AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR MAKING PINS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Burlock De Forest, of Birmingham,
Connecticut, United States of America, now of No. 8, Southampton
Buildings, London, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR
MAKING PINS."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Thomas Burlock De Forest
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition
and Declaration, on the 22nd May 1872, pursuant to the 9th
Section of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
BURLOCK DE FOREST, of Birmingham, Connecticut, United States of
America, now of No. 8, Southampton Buildings, London, send
greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "An Im-
PROVED MACHINE POR MAKING PINS," and have petitioned Her Majesty to
grant unto me, my executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal

page_text: Letters Patent for the same, and have mado solemn Declaration that
I am the true and first Inventor thereof.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Burlock De Forest, do
land
hereby declare that the following Complete Specification, under my
and seal, fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, 5
and in what manner the same is to be performed, in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings forming
a part of this Specification:-
My Invention relates to a machine which performs automatically all
the operations comprised in the process of manufacturing pins, that is 1
to say, it takes the wire from a reel or coil, forms the heads thereon,
cuts off the pins, points them, and delivers them.
And my said Invention consists in the peculiar contrivances for
performing each of the above operations, and in their combination in
such a manner as to form one compact, convenient, and efficient 1
machine.
The construction of the said machine is clearly illustrated in the
accompanying Drawings, by the aid of which I will now proceed to
fully describe the aforesaid peculiar contrivances and their operation.
Figure 1 is a plan of my improved machine; Figure 2 is an elevation
of one side, and Figure 3 an elevation of the opposite side of the said
machine.
Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section on the line x, x, Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of the cutting-off and pointing mechanism, 25
and parts in connection with the same. Figures 5 and 5b show
detached portions of the mechanism represented in Figure 5.
Figure 6 is a vertical section on the line y, y, Figure 1.

page_text: Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawings.
Figures 4, 5, 5ª, 5º, 6, 7, 7ª, 9, 9, and 10 are drawn to an enlarged
scale.
a is a frame or stand of cast-iron or other suitable material, which is
solidly secured upon a bed or foundation 6, and is made of suitable
strength and shape to support conveniently and firmly the operative
parts of the machine. c is the main or driving shaft provided with fast
and loose belt pullies c¹, c³; the said shaft is supported in suitable
bearings c³ formed on or attached to the frame a; d, d, are feed rolls
whereby the wire A is taken from the reel or coil and delivered to the
heading and cutting mechanism. The said feed rolls have a continuous
rotary motion imparted to them from the main shaft c by means of the
shafts d³, d³, and gear wheels d. The wire is conducted to the feed
rolls through the guide d', and passes from the same through the block e
which is fixed to the frame a¹, and conducts the said wire to the heading
and cutting mechanism. The heading punch f is suspended by a spring
f from the bracket f* fixed on the frame a¹; the said punch is actuated
by a driver f which receives motion from the lever f', whose fulcrum
is at f*, and which is operated by the cam f* fixed on the main shaft c.
The driver f is fitted to slide through the block f, and the said
driver and its lever are thrown back after each action of the cam by the
spring f. The driver ƒ³ is provided at its forward end with a screw f
which bears against the back of the heading punch, and by whose
adjustment I obtain compensation for the wear of the said die and driver.
The heading dies are fixed in the blocks 9', 9. The cam f' has
three projections, 1, 2, 3, so arranged that the heading punch strikes
three blows in succession in one revolution of the cam, and these three
blows effect the perfect formation of the head. By making the punch f
supported independently of its driver or spindle, as above described, I
facilitate the removal of the said punch, when broken or worn out, and
the insertion of a new punch.
While the head is being formed the wire must be held solidly against
the action of the heading punch f For this purpose I make the
blocks g', g², serve as gripers. The block g¹ is fixed, and the block 9* is
formed on the end of the spring bar 9*, which is movable vertically.

page_text: The block g¹ that holds the fixed die is secured to the frame a; the
moving die is connected to the lever g³ by a link g'. The said lever is
pivotted at g³ and is operated by the cam g' to close the dies g and
blocks g', 9, and cause the said blocks to gripe the wire tightly just
previous to the action of the heading punch, and after the head has
been formed the said lever opens the said dies and releases the wire.
At this moment the cutting-off or separation of the pin from the
remainder of the wire is effected. For this purpose I employ a sliding
cutter h, which is moved forward in the guides ¹ by the cam h³ and
backward by the spring h³. It will be seen by examination of Figures
7 and 7 that the edge of this cutter moves in close contact with the
face of the cut-off die e¹, and the pin is sheared or cut off by their joint
action. In a line with the said cutter is a small spring bar or finger i,
and the pin when severed from the wire is firmly held between the end
of the cutter h and the said bar i, which is kept up to the cutter by the
spring. The object of this contrivance is the delivery of the pins to
an apparatus which conducts them to the pointing mechanism. It will
be seen on examination of Figures 1, 2, and 3 that the cams which
operate the heading, griping, and cutting mechanism are all fixed on
the end of the main shaft. This arrangement in connection with the
position of the said shaft allows me to give the machine the compact
form shown, which is very desirable.
The aforesaid conducting apparatus, which is most clearly shown in
Figures 5 and 5*, consists of a wheelj, on whose periphery are formed
small transverse grooves or niches ; equidistant from each other. This
wheel is fixed on a short shaft supported in brackets ³ fixed on the
frame a.
The said shaft has imparted to it a slow rotary motion from
the shaft j* through the worm and wheel j* and j³. This wheel j must
be so arranged in combination with the cutting mechanism that one of
the said niches ¹ comes opposite the end of the cutter at the proper
moment to receive the pin therefrom, and the pin is delivered and
deposited in the wheel by the combined action of the cutter and spring
bar, as above described. In combination with the wheel j are the
guides k and band k', which are attached to the bracket and extend
partially around the said wheel, as shown. The said side guides and band
keep the pins properly in place in the niches j as the wheel carries them
forward away from the cutting devices. This wheel j, as above stated,
conducts the pins to the pointing mechanism, which has a table 1

page_text: of the table is
upon the sleeve 1º,
whereon the pins are received from the said wheel. This table which is
clearly shown in Figures 5 and 6 consists of two concentric parts P, P.
The outer part is formed with equidistant niches wherein the pins
are received from the wheel j and are held in the said table. A small
lug formed on the end of the band ¹ ensures the proper entrance of
the pins in the niches P. The inner part & has a circular channel
wherein the pin heads lie. The distance between this channel and the
outer periphery of the table must be such that the ends of the pins
project beyond the same, as shown. The inner part
fixed on the hollow shaft P, and the outer part
which is fitted to turn upon the said hollow shaft. The sleeve & receives
rotary motion through the worm and wheel 3, 4, from the shaft j*, and
the said sleeve has a pinion 5 which gears with another pinion 6 on the
countershaft ; the latter has another pinion 7 which gears with a
pinion 8 on the hollow shaft %; by this means the inner part of the
said table has imparted to it a speed much greater than that of the
outer part . The shaft and the countershaft are supported in
bearings in the brackets ³, as shown. Over the table I place the spring
or pressure plate m, which is divided or split all round its edge to make
it elastic at all parts. This spring plate is attached to a rod m¹ which
passes through the hollow shaft and is provided at its lower end with
a nut m³ and spring m³ whereby the pressure of the plate m upon the
table is regulated. A clamp m* is fixed on the spring plate or upon its
shaft for keeping the said plate in proper position. The pins are carried
round upon the table, the heads resting in the groove and the points
projecting beyond the edge of the table, and by reason of the difference
between the speeds of the two parts of the table the pins have a quick
rotation on their own axes as they move round with the table. It will
be understood from the above description that with the gearing shown
the conducting wheel and table have a continuous rotary motion, but if
desired I may employ ratchet motions, which will give the said wheel
and table an intermittent motion, but in either case the said wheel and
table must be so connected that the times of their revolutions correspond
so that the niches on the wheel and table meet each other properly.
Around the said table at suitable distances apart I place circular
files n, which receive a rapid rotary motion from the shaft o through the
pulleys and belts o¹, o³. The said files are fitted to turn freely in the
jaws n', whose stems are fitted in brackets n³, which are carried in the

page_text: blocks n³. These parts are clearly shown in Figures 9 and 9*. The
blocks n³ are supported in the semicircular frame n*, which is securely
attached to the main frame a², and is formed with slots no, in which the
blocks n³ are fitted. By means of these devices the files n may be
adjusted horizontally, vertically, or to any desired angular position in
relation to the table. The shaft o is geared by the bevel wheels o³ in
connection with the shaft o* which is driven by the main shaft c through
the belt o³ passing over the pullies oº, o'. As the pins are carried round
by the table their projecting ends are subjected to the action of these
rotating files and thereby properly pointed. The finish is given to the
points by the belt polisher p, shown detached in Figure 10, which is
passed over the pullies p¹, p³, the latter being carried on the short
shaft p³ which is driven by the band p' from the shaft o'. These shafts
are all supported in suitable bearings formed or fixed on the frame a,
as shown.
By referring to Figure 5° it will be seen that the spring plate m has
an open space equal to about one-fourth of its circumference. The
pins are deposited on the table at the edge 6 of this plate, and delivered
from the said table finished a little beyond the edge 7. Near this edge
7, within the said space, I place the inclined guides or fingers q which
raise the finished pins from the niches in the table and insure their
delivery therefrom to the spout r, whereby they are conducted into any
receptacle properly arranged to receive them.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I wish it understood that I claim in a machine
for making pins,―
First. The main or driving shaft arranged longitudinally upon the
machine and carrying the cams for operating the heading, griping, and
cutting-off mechanism, all placed on its inner end, as herein set forth
for the purposes specified.
Second. The heading punch supported independently of its driver or
actuating spindle, as herein set forth for the purpose specified.
Third. The spring bar or finger operating in combination with the
cutter to grasp the pins as they are severed from the wire, and deliver
them to the conducting wheel, as herein set forth.
Fourth. The vertically rotating conducting wheel and a horizontal
rotating table which receives the pins from the said wheel, so arranged

page_text: and so operating in combination that the times of the revolutions of the
table correspond with those of the wheel for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The aforesaid horizontal rotary table formed with niches or
grooves corresponding with those of the conducting wheel for the
reception of the pins, and made in two parts, one of which moves
quicker than the other, and which are arranged in combination with the
spring or pressure plate and with delivery guides or fingers, as herein
set forth for the purpose specified.
Sixth. Dividing or splitting the edge of the said pressure plate and
providing the shaft of the same with a spring and nut, as herein set
forth for the purpose specified.
Seventh. In combination with a horizontal rotating table which
carries the pins around with it and at the same time gives them rotation
on their own axes, the rotary files and polishing belt operating to point
and finish the said pins, as herein set forth.
Eighth. The contrivances for supporting and adjusting the rotary
files around and in combination with the aforesaid table, as herein set
forth.
Ninth. The aforesaid cutter and spring bar, the conducting wheel,
the rotating table, and the rotary files and polishing belt combined
and operating together, as herein set forth for the purposes specified.
Tenth. The aforesaid feeding, heading, griping, cutting-off, delivering,
conducting, and pointing devices combined and operating together, and
with the mechanism for giving them the required movements, and with
the other parts of the machine, as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Burlock De Forest, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of May
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
two
Witness,
W. ROBT. LAKE.
THO³. B. DE FOREST. (L.S.)