IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SPOOLS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SPOOLS AND
SIMILAR ARTICLES." A communication from abroad by John Medars Parker,
of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States of America, Mechanic.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th May 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE of the Firm of Haseltine Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings London "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR THE MANU-
FACTURE OF SPOOLS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES." A communication from abroad by
John Medars Parker of Pawtucket Rhode Island, United States of America,
Mechanic.
This invention relates to a machine for automatically making spools and similar
articles from square sticks of a proper length, and comprises the following improve-
ments, namely; first providing the machine with a rack for holding, in a stack; the
sticks from which the spools are to be made and an automatic device for delivering
the said sticks. one at a time, to feeding mechanism; second, the employment of
feeding-rolls which operate upon the sticks by a yielding pressure to advance
them to the "rougher," and griping-jaws which advance the rounded sticks from
the rougher to stationary clamping-jaws, the movements of the said rolls and
griping-jaws being intermittent, simultaneous, and equal in amount; third, providing
the delivery end of the rougher-spindle with a removable bushing having a conical
mouth, for centrally delivering the rounded sticks to the feeding-jaws; fourth
providing mechanisin for operating the feeding and clamping jaws; fifth the
employment of peculiarly-moving tingers to transfer the spool-blanks to the head-
dressing and shaping tools; sixth, the improved construction of the non-rotating
head-dressing spindle and its accompanying parts; and seventh, providing a device
for removing the finished spools from the live-spindle.

page_text: The chief objects of my improvements are to produce a more perfectly working
machine, and to reduce to a ininimum the attention necessary to a machine for
making finished spools from square sticks of a proper length.
In the accompanying drawing
-
Figure 1 represents a plan or top view of a machine embodying the said
improvements.
Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the same, partly in section.
Figure 3 represents a bottom view of a portion of the machine.
Figure 4 shows a transverse section on the line xx.
Figure 5 represents the construction of the griping-jaws and accompanying
mechanism, which feed the rounded sticks, the said view showing a partial section
of the machine on the line y Y.
Figure 6 represents the construction of the stationary clamping-jaws and accom-
panying mechanism in a sectional view on the line z. z.
Figure 7 shows a detailed view of the head-dressing spindles and accompanying
parts, and,
Figure 8 represents a side view of the arm attached to one of the spindles.
A denotes the frame of the machine, in and upon which the various parts are
mounted, B is the driving-shaft, which imparts rotation to the cam-shaft C through
the pinion b and gear wheel c. To the frame A is secured a rack D, which is
composed of a base-piece and inclined bars, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.-The
office of this rack is to support the stack of sticks from which the spools are to be
.made, the said sticks being of a length sufficient to project outwardly beyond the
end of the rack, and having a cross-section, preferably in the form of a square,
which is of a size requisite to produce spools of a desired diameter.
Located in the frame A is a sliding bar B1 Figure 2 which is provided with an
upwardly-projecting stud, b' and is connected at one end with a vertical arm B³,
which has a fulcrum in a bracket attached to the frame of the machine. This
arm is connected by means of a link b² to the downwardly-projecting end of a
rod, d which slides in two of the inclined arms of the rack D, and has its outer end
bent upward to engage with the ends of the sticks.-This rod d is provided with a
collar d' and a retracting-spring d² which bears against the collar and one of the
arms of the rack. For causing an outward movement of the rod d in order
that the outer end of the lowermost stick may pass the end of the rod and
the said stick fall into such a position in the rack that its outer end shall be
engaged by the upwardly-bent end of the said rod, the shaft C is supplied with a
cam E which, while revolving, engages with the stud b' moves the rod B¹ and
through the arm B2 and link 62 causes an outward movement of the rod d against
the force of the spring -This movement of the rod d allows the lowermost
stick in the stack to assume a position to be moved to the gripe of the inter-
mittingly-revolving feeding-rolls by the force of the spring d² when the contour of
the cam E allows.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2 the feeding-rolls F F¹ are mounted in a standard F2
secured to the frame of the machine, and each has its curcumference channelled by
a peripheral V-shaped groove. The upper rolls F¹ are mounted in sliding blocks f
and are pressed upon the sticks during the movement of the same between the rolls
by springs f¹.
The rolls F F are intermittingly revolved for the purpose of feeding the sticks
in the following manner :-A sliding plate G Figure 2 is mounted on the frame A
and from it project two studs e e¹ which are engaged by the cam E.-Pivoted to
the plate G is a rod G¹ which is connected with an arm G2 bearing a pawl g. This
pawl engages with the teeth of a ratchet wheel g¹ which is secured to a gear-
wheel g² and this gear-wheel meshes with a pinion g³ secured to the shaft of one of
the rolls F and it may mesh also with a pinion secured to the shaft of the other
roll F if desired.-One complete revolution of the cam E causes the plate G to
advance and retreat, the geared feeding-rolls to be partialled revolved, and the sticks

page_text: to be moved forward just the length of a spool-blank, the ungeared feeding-rolls
rotating by frictional contact with the sticks.-As the length of different spools
varies it is necessary that some means be employed for regulating the amount of
movement of the plate G and consequently of the feeding-rolls. This is accom-
This stud fits into a slot
plished by making the stud e adjustable on the plate G.
in the plate G as shown in Figure 3 and is provided with a shoulder and a
clamping-nut e³ Figure 2 so that the position of the said stud on the plate G can
be so regulated that the cam E will advance the said plate, rotate the feeding-rolls
and move the sticks just the required amount, that is, equal to the desired length
of the spool-blank.
The sticks are advanced by the feed-rolls F F' to what is known as the
"rougher" which reduces the sticks to a cylindrical form. This rougher consists of
a hollow spindle H to which is secured a head h which carries a cutting-tool. The
diameter of the hole in the spindle H is greater than that of the rounded sticks, in
order to avoid friction; but the diameter of the hole in any head h which may be
applied to the spindle is the same as that of the rounded stick, the said hole guiding
and supporting the stick while being roughed.
Located in the delivery end of the spindle H is a bushing ' preferably screwed
into the said spindle, although it may be secured to the spindle in any suitable
manner. The object of this bushing is to deliver the stick centrally from the
spindle, and for this purpose it is provided with a hole of the diameter of the stick,
which hole terminates on the inner end of the bushing in a conical mouth, as shown
in Figure 2 which mouth is presented to the advancing sticks and secures their
entrance into the delivery-hole, and consequently the central delivery of the sticks
from the rougher-spindle.
For seizing the sticks and properly conveying them beyond the bushing h' to be
cut into blanks and further operated upon, the machine is provided with a pair
of griping-jaws 1I which are mounted in a standard J secured to the sliding
plate G. The said standard and jaws therefore move with the plate G the said
movement being simultaneous with, and equal in amount to that of the feed-rolls
F F The mechanism by which the jaws II are made to perform their office is
shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5.
Referring to Figure 5 it will be seen that the jaws occupy slots in the standard J
and are supplied with pins i which fit into slots in one end of each of a pair of
arms which arms are pivoted to the standard J and are controlled by a
spring Journalled in the standard J is a vertical rod j which carries upon its
lower end a disc j¹ having a partially-inclined face, which is engaged by another
disc having a similar face and provided with an arm 7. The rod j also carries
an adjustable plate j having inclined sides, which are engaged by the bent ends of
the arins by the force of the spring i².
Located on the under side of the frame of the machine and sliding therein, is a
bar K Figure 3 which is connected to a rod K' this rod has a depending stud k
working in the groove of a cam K2 Figure 2 which cam imparts a backward-and-
forward movement to the said bar. Projecting from the upper surface of the bar
are two pins k¹ between which the outer end of the arm j³ is located, so that when
the bar K is advanced this half is engaged by one of the pins k' and the disc is
partially rotated. This causes; to be depressed and the plate j to separate lower
ends of the arms i, which action advances the jaws I I toward each other to gripe
the stick. So soon as the stick is griped the standard J and jaws II move forward
by the action of the cam E and advance the stick to be clamped upon the
standard by the jaw L-The mechanism by which this clamping is effected is
shown in Figures 2, 3 and 6.
Referring to Figure 6 it will be seen that the jaw L' is mounted to slide
vertically in or on the standard L and that the said jaw is provided with a tail-
rod which carries upon its lower end a disc l' having a partially. inclined face.
Between the disc and the foot of the standard L is arranged another disc 1ª

page_text: provided with an arm the said dises being held in engagement by a spring whose
force tends to raise the jaw L¹.
Located on the under side of the frame of the machine, as shown in Figures 3
and 6 is a sliding bar M which is provided with a pin m which pin enters the
forked end of the arm 1s. The bar M is also provided with a headed pin m' which
enters the forked end of an arm M' this arm is provided with a depending stud m³
and is pivoted to the frame A.
As shewn in Figures 2 and 5 the shaft C is provided with a disc N which has
oppositely-inclined teeth n n-When the stick has been fully advanced by the
jaws II the tooth n engages the stud m² and slides the rod M which action through
the arm partially rotates the disc 12 and causes the jaw L' to clamp the stick to
the head of the standard L.-The jaws I I now lose their gripe and are withdrawn
again to engage the stick.
A continuously-revolving drill K³ Figure. 2 is advanced during the retreat of the
jaws II by the action of the cam K2 on the rod K' and a central hole is thereby
bored in the end of a stick. The drill then retreats and the continuously-revolving
saw which is journalled in a forked arm O' Figures 1 and 4 is advanced by the
action of a cain O2 Figure 2 on the lower end of the arm O' and a spool-blank is
thereby severed from the stick, after the saw retreats to its rearward position.
The next operation is the transfer of the spool-blank to the end or head-dressing
spindles, where the blank is finished into a complete spool. This transfer is
effected by peculiarly-operating fingers, as will now be described.
As shown in Figure 5 the side of the disc N is provided with a cam-groove N¹
which engages with the roller upon the short arm of a bell-crank or lever P pivoted
to the frame of the machine.-As shown in Figures 1 and 4 the long arm of this
lever carries the fingers ppl the finger p being attached to a sleeve which is
journalled in the end of the lever P.-The finger p¹ is adjustably mounted on a
sliding spindle 2 which is journalled in the sleeve of the finger p and projects
rearward beyond the said sleeve.-This sleeve is provided with a crank-arm p³
which is slotted and engages with the bent end of an arm pt. This arm is
journalled in the frame of the machine, as shown in Figure 2 and has its lower end
secured to two springs p³ which extend toward the sides of the machine and are
attached to the frame, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. A pin p Figure 1 is secured
to the finger p and passes through the finger p¹. This pin has a screw-thread on
its free end and is supplied with a nut, and a spring 27 bears against the said nut
and finger and tends to close the fingers upon each other.
Pivoted to the standard P¹ on the frame A is a bar P2 Figures 1 and 4 which
has a doubly-inclined end 228 p and is provided with two adjusting-screws p10 211
which limit the amount of the swinging motion of the said bar by coming in
contact with the standard P¹ as shown in Figure 1 or the standard may be
provided with adjusting-screws to arrest the bar P2 if preferred.
During the advancement of the saw O to sever a spool-blank from the end of the
stick the bar P occupies a position as shown by dotted lines in Figure 1 and the
fingers ppa position a little in the rear of that shown by dotted lines in Figure 1
the end of the spindle p² engaging the incline p³ on the bar P. As the saw retreats
the fingers advance by the action of the cam N' and are separated more and more
as the spindle på rises upon the incline p³ so that when the end of the said spindle
bears on the end of the bar P² the fingers will be separated a distance slightly
greater than the length of the spool-blank, and will overlie the ends of the said
blank. The further action of the cam N' causes the fingers to advance still farther
upon the blank and the end of the spindle p² to pass down the incline p³ when the
spring p7 closes the fingers on the ends of the blank and causes them to gripe it.-
When the blank is fully griped by the fingers pp' the tooth n' on the disc N
slides the rod M which raises the jaw L' and releases the blank from the gripe of
the said jaw and the head of the standard L. The blank may now be transferred
by the fingers to the end-dressing spindles QQ-This transfer is accomplished by

page_text: the action of the cam N' upon the lever P which moves the fingers toward the
spindles QQ and by the action of the arm p* upon the crank-arm p³ attached to
the sleeve of the finger p which action causes the fingers to revolve in the arc of a
circle about the end of the long arm of the lever P.-This brings the fingers into
the position shown by full lines in Figures 1 and 4 and carries the axis of the
blank into alignment with the axis of the spindles QQ as shown in Figure 1.-
During this transfer of the blank the bar P2 is moved from the position shown by
dotted lines in Figure 1 to the position shown by full lines in the said Figure by
the contact of the said bar with the spindle p². This movement of the har is
necessary in order that the gripe of the fingers upon a blank of proper length
may not be released, which would be the case if the bar remained in the position
first described. It is also useful when too short a blank is held in the fingers,
for in such case the spindle p² will unduly project toward the bar P2 will engage
the incline p as the fingers approach the dressing-spindles and will cause the said
fingers to separate and the short blank to be released.-When the fingers return to
seize a new blank the bar P2 is also returned by the engagement with the spindle p
to the position in which it was first described.
The spindle Q is a live-spindle, which is provided with a spur q Figures 1 and 7
and is continuously revolved. A bracket Q2 is secured to the standard in which the
said spindle is mounted, and a cutter q' is placed in its head for dressing one end of
the spool-blank.-The spindle Q' does not revolve but has a longitudinal movement
imparted to it by the cam K2 Figure 2 through an arm q' Figures 2, and 7.-One
end of this arm engages with a depending stud upon a stud with a sliding rod Q³
Figures 4 and 7 which rod is attached to an arm Q pivoted to the frame of the
machine, and having a forked end which embraces an adjustable collar on the
end of the spindle Q-The other end of this spindle is provided with a
head which holds a tool for dressing the other end of the blank, and in the
centre of this head is a pin q which, when the spindle Q' is moved forward enters
the hole in a spool-blank and furnishes a bearing upon which the said blank may
revolve.
When the axis of the blank is brought into coincidence with the axis of the
spindles QQ as above described, a forward movement is given to the spindle Q¹ to
force the blank upon the spur q and cause the said blank to rotate with the
spindle Q. In order however that the dressing-tool q* shall not engage with the
end of the blank before the said blank is sufficiently engaged by the spur g and
thereby prevent the blank from properly rotating and its ends from being dressed,
the spindle Q is provided with the following mechanism, which prevents the
tool from acting ou the end of the blank until the said blank is sufficiently
engaged by the spur g to ensure rotation.
As shewn in Figure 7 the spindle-head 3 is provided with a slot in which fits
the bent end r of an arın R. This end r of the arm has a slot through which a
pin passes, the said pin acting as a guide for the end of the arm and serving to
retain it in place. Near its other end the arm R is provided with an inclined
face which by the force of the spring 8 engages with a stationary post S secured
to the rod S'. Beyond the inclined face the arm is provided with an oppositely-
inclined face more clearly shown in Figure 8 at the end of which is a vertical
shoulder 7ª which is engaged by a pin t passing through the forked arm t¹ of an
adjustable collar T secured to the spindle Q. When the spindle Q is in a rear-
ward position, and during a portion of its forward movement, the pin t engages
with the shoulder and the end r of the arm projects beyond the face of the
head q³ and also beyond the edge of the tool q-When therefore, the spindle Q' is
moved forward the end r of the arm R comes in contact with the end of the spool-
blank and forces the said blank upon the spur q; but when the said blank has been
sufficiently engaged by the spur to ensure the rotation of the blank, the post S by
its action on the inclined face will raise the rear end of the arm so that the
shoulder will no longer be engaged by the pin t which will now pass along the

page_text: inclined face. The bar R therefore will remain stationary and allow the spindle
to advance and the tools q' and q¹ to dress the ends of the blank, the fingers-p pl
retreating so soon as the blank is engaged by the spur q and pin q³ to allow the
dressing to be performed.
The spur q and the pin q³ enter opposite ends of the hole in the blank, and will
not come in contact, during the dressing operation upon a blank of average length;
but when thin spools are being made such contact will take place and prevent the
ends of the blanks from being dressed, unless the pin q is arranged to retreat in
case it meets the spur. For this purpose as shown in Figure 7 the pin q³ is
provided with a collar and surrounded by a spring 98 which bears against the said
collar and the end of the spindle and keeps the pin fully projected beyond the
head but allows the said pin to retreat in case of contact with the spur q.
While the ends of the blank are being dressed the body is formed into the
desired shape by a tool U Figures 1 and 4 secured to one end of an arm U¹ which
is pivoted to the frame A and moved backward and forward by the action of an
eccentric U Figure Q upon a rod u.
The spool is now complete, and it only remains to remove it, which is
accomplished as follows: A rod V Figure 7 is journalled in the standard of the
spindle Q and has its end v bent upward.
When in its normal position this end stands under the projecting head of the
bracket Q2 and therefore beyond the end of the spool, where it is held by the action
of the spring V₁ upon a collar v³ attached to the said rod. The outer end of the
$
rod is notched to produce a shoulder v2 and when the spindle Q has been fully
advanced this shoulder is engaged by a latch V which is pivoted to the arm Q
and moves therewith. When therefore, the spindle Q₁ retreats the rod V moves
with it and removes the finished spool from the spur q.
The latch V2 has a projecting pin ³ which engages with an inclined arm V³ as
the latch moves backward, raises the said latch, and releases the rod V which is
returned to its original position by the spring V¹.
The rod R is returned to its original position during the retreat of the spindle Q
by the springs which, when the said spindle, has moved sufficiently rearward and
the pin has moved up the inclined face 73 forces the rear end of the arm R
downward and causes the said pin to engage with the shoulder r
From the foregoing description it will be understood that all that is necessary to
continuously turn out finished spools from a machine constructed as above
described is for the rack to be supplied with sticks of a proper length (and the
said sticks may simply be sawed from boards of the proper thickness) and this can
be done by a lad, who may attend to ten or more machines at a time, thus
materially reducing the cost of manufacturing spools.
Although I have shown my improvements as embodied in a machine of definite
construction, yet I am aware that the said improvements, separately considered, may
be applied to machines differently constructed. This is particularly the case with
the rack for holding the stack of sticks and the automatic feed for delivering the
said sticks to the feeding mechanism of the machine, which improvements are
applicable to any machine employing a rougher-spindle and mechanism (either rolls
or jaws) for delivering the sticks directly to the said spindle.
Although I have described and shewn a definite construction and arrangement of
the transferring-fingers p p and have employed the bar Pe yet, if it is not desired
that too short a blank shall be released by the said fingers the bar P2 may be
dispensed with. Spring-fingers may also be employed which are both secured to a
sleeve (adjustably or permanently) mounted in the end of the lever P and having a
crank-arm p³ which engages with the arm p. Such spring-fingers therefore, would
have the same backward, forward, and rotary motion as are given to the fingers pp'
and would perform their office, whether they griped the blanks longitudinally or
diametrically. In case they griped the blanks diametrically, however, the jaws L L'

page_text: would be slotted to admit of the entrance of the fingers to properly seize the
blanks.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim, in a machine for the manufacture of spools and similar articles :-
First The combination of the stationary rack D for holding the sticks in a
stack, the bent spring-rod d, the arm B2 connected with the said rod, the sliding
bar B, and a cam to operate the same, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
Second-The combination with the rougher-spindle, of the sliding plate G, the
jaws I I, mounted on the said plate and moving therewith, the feed-rolls F, F', the
latter rolls mounted as described, the gear-wheels g³ g, ratchet-wheels g¹, pawl g,
and arm G2, connected with the plate G, whereby the sticks are delivered to, and
removed from the rougher-spindle, substantially as set forth.
Third The combination with the jaws L L¹ the jaws I I, the feed-rolls F F¹,
and mechanism, substantially as described, whereby an intermittent revolution is
imparted to the said rolls, of a plate G provided with studs e c', the former stud
adjustable on the said plate, whereby the amount of movement of the jaws I I to
and from the jaws L L' and the rotation of the feed-rolls can be regulated,
substantially as set forth.
Fourth-The combination with the rougher-spindle, of a bushing located in one
end of the said spindle and having a conical mouth, substantially as and for the
purposes specified.
:-
Fifth The combination with the jaws I I mounted to slide in the standard J
and provided with pins i i, of the slotted arms, spring i², rod j provided with
the plate and disc j', and the disc j provided with the arm 23, whereby the said
jaws may be made to gripe and release the sticks, substantially as set forth.
Sixth-The combination with the jaws L L', the latter provided with the tail-
rod and disc, of the spring and disc 2 provided with an arm 13, whereby the
jaw L may be made to clamp the sticks on the jaw L and to release the blank,
substantially as set forth.
Seventh-The combination with the blank-holding or clamping jaws and the
dressing-spindles QQ', of spring-fingers, spindle p², lever P, cain-disc N, crauk-
arm p³, spring-arm ps, and bar P2, whereby intermittent forward, backward, and
partially rotary motions are imparted to the said fingers for removing the blanks
from the said jaws and delivering them to the said spindles, substantially as
specified.
Eighth The combination with the adjustable fingers p p', the latter provided
with the spindle p² and spring 27 the said fingers having motions as described, of
the swinging bar P, whereby the fingers may be operated for the purpose of
seizing and releasing the blanks, substantially as set forth.
Ninth The combination with fingers, substantially as described, for seizing the
blanks while they are held by the clamping-jaws, one of the said fingers being
provided with a crank-arın p³ of a cam N₁ lever P upon which the fingers are
mounted, and arm p, whereby the fingers are made to remove the blanks from the
clamping-jaws and deliver them to the dressing-spindles, substantially as set forth.
Tenth The combination with the longitudinally-movable spindle Q', of the
arm R having incline and shoulder, the collar T, post S and spring 8,
substantially as, and for the purpose specified.
Eleventh-The combination with the spindle Q provided with a spur q, the
vibrating arm Q provided with a latch V, and the inclined bar Vs, of the bent and
shouldered rod V provided with a spring V₁, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
Twelfth The combination of a driving-shaft, a rack to contain sticks to be
operated upon, a device operated from the said shaft to automatically feed a stick
from the said rack into the machine, feed-rolls to advance such sticks, a hollow

page_text: revolving turning-tool to take the sticks from the feed-rolls and rough-dress them,
a horing-tool, a blank-severing tool, automatic fingers for transferring the severed
blanks from such tools, and automatically-operated tools and lathe centres or
spindles for finishing the blanks into merchantable articles, substantially as
described.
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Nineteenth day of May in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
W. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)