MER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALATION
Year: 1880

page_text: of America, Dated September 11880 Nº 3555. which Letters Patent
have been assigned to and are now vested in the said Frederick Myers.
DISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION proposed to be filed
by the said Frederick Myers.
WHEREAS Her Most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her Letters Patent
bearing date the 1st day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty in the forty fourth year of Her Reign did give and
grant unto the said William Robert Lake, his executors adininistrators and assigns
the sole privilege of making, using, exercising, and vending within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland the Channel Islands and Isle of Man the
said invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WOODEN PACKING
BOXES OR CASES, AND THE LIKE AND IN MACHINERY FOR THE SAME AND SIMILAR
PURPOSES a Specification of which Invention was duly filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office in pursuance of one of the provisoes of the said Letters Patent
"
And Whereas by an assignment dated January 6th AD 1881 and duly recorded
in the Great Seal Patent Office aforesaid the said Letters Patent and all right title
and interest therein have been assigned to and are now vested in me the said
Frederick Myers.
And Whereas since the date of the said assignment it has been ascertained that
baving regard to the existing public knowledge at and prior to the date of the
said Letters Patent the subject matter claimed in the Specification thereof is too
wide and comprehensive and certain portions of the description of the machinery
and its operation are ambiguous and misleading. I am desirous of limiting the
claims and amending the said specification in the manner hereinafter appearing
NOW KNOW YE therefore that I the said Frederick Myers by and with the
consent of Her Majesty's Attorney General do alter and amend the said specifi-
cation as follows that is to say referring to the Queen's Printers' Copy of the said

page_text: * form of nail feeder with two of the nail socket links thereon, and
"Figure 15 is a side view of the said nail feeder shewing some additional nail
"socket links thereon.
"Figure 16. is a front view of the upper portion of a nailing machine shewing
"the sockets on one of the links in position to empty the nails into the
"* recrivers.
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"
"
Figure 17 is an end view partly in section of one of the nail receivers, and
Figure 18. is a top view of the same.
Figure 19. is a side view of one form of brake for the nail feeder hereinafter
described.
"
Figure 20 is a plan of clutch mechanism combined with a brake, as hereinafter
"described.
"Figure 21 is a front view of a revolving circular nail feeder hereinaftor
" described.
"Some of the above mentioned Figures are drawn to a different scale to the
"others
"
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In Figures 1, 2, and 3, A, A, are the side. frames held together by braces
A', A, A. The starting and stopping mechanism of the machine is constructed
"as follows, that is to say-The driving shaft B is supported in bearings B✶ on
"the side frames A, and carries the driving pulley C, to which motion is imparted
by a belt from a countershaft. The said shaft B also carries the toothed
"wheel D, which gears with the toothed wheel E on one end of the main shaft F
supported in bearings F* on the top of the side frames. This toothed wheel E is
"loose upon its shaft and has studs F projecting inwardly from its hub. With
"these studs engages a gib or clutch F, which slides in a groove in the main
shaft, and is secured in position by a hub collar or ring F3 firmly fixed upon the
same, and having a groove corresponding to that in the said shaft. The said
gib or clutch is forced between the studs F' on the hub of the gear wheel F by
a spring, which acts upon the projection F on the gib, and enters a socket in the
"lub F
"
"
"
"
ct
"Motion is communicated through the spur wheel E to the main shaft F only
"when the gib is engaged with the studs F, and when it is disengaged the said
" shaft remains stationary. The said gib is disengaged from the studs by the
"bevelled end G' of a lever G being forced by a weight G* between the projec-
"tion Fº on the end of the gib and the collar F. As the main shaft revolves and
"when the lever G is in its normal position, the bevelled end of the same holds
"the gib back and disengages it from the studs on the wheel E, so that the latter
"revolves loosely upon the shaft F without turning, the same. When however the
"bevelled end of this lever is raised from between the projection F and the hub F³,
"that is to say, when it is disengaged from the clutch or gib, the latter is forced
between the studs F' on the hub of the toothed wheel by the aforesaid spring,
" and motion is communicated to the shaft F. The bevelled end of the lever G is
"raised by a treadle H combined with one arm of the said lever by a rod H. This
" treadle consists of a rod so bent as to pass around the frame and form a foot
"piece. This treadle rod is held by set screws in sockets or arms extending from
"the rod H, having bearings in the foot of the side frames. By depressing this
"treadle H by the foot, the rod H', and consequently the arm of the lever to
" which it is attached, are drawn down, and the bevelled end of the lever is dis-
"engaged from the gib or clutch, when by the force of the spring the gib or clutch
"is engaged with the studs F'; when the said treadle is released, the force of the
spring Ho, attached to the side of the frame and to the said treadle, assists the
"weight G to raise the foot piece to its original position, and to engage the
"bevelled end of the lever with the gib or clutch, and withdraw the latter from
engagement with the pins or studs upon the wheel E.
"
I, I, represent cams on the main shaft F; these cams act upon rollers I¹, I',
“running loose in the ends of arms J, J, which are fulcrummed upon studs or

page_text: 龍
"
"
"bolts J', J', projecting from the side frames. Between the said rollers 1', I', and
"the studs J, J, the upper ends of rods K, K, are pivotted to the said arms J ;
"the lower ends of these rods are fixed to studs or pins K', K', at the bottom
"of the back plate L, which slides in grooves formed in blocks A*, A*, bolted to
"the side frames A. M represents the table which is supported on an adjusting
Ecrew M¹, entering a socket on the back flange M of the table, and a nut bolted
on the back plate L. The said socket is provided with washers M³, M³, with an
india-rubber cushion or other spring between them to render the table self
adjusting, and permit it to yield under pressure. The said table has grooves at
M, M, adapted to embrace the edges of the back plate, and permit the table to
"slide on the same when raised or lowered by the adjusting screw, or when
yielding to pressure. As the cams I, I, revolve, the back plate L and table M
are raised and lowered by the rollers 1', I', arms J, J, and rods K, K, to perinit
"the parts of the boxes to be easily placed in and removed from the machine, and
"to allow for different lengths of ends and thicknesses of sides or bottoms, or for
" different lengths of the parts of the boxes, as, for example, less space, equal to
"the thickness of the side of the box, is required in nailing on the first side than
"in nailing on the second side."
"
ac
"1
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"
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on the
"0, 0, represent excentrics keyed upon the shaft F, and O', O', their straps
"secured thereon by bolts, as shewn. These straps are connected by screws and
jam nuts to rods 0, 0, which are combined by studs or pins with a cross head P,
"which has grooves at P₁, and slides upon rails P' bolted to the side frames A.
"On the under side of this cross head P, is a downwardly projecting narrow strip
"to which is bolted a somewhat wider bar Q* for the support of the punches,
plungers, or nail drivers Q, Q, which have heads Q1 (Figure 7) adapted to slide
freely and support the punches or plungers on the said bar, whereon they are
"Bitted loosely to render them self adjusting. Qrepresents a bar that carries the
"nail boxes Q³, and is supported in the side frame in suitable brackets or
bearings in which it is held firmly by set screws or otherwise. Projecting
"from the rear of the back plate L are arms N', Figure 12, which support
a rod N³, carrying fingers N³, the front ends of which rest
"back plate between the nail boxes, and rise and fall with the snid back plate, to
prevent the bottom pieces of the boxes from slipping between the said back plate
"and the nail boxes. The nail box Q³ shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9, is formed in
"two parts Q, Q, held together by screws. In each of these parts is a curved
groove Q flared at its outer end; these grooves, when the parts Q, Q, are put
together form a round channel to receive the nails. In each part is also formed
a straight or vertical groove Qº, which grooves, when the said parts are placed
together, unite and form a channel to receive the plunger or nail driver Q.
"These two channels Q, Q, unite and form one channel to conduct the nails to
"the hardened steel nail guides R, R, which are cut away on their inner ends to
"form the cup like receptacle R' for the ends of the nails. These nail guides are
"fitted in grooves R2, R3, in the parts of the nail box, and are kept in position by
springs R³, R, screwed on the front and back of the said nail box. The said
"nail boxes are supported, as above stated, on the bar Q, which passes through an
oblong slot Q in the said boxes, the latter being held in any desired position by
"set screws pressing against the said bar, so that the nail boxes can be adjusted to
permit the driving of nails any desired distance apart. The nail drivers should
" be made of steel and always engaged in the channels Q in the nail boxes. The
"tubes S, S, into which the nails are fed by hand or by a nail feeder enter and are
supported in the flared portion of the channels Q in the nail boxes, and are
" curved upwards in front of and above the main shaft and terminate in funnels S¹
"to receive the nails. In the centre of the bottom of the nail box a recess Q³ is
"cut, permitting the free passage of the nails after passing between the nail
guides, and affording a space for the point of a nail to turn into should it be
"accidentally bent. To counteract the sudden downward movement of the heavy
cross head and excentric³, a brake T, Figure 13, is placed on the shaft F to
"
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page_text: "
operate against a wooden block T' attached to an adjustable spring T* bolted to
"the arm T, supported on the brace or tie rod A³. This spring may be adjusted
by the set screw T to regulate the action of the brake. As the main shaft
revolves, and when the excentrics are passing their upper centres this brake
commences to act, and prevents a sudden downward movement of the cross head
" and excentrics, and the consequent jarring of the machine in case the journal
"boxes of the main shaft become loose "
"
"In the nail feeder, shewn in Figures 1 and 4, the nails are placed in a
receptacle supported on an arm on the frame of the nailing machine, and the
"said nails are carried up by an endless belt or carrier U' having lifters U³, and
running over a drum V on the shaft V', supported by brackets bolted to the top
" of the frame of the nailing machine. The nails, as they are carried over the
"drum V, are discharged upon a vibrating inclined piece, on which they settle into
a slot one after another suspended by their heads; from this slot they pass into
"the slotted vibrating support W, from which they are raised by lifting forks or
"other suitable mechanism and dropped into the funnels S¹ of the nail tubes S
" and conducted to the nail boxes Q. The shaft V' is driven by a pulley, a belt,
"and a drum, on a shaft supported on the frame of the nailing machine and driven
" from a countershaft (see Figure 4)."
"
"
"
"
"
"
I will now proceed to describe the nail feeder shewn in Figures 14. 15, and 16,
"in which a represents a bed plate, supported by the upright standards a', a³, on
"the side frames of the nailing machine, to the tops of which the said standards
are secured by bolts. The outer end of this bed plate may have other additional
support if desired. This bed plate has two parallel rails a², a², forming a track
" for an endless chain b, which is composed of a series of links b¹ connected by
"pins or bolts b. In the drawings a few only of these links are shewn. Each of
"these links is provided with a row of nail sockets cc, five (more or less) in
number, forming a part of and projecting outward from the said link, and
adapted to receive nails head foremost. This endless chain at one end of the
"bed plate a, is carried by the loose rollers d, d, on the fixed shaft e supported in
adjustable bearings f bolted to the said bed plate by bolts f', f', passing through
"slots ff. These bearings may be adjusted by set screws f³, passing through
lugs or blocks f* on the said bed plate; by the adjustment of these screws the
"endless chain may be caused to assume its proper tension. At the other end of
"the said bed plate the endless chain is supported on the spur or cog wheels g, I,
having spaces between the cogs adapted to receive the ends of the links; these
"wheels are fixed upon the shaft g' supported in fixed bearings a, a, cast on the
"bed plate. On this shaft is also fixed a ratchet wheel 92 having the same
"number of teeth as there are cogs on each of the cog-wheels g; h represents a
pawl pivotted to a lever h', which is combined by a rod with an arm on the
cross head i, to which it is connected by a compensating joint having a swivel i,
a set screw i³, and a stud or pin i. By these devices an intermittent motion is
"communicated to the said pawl sufficiently to move the ratchet wheel one space
or tooth, and cause a corresponding intermittent movement of the cog wheels g
thereby drawing the endless chain forward one link. As the links are carried
around by the said cog-wheels, the sockets c on each link are brought into
position to discharge the nails into the nail receivers j, which have a back piece j
"with ends, and divisions corresponding to a front piece having ends j and
"divisions. These two pieces are held together by screws and form spaces
"which are closed at the back by adjustable springs jo, and at the front by
"adjustable springs so as to form receivers having projections which enter the
"funnels of the nail tubes that conduct the nails to the nail boxes under the
"nail drivers As the sockets carrying the nails turn over, the points of the nails
come in contact with the front spring which prevents the nails from being
"prematurely thrown from the sockets by centrifugal force, and ensures the safe
deposit of the nails into the receivers, the springs yielding to compensate for any
difference in the length of the nails.
"
"
"
"
"t
E

page_text: "To ensure the sockets being emptied at the right point, and not being carried
too far by the weight and momentum of the endless chain, I insert between the
"bed plate a and the shaft g'a block or wedge g* of wood or other suitable
"material, or I apply a brake 1, Figure 10, to the shaft g¹. This brake has a
"shank bolted to the bed plate a, and a split ring 12 bored to fit the shaft g¹, to
"which it is clamped by a screw and lugs at P. By tightening this screw the
" force of the brake can be varied so as to cause the sockets to be emptied at the
right point, and ensure the perfect and easy working of the nail feeder. To the
"side of the bed plate is bolted an oblong box or receptacle m to hold the nails in
"bulk ready to be placed in the sockets. This receptacle can be bolted on either
"side of the bed plate to suit the convenience of the operator.
"
"
Figure 20 represents in plan a friction clutch and brake, which may be used
" to alternately operate and arrest the motion of the parts of a nailing machine.
"This clutch consists of the pulley Y and the conical disc Y' which is fixed to
"the shaft, whilst the pulley is freo to revolve thereon. When this disc Y¹ is
adjusted into contact with the pulley Y, the said pulley imparts motion to the
"shaft; Z represents an adjustable brake, preferably formed of wood, which when
a treadle in connection with the disc Y is released, and the latter moves out
" of contact with the loose pulley Y, arrest the movement of the said disc, and
consequently that of the machine.
"
"
"In Figure 21 I have shewn in front elevation my improved revolving circular
"nail feeder, which consists of an annular box A pivotted to a plate B³ supported
upon uprights or standards C³. This box or ring A5 is provided with apertures
" for the reception of the nails, the points of which rest upon the plate B³ provided
"above the nail receiving tubes, with suitable apertures to allow the nails in the
" revolution of the ring to drop into the said tubes, and pass down to be inserted
" in the box. To impart the requisite rotary and intermittent movement to the
"said ring A, I provide the same with a toothed ring or ratchet D³ with
"which a pawl E connected by a rod F, with the cross head P engages. This
"crosshead in each of its vertical movements moves the said ring the distance of
one tooth of the ratchet, and brings the next row of nails over the aforesaid
aperture in the plate B³.
"
E
"
"The machine is put in operation by a belt from a countershaft or otherwise
"driven by steam or other power. The operator than places an end piece against
"the back plate and one end of a side piece on the upper edge of the end piece
"under the nail boxes. He then presses his foot upon and instantly removes it
" from the foot piece of the treadle, thereby drawing down the rear end of the
"lever G and raising the bevelled end of the said lever from between the hub or
"collar F³ and the gib or clutch. The gib is then instantly forced by the spring
" to engage with the studs on the hub of the gear-wheel E, and causes
"motion to be communicated to the shaft F and the excentrics, and con-
sequently to the cross-head and nail drivers. The nails pass into the
"funnels and down the channels into the nail boxes and rest on their points
"in the cup like receptacles in the nail guides ready for the nail drivers to
again descend and drive them. Then the operator when again ready depresses
the treadle. The cross-head and nail-drivers then again descend (their
weight being counteracted by the brake), the nail drivers strike the heads of
"the nails and force the nails between the nail guides into the side and end
pieces of the box, nailing them together. After the nails pass between the
"nail guides, opening or spreading them sufficiently apart for the passage of the
"nails, the springs R³, R³, force the nail guides together again ready to receive
"another series of nails. When motion is communicated to the shaft F, as before
" stated, and the pressure of the foot of the operator is instantly removed, the
"main shaft will make but one revolution, consequently causing but one stroke of
"the nail drivers, as when the pressure of the foot is removed from the treadle the
"force of the spring H° raises the same, and consequently through the rod H¹
"raises the rear end of the lever G and forces the bevelled end G' of the said lever
16

page_text: "
"between the projection Fo on the gib or clutch and the hub F³ so as to disengage
"the said gib from the studs on the hub of the gear-wheel E, and stop the motion
"of the shaft F, allowing it to remain motionless until the treadle is again
depressed by the foot of the operator. When again ready to drive another series
"of nails the operator in a similar manner nails the other end to the side of the
" box.
He then passes this partial frame to a second machine and a second
" operator who in a similar manner nails on the other side of the box and passes
"the complete frame to a third machine and a third operator, who in a similar
"manner nails on the bottom. A fourth machine specially adjusted and a fourth
" operator can be employed if necessary for driving side nails in the bottom of a
"box or case, or for tacking on the top of the said box. Each machine drives an
equal number of rows of nails, thus equalizing the labor of the operators. By
providing the machine with a back plate and table which is capable of rising
and falling automatically, no adjustinent of the machine is required for variations
"in timber, and the two sides and two ends of a box can be nailed together with
one machine and one operator; the other two sides and two ends may then be
"nailed together with another machine and another operator; then the bottoms
"E are nailed to the frames delivered from these two machines in a third machine
"and by a third operator. The tops of these boxes may then be tacked or
partially nailed on by a fourth machine specially adjusted for the purpose, and a
"fourth operator.
"
"
"
"
#
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
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81
To print and nail together the parts of the boxes and finish the boxes succes-
sively board printing machines and dressing and trimming machines must be
relatively arranged with regard to the nailing machines for successive operation.
The finishing may be done with one or more dressing or trimming machines.
Intermediate tables may be used between the machines for convenience of
operation, and an endless belt may be employed to carry the boxes through the
finishing and printing machines.
"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 under-
stood that I make no claim to any improvement in the manufacture of packing
boxes or the like based upon or consisting in the employment of a series of
"machines arranged and employed for successive operation in such manufacture.
" Nor to the nail feeding apparatus described with reference to Figures 14, 15 and
"16 of the accompanying drawings otherwise than when provided with a brake
" and arranged in combination with the other parts of the machine as herein set
"forth but I claim in a nailing machine.
"
"First. The combination of the adjustable and self adjusting table and the
connecting rods, arms, and cams for raising and lowering it with the toothed
"wheel loose on the main shaft and the treadle-clutch, all arranged and operating
substantially as and for the purposes specified.
SE
st
Second. The combination of parts comprising the cross-head, the excentrics,
"the main shaft the loose driven wheel, and the trendle clutch (with or without
"the brake) all arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
電話
"Third. The combination of parts comprising the supporting frame or support
" for the self adjusting or loose nail drivers or punches reciprocated by excentrics
on the main shaft, the table, adjustable vertically by cams on the main shaft, the
" loose toothed wheel on the main shaft, and the treadle clutch, and suitable
"mechanism for actuating these parts, all substantially as and for the purposes
specified
Fourth. The combination of the nail box, the nail guides and springs (either
"with or without the loose or self adjusting punches or nail drivers and
"mechanism for actuating them), all substantially as and for the purposes
" set forth.
"Fifth. The combination of the adjustable and self adjusting table, the back

page_text: "
plate, and the nail driving mechanism, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
"Sixth. The combination of parts comprising the nail driving and the nail
feeding mechanism and nail tubes (either with or without the nail receivers)
"substantially as and for the purposes specified
"Seventh. The combination of a brake with the endless chain and the nail-
"sockets, substantially as and for the purpose specified
"
Eighth. The nailing machine consisting of the parts constructed and combined
substantially as shown in the drawings, and operating as set forth
"Ninth. The nail feeder consisting of the parts constructed and combined
"substantially as shown in Figures 1 and 4 of the drawings, and operating as set
forth.
tr
"Tenth. The combination with the nailing machine of the nail feeder, consisting
essentially of an endless belt having nail carriers and the vibrating slotted
"incline, arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose specified.
"Eleventh. The combination of the clutch mechanism and brake consisting of
"the parts constructed and operating as described with reference to Figure 20 of
"the drawings, and for the purpose specified.
"Twelfth. The revolving circular nail feeder consisting of the parts constructed,
"combined, and operating substantially as above set forth with reference to
Figure 21 of the accompanying drawings
"
In witness whereof I the said Frederick Myers have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Third day of May in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty three
I hereby grant my Fiat giving leave to the above named Frederick Myers, as
Assignee of the said Letters Patent, to file in the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents for Inventions, with the Specification to which the same relates, the
above written Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration: but nevertheless upon
condition that no action be brought against any person or persons in respect of any
machine or machines made as described in the Specification of Blood's Patent
No 4961 dated 12th November 1881 provided such machine or machines were
manufactured, or in course of manufacture, or contracted for, bona fide, in the
ordinary course of business prior to the 2nd day of June 1883.
Dated this twelfth day of July 1883.
HENRY JAMES
Attorney General.
I the above named Frederick Myers hereby undertake to abide by the conditions
imposed by the Attorney-General and mentioned in the above written Fiat
FREDERICK MYERS

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 THE MANUFACTURE OF WOODEN PACKING BOXES OR
CASES AND THE LIKE, AND IN MACHINERY FOR THE SAME AND SIMILAR
PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by Frederick Myers, of the City
and State of New York, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st September 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
WOODEN PACKING BOXES OR CASES AND THE LIKE, AND IN MACHINERY FOR THE
SAME AND SIMILAR PURPOSES." [A communication from abroad by Frederick
Myers, of the City and State of New York, United States of America.]
This Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of wooden packing
boxes or cases and the like, and to machinery therefor, and for similar purposes.
In practising the said Invention, I construct such boxes or cases as follows, that
is to say I nail together one side and two ends with one nailing machine, two
rows of nails being driven; the other side is then nailed to this partial frame with
another nailing machine, two rows of nails being driven, and the bottom is then
nailed on with another nailing machine, two rows of nails being driven; the three
nailing machines are relatively and conveniently arranged for the successive
operations, so that the parts of the box or case can be passed from one operator to
another in rapid succession.
In using nailing machines that require to be adjusted for different sized work,
the adjustment is avoided by this improved method of manufacture.
In using nailing machines that require no adjustment for different sized work,
this Invention may be carried out by nailing two sides and two ends together with
one nailing machine, four rows of nails being driven, and then nailing two sides
and two ends together with another nailing machine, four rows of nails being
driven; then nailing on the bottoms from these two nailing machines with another
nailing machine, four rows of nails being driven; the three nailing machines being
relatively arranged for the purpose of securing successive operation.
In both cases the nailing machines and the operators have equal and successive
work, and I produce more work at a reduced cost as compared with hand labor.

page_text: This improved method may be further extended by passing the nailed boxes to a
trimming or dressing machine or machines to trim or dress off the side or end edges
or both, and finish the boxes.
The parts of the boxes should be conveniently supplied to each operator, and the
machines should be driven by power.
My improved machinery for nailing together the sides and ends of wooden
packing boxes, such as soap boxes, candle boxes, oil boxes, and the like, may be
constructed with several modifications, and may be used for any similar purposes.
The said machinery is constructed as follows. that is to say:-I provide a
supporting frame, a table, nail box or nail boxes, nail guide or nail guides, nail
punch or nail punches, stop mechanism and starting mechanism; the table is made
adjustable or self-adjusting for different sized boxes, and may drop to receive boxes
under the nail boxes, and rise to bring the packing boxes or cases to the nail boxes,
or the nail boxes and nail punches may rise and fall for the purpose. The guides
are yielding to support the nails until the punches strike them, and then by
yielding, release the nails to be driven. The punches are loose in a grooved cross-
head, fixed or adjustable so as to be easily removed or not, and to be operated loose
or fast, and I may employ a reciprocating crosshead.
The stop mechanism arrests the motion of the punches when they are up until
the starting mechanism is operated, and the punches are put in motion to drive
the nails. The nails are fed to the nail boxes by an endless feeder, having a nail
socket or sockets on cross bars, the nails being placed in the sockets by hand, and
as the sockets overturn, are dropped into nail receivers corresponding with the
number of nail sockets on the cross bar, each having an adjustable spring at the
front or back or both, and being connected to the nail tubes leading to the nail
boxes and nail guides under the plungers, or the nails may be fed to the nail boxes
by a revolving circular feeder having holes for the nails to be placed in by hand,
and having an under supporting plate for the nails, perforated at suitable points
under the holes in the revolving feeder, so that the nails will at certain points drop
from the revolving feeder through the under plate into the tubes, to conduct the
nails to the nail boxes and nail guides. Or the nails may be fed to the nail boxes
by a slide plate or slide plates having holes to receive the nails, the said plate
sliding over a table or plate having drop holes over the nail tubes to conduct the
nails to the nail boxes and nail guides. Or the nails may be fed to the nail boxes
by being carried up from a receptacle by an endless carrier, and dropped into a
vibrating incline having a slot to receive the nails one after another, and hold
them by the heads until they slide over the nail tubes, a suitable number of the
nails being then lifted from the slot by a dropper, and dropped into the nail tubes
or conducted to the nail boxes and nail guides.
The endless nail feeder is provided with a stop movement or brake to regulate or
arrest the motion of the same. The plungers may always project into the opening
in the nail box or nail boxes. The nail guides may be spring slides in the nail
boxes, or they may be clamping jaws below the nail boxes or in connection with
them.
The machinery may be driven by a friction clutch or a positive stop clutch on the
main shaft, and may have a friction brake or counterweight to counteract the
excentric and crosshead. Adjustable rods are used to regulate the table or back
plate. The back plate bas stops between the nail boxes to prevent boards from
slipping under the boxes.
These machines drive all the nails in one edge of a box at once when the parts
are placed on the table under the nail boxes, and the mechanism is started by the
foot of the operator on a treadle to connect the driving mechanism, which may
however be connected otherwise; parts of boxes can be nailed by this machinery in
rapid succession at a great saving over hand labor, and the said machinery may be
operated by steam or other power by means of suitable mechanism.

page_text: Figure 20 is a plan of clutch mechanism combined with a brake, as hereinafter
described.
Figure 21 is a front view of a revolving circular nail feeder hereinafter
described.
Some of the above mentioned Figures are drawn to a different scale to the
others.
In Figures 1, 2, and 3, A, A, are the side frames held together by braces A',
A2, As. The starting and stopping mechanism of the machine is constructed as
follows, that is to say:-The driving shaft B is supported in bearings B* on the
side frames A, and carries the driving pulley C, to which motion is imparted by a
belt from a countershaft. The said shaft B also carries the toothed wheel D,
which gears with the toothed wheel E on one end of the main shaft F supported
in bearings F* on the top of the side frames. This toothed wheel E is loose upon
its shaft, and has studs F projecting inwardly from its hub. With these studs
engages a gib or clutch F, which slides in a groove in the main shaft, and is
secured in position by a hub collar or ring F firmly fixed upon the same, and
having a groove corresponding to that in the said shaft. The said gib or clutch is
forced between the studs F¹ on the hub of the gear wheel F by a spring, which
acts upon the projection F on the gib, and enters a socket in the hub F³.
Motion is communicated through the spur wheel E to the main shaft F only
when the gib is engaged with the studs F1, and when it is disengaged the said
shaft remains stationary. The said gib is disengaged from the studs by the
bevelled end G¹ of a lever G being forced by a weight G between the projection Fo
on the end of the gib and the collar Fs. As the main shaft revolves, and when the
lever G is in its normal position, the bevelled end of the same holds the gib back
and disengages it from the studs on the wheel E, so that the latter revolves loosely
upon the shaft F without turning the same. When however the bevelled end of
this lever is raised from between the projection F and the hub Fs, that is to say,
when it is disengaged from the clutch or gib, the latter is forced between the
studs F on the hub of the toothed wheel by the aforesaid spring, and motion is
communicated to the shaft F. The bevelled end of the lever G is raised by a
treadle H combined with one arm of the said lever by a rod H¹. This treadle
consists of a rod so bent as to pass around the frame and form a foot piece. This
treadle rod is held by set screws in sockets or arms extending from the rod H*,
having bearings in the foot of the side frames. By depressing this treadle H by
the foot, the rod H, and consequently the arm of the lever to which it is attached,
are drawn down, and the bevelled end of the lever is disengaged from the gib or
clutch, when by the force of the spring the gib or clutch is engaged with the
studs F; when the said treadle is released, the force of the spring H° attached to
the side of the frame and to the said treadle, assists the weight G2 to raise the
foot piece to its original position, and to engage the bevelled end of the lever with
the gib or clutch, and withdraw the latter from engagement with the pins or
studs F¹ upon the wheel E.
I, I, represent cams on the main shaft F; these cams act upon rollers I¹, I',
running loose in the ends of arms J, J, which are fulcrummed upon studs or
bolts J, J', projecting from the side frames. Between the said rollers I¹, I', and
the studs J', Ji, the upper ends of rods K, K, are pivotted to the said arms J;
the lower ends of these rods are fixed to studs or pins K¹, K¹, at the bottom of the
back plate L, which slides in grooves formed in blocks A*, A*, bolted to the side
frames A. M represents the table which is supported on an adjusting screw M',
entering a socket on the back flange M* of the table, and a nut bolted on the back
plate L. The said socket is provided with washers M³, M³, with an india-rubber
cushion or other spring between them to render the table self adjusting, and permit
it to yield under pressure. The said table has grooves at M, M, adapted to
embrace the edges of the back plate, and permit the table to slide on the same
when raised or lowered by the adjusting screw, or when yielding to pressure.
As
the cams I, I, revolve, the back plate L'and table M are raised and lowered by the

page_text: rollers I, I', arms J, J, and rods K, K, to permit the parts of the boxes to be easily
placed in and removed from the machine, and to allow for different lengths of ends
and thicknesses of sides or bottoms, or for different lengths of the parts of the boxes,
as, for example, less space, equal to the thickness of the side of the box, is required
in nailing on the first side than in nailing on the second side.
O, O, represent excentrics keyed upon the shaft F, and O¹, O¹, their straps
secured thereon by bolts, as shewn. These straps are connected by screws
and jam nuts to rods 0, 0, which are combined by studs or pins with a
cross head P, which has grooves at P³, and slides upon rails P² bolted to the
side frames A. On the under side of this cross head P is a downwardly projecting
narrow strip to which is bolted a somewhat wider bar, so as to form grooves Q*
for the support of the punches, plungers, or nail drivers Q, Q, which have
heads Q (Figure 7) adapted to slide freely in the said grooves, and support
the punches plungers on the said bar, whereon they are fitted loosely to render
them self adjustable. Q² represents a bar that carries the nail boxes Q³, and
is supported in the side frame in suitable brackets or bearings in which it is held
firmly by set screws or otherwise. Projecting from the rear of the back plate L are
arms N', Figure 12, which support a rod N₁, carrying fingers N³, the front ends of
which rest on the back plate between the nail boxes, and rise and fall with the
said back plate, to prevent the bottom pieces of the boxes from slipping between
the said back plate and the nail boxes. The nail box Q3 shown in Figures 7, 8,
and 9, is formed in two parts Q, Q, held together by screws. In each of these
parts is a curved groove Q flared at its outer end; these grooves, when the parts
QQ, are put together form a round channel to receive the nails. In each part is
also formed a straight or vertical groove Q6, which grooves, when the said parts
are placed together, unite and form a channel to receive the plunger or nail driver Q.
These two channels Q5, Qº, unite and form one channel to conduct the nails to
the hardened steel nail guides R, R, which are cut away on their inner ends to
form the cup like receptacle R¹ for the ends of the nails. These nail guides aro
fitted in grooves R2, R2, in the parts of the nail box, and are kept in position by
springs R³, R³, screwed on the front and back of the said nail box. The said nail
boxes are supported, as above stated, on the bar Q2, which passes through an oblong
slot Q in the said boxes, the latter being held in any desired position by set screws
pressing against the said bar, so that the nail boxes can be adjusted to permit the
driving of nails any desired distance apart. The nail drivers should be made of
steel and always engaged in the channels Q in the nail boxes. The tubes S, S,
into which the nails are fed by hand or by a nail feeder enter and are supported
in the flared portion of the channels Q in the nail boxes, and are curved upwards
in front of and above the main shaft and terminate in funnels S¹ to receive the
nails. In the centre of the bottom of the nail box a recess Q8 is cut, permitting
the free passage of the nails after passing between the nail guides, and affording a
space for the point of a nail to turn into should it be accidentally bent. To
counteract the sudden downward movement of the heavy crosshead and excentrics,
a brake T, Figure 13, is placed on the shaft F to operate against a wooden block Ti
attached to an adjustable spring T bolted to the arm Ts, supported on the brace or
tie rod A³. This spring may be adjusted by the set screw T to regulate the action
of the brake. As the main shaft revolves, and when the excentrics are passing
their upper centres this brake commences to act, and prevents a sudden downward
movement of the crosshead and excentrics, and the consequent jarring of the machine
in case the journal boxes of the main shaft become loose.
In the nail feeder, shewn in Figures 1 and 4, the nails are placed in a receptacle U
supported on an arm on the frame of the nailing machine, and the said nails are
carried up by an endless belt or carrier U₁ having lifters U2, and running over a
drum V on the shaft V', supported by brackets bolted to the top of the frame of
the nailing machine, The nails, as they are carried over the drum V, are discharged
upon a vibrating inclined piece, on which they settle into a slot one after another
suspended by their heads; from this slot they pass into the slotted vibrating

page_text: support W, from which they are raised by liſting forks or other suitable mechanism
and dropped into the funnels S' of the nail tubes S and conducted to the
nail boxes Q. The shaft V₁ is driven by a pulley, a belt, and a drum, on a
shaft supported on the frame of the nailing machine and driven from a countershaft
(see Figure 4).
5
I will now proceed to describe the nail feeder shewn in Figures 14, 15,
and 16, in which a represents a bed plate, supported by the upright standards
a³, a', on the side frames of the nailing machine, to the tops of which the said
The outer end of this bed plate may have
standards are secured by bolts.
other additional support if desired. This bed plate has two parallel rails a³, a², 1
forming a track for an endless chain b, which is composed of a series of links bi
connected by pins or bolts 62. In the Drawings a few only of those links are
shewn. Each of these links is provided with a row of nail sockets c, c, five (moro
or less) in number, forming a part of and projecting outward from the said link,
This endless chain at one end of the 1
and adapted to receive nails head foremost.
bed plato a is carried by the loose rollers d, d, on the fixed shaft e, supported in
adjustable bearings f bolted to the said bed plate by bolts f, f¹, passing through
slots ff. These bearings may be adjusted by set screws f³ passing through lugs
or blocks f* on the said bed plate; by the adjustinent of these screws the endless
chain may be caused to assume its proper tension. At the other end of the said
bed plate the endless chain is supported on the spur or cog wheels g, g, having
spaces between the cogs adapted to receive the ends of the links; these wheels aro
fixed upon the shaft g¹ supported in fixed bearings a*, a*, cast on the bed plate.
On this shaft is also fixed a ratchet wheel g³ having the same number of teeth as
there are cogs on each of the cog-wheels g; h represents a pawl pivotted to a
lever h', which is combined by a rod h² with an arm on the cross head i, to which
it is connected by a compensating joint having a swivel i', a set screw i³, and a
stud or pin 3. By these devices an intermittent motion is communicated to 'the
said pawl sufficiently to move the ratchet wheel one space or tooth, and cause a
corresponding intermittent movement of the cog wheels g, thereby drawing the
endless chain forward one link. As the links are carried around by the said
cog-wheels, the sockets c on cach link are brought into position to discharge the
nails into the nail receivers j, which have a back piece with ends *, and divisions
corresponding to a front piece having ends and divisions. These two pieces
are held together by screws j³ and form spaces, which are closed at the back by
adjustable springs jo, and at the front by adjustable springs 7, so as to form
receivers having projections which enter the funnels of the nail tubes that
conduct the nails to the nail boxes under the nail drivers. As the sockets carrying
the nails turn over, the points of the nails come in contact with the front spring ²,
which prevents the nails from being prematurely thrown from the sockets by
centrifugal force, and ensures the safe deposit of the nails into the receivers, the
springs yielding to compensate for any difference in the length of the nails.
To ensure the sockets being emptied at the right point, and not being carried too
far by the weight and momentum of the endless chain, I insort between the bed
plate a and the shaft g' a block or wedge g* of wood or other suitable material, or
I apply a brake 1, Figure 19, to the shaft g. This brake has a shank bolted to
the bed plate a, and a split ring bored to fit the shaft g¹, to which it is clamped
by a screw and lugs at 3. By tightening this screw the force of the brake can be
varied so as to cause the sockets to be emptied at the right point, and ensure the
perfect and easy working of the nail feeder. To the side of the bed plate is bolted
an oblong box or receptacle m to hold the nails in bulk ready to be placed in the
sockets. This receptacle can be bolted on either side of the bed plate to suit the
convenience of the operator.
Figure 20 represents in plan a friction clutch and brake, which may be used to
alternately operate and arrest the motion of the parts of a nailing machine. Thi
clutch consists of the pulley Y and the conical disc Y' which is fixed to the shaft
whilst the pulley is free to revolve thereon. When this disc Y' is adjusted int

page_text: contact with the pulley Y, the said pulley imparts motion to the shaft; Z represents
an adjustable brake, preferably formed of wood, which when a treadle in connection
with the disc Y₁ is released, and the latter moves out of contact with the loose
pulley Y, arrests the movement of the said disc, and consequently that of the
machine.
In Figure 21 I have shewn in front elevation my improved revolving circular
nail feeder, which consists of an annular box A³ pivotted to a plate B³ supported
upon uprights or standards C³. This box or ring A³ is provided with apertures for
the reception of the nails, the points of which rest upon the plate B provided
above the nail receiving tubes, with suitable apertures to allow the nails in the
revolution of the ring to drop into the said tubes, and pass down to be inserted in
the box. To impart the requisite rotary and intermittent movement to the said
ring A", I provide the same with a toothed ring or ratchet D³ with which a
pawl E³ connected by a rod F5 with the crosshead P engages. This crosshead in
each of its vertical movements moves the said ring the distance of one tooth of the
ratchet, and brings the next row of nails over the aforesaid aperture in the
plate B³.
To operate the machines and nail boxes from solid end and side pieces the
operator starts the machine, which is put in operation by a belt from a countershaft
or otherwise driven by steam or other power, and requires a boy to place nails head
foremost, one at a time, in the nail sockets. He then places an end piece against
the back plate and one end of a side piece on the upper edge of the end piece under
the nail boxes. He then presses his foot upon and instantly removes it from the
foot piece of the treadle, thereby drawing down the rear end of the lever G and
raising the bevelled end of the said lever from between the hub or collar F³ and
the gib or clutch. The gib is then instantly forced by the spring to engage with
the studs on the hub of the gear-wheel E, and causes motion to be communicated
to the shaft F and the excentrics, and consequently to the cross-head and nail
drivers. The intermittent notion of the cross-hend is imparted by the lever pawl
and ratchet wheel to the nail feeder, which after one movement empties the nails
from its sockets into the nail receivers when the cross-head and nail drivers are
near the end of their downward stroke. The nails then pass into the funnels and
down the channels into the nail boxes, and rest on their points in the cup like
receptacles in the nail guides ready for the nail drivers to again descend and drive
them. Then the operator when again ready depresses the treadle. The cross-head
and nail drivers then again descend (their weight being counteracted by the brake),
the nail drivers strike the heads of the nails and force the nails between the nail
guides into the side and end pieces of the box, nailing them together. After the
nails pass between the nail guides, opening or spreading them sufficiently apart for
the passage of the nails, the springs R³, R³, force the nail guides together again
ready to receive another series of nails. When motion is communicated to the
shaft F, as before stated, and the pressure of the foot of the operator is instantly
removed, the main shaft will make but one revolution, consequently causing but
one stroke of the nail drivers, as when the pressure of the foot is removed from
the treadle the force of the spring H° raises the same, and consequently through
the rod H' raises the rear end of the lever G and forces the bevelled end G' of the
said lever between the projection Fº on the gib or clutch and the hub F so as to
disengage the said gib from the studs on the hub of the gear-wheel E, and stop
the motion of the shaft F, allowing it to remain motionless until the treadle is
again depressed by the foot of the operator. When again ready to drive another
series of nails the operator in a similar manner nails the other end to the side of
the box. He then passes this partial frame to a second machine and a second
operator, who in a similar manner nails on the other side of the box, and passes the
completo frame to a third machine and a third operator, who in a similar manner
nails on the bottom. A fourth machine specially adjusted and a fourth operator
can be employed if necessary for driving side nails in the bottom of a box or case,
or for tacking on the top of the said box. Each machine drives an equal number

page_text: of rows of nails, thus equalizing the labor of the operators. The machines must be
relatively and conveniently arranged for successive operation. By providing the
machine with a back plate and table which is capable of rising and falling auto-
matically, no adjustment of the machine is required for variations in timber, and
the two sides and two ends of a box can be nailed together with one machine and
one operator; the other two sides and two ends may then be nailed together with
another machine and another operator; then the bottoms are nailed to the frames
delivered from these two machines in a third machine and by a third operator.
The tops of these boxes may then be tacked or partially nailed on by a fourth
machine specially adjusted for the purpose, and a fourth operator. The machines
must be relatively and conveniently arranged for the purpose to secure successive
operation. In this case each machine and each operator drives an equal number
of rows of nails, and the two boxes are nailed completely with one set of machines,
but requiring double the time of the other method.
To print and nail together the parts of the boxes and finish the boxes succes-
sively board printing machines and dressing and trimming machines must be
relatively arranged with regard to the nailing machines for successive operation.
The finishing may be done with one or more dressing or trimming machines.
Intermediate tables may be used between the machines for convenience of operation,
and an endless belt may be employed to carry the boxes through the finishing and
printing machines.
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 nailing machine,-
First. The combination of the driving pulley and shaft, the pinion, the
toothed wheel loose on the main shaft, the clutch to engage and disengage the said
toothed wheel and the main shaft, the weighted lever and treadle to operate the
clutch and supporting mechanism, all substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Second. The combination of the toothed wheel loose on the main shaft, the
troadle clutch to engage and disengage the driven wheel and main shaft, and
mechanism for operating these parts, all substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
Third. The combination of the adjustable and self adjusting table and the
connecting rods, arms, and cams for raising and lowering it with the toothed wheel
loose on the main shaft and the treadle-clutch, all arranged and operating sub-
stantially as and for the purposes specified.
Fourth. The combination of parts comprising the cross-head, the excentrics, the
main shaft, the loose driven wheel, and the treadle clutch (with or without the
brake), all arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Fifth. The combination of parts comprising the supporting frame or support for
the self adjusting or loose nail drivers or punches reciprocated by excentrics on the
main shaft, the table, adjustable vertically by cams on the main shaft, the loose
toothed wheel on the main shaft, and the treadle clutch, and suitable mechanism
for actuating these parts, all substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Sixth. The combination of the nail box, the nail guides and springs (either with
or without the loose or self adjusting punches or nail drivers and mechanism for
actuating them), all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Seventh. The combination of the adjustable and self adjusting table, the back
plate, and the nail driving mechanism, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
Eighth. The combination of parts comprising the nail driving and the nail
feeding mechanism and nail tubes (either with or without the nail receivers),
substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Ninth. The combination of parts comprising the endless chain or feeder and
the nail sockets (either with or without the nail-receivers), arranged and operating
substantially as set forth.
Tenth. The combination of the endless chain, the nail sockets, the bed plate

page_text: having rails, the adjustable supporting pulleys, and the spur-wheels adapted to
the links in the chain, all arranged and operating substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
Eleventh. The combination of a brake with the endless chain and the nail-
sockets, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Twelfth. The nailing machine consisting of the parts constructed and combined
substantially as shown in the Drawings, and operating as set forth.
Thirteenth. The nail feeder consisting of the parts constructed and combined,
substantially as shown in Figures 1 and 4 of the Drawings, and operating as set
forth.
Fourteenth. The combination of a nail feeder consisting mainly of an endless
chain, nail sockets, supporting pulleys, spur wheels, and nail receivers having a
yielding back, with a nailing machine consisting essentially of nail boxes, nail
guides, loose nail drivers or punches, an adjustable and self adjusting table, a cross-
head, excentrics, a treadle clutch, a loose spur-wheel, and mechanism for actuating
these parts, all substantially as described.
Fifteenth. In the manufacture of wooden cases or boxes, the nailing of the parts
together successively with nailing machines, and finishing, trimming, or drossing
the boxes with one or more finishing machines, the said machines being relatively
arranged for successive operation, substantially as described.
Sixteenth. The combination with the nailing machine of the nail feeder, con-
sisting essentially of an endless belt having nail carriers and the vibrating slotted
incline, arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Seventeenth. The combination of the clutch mechanism and brake consisting of
the parts constructed and operating as described with reference to Figure 20 of the
Drawings, and for the purpose specified.
Eighteenth. The revolving circular nail feeder consisting of the parts constructed,
combined, and operating substantially as above set forth with reference to
Figure 21 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this First day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty-one.