Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Sept., 18871
Specification Accepted, 21st Oct., 1887
I ADOLF SPAMER of Darmstadt in the Empire of Germany 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:
My invention relates to the construction and arrangement of an apparatus for.
shaping and trimming slates for roofing and other purposes whereby I seek to prevent
as far as possible the breaking of the slates while undergoing such operations, increase
the out put as compared with the usual apparatus employed for the purpose, save time
by dispensing with the preliminary marking of the slates and dispensing with the
cutting shape or template employed when slates are trimmed by the hammer.
Referring to the accompanying drawings and to the figures and letters of reference
thereon indicated
Fig. 1 shews a side elevation of my apparatus.
Fig. 2 a plan of same.
Fig. 3 a vertical section on line a¹¹ of Fig. 2 and
Fig. 4 a cross section on line c-d of same figure.
a is a frame of cast iron or other suitable material provided with a fixed knife or
shear b screwed or otherwise suitably affixed thereto.
A short moveable lever c is pivoted to the said frame and carries a knife or shear d
of suitable shape. On the opposite side a I pivot a lever e carrying a knife or
shear of suitable shape. This lever carries a handle to actuate the same and has a
slot formed therein as shewn in Fig. 1. and in which a pin f' carried by the lever c
engages so that when the handle on the lever e is depressed the knives or shears
descend to cut or trim the slate. The frame a has holes on its sides to receive pins or
studs g carried at the ends of rails or bars g¹ so that the rails or bars can be set to
any desired position on the frame a.
In shaping the slates, pins or studs can be inserted into the holes g' in the rails or
bars g' so holding the slates between the rails or bars.
The adjustment can be measured and for this purpose the bars or rails g¹ may be

page_text: marked with a suitable scale or scales so that the slate may be set for the for the
accurate shaping or trimming thereof to the required size or angle.
The slates to be cut are placed upon the rails or bars g', their position being
determined by the pins or studs inserted as required. They are pushed under the
raised knives or shears and when such are depressed the slate is cut. As the edges
of the knives or shears are advantageously arranged to cut from 7 to 9 millimetres
apart and as the pair of knives or shears cut equally from the two sides towards the
centre, a clean and even cut is obtained and the breaking of the entire slate is
obviated. The size or dimensions of the slate cut off may be read off a scale provided
on the frame a.
The butting strip or piece z against which the slates are held when being cut or
trimmed is so arranged as to be removable.
Curves or any curved lines may be cut with the knives or shears by suitably
shaping.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is
In an apparatus for shaping or trimming slate, the combination of a frame a carrying
a fixed knife or shear b, pivoted knives or shears df, simultaneously actuated by a lever
or handle e and adjustable. supporting rails or bars g¹ provided with pins or devices for
adjusting their position on the frame and for adjusting the slate to be cut or trimmed
substantially as described.
Dated thia 9th day of September 1887