IMPROVEMENTS IN FORGING BOLTS, SPIKES, AND NUTS
Year: 1844

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EZRA
JENKS COATES, of Bread Street, Cheapside, in the City of London, Merchant,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Twenty-first day of February, in the seventh year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Ezra Jenks Coates, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said Ezra Jenks Coates, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Ezra Jenks Coates, my exors,
admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time
to time and at all times during the term of years therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales,
and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
FORGING BOLTS, SPIKES, AND NUTS," communicated to me by a certain foreigner
residing abroad; in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, that
I, the said Ezra Jenks Coates, shall cause a particular description of the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in part
recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto
had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Ezra Jenks Coates, do hereby declare that the nature of the said Invention,

page_text: and in what manner the same is to be performed, are fully described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon,
that is to say:-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A.
is a
The nature of each of the Figures of the Drawings being written thereon, it
will not be necessary to repeat them here; and it will be found that in all the
Figures where the same letters or figures of reference are employed they refer
to similar parts in the machinery. a, a, are the two side framings of the
machine, the nature of which is clearly shewn in the Drawings; and these
frames are combined together by means of tie bolts 6, 6, with suitable screws
and nuts; c is the main or driving axle, which turns in suitable bearings d, d,
affixed in the front ends of the side framings a, a.
Motion is communicated
to the main or driving axle from a steam engine or other power by means of a
strap acting on a fixed drum or pulley e, affixed on the axle c, and on the axle
c is formed the crank f, the object of which will be hereafter described; g
fly wheel, affixed on the axle c; on the axle c are formed or affixed excen-
trics and i, by which proper motions will be communicated to parts of the
machinery, as hereafter explained. This machine is so arranged that portions
of a plate of iron are successively cut off, and held between two side surfaces
or dies, there being a third surface or plate at the back of such two side plates
or dies, the portion of heated iron being held between such three surfaces,
Pressure is applied to the fourth surface of the piece of heated metal in order to
forge the point, and whilst the spike, bolt, or nail is still held by the surfaces
before mentioned, the head is formed at one end of the piece of metal; thus
is the nail, spike, or bolt forged with a head without being moved out of the
three holding surfaces between which the point has been made or formed.
The two side dies j and k hold the pieces of metal at two sides thereof as they
are successively cut off, and during the time that a point is being formed
thereto and a head formed thereon, being the back surface or die which
acts with the two surfaces or dies j and k in holding a piece of metal when
having a point formed thereto, and a head formed thereon; the surface
being so formed that when the piece of metal is being pressed on the opposite
surface it will aid in producing the point to the nail, spike, or bolt, according
to which article the machinery is constructed to make, such articles differing in
name, consequent on size, and therefore require machinery of power and size
suitable for the particular article; in other respects the machine will be the
same, whether for making nails, spikes, or bolts.
In the front of the machine is fixed a cross framing m, affixed at the ends of

page_text: the two side framings a; in this front framing m is formed suitable recesses
for receiving the side dies j and k; the side die j is a fixed die, yet capable of
adjustment by set screws; the die k is moveable to such an extent as to allow
of pieces of metal being fed between it and the diej, and to admit of the nails,
spikes or bolts being removed as they are finished; such die k being supported
in its place by means of a recess cut in the front thereof, into which the turned-up
end of the small bar n enters; and this bar passes through a socket o, fixed to
the front framing; and the bar n is fixed to the front framing by means of the
screw p; and the lower end of the bar n can be caused to press more strongly
against the die k by the screws q (which passes through the socket o), more or
less, as will readily be understood on examining the Drawings. The back
surface 1, forming the third surface, between which each piece of metal is held
when being forged, also acts as a cutter, so that the pieces of metal are cut off
a plate by the sliding of such back surface l against the back edge of the sur-
face or die j. It will, therefore, be seen that the piece of metal on being fed
in between the dies j and k will, by the movement of the plate or die l, be cut
off, and remain between the three surfaces j, k, l, when the point and head will
be formed.
And I may here remark that the holding for forging by means of the parts
j, k, l, is similar to what was described in my former Patent; but in this case
the apparatus in addition to holding the piece of metal to be forged cuts off
the piece of metal to be forged.
The die or surface is supported in its place at the back of the die plate or
surface k, and in contact therewith, by which means, when the surface or die l
is moved back, it will by its friction carry back the die .k, and thus open it
away from the die j, and allow of the finished nail, spike, or bolt being
removed, and a fresh piece of metal fed. The die or surface is affixed to the
bar in such manner as to be adjusted by means of screws, as is shewn in the
Drawing, the bar r being carried at its back end by being affixed to a plate of
steels, affixed to the back cross framing t, affixed to the side framings a near
the back ends thereof, as is shewn in the Drawings, the steel plate holding the
bar r in its place, so that when not acted on, the die I will be opened, the steel
plate allowing the bar r to be moved, so as to close the die or plate / over the
opening between the dies or surfaces j, k, and in so doing, the piece of
metal between the dies j and k will be cut off by the edge of the plate 1 (which
is slightly inclined) together with the back edge of the die j, acting as a
pair of shears. It will therefore be seen that in the arrangement shown the
die or plate l, in addition to forming one of the surfaces, between which each
nail, bolt, or spike is held when having a point formed thereon and a head

page_text: formed thereto, constitutes the moving cutting edge; and the die j, in addition
to being one of the holding dies, forms the fixed cutting edge, by which
arrangement the pieces of metal so cut are at once held and retained during
the process of pointing and heading. At the same time I would remark
that, although I prefer that the arrangement of cutting and holding of the
piece of metal should take place in nearly the same part of the dies j, k, l,
so that the piece of metal shall not require to be moved after it is cut more
than the length of the metal which is necessary to form the head, yet it will
be evident that the dies j and I may be of such length as to cut off a piece
of metal when they are closed together; the piece of metal being moved
from that part of the dies where it was cut off to the lower part of the dies
where it would have the point formed thereto and head formed thereon, in
which arrangement I should prefer that the cutting edges of the dies and j
should be capable of being changed without changing the parts of the dies
and j, where the point is formed to the nail, spike, or bolt. The dies k and
are caused to close in the following manner:-In addition to the spring or plate
of steel to which the bar r is affixed, there is a spring v, which is connected to
the bar, and affixed to the right-hand frame a, by which the bar r will be
brought back when permitted so to move back by the wedge u, which slides
up and down between the end of the bar and adjusting surface w, affixed to the
side framing a, and the lower end of the stem of the wedge u, is borne down
by the spring a, which has a forked rod which embraces the upper part of the
projection of the stem of the wedge u, the other end of the spring being affixed
to the side framing a, as is shown. The lower end of the stem of the wedge u
is curved so as to enter the hollow of the sliding piece y, which at all times
rests on the excentric h, by which means as the wedge u is caused to rise it will
move the bar r, and with it the dies and k, the die k being pressed forward
by the projecting end of the bar r coming behind it, having adjusting screws
which press against the die k, being, as before stated, brought back by its
pressing against the surface of the die 1. The crank on the main axle gives
motion to the connecting rod or link z, the nature of which is clearly shewn in
the Drawing, and the connecting rod is attached at its upper end by means of
a pin joint to the lever A; this lever at its front end receives an up and down
motion by revolution of the crank on the main axis.
The lever A, which con-
which move in the arms
sists of two parts A, A, is carried by the axis B, B,
cast or formed on the axis C, which turns in suitable axes at the back ends of
the framings a, a, as will be readily understood on examining the Drawings.
By this arrangement the lever A, in additon to its being moved up and down
at its front end by the crank on the main axle, is capable of movement on its

page_text: own axles B, B, and those axles have a movement by means of their being
affixed to arms on the axis C; and this latter movement is governed by the
excentric i on the main axle, and this is accomplished by means of a trussed
arm D affixed on the axis C being acted on at its front end by the excentric i,
as is shown, the arm D being brought earlier or later into action by its
excentric, according as it is more or less kept up by the rod E, suspended
from the front cross framing, and capable of adjustment; this rod having a
link formed at its lower end which embraces a pin which passes through the
arm D, as is shown. F is what I call the header or heading punch; it is
affixed on the upper surface of the lever A, and adjusted correctly by set
screws; and this heading die will be formed according to the figure it is desired
to give the heads of the nails, spikes, or bolts; G is a rod affixed to the
lever A; it passes through a guide II affixed to the upper part of the front
cross framing; to this rod is attached a crank pin I, from which is suspended
the thin bar J, which coming between the dies ; and k, forces the piece of
metal to form a nail, spike, or bolt between them down low enough to pro-
trude below the dies to an extent to offer sufficient metal to form a head. The
nature of the front parts of the lever A will readily be traced by examining the
Drawings, and it will be seen that the lever A carries the roller K, the axes of
which turns in bearings carried by the plate L, affixed on the lever A by the
cramping fork M, each prong of which has a hook formed in the upper surface
of the plate L; and by means of the screw M*, the plate L is securely held in
its proper position on the lever, there being recesses N, formed on the upper
surfaces of the lever A, into which the projections on either side of the plate L
enter. The roller is of such a thickness as to enter between the dies j and k,
and by rolling between them and pressing the hot metal between its periphery
and the back die or surface 1, the point will be formed. And in order that all
sides of the piece of metal may be supported when forming a head thereto
there is a short filling piece or die O, carried by a spring P, which has at all
times a tendency to keep the die or filling piece O, from between the dies j
and k; but just before the heading die is raised a plate P*, attached to the
lever A, is so formed as to press the filling piece or die O between the dies j
and k, and thus support the heated metal on the front surface thereof; whilst
the head is being formed the filling piece or die being short only supports the
metal for a short part of its length, that being sufficient. The metal to be cut
up is first formed into plates of a width equal to the length of the piece which
will be suitable for forming the required length of nail, spike, or bolt; these
plates are to be heated to render the pieces cut off of a proper heat to be
forged; such plates of metal are to be successively put into the trough Q;

page_text: formed on the surface of the bar r, as is shewn; R is a sliding bar which
moves within the trough Q, and progressively forces up the plate of metal
therein so as to cause the plate to enter in between the dies j and 1 to a
sufficient extent to have the required piece cut off by the die 1.
The plate of metal is forced up towards the dies means of the sliding
bar R, such bar being connected by a pin joint to the arm S, affixed to the
axis T, the sliding bar being moved forward, when permitted, by means of a
weight attached to the arm V, affixed to the axis T; and to this arm is attached
the rod U by a pin joint, such rod passing through the staple W affixed to the
fixed bar X; and there is a notch formed in the rod U, which, when resting
on the top of the staple, prevents the weight moving the sliding bar; and
the workman, when he has supplied a plate of metal into the trough, moves
the notch of the bar U off the staple, so that the bar U may move through the
staple and allow of the sliding bar moving the plate of metal up towards
the dies; and when the sliding bar has forced up the plate, so that the same
has been used up, the curved snail inclined plane Y affixed to the fly wheel
cause the axis T to be reversed in its action, or moved round to such an extent
that the bar U will have its notch raised above the staple, and thus cause it to
be supported till a fresh plate of metal has been put into the trough; and there
is an arm Z affixed to the axis T, such arm springing inwards when released
from the curved snail inclined plane, in order, when it next comes into action,
it may come against the edge of the snail inclined plane at its smallest radius;
and the inclined plane is so formed that it allows of one rotation of the main
axle before it commences to raise the spring arm Z; and it will be seen that
the end of the spring arm is so formed, that when its surface rests on the edge
of the curved snail inclined plane or surface, that a projecting surface on the
end of the arm Z comes against the right-hand side of the inclined plane, so
that it will at all times as it ascends the snail curve be kept in contact with
the edge thereof, and thus gradually raised thereby; and so soon as it arrives
at the end of the inclined plane or snail course, the arm will spring in towards
the machine, and as the plate of metal last put into the trough is used up, the
arm will descend towards the smaller diameter of the snail course or curved
incline, as before stated. In order to ensure the nail, spike, or bolt being
removed from the dies after it is made, there are two levers (1), (2), which
are teethed together so as to move (in respect to opening and shutting)
together; these levers (1) and (2) each moves on its axis (3), which axes (3),
(3), are affixed to the plate (4), which is carried by the lever A by means of
the points (5), (5), hence the plate (4) is capable of movement in those points
(5), (5). The levers (1) are (2) constantly pressed towards each other by the

page_text: bent spring (6); the levers (1) and (2) are cranked, as is shewn, so as to
come in a position to take hold of the nail above the header and below the
dies j, k; and the edges of the levers (1) and (2), where they take hold of the
nail, spike, or bolt, are sharpened or wedge-formed so as in closing against
the nail, spike, or bolt, the sharp or wedge-like parts of the levers press
between the under sides of the dies j and k and the head, which they are
enabled to do owing to the nail, spike, or bolt being released by the dies at the
time the levers come into action; (7) and (8) are two springs, affixed at the
back of the machine, one coming under and the other coming over, and have
between them the stud (9), which is affixed on the arm formed or affixed on
the plate (4); hence, as the levers (1) and (2) are raised up and down by the
rising and falling of the lever A, the springs will come into action, and in such
manner as to draw the finished nail, spike, or bolt, from the dies; and also in
order that the levers (1) and (2) may open when they have descended, the tails
of the levers by the action of the springs are caused to move against the
inclined ends of the screws (10), (10), which causes those tail ends of the
levers (1) and (2) to move towards each other, and thus open the holding ends
of those levers from each other, and thus release the nail should it have been
retained. And in order to open the holding ends of the levers (1) and (2) as
they go up to take hold, there is applied a wedge-formed piece (11), affixed on
the fixed standard (12); this wedged-formed piece comes between the levers
(1) and (2) as they rise up against the sides thereof, and thus will the holding
ends of those levers be separated till they come against the head of the nail,
spike, or bolt, and as their axes descend with the lever A, owing to one of
the two springs, the holding ends of the levers (1) and (2) will not descend,
but will remain under the dies j and k, and will close on the nail, spike, or
bolt, as the parts of the levers (1) and (2), which are against the wedged-
formed piece, descend, and the stud (9), then coming against the lower
spring (8), will cause the levers (1) and (2) to move quickly, and thus release
the nail, spike, or bolt, from the dies j and k. And I have, in making my
last machine, simplified some of the working parts; and in order to shew the
I have added tha
those of the Drawings A; and the mechanical parts of those Drawings are
marked with the same letters of reference where the parts are similar to those
before shewn, and the description herein-before given will be equally applicable.
to this machine as to that shewn by the Drawings A. In the machine shewn

page_text: by the Drawings now under description, the lever A is dispensed with, and the
parts worked thereby are brought into action differently, and it is in this respect
that this machine differs from that before described, and by the present arrange-
ment I have found that the parts used in the other machine for ensuring
the removal of the nail, spike, or bolt from the dies after it is formed may be
dispensed with. The header F, the nature of which (and the parts which
carry it) is clearly shewn separately as well as in its place in the machine,
moves on axes or necks (13), and motion is communicated thereto by means
of connecting rod (14), the lower end of which embraces an excentric (15),
the upper end of the connecting rod (14) being strapped to the side plate (16)
of the header, and it will be seen that the header is retained and adjusted
correctly in its place by means of set screws (17). The strap (18), which
couples up the connecting rod with the side plate of the header, carries the
pin (19), which is retained in its place, as is shewn, by the set screw (20);
this means the header has independent motion communicated to it, which
allows it to come into action earlier than when carried by the lever A. The
roller K in this machine is carried and moved up and down by the framed
bar or lever (21), this bar being caused to rise and fall by means of a crank
(22) on the main shaft f, and as the roller and its apparatus are applied near
the upper end thereof, the simple rising and falling of the framed bar or lever
(21) will cause the lever K to move against the metal in the dies, the roller
K being controlled to press the nail, spike, or bolt into the desired form by
means of a plate 22*, which can be adjusted by means of set screws (23).
The apparatus L for holding the roller K is similar to that before described,
and the same is securely held by its necks or axes to the upper part of the
bar or lever (21) by means of the forked strap and bolt M. At the back of the
lever or bar (21), and near than the roller K to the upper part thereof, is applied
a plate (24) with a semi-cylindrical projection formed thereon; the plate is
affixed by means of screws (25) which pass through a slot formed in the
plate which allows of adjustment up and down, and the projection on this
plate enters a corresponding groove in the sliding plate (26) which slides up
and down against the plate (22*.) By thus placing the plate (24) nearer the
end of the lever or bar (21) than the roller K, combined with the movement
of the lower part of the lever or bar (21) caused by the crank (22), a piece of
metal of sufficient thickness for the intended nail, spike, or bolt may be
placed between the roller K and the die L, and the previously forged nail,
spike, or bolt is allowed to fall more readily from between the dies; and
although I have shewn the above arrangement combined with dies j, k, l,
it will be evident that it may be combined with other dies suitable for holding

page_text: a piece of metal to be forged into a nail, spike, or bolt. The apparatus P*, for
moving up the filling piece O, is carried by the bar or lever (21), and the
apparatus J, for moving the piece of metal in the dies, is worked by the bar or
lever (21) as is shewn, such bar or lever being kept to its crank by a strap (27)
affixed by screws to the bar (21), all which will readily be traced, and the
workman having carefully considered and understood the machinery described
in respect to the Drawings marked A, will, on comparing the parts with the
Drawings B, readily perceive the differences of the parts in the details.
Having thus described the nature of the Invention, and the best means I
am acquainted with for performing the same, I would wish it to be understood
that I do not claim any of the parts separately, nor do I confine myself to the
use of the precise details of the machinery shewn so long as either of the
peculiar characters of combination of parts hereafter claimed be retained, as it
will be evident to the mechanic that in a machine consisting of so many parts
various detail alterations may be made, and yet in substance the machine in
respect to its peculiar working be the same. And I would have it understood
that what I claim is,-
First, the so combining dies or parts j, k, l, that will cut off and hold pieces
of metal to be forged into nails, spikes, or bolts.
And, secondly, I claim the forging the points of nails, spikes, or bolts, by a
roller carried by a lever or bar actuated as herein described, when combined
with dies j, k, l, or other suitable dies for holding the metal.
In witness whereof, I, the said Ezra Jenks Coates, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-four.
T