Improvements in Machinery for Punching Rows of Holes in Metal Plates.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Feb., 1387
Complete Left, 22nd Nov., 1887
Complete Accepted, 30th Dec., 1887
Improvements in Machinery for Punching Rows of Holes in
Metal Plates.
We, HARRY TURNER SHAW and CHARLES CHITTICK, both of 141 and 143
Cannon Street in the City of London, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide machinery for punching rows of holes in
metal plates with the holes in each row at any desired distance apart.
The plate in which the holes are to be punched is supported horizontally on rollers
resting on rails or supports so that the plate may readily be moved endwise.
Along one side of the supports which carry the plate and parallel therewith is a
On the
long table which is supported on rollers to allow of its being moved end wise.
top of the table are two saddles, one at each end. The saddles project from that side
of the table at which the punch works and are capable of being moved along the table
so that they may be brought against the ends of the plate and be then clamped to the
table so that when the table is moved the plate moves with it.
On each saddle is an arm carrying a set point which can be set downwards into a
hole formed in the plate close to its end and in the central line of the row of holes to
be punched. By these points the plate is held accurately in proper position parallel
with the table. If the row of holes to be formed is close to the edge of the plate the
plate would not overlap the table but if the row of holes is at some distance from the
edge then part of the plate would overlap and rest on the table.
The punching mechanism may be carried at the end of an arm which extends across
the top of the table or in other convenient way. The punch is made to descend near
to the side of the table and works down on to a small die.
In order to impart to the table a step by step progressive movement to bring the
plate successively into proper positions for the holes to be punched into it, a number
of pegs are made to project from the table preferably from the side which is opposite
to that on which the punch works. These are acted upon in succession by a revolving
cam the axis of which is parallel with the length of the table. The cam is formed of
a cylindrical boss having a fin projecting from it and forming a screw around about one
half of its circumference.

page_text: In revolving the leading end of the screw comes behind one or other of the pegs
and bearing against the peg shifts the table endwise—the other end of the projecting
fin forming the screw thread is made to pass for a distance around the circumference
at right angles to the axis. Near to and parallel with this part of the projecting fin
is also a second fin and the space between them is made just the width of one of the
pins. When by the revolving of the cam a peg comes between these two fins the peg
being held between them holds the table at rest. Whilst the table is so held at rest
the punch is made to descend and to punch a hole in the plate. The fins do not
extend entirely around the circumference of the cylindrical boss but a clear space is
left so that the cam shall be clear of one peg before it commences to act on another
and so that when the cam is turned with this part of its circumference next to the
table and held at rest, the table can by gearing be traversed quickly without any of
the pegs coming into contact with the cam so that the table can in this way be moved
quickly whenever required from one end of the machine to the other. To ensure
that the cam shall be stopped in this position whenever it is put out of action we drive
the axis of the can through a clutch piece which can slide along the axis but not turn
around it. When the clutch is slidden end wise in one direction a tooth upon it is made
to enter a recess in a driving wheel which at other times turns loosely upon the shaft.
When the clutch is slidden in the opposite direction another projection upon it is
made to enter a recess in the face of a fixed disc so that the clutch cannot be
disengaged from the driving wheel until it becomes locked to the disc. Consequently
the cam must always be stopped in one position and when again coupled to the driving
wheel must of necessity be coupled to it in the same position as before so that the
cam comes into action properly timed relatively to the punch mechanism.
In order that the pegs may be made to project from the side of the table at any
distance apart which may be required we form a slot through the side of the table
from one end of it to the other through which the stems of the pegs can be passed.
On the inner face of the side of the table the slot is widened for bolt heads on the
ends of the stems to lie in. On the outer face the slot is also widened to form a
recess into which a long strip of wood metal or other suitable material can be inserted.
Through this strip holes are formed at the distances apart at which it is required to
punch the holes through the plates.
The stem of one or other of the pegs is passed through each hole in the strip. A
stout washer is then placed on to each stem of a diameter to extend above and below
the strip and take a bearing against the upper and lower parts of the side of the table.
A nut is then screwed on to the stem and made to bear against the washer and so
securely lock the peg to the table. By using a template of wood or other suitable
material in this way the machine can be used for punching holes at any desired
distance apart whether uniform distances apart or varying distances and can be very
quickly altered to adapt it for making holes at whatever distance apart may be
desired.
The machine may be made to punch one hole only at a time and when a complete
row of these holes has been punched the plate may be shifted to have the next row
of holes punched in it. Or if preferred two or more punches may be provided to
punch holes for simultaneously forming two or more rows of holes.
Dated this 2nd day of Hoby 1987

page_text: Improvements in Machinery for Punching Rows of Holes in
Metal Plates.
We, HARRY TURNER SHAW, and CHARLES CHITTICK, both of 141 and 143 Cannon
Street, in the City of London, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of this invention is to provide machinery for punching rows of holes in
metal plates with the holes in each row at any desired distance apart.
The plato in which the holes are to be punched is supported horizontally on rollers
or other supports so that the plate may readily be moved endwise. Along one side of
the supports which carry the plate and parallel therewith is a long table which is
supported on rollers to allow of its being moved end wise. On the top of the table
are two saddles, one at each end. The saddles project from that side of the table at
which the punch works and are capable of being moved along the table so that they
may he brought against the ends of the plate and be then clamped to the table so that
when the table is moved the plate moves with it.
On each saddle is an arm carrying a set point which can be set downwards into a
hole formed in the plate close to its end and in the central line of the row of holes to
he punched. By these points the plate is held accurately in proper position parallel
with the table or the plate might be clamped by right and left handed screws or other
method of coupling the plate to the table might be adopted. If the row of holes to
be formed is close to the edge of the plate the plate would not overlap the table but
if the row of holes is at some distance from the edge then part of the plate would
overlap and rest on the table.
The punching mechanism may be carried at the end of an arm which extends across
the top of the table or in other convenient way. The punch is made to descend near
to the side of the table and works down on to a small die.
In order to impart to the table a step by step progressive movement to bring the
plate successively into proper positions for the holes to be punched into it, a number
of pegs are made to project from the table preferably from the side which is opposite
to that on which the punch works. These are acted upon in succession by a revolving
can the axis of which is parallel with the length of the table. The cam is formed of
a cylindrical boss having a fin projecting from it and forming a screw around a portion
of its circumference. In revolving the leading end of the screw comes behind one
or other of the pegs and bearing against the peg shifts the table endwise-the other
end of the projecting fin forming the screw thread is made to pass for a distance
around the circumference at right angles to the axis. Near to and parallel with this
part of the projecting fin is also a second fin and the space between them is made just
the width of one of the pins. When by the revolving of the cam a peg comes between
these two fins the peg being held between them holds the table at rest. Whilst the
table is so held at rest the punch is made to descend and to punch a hole in the plate.
The fins do not extend entirely around the circumference of the cylindrical boss but
a clear space is left so that the cam shall be clear of one peg before it commences to
act on another and so that when the cam is turned with this part of its circumference
next to the table and held at rest, the table can by gearing be traversed quickly
without any of the pegs coming into contact with the cam so that the table can in

page_text: this way be moved quickly whenever required from one end of the machine to the
other.
In order that the pegs may be made to project from the side of the table at any
distance apart which may be required we form a slot through the side of the table
from one end of it to the other through which the stems of the pegs can be passed.
On the inner face of the side of the table the slot is widened for bolt heads on the
ends of the stems to lie in. On the outer face the slot is also widened to form a
recess into which a long strip of wood metal or other suitable material can be inserted.
Through this strip holes are formed at the distances apart at which it is required to
punch the holes through the plates.
The stem of one or other of the pegs is passed through each hole in the strip. A
washer is then placed on to each stem of a diameter to extend above and below the
strip and take a bearing against the upper and lower parts of the side of the table.
A nut is then screwed on to the stem and made to bear against the washer and so
securely lock the peg to the table. By using a template of wood or other suitable
material in this way the machine can be used for punching holes at any desired
distance apart whether uniform distances apart or within limits varying distances and
can be very quickly altered to adapt it for making holes at whatever distance apart
may be desired.
The machine may be made to punch one hole only at a time and when a complete
row of these holes has been punched the plate may be shifted to have the next row of
holes punched in it. Or if preferred two or more punches may be provided to punch
holes for simultaneously forming two or more rows of holes.
The drawings hereunto annexed shew various views of a machine constructed as
above described.
The drawing shews the invention applied to a single punch but as above mentioned
the invention can readily be adapted to any number of punches working across the plate
or bar.
Figure 1 is an end view partly in section.
Figure 2 a front elevation and Figure 3 a plan view of the machine.
Figure 4 is a part cross section of the table.
Figures 1, 2 and 3 are drawn to the same scale. Figure 4 is drawn to a somewhat
larger scale.
A is the punch of a lever punching machine to which punch an up and down
movement is given mechanically by a cam on the revolving axis B in any ordinary
manner.
C is a fixed die below the punch-D is the table for carrying and giving a step by
step movement to the plate to be punched. E E are rollers for supporting the plate
if it overhangs the edge of the table.
The table Ď rests as shewn on grooved rollers F so that an endway movement may
readily be given to it-G G are two saddles mounted upon the table. The saddles
can be traversed to and fro along the table by turning the hand wheels H, as each
hand wheel has on its axis a pinion I that gears with a toothed rack on the front edge of
the table. The saddles can also be clamped to the table in any position into which they
may be moved. Each saddle has hinged to it a small clamp G₁ with a set point G³
the point of which can be made to enter a small hole at one or other end of the plate
in the central line of the row of holes to be punched. Or in place of this other
means of coupling the plate to the table might be adopted as previously mentioned-
J is a strip of wood or other material in which are a number of holes at distances
apart corresponding to the row of holes to be punched in the plate K K are pegs
one of which is inserted into and made to project out from each hole. The stems of
the pegs pass through a slot L formed along the back face of the table. Each peg is
formed with an enlarged head to lie in an enlargement formed along one side of the
slot and a nut screwing on to the stem of the peg is made to bear against the side of
the table and so clamp the peg securely to it.
The portion of the table in rear of the pins is made hollow as shown at Figure 4
and slots D¹ are formed at intervals in the underside of this hollow portion to allow

page_text: the heads of the pegs being readily got at. Other similar slots D' are for the same
purpose formed through the top of the table-the slots D¹ being below solid portions
of the top of the table whilst the slots D2 are above solid portions of the bottom of
the table so that in whatever positions the pegs may be their heads can be, got at
through either one or other of the slots.
The above is a convenient way of constructing the table but its construction can be
varied so long as a series of pegs passed through holes in a readily removeable strip
can be secured to it in any desired position.
The stems of the pegs project beyond the nuts and are acted on by the revolving
cam M on an axis M¹ which is parallel with the length of the table. This axis is
driven from the cam shaft B at the same speed that the axis B is itself driven.
The cam M. consists of a fin M³ forming a screw thread around approximately half
the circumference of the central boss and then for a short distance passing around the
boss at right angles to its axis. M' is a fin parallel with and at a slight distance from
the fin M³ it serves as above explained to hold the table at rest during the descent and
subsequent ascent of the punch.
The toothed pinion N by which the axis M¹ is revolved can either be clutched to or
unclutched from the axis by a clutch O this admits of the clutch being readily discon-
nected from its driving gear-it can then readily be turned into such a position that
its projecting fins are both clear of the pegs and the table can then be moved freely
end wise and as the clutch can only clutch to the wheel that drives it when the wheel
is in one position the cam when again clutched to it must always be clutched to it in
proper position for giving endway movement to the table at the time when the punch
has been raised.
The clutch can be shifted to and fro along the axis of the cam by a fork at the end
of an axis Ox. To shift the clutch into and hold it in any one or other of its two
positions a weighted arm 0' turning loosely on the front end of the axis can be moved
so as to rest upon the ends of one or other of arms O* fixed on the ends of the axis
as shown at Figures 2 and 3 or other suitable arrangement of striking gear might be
used.
For returning the table to any desired position after a plate has been punched the
table has on its under side a rack P into which gears a pinion Q1 on an axis Q-this
axis can by a friction clutch worked by a handle R be coupled up with the bevil
wheels S driven from the main shaft or can be disconnected therefrom and the table
be moved slowly if necessary by turning the hand wheel T.
We would state that we have only shewn our invention as applied to punching
straight rows of holes but it may readily be applied to punching circular rows by
employing a table to which a circular in place of a straight movement is given.
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 :—
1. The construction of machinery for punching rows of holes in metal plates
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings annexed.
2. The revolving cam formed as herein before described acting upon pegs projecting '
from the table to give to it a step by step motion.
3. The perforated strip or template and pegs passed through perforations in this
plate and clamped to the table substantially as described.
Dated this 22nd day of November 1887
HARRY T. SHAW.
CHAS. CHITTICK.