore the valve spindle. The moving of the
axis of the lever shaft can also be accomplished by sliding it in an oblique
direction with a lever or other equivalent.
When it is required to work the hammer by hand the lever and with it
the cylindrical bush carrying the axis of the lever shaft can be moved, and
which will also move the valve so as to regulate the admission of steam either
above or below the piston.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Henry Berry in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 3rd September 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
HENRY BERRY, of Calderdale Iron Works, Sowerby Bridge, near Halifax, in
the County of York, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the twenty-ninth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto.
me, the said William Henry Berry, Her special licence that I, the said.
William Henry Berry, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such.
others as 1, the said William Henry Berry, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time.
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM HAMMERS," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said William Henry Berry, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particu-.
larly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal.
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Henry Berry, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be;
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following.
statement and accompanying Sheet of Drawings:-
:-
This Invention has for its object the improvement and simplification of the
gear for working the valves of double-acting steam hammers, so as to enable
them to be used either as self-acting steam hammers or as hand-worked
hammers. The improvements according to my Invention also allow of any
variation of stroke.
In the construction of steam hammers according to my said Invention the
hammer head has attached to it a rod or bar sliding through a guide on the
cylinder and terminating at the top end in an eye which has a circular block
made to work easily therein; the circular block has a hole through it to
receive a bar or lever made to slide loosely through the block; this lever is

page_text: firmly keyed on a short shaft having another lever fixed on its other end,
which lever engages another circular block working in.an eye formed in the
spindle of the valve for regulating the admission and eduction of steam.
The short shaft, on which the two levers are fixed at nearly right angles, is
carried in a cylindrical bush fitting loosely in a bearing on the cylinder cover
or other convenient place. The axis of the shaft is eccentric with the
cylindrical bush; on one end of the bush is a lever with a connecting rod
from it to a hand lever placed in convenient position from which to work it,
and is so arranged that when the hand. lever is moved it moves the bush, and
so alters the position of the axis of the shaft. When the handle is in position for
stopping the motion of the hammer the axis of the short shaft is immediately
over the eye on the top of the sliding rod or bar, so that if the hammer and
consequently the rod or bar were raised, the circular block would slide up
the lever or bar without moving it laterally; but, by moving the hand lever
and shifting the axis of the shaft, on the block rising it would cause the
lever or bar to move in a lateral direction, in proportion to the distance the
axis of the shaft was shifted. Thus. if a long stroke was required the shaft.
would be moved a small distance so that the hammer would have to rise high
before the block sliding up the lever would move it sufficiently to reverse the
valve. Upon the hand lever being moved further the axis would shift
correspondingly and the lever assume a greater angle, consequently the
hammer would not rise so high before it moved the valve sufficient for the
return stroke. When the bush is turned it not only shifts the axis of the
shaft in a lateral direction but also downwards, and which is necessary to
maintain the lead of the valve for the up stroke the same for all lengths of
stroke, as placing the lever or bar at an angle lifts the end of the other lever,
and therefore the valve spindle.. The moving of the axis of the lever shaft
can also be accomplished by sliding it in an oblique direction with a lever or
other equivalent. When it is required to work the hammer by hand the
lever and with it the cylindrical bush carrying the axis of the lever shaft can
be moved, and which will also move the valve so as to regulate the admission
of steam either above or below the piston.
In the accompanying Sheet of Drawings I have shewn several views of
steam hammers constructed in accordance with my Invention, and more
particularly illustrating the action of the several novel parts and their
movements.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a steam hammer, in which the hand lever is
shown in position for stopping the downward motion of the hammer head C
upon the anvil, it being shewn in contact therewith. The several parts of

page_text: the gearing and apparatus constructed according to my Invention for effecting
and regulating the motion of the hammer self-actingly or by hand are shewn
in the positions respectively belonging to them when the hammer. is intended
to traverse the entire length of its stroke, whilst in the Figures 4 and 5 the
positions of the hammer are varied, as is also the length of stroke, and the
several moving parts of the regulating apparatus are respectively shewn in
the positions requisite for properly effecting the functions assigned to them.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of Figure 1, and shews more clearly the
mechanical contrivance by which the motion of the hand lever is made to
operate upon the governing apparatus for regulating the stroke of the piston
and hammer.
Figure 3 is a plan view of Figures 1 and 2, by which the several parts of
the gearing and means of regulating the motion of the hammer are shewn
most distinctly.
Figure 4 is a partial side elevation of a steam hammer constructed
according to my Invention, in which the hand lever and connecting rods and
apparatus are shewn as being set in position for working the hammer with a
long stroke.
Figure 5 is a partial side elevation of a steam hammer and its gearing
constructed according to my Invention, in which the hand lever and connecting
rods and apparatus are shewn as being set in position for working the hammer
with a short stroke.
Figure 6 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of the cylinder, steam
passages, valve box and valve for admitting the steam, together with the valve
rod and lever arrangement by which the movement of the valve is effected...
Figure 7 is a sectional view of the sliding bar or rod and the lever arm
or rod, by the variation in the position of which through the movement of
the eccentric pin or stud at the upper end the length of stroke of the
piston and hammer is varied, this change of position being effected by the
movement of the crank arm by means of the hand lever and connecting rod.
In the several Figures the same letters of reference are used to denote
similar or corresponding parts of the steam hammer and its machinery and
apparatus.
A is the frame or standard of the hammer, having at its base or broad
foundation plate a series of bolts by which it is securely held in its position,
whilst at the upper end the cylinder and the moving parts of the hammer and
gearing are connected or bolted thereto; B is the stean cylinder, within'
which the piston moves or travels up and down, this motion being effected by
the alternate opening and closing of the valve admitting steam on one side or

page_text: the other of the piston respectively at the upper and lower end of the cylinder;
C, the hammer head, which is attached to or forms part of the piston rod; Dis
a bar or rod connected to the side of the hammer head, so as to work up and
down therewith through a guide projecting from the side of the cylinder. This
bar or rod has at its upper end an enlargement or eye, in which is fitted a pin
which has a hole bored through it at right angles to its horizontal axis for the
purpose of receiving another bar or rod, and permitting of their sliding one over
the other, whilst the eye or enlargement at the end of the bar or rod D is also
bored out so as to permit of the second rod vibrating therein according to the
extent of vertical motion and the angle produced by a change of position in the
crank arm to which the second rod or bar is securely attached or keyed, as
hereafter described. E is the pin or block fitted into the eye of the sliding
bar D; F, a rod or tail bar upon which the pin or block E slides up and
down, and at the same time is caused to vary its position, and so operate upon
the steam valve, as herein-before described; G is a stud or pin excentrically
fitted to and projecting from the face of a crank arm working in a fixed
bearing on the top of the cylinder. This stud or pin G is made long enough
to extend through a crank arm (H) and its concentric boss, so that it may
have secured on its other end an arm or lever (I) for working the valve
spindle and valve; or instead of this the boss of the crank arm may have a
pin or stud formed at or fitted on to each end thereof. H is a crank arm
having a long cylindrical boss, as before described, and at each end a stud or
pin, to which a connecting rod is attached; I, an arm or lever keyed fast
upon the pin or stud G (which forms a short connecting shaft). By this arm
or lever the valve spindle is raised or lowered for the purpose of admitting
and cutting off the steam at the requisite point, or regulating its admission;
J is a vibrating pin or block fitted into the eye of the valve spindle; K, the
valve spindle; K¹, the valve; L, a lever for regulating the stroke of the
hammer. through the alteration of the position of the crank arm H and
the eccentric pin stud or shaft G; L', a connecting rod by which the hand
lever L and the crank arm H are connected; M, a handle for regulating the
admission of steam through the cock N; N, the steam cock by which the
quantity of steam to be admitted is regulated.
In the accompanying Sheet of Drawings I have shewn the steam slide
valve as circular, and by preference I employ such valves in practice for the
description of hammer I have adopted for the illustration of my Invention,
but any other suitable form or description of valve may be employed instead
thereof.
Having now described my Invention of "Improvements in Steam Ham-

page_text: mers," and illustrated the same by the accompanying. Sheet of Drawings,
Figures 1 to 7, I wish it to be understood that I do not intend hereby to
claim the shape or configuration of the hammer frame, nor the particular
form, arrangement, or disposition of the steam cylinder, piston, hammer head,
or slide valve, as delineated in the annexed Sheet of Drawings, such being old
and well known. At the same time I do not intend to confine myself in the
application-of my said improvements to steam hammers of the same general
form or configuration as that shewn in the said Drawings, inasmuch as my
said improvements are applicable to other forms of steam hammer. Moreover,
I wish it to be understood that I am aware that a curved slot link has
heretofore been employed in connection with a projecting arm fitted on the
upper end of the piston rod for the purpose of actuating the valve of the
steam hammer; and I am also aware that the valve of a steam hammer has
heretofore been worked from the hammer head by the intervention of a crank
lever mounted on a fixed fulcrum at or near the lower part of the hammer,
the one arm of such crank being linked to the pendant valve rod, the other
arm having a pin fitted thereto, and being caused to slide in a groove formed
in, placed on, or bolted to the hammer head; but what I claim is,―
First, the improvements in steam hammers herein described.
Second, the improvements in the mode or method of working steam
hammers, as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings.
Third, the arrangement of apparatus and gearing herein described for
regulating the stroke of the piston in steam hammers, as herein described
and illustrated.
Fourth, the combination of a sliding bar or rod and slide block with an
excentrically mounted tail bar or lever and crank and lever arm mounted and
worked, as herein described and illustrated, for the purpose of regulating the
motion or stroke of the piston of a steam hammer or other similar machine,
engine, or apparatus.
Fifth, the application to and use in steam hammers and in similar machines,
engines, or apparatus designed or intended for other purposes of the mechanical
contrivance and arrangement or combination of the parts respectively marked
D, E, F, G, H, I, J, L, and L' in the accompanying Sheet of Drawings for
the purpose of working the steam admission and exhaust valve of such
machines, engines, or apparatus.
Sixth, the combination of the mechanical parts of the apparatus herein
described and distinguished in Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings by the letters D, E, F, G, H, and I, or the mechanical equivalents

page_text: therefor respectively, when employed for the purpose of acting upon and
regulating the motion of the slide valve for controlling the stroke or motion
of steam hanimers and such like or similar machines, engines, or apparatus.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Berry, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this First day of September, One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-six.
WILLIAM HENRY BERRY, (L.S.)