IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO ADJUSTING THE ROLLERS OF ROLLER MILLS FOR CRUSHING, GRINDING, CALENDERING OR LIKE PURPOSES "
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Higginbottom and Orsini Stuart both of Liverpool
in the county of Lancaster for an invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
RELATING TO ADJUSTING THE ROLLERS OF ROLLER MILLS FOR CRUSHING,
GRINDING, CALENDERING OR LIKE PURPOSES
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Higginbottom_and
Orsini Stuart at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th June
1882.
JAMES HIGGINBOTTOM and ORSINI STUART both of Liverpool in the county of
Lancaster "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO ADJUSTING THE ROLLERS OF
ROLLER MILLS FOR CRUSHING, GRINDING, CALENDERING OR LIKE PURPOSES."
Our invention consists
Firstly. In attaching a threaded or screwed pillar to the inside bearings of two
contiguous rollers in such manner that when the pillar is made to revolve by
means of a worm and worm wheel or their mechanical equivalent the inside
bearings are caused to approach or recede or to remain at any desired distance
apart.
Secondly. In attaching an adjustable spring or weight to the outside bearings of
two or more contiguous rollers so as to exert any desired resistance to prevent the
rollers separating from each other, but in such manner that the pressure of the
spring or weight shall not be exerted or used to press the rollers together except
when the material being operated upon is actually passing between the rollers.
Thirdly In forming the inner and outer bearings of the rollers in such manner
that the bearings and the roller journals are capable of being adjusted for wear
while the rollers are in operation.
The mode of carrying out our invention into practice which we at present adopt
is as follows:-
Between the two bearings upon their centre line or if two or more spindles be
used equidistant from that centre line we place a pillar (or pillars) this pillar works

page_text: in a smaller hole in the bearing of the stationary roll but into a screwed thread in
the bearing of the movable roll a worm wheel on this pillar is worked by a worm
by turning which by a hand wheel the exact minimised distance apart of the
bearings and therefore of the rolls is regulated. We prefer to cause the pillar to
bear against the stationary bearing direct and not against a cap.
On the other side of the bearing of the moveable roll and preferably on the
centre line passing through the bearings of the two rolls or rather upon the axis
of motion of the moveable bearing I place a spindle This spindle is cut with a
thread and works in a nut or female screw formed in the frame of the machine.
This spindle has a collar or shoulder on its end nearest the bearing and resting
against this collar is a loose cup washer strung on the spindle between this washer
and another washer controlled by a nut on the spindle is a strong and preferably
partially compressed spiral spring. The washer nearest the bearing is prevented
from rotating independently of the spindle by a feather or key and by means of a
stirrup and point or its equivalent is brought to bear on the bearing while leaving
room for the spindle head during the play of the spring In practice the spindle
is screwed down till the stirrup point just touches the bearing when the rolls are
the right distance apart for good grinding. Directly a piece of iron or other hard
material gets between the rolls, the bearing is forced back against the full force of
the spiral spring which force comes into play the moment the strain is taken off the
shoulder of the spindle The force exerted by the spring its degree of compression
in fact is regulated by the nut.

page_text: Fig 3 Sectional plan on line x-y
In these the rolls A A¹ are arranged vertically, and the top or movable bearings
B and B' slide between guides C cast onto the frame D of the machine. The
bottom or stationary bearings E and E¹ are placed at the bottom of and between
the guides C, so that they may be easily removable when required.
Between the bearings B¹ and E' upon their centre line, or if two or more pillars
be used equidistant at either side of that centre line is placed a pillar F screwed
at one end, and into a socket G attached to the lower or stationary bearing E' is
fitted a small worm wheel E screwed in the inside to receive the screwed end of
the pillar F and capable of turning freely in either direction in the socket G. I is
a small worm gearing into the worm wheel H by turning which by handle J the
pillar F is screwed into or withdrawn from the centre of the wheel into which it
is placed, and the minimum distance between the bearings E¹ and B¹ regulated.
The end g of the pillar F is made square or of other angular section fitting into a
slot or socket of similar contour to prevent its turning with the worm wheel H.
The end of the pillar is free to move longitudinally in the socket as the one bearing
is forced from the other by the bulk of material passing between the rollers A
and A. G are the bearings which carry the shaft of the worm I
The pillar F may if desired be screwed into or attached to the upper or movable
bearing and fit into a circular hole, or slot in the bottom or fixed bearing and be
regulated by a worm geared into a wheel fixed on the spindle. By this means
the length of the pillar projecting from the bearing could be regulated but the
method above described and shown in the drawings is preferable
K is the spring which gives the necessary pressure to the rolls to grind or
squeeze the material under operation. This spring passes round a spindle L and
is held in position between two loose rings or washers h and upon it. The
spindle L is placed, as shown on that side of the movable bearings E' B¹ and B
furthest from the fixed bearing E, and preferably on the centre line passing through
the bearings of the two rolls or rather on the axis of motion of the movable
bearing. It is cut with a screw thread at one end, and passes through a nut or

page_text: bearing M with corresponding screw in which it is raised or lowered by turning a
handle N. At about the centre of the spindle L is placed a nut k against which
the washer h presses. By turning this nut the tension of the spring K is regulated.
The other washer is held in position or prevented from slipping off the spindle L
by the head e on its end. There is a collar P fixed with a pin on the spindle L to
prevent too great a pressure being placed on the spring. Instead of the spring K
we may use dead weights or a weighted lever in conjunction with the spindle L
The washer L is formed stirrup or cup shaped at its under side to allow of its
extending beyond the head e on the spindle L The bottom of this cup shaped part
bears against the movable bearing B and as the rolls are forced apart the pressure
of the spring comes into play. When no material is passing between the rolls
they are at the minimized distance apart as regulated by the pillar F the whole
weight or pressure of the spring is taken up by the washer 1 pressing against the
head e of the spindle L and thus while the head or material being operated upon
is not actually passing between the rolls there is no pressure transferred to the
rolls or their bearings The washer is prevented from rotating independently of
the spindle L by a feather or key x The bearings are made in halves and they
are left open at the joints (z a'¹) so that they can gradually close of themselves as
they wear and so that they may always be in close contact with the journals of
the rollers
In practice the spring is first compressed to obtain the desired pressure and the
spindle and spring is then screwed down till the stirrup or cup shaped part of
washer just touches the bearing B when the rolls are the right distance apart for
good grinding. The spindle L is then locked in position by the lock nut O
Directly the feed or material is passed between the rolls the bearing is forced back
against the full force of the spiral spring K which force comes into play the moment
the strain is taken off the head e of the spindle L The force exerted by the
spring K or its degree of compression in fact is regulated by the nut k.
Having now described our invention and the best modes known to us of carrying
it into effect we wish it to be understood that what we believe to be new and
desire to protect under the herein before in part recited Letters Patent is
1st The adjusting of the minimum distance between the rolls of roller mills by
means of a pillar or stud screwed into either of the bearings and operated by a
worm and worm wheel or other equivalent mechanical device by which a definite
large hand motion will cause a definite minute increment or decrement in the
distance apart of the centres of said bearings, where said bearings with their
respective adjuncts are resting in solid contact the one upon the other substantially
as described and shown.
2nd The means for relieving the pressure from the bearings of movable rolls of
roller mills when running free of material arranged so that the moment the rolls
are pressed apart by the material operated upon the entire pressure of the spring
shall be transmitted to the material passing through the rolls, substantially as
described and shown.
3rd The general arrangement of apparatus for adjusting and regulating the
pressure on the bearings of roller mills substantially as described and shown.
In witness whereof we the said James Higginbottom and Orsini Stuart, have
hereunto set our hands and seals this Eighth day of December in the year
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty two
JAMES HIGGINBOTTOM (L.S.)
ORSINI STUART.
(LS.)