Machines and for other purposes.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Feb., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 22nd Mar., 1887.
Machines and for other purposes.
JOSEPH BAKER, JOSEPH ALLEN BAKER, WILLIAM KING BAKER, and GEORGE
SAMUEL BAKER, trading together as Joseph Baker and Son, 58 City Road London
Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of their invention for AN IMPROVED RATCHET
WHEEL FEED FOR BISCUIT CUTTING MACHINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
Our Invention consists in An Improved Ratchet Wheel Feed; for Biscuit Cutting
Machines, and for other purposes. Its construction, application, and use, will be
readily understood by reference to the annexed drawing; shewing part of a biscuit
cutting machine, with a biscuit tray travelling upon two pitch chains, operated by our
improved ratchet wheel feed.
Fig. 1, is a plan of part of a biscuit cutting machine.
Fig. 2, is an elevation of the same.
Fig. 3, A longitudinal elevation of rocking lever & ratchet wheel.
Fig. 4 A section of the same.
Fig. 5 An end view.
Fig. 6. Enlarged sectional view of-Finger gripping action.
A, Fig. 1 and 2, is a shaft of suitable diameter for our purpose; mounted in two
bearings, B B, upon the frame of biscuit cutting machine C. D D, are two pitch
chain wheels, keyed fast to the shaft A, which engage with the links E, in the pitch
chains; and so draw along the biscuit trays F. The Rocking lever G, is loose upon
the Shaft A, and a reciprocating motion is imparted to it (preferably at its lower end)
by the connecting rod H, which is hung to the stud I, fastened in the adjustable slot
link J. In the present instance the pawl K, is shewn fastened to the upper end of
the rocking lever G, but if desired the position of the pawl K, and stud I, may be
reversed. Keyed fast to shaft A is the ratchet wheel L; and it is to the more
efficient driving of this wheel, that our invention more particularly relates. By means
of the combination now to be described, a noiseless absolute, and regular motion is
imparted to this wheel; and the pitch chain wheels actuated by it; or the motion
can be stopped off in a novel manner. We accomplish this as follows; upon the
pawl, K, see Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 near its point of engagement with ratchet wheel L, a
pin M, is inserted. Loose upon shaft A, is a collar N, and fitted loosely over this
collar, next the side face of ratchet wheel L, is a washer, O, formed of leather,
vulcanized fibre, paper or other suitable substance. The finger P, is bored out so as

page_text: to loosely fit the collar N, and at the upper end of the finger is a slot Q, through
which passes the pin M, a trigger R, being pivoted upon finger P. Coiled round
collar N, see Fig. 6, is a spring S, which is enclosed within a cap T, a nut U, being
run upon a thread V, cut upon shaft A.
The operation of the combination just described is as follows:-
When the biscuit cutting machine is in action, a reciprocating motion is imparted
by means of the connecting rod H, to the loose rocking lever G. In the forward
motion of the rod see dotted lines Fig. 5, the upper end of the lover G, carrying the
pawl K, is lowered until the pawl engages with the ratchet teeth in wheel L. In the
backward stroke the pawl carries round ratchet wheel L, the shaft A, to which it is
keyed, and the pitch chain wheels until the end of the stroke is reached. The pressure
of spring S see Fig. 6; against Finger P, forces it against the leather or other
collar O, and tends to retard its motion, or produces a dragging action, which upon the
commencement of the backward stroke of pawl lifts it clear of the ratchet wheel; but
upon the forward turn, forces it into the teeth, so ensuring certain, rapid, and noise-
less action. Any degree of pressure can be exerted upon the finger P, and the
leather or other washer O, by means of nut U, and the spring S. If it be desired to
stop the feed action, the trigger R, is shut home; so raising pin M, in pawl K, and
lifting it clear of the teeth in wheel L. Any degree of feed can be obtained by
adjusting the connecting rod H, in slot J, and the combination just described is
especially suited for actuating the feed motion of the cutting webs, and scrap web, and
other parts of biscuit cutting machines requiring intermittent motion. Although we
have described our improvements as particularly suited to biscuit cutting machines, we
do not confine its application solely to such; as it is obvious that it can be fitted to
any class of machine, machine tool, or any appliance requiring rapid, noiseless, and
certain intermittent action.
Having now particularly described, and ascertained the nature of our said invention;
and in what manner the same is to be performed; we declare that what we claim is :
1st. In a biscuit cutting machine, the particular combination herein described for
regulating, and actuating the feed action of the pitch chain wheels, and chains,
carrying the biscuit trays; or for operating any other parts of a biscuit cutting
machine requiring similar intermittent action, substantially as herein set forth.
2nd. The application and use, in or with a biscuit cutting machine of the feed
regulating combination consisting of Ratchet wheel L, pawl K, fitted with pin M,
engaging with slot Q, in finger P, The trigger R, mounted on finger, P, The
spring S, Cap T, leather or other washer O, mounted upon collar N, and the adjusting
nut U. The loose rocking lever G, carrying pawl K, mounted upon shaft A, and
operating the pitch chain wheels D, all combined; and operating together for the
purpose of imparting a noiseless, rapid, and regular feed action to the pitch chain &
wheels, substantially as set forth, and for the purposes described.
3rd. The application and use of the combination described in claim 2 ; for operating
the cylinders, drums, or other parts of a biscuit machine requiring intermittent action
as described.
4th. The application of the particular combination described in claim 2, to any
class of machine, machine tool, appliance, or other device requiring intermittent feed
action.
FRANCIS M. ROGERS,
Applicant's Agent.