A New or Improved Method of Manufacturing Roofing Plates and the like from Glass and other Materials, and in the Apparatus Employed therefor.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Method of Manufacturing Roofing Plates and
the like from Glass and other Materials, and in the Apparatus
Employed therefor.
I, GEORGE SCOTT of Firhill Glass Bottle Works, Springbank, Glasgow, in the
County of Lanark, North Britain, Glass Bottle Manufacturer, 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 :-
This Invention which relates to a new or improved method of manufacturing roofing
plates and the like from glass and other materials, and in the apparatus employed
therefor has for its object to effect the production of slates or roof plates made of
glass of any kind and colour; or of slag or other suitable material, the said slates
or roof plates being cut the desired sizes and shapes, and also having nail holes
punched in them at the same time as they are being rolled.
In carrying out my said Invention I employ a cast metal table, which may be
supported on iron standards, or on brick or stone foundations, so arranged as to be
heated from underneath; this table has mounted on its top side a metal smoothing
roller, which is provided with one or more (preferably two, one at either end) spur
wheels which gear into corresponding spur racks provided at the sides of the table, so
as to enable the roller to be rolled from end to end of the table by means of one or
more (preferably two, one at either end) hand wheels.
The smoothing roller is so constructed as to carry a number of projecting knives or
cutters so arranged as to cut the slates to the desired sizes, and a number of projecting
punches so arranged as to punch the nail holes in each slate; the thickness of the
slates being regulated by means of malleable iron or steel strips placed between the
top surface of the table and the periphery of the roller and also between the table and
rack or racks, and the breadth is also regulated by means of suitable regulating
guides provided in front of the roller.
The whole arrangement being such that on the molten glass or slag being poured
on to the table, the roller with its guides is then passed along and smooths it down to
the required thickness, and at the same time the knives and punches cut and punch at
the required places, while passing over, thus producing a number of slates, the said
number varying according to the size of the table and roller. The slates are then
taken off the table and tempered or annealed.
In order that my said invention may be more readily understood and easily carried
into effect I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying
drawings-Figure 1 sheet 1 of which is an end elevation of my apparatus having the
table shewn in section Figure 1" sheet i a detail and Figure 2, sheet 2, a side
elevation of my apparatus.
The apparatus shown in the drawing is one in which a double row of slates are
made at once, through my apparatus may be made so as to make any convenient
number of rows.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, A is the cast metal table, which is here shewn as
being supported on brick piers a, though if desired it may be supported on iron
standards, so arranged as to be heated from underneath. This table has mounted on
its top side a smoothing roller B, having one or more spur wheels C, (preferably one
at either end) mounted or keyed on its axle b, and also one or more hand wheels D
(preferably one at either end) so as to be rolled end to end of the table, the said
table A having mounted on it one or more spur racks E (preferably one at either side)
into which the spur wheels C, gear, the said racks are so mounted on the table that
they may be raised or lowered by altering the packing slips e (figure 1), so as to
regulate the thickness of the slates, this being also assisted by means of altering the
metal strips F, on each side of the table and upon which the roller rolls.

page_text: To enable the slates to be cut lengthwise I mount in any suitable manner one or
more circular knives G, the cutting edges of which project beyond the periphery of
the said roller, and to enable the slates to be cut across I also mount in any suitable
manner one, two, three or more straight knives H, which also have their cutting
edges projecting beyond the periphery of the roller, the breadth of the slates being
regulated at will by altering the movable guide plates J, which are provided in
front of the roller, and which are caused to travel with the roller by it pushing them
forward, the said guide plates working with one another owing to their being
connected to each other by stays or their equivalents j.
in front of each cross
cutting knive, HI mount by screwing or otherwise a number of small punches K, so
as to punch the nail hole in each slate, one of these punches being shewn on a larger
scale at Figure 1ª sheet 1, which also shows a section of one of the cross cutting
knives H, the cutting edge h, of which is similar in section to the cutting edge of the
circular knife G.
The whole arrangement being such that on the molten glass or slag being poured
on the top of the table and the roller passed along, it smooths out the glass or slag,
cuts and shapes the slates and punches the nail holes.
It will be seen from the foregoing that I may make the table so as only to make
one row of slates, or to make 3, 4, or other convenient number of rows, as also that by
varying the diameters of the rollers and numbers of cross knives, and distance apart
of the guide plates, I can vary the size of slates. And if desired I may make the
slates or roof plates of various shapes, such as oblong, square, angular, hexegonal,
etcetra, by fitting corresponding knives in the roller at the required places. And if
desired may form the nail hole or holes at any desired part of the slate by so
arranging the punches as to give the desired result.
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
First. The production or manufacture of slates or roof plates from glass of any kind
or colour, or from slag, the said slates or roof plates having nail holes formed in them,
substantially in the manner as herein before described.
Second. The general arrangement construction and combination of the various parts
constituting my improved apparatus whereby I am enabled to roll, cut, shape and
punch slates or roof plates made of glass or slag all substantially as, and for the
purposes hereinbefore described, and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
Third. In producing or manufacturing slates or roof plates made of glass or other
materials, the employment of a smoothing-roller having a number of knives or
cutters and punches so arranged as to roll, cut, shape, and punch the slates or roof
plates during the one operation substantially in the manner as herein before described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 21st day of inzil 1800
JOHNSONS,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.