Improvements in the Construction of Flexible Metallic Shafting for Various Purposes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd May, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 20th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 24th Mar., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Flexible Metallic Shafting for
Various Purposes.
We, PHILIP ASHBERRY, of Burngreave Road, Manager, and WALTER
BARNES, of Intake Road, Ivory Worker, both of Sheffield in the County of York,
do hereby declare the nature of our invention to be as follows:—
This invention relates to improvements in the making or construction of flexible
metallic shafting used for various purposes, such as for driving mechanical clippers
for shearing sheep and the like.
The objects of the invention are, to give increased strength to resist torsional
strain, to transmit power with greater regularity and without backlash to which the
ordinary coiled metallic shafts are subject.
We propose to make our improved shafting from lengths of metal, preferably
steel, and of a flat oblong cross section, waved, or having convolutions, or alternate
projections and recesses, or serrations and depressions, on both sides so arranged
that when the strip or wire so formed is coiled, the projections from one coil will
enter the recesses in the adjacent coil throughout the entire length, and will thus
prevent twisting of the coils under torsional strain, while permitting the full amount
of flexibility.
We
e prefer to make a shaft composed of short lengths of coils made as above
described, and joined together by coupling screws having a central collar the same
diameter as the coil of the shaft. Each end of the shaft is screwthreaded
internally to engage with the thread of the coupling screws beforenamed and
such short lengths of coiled steel may be easily hardened and tempered with
regularity, or they may be made from a quality of steel that will not require
hardening.
Dated the 18th day of Mar 1893
ROBT. F. DRURY, C.P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Flexible Metallic Shafting for
Various Purposes.
We PHILIP ASHBERRY, of Burngreave Road, Manager, and WALTER
BARNES, of Intake Road, Ivory Worker, both of Sheffield in the County of York,
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 relates to improvements in the making or construction of flexible
metallic shafting used for various purposes, such as for driving mechanical clippers
for shearing sheep and the like.
The objects of the invention are, to give increased strength to resist torsional
strain, to transmit power with greater regularity, and to avoid backlash to which
the ordinary coiled metallic shafts are subject.
The annexed sheet of drawings clearly illustrates our improved flexible shafting,
and several modifications in its construction.

page_text: Fig. 1, shows the metal from which the coil is made.
Fig. 2, the strip of metal rolled to wave form.
Fig. 3, short length of flexible shafting made from the strip shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4, strip rolled to modified form.
Fig. 5, another modification in form.
Fig. 6, connecting stud.
In carrying our invention into practice we make each length of coiled shaft from
a suitable length of steel (preferably) of a square or nearly square cross-section,
as shown in Fig. 1, and by rolling through prepared rolls, or by other means we
produce a waved configuration as in Fig. 2, or alternate projections and recesses as
in Fig. 4, or serrations as in Fig. 5, or their equivalents of any desired form and
number, and either continuous as shown, or in intermittent positions, but so that when
the length of metal, or the wire so prepared is coiled as shown in Fig. 3, the
projections upon one coil will enter the recesses in the adjacent coil either
throughout the entire length, or intermittently as the case may be.
The engaging parts as described will prevent the further twisting of -the coils
under torsional strain, such as occurs when in sheep shearing the clippers meet with
dirt, clogged wool, and the like, while at the same time permitting the full amount.
of flexibility.
We prefer to make a shaft composed of short lengths of the coiled metal as
before described, joined together by means of short coupling screws Fig. 6,
constructed with a central collar of the same diameter as the coil, and the two ends
screwthreaded to engage with corresponding threads formed in the ends of cach
-coiled shaft.
Such short coils of steel may be easily hardened and tempered with equality
through their entire length, or they may be made from steel that does not require
-hardening.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of
our said
invention and in what manner the same is or may be performed, or carried into
practice, we declare that what we claim is:
1. A coiled metallic shaft made from wire, or lengths of metal having a waved
configuration, or serrations, or equivalent devices that will engage when the
material is coiled, for the purpose specified, substantially as hereinbefore described
and shown.
2. A coiled metallic shaft in which the coils, or any number of them, are made
to engage with the adjacent edges of the next coil, for the purpose of resisting
torsional strain, substantially as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in the
drawings.
3. A coiled metallic shaft in which the coils engage with their adjacent edges,
made in short lengths, and coupled together by means of internal screws and
screwed studs shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings.
Dated the 14th day of February 1894
ROBT. F. DRURY, C.P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicants.