Machine for Making Horse-shoes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 26th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 19th Jan., 1895
Machine for Making Horse-shoes.
I, WILLIAM JOSEPH KENT, of Number 622 West 22nd Street, in the City,
County and State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to machines for making horse shoes of the class known to
the trade as racing plates, which differ from ordinary horse shoes in that the
essential requisites are lightness combined with strength, capability of affording
a firm hold without calks, and a sufficiently broad inner surface to afford a
support for the hoof, and to resist expansion of the same when the horse is
in violent action. The approved form consists of a plate having a flat inner
face to fit the hoof, and an outer face having two or more ridges formed longi-
tudinally thereon, the outer ridge following substantially the outer edge of the
shoe, and the other being of less height and lying about half way between the
outer and inner edge of the plate.
The present invention consists in a machine for forming the face of the plate
into the shape above described, and bending the same into form to fit the hoof.
The design is to form a complete shoe, except the nail-holes, from the raw
material with greater degree of uniformity and with a less expenditure of time
and labor than by means commonly employed, as follows:-
Upon a suitable frame are mounted three pairs of standards. In bearings in
each pair of standards are carried a pair of rolls which are driven in unison by
suitable gearing and a driving shaft or pulley, adapted to be connected with
any convenient source of power. These sets of rolls are arranged to receive
the metal in consecutive order, and are intended to bring the raw material into
finished shape by gradual stages, the first set of rolls partially shaping it, the
second set continuing the operation, and the third set completing it." With the
exception of the especial form of groove or pass in the rolls required for each
successive stage of the operation, the rolls are precisely similar in form and
construction, which is as follows:-
The upper roll of each set has its periphery formed with one, two, three, or
more, grooves or passes, conforming generally, in the case of the first two sets
and exactly in the third set, to the proposed form of the finished blank, or
"shape," namely, with two subordinate grooves to form the face of the shoe,
and a convexed part to form the concave part of the blank from the inner
ridge to the inner edge of the blank. The lower roll of each set is in effect
a smooth cylinder, bearing closely against the circumference of the upper roll,
though in practice, for especial reasons hereinafter stated, this form is modified.
Each roll, moreover, consists of as many sections as there are passes, but are
keyed upon the shaft and operate as a single roll. The separate roll sections
are each hollowed out upon their ends or plane faces, and hence adjacent
sections are in contact for only a short distance from their outer circumference.
An open space is thus formed between adjacent roll sections, the object of which
is to hold a quantity of cold water for the purpose of keeping the rolls cool
when operating upon heated metal. The water is introduced in the following
way: In each shaft upon which the roll sections are mounted, is bored a hole,
emptying into spaces in rolls, and at one end is fitted with a swivel hose
coupling, or equivalent device. Between the first pair of roll sections at one

page_text: end of the shaft a small hole is bored, thus affording communication between
adjacent spaces, and these holes are preferably arranged alternately or on opposite
sides of adjacent sections, or at an angular distance of 90 degrees from each
other, in order to promote the greatest possible circulation of water. At the
last section is a second opening into the shaft, and the water may be discharged in
any suitable manner at the end of the shaft.
As before stated, the function of the lower roll is to act as a simple cylinder to
press the metal into the passes or grooves of the upper. In practice, however, it is
found that a simple cylinder does not perform the work perfectly for the reason
that it leaves a fin upon the edge of the blank. To obviate this, I have formed
the shaping groove before mentioned, at the bottom of a rectangular groove of the
width of the shaping groove, and have provided the lower roll, in each case, with a
lip or flange, accurately fitting the rectangular portion of the groove upon the
upper roller. The effect is precisely the same as with the plain cylinder, with the
exception that the side walls of the groove prevent the spreading of the metal, and
the flange causes it to conform accurately to the shape of the groove, and thus
absolutely prevents the formation of a fin upon the edge.
A further advantage in making the rolls in section arises from the fact that in
case of breakage or wear of one section, that section can be readily removed and a
new one substituted, the whole roll not being thereby disabled.
The sections are held together by means of a collar at one extremity of the shaft,
and a screw thread and nut at the other.
<<
Channels or guides are placed upon a table at the proper height in front of the
first set of rollers, between the sets, and behind the last set, to guide the blank, or
"shape," and prevent curling or twisting due to inequality of pressure upon the two
sides of the blank. A rake-off having teeth or projections to extend into the
grooves and direct the blank or shape" into the guides or channels, is attached
directly upon and forms the top of the channels, in front of each set of rolls.
On account of the decreased section and increased length of the metal after
passing through the first two sets of rolls, it has been found necessary to vary the
speed of the last set of rolls according to the particular class of work. This is
accomplished by mounting the last intermediate pinion, upon a stud in a slotted
bracket, in such a manner that a change of pinions may be made after lowering or
raising the stud to suit the required diameter of the pinion.
When the blanks are thus formed, they are passed into the bending or shaping
part of the apparatus, which consists of a former, in rotative connection with the
shaft, by means of gearing hereinafter described. This former consists of a plate
of horse-shoe form, having in its périphery a groove, of a form and size to admit
the whole of the blank when properly bent so as to lie therein. To admit of the
ready removal of the shoe when bent to conforin to the shape in the former, the
latter is divided into a plane corresponding with the plane of the side of the groove
adapted to receive the inner face of the shoe blank, and the outer part, is so
mounted upon the shaft as to slide thereon and to leave a space between the same
and the permanent part of the former, thus permitting the easy removal of the
shoe. The movable part is brought back to and held in proper position by means
of a nut, mounted upon the shaft outside of the former, and the whole former is
retained in rotative connection with shaft by means of a feather fixed in shaft and
lying in a groove in former's center. This nut is provided with an operating
handle by which it may be turned to clamp the movable part against the fixed part
of the former. A small lug or burr is provided at one point upon the groove or
pon the face of the bed within the groove, to pinch the end of the blank when
inserted within the same, upon the tightening of the nut.
The former is mounted upon one extremity of the shaft, upon the other
extremity of which is carried the gear, in operative connection with the shaft,
the shaft being mounted in suitable bearings in an upright standard upon the
frame.
The gear is loose upon the shaft and is in mesh with a pinion upon the drive

page_text: shaft. Upon the outer face of the hub of the gear, is formed a clutch member,
and a corresponding clutch member, is mounted upon the shaft so as to slide
longitudinally thereon, but retained in rotation connection with the shaft by
means of a feather fixed in the shaft and lying in a groove in the clutch member.
To this movable member is connected by a fork, a bell-crank lever, pivoted
upon the frame, whose longer arm extends out to, and lies in position to be
struck by a cam on the face of the gear, to throw the clutch member out of
engagement at each revolution of the gear. This allows the gear to revolve idly
upon the shaft, without rotating the bending former. To throw the clutch again
into engagement, the bell-crank arm is connerted to a foot lever, under control of
the operator.
For the purpose of exerting a pressure upon the blank to force the same to
follow the groove, in the former, there is provided a presser roller, mounted in
bearings in a sliding head, which is held in guides, upon the standard. This roller
rests upon the edge of the former, closing the groove.
The sliding head, carrying the presser roll, is held closely, but with a yielding
pressure, against the periphery of the bed by means of a lever, resting upon a
suitable support, attached to the frame, one end of which lever lies close to the
sliding head. The other end has spring connection, with a fixed support, and the
tension of the spring is made adjustable by means of a nut, or other convenient
means. The lever also has several notches at the point where it rests upon its
support, by means of which the relative lengths of its two arms may be varied to
suit the pressure required for various classes of work. Thus, as the former
rotates, the sliding head is caused to reciprocate in its guides or track according as
the periphery of the bed with which the roller is in contact is at a greater or less
distance from the center of rotation, the spring retaining the roller pressed at all
times closely up to the periphery of the former. The blank being introduced at
one point and there clamped by means of the nut before described, the rotation of
the former causes the roller to press the blank into the groove until it assumes the
form thereof.
The reciprocating head is also provided with a guide located in front of the
presser roller in line with the groove in the former to hold the blank in proper
position for introduction into the same.
The operative parts of the shaping device are thrown into and out of gear with
the main shaft, by means of the clutch before described, for the reason that it is of
advantage that the movement of the former should cease each time the operation
of bending a single shoe is completed, or at each revolution of the former. That
the outer part may be thrown away from the inner when the shoe is to be removed,
coiled springs are inserted which bear against the ends of the sockets in each part
of the former. The effect is to force the two plates apart as soon as released by
the turning of the nut.
The operation is as follows:-The end of the blank is introduced into the shaper
through the guide, is clamped in position, and by the turning of the nut, and is
brought around in the groove until its farther end has passed the presser roll.
Upon the completion of one revolution of the shaping bed, the movement of the
same is automatically stopped by the operation of the clutch lever before described.
The clamp being released, the shoe drops or is taken out.
It is to be understood that various forms and sizes of shoes may be constructed
by different curves upon the same shaper former, or by means of different formers
which may be mounted upon the shaft in the same position as described.
This machine is specially adapted for the working of aluminum into shapes for
the aforesaid purpose on account of the peculiar qualities contained in this metal, it
being passed through the rollers cold which gives it the required stiffness and
wearing qualities.

page_text: Machine for Making Horse-shoes.
I, WILLIAM JOSEPH KENT, formerly residing at 99 Garfield Place, in the
City of Brooklyn, and doing business at No. 622 West 22nd Street, in the City of
New York, but now residing at 94 Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn, and doing business
at No. 70 Wall Street, in the City of New York, in the County and State of New
York, United States of America, Manufacturer of Horse Shoes, do hereby
declare the nature of the said invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
My invention relates to machines for making horse shoes of the class known to
the trade as racing plates, which differ from ordinary horse shoes in that. the
essential requisites are lightness combined with strength, capability of affording a
firm hold without calks, and a sufficiently broad inner surface to afford a support
for the hoof, and to resist expansion of the same when the horse is in violent
action. The approved form consists of a plate having a flat inner face to fit the
boof, and an outer face having two or more ridges formed longitudinally thereon,
the outer ridge following substantially the outer edge of the shoe, and the other
being of less height and lying about half way between the outer and inner edge of
the plate.
The present invention consists in a machine for forming the face of the plate
into the shape above described, and bending the same into form to fit the hoof.
The design is to form a complete shoe, except the nail holes, from the raw
material with greater degree of uniformity and with a less expenditure of time
and labor than by means commonly employed as follows, reference being had to
the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the
invention.
In the drawings,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine constructed according to that part of my
invention which relates to the forming of a horse shoe blank;
Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;
Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical axial section of a pair of the rollers on a larger
scale;
Fig. 4 is an end elevation thereof;
Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the rake-off and guides, and
Fig. 6 is a plan view thereof partly broken away;
Fig. 7 is a fragmentary front view of a machine constructed according to that
part of my invention which relates to the bending of the horse shoe blanks;
Fig. 8 is a fragmentary rear view thereof;
Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation thereof, some of the parts being broken
away and some in vertical axial section ;
Fig. 10 is an inner face view of one of the shaping formers, and
Fig. 11 is a corresponding view of the other shaping former.
Referring first to Figs. 1 to 6, I will describe the part of my invention therein
illustrated.
Upon a suitable frame or bed 1 are mounted three pairs of standards 2. In
bearings in each pair of standards are carried a pair of rollers 3 and 4 which are
driven in unison by suitable gearing 5 and a driving shaft 6 or pulley, adapted
to be connected with any convenient source of power. These sets of rollers are
arranged to receive the metal in consecutive order, and are intended to bring the
raw material into finished shape by gradual stages, the first set of rollers partially
shaping it, the second set continuing the operation, and the third set completing it.
Heretofore it required three consecutive operations to complete the shape of the

page_text: shoe blank from the raw material, and on account of the cooling of the metal in
lifting and reinserting, only short pieces could be formed; which difficulty is by
this my improved machine remedied. With the exception of the especial form of
groove or pass in the rollers required for each successive stage of the operation,
the rollers are precisely similar in form and construction, which is as follows:-
In my improvement, the upper roller 3 of each set has its periphery formed with
one, two, three or more grooves or passes, as at 8, conforming generally, in the case
of the first two sets, and exactly in the third set, to the proposed form of the
fiuished blank or "shape" namely, with two subordinate grooves to form the face
of the shoe, and a convexed part to form the concave part of the blank from the
inner ridge to the inner ridge of the blank. The lower roller 4 of each set is in
effect a smooth cylinder, bearing closely against the circumference of the upper
roller, though in practice, for especial reasons hereinafter stated, this form is
modified. Each roller, moreover, consists of as many sections as there are passes,
but these are keyed upon the shaft and operate as a single roller. The separate
roller sections as shown in Fig. 3, are each hollowed out upon their eads or plane
faces, as shown at 10, and hence adjacent sections are in contact for only a short
distance from their outer circumferences. An open space is thus formed between
adjacent roller sections, the object of which is to hold a quantity of cold water for
the purpose of keeping the rollers cool when operating upon heated metal. The
water is introduced in the following way: In each shaft 11 upon which the roller
sections are mounted is bored a hole, as at 12, emptying into space in rollers as
shown in Fig. 3, and at one end is fitted with a swivel hose coupling, or equivalent
device. Between the first pair of roller sections at one end of the shaft a small
hole 13 is bored, thus affording communication between adjacent spaces, and these
holes are preferably arranged alternately or on opposite sides of adjacent sections,
or at an angular distance of ninety degrees from each other, in order to promote
the greatest possible circulation of water. At the last section is a second opening
into the shaft, and the water may be discharged in any suitable manner at the end
of the shaft.
to
As before stated, the function of the lower roller is to act as a simple cylinder
press the metal into the passes or grooves of the upper. In practice, however,
it is found that a simple cylinder does not perform the work perfectly for the
reason that it leaves a fin upon the edge of the blank. To obviate this, I have in
this improvement, formed the shaping groove 8 before mentioned, at the bottom of
a rectangular groove 16 of the width of the shaping groove, and have provided the
lower roller, in each case, with a lip or flange 17 accurately fitting the rectangular
portion of the groove upon the upper roller. The effect is precisely the same as
with the plain cylinder, with the exception that the side walls of the groove prevent
the spreading of the metal, and the flange 17 causes it to conform accurately to the
shape of the groove, and thus absolutely prevents the formation of a fin upon the
edge. A further advantage in making the rollers in sections arises from the fact
that in case of breakage or wear of one section, that section can be readily removed
and a new one substituted, the whole roller not being thereby disabled. The sections
are held together by means of a collar 18 at one extremity of the shaft, and a
screw-thread and nut at the other.
"
Channels or guides 19 are placed upon a table at the proper height in front of
the first set of rollers, between the sets and behind the last set, to guide the blank
or "shape and prevent curling or twisting due to inequality of pressure upon the
two sides of the blank. A rake-off 21 having teeth or projections to extend into
the grooves and direct the blank or "shape" into the guides or channels, is attached
directly upon and forms the top of the channels in front of each set of rollers.
Behind the last set of rollers and immediately after the last guides is placed a
take-off roller 25 for the purpose of carrying off the manufactured stock and leaving
the channels clear for the next bar.
On account of the decreased section and increased length of the metal after
passing through the first two sets of rollers, it has been found necessary to vary the

page_text: speed of the last set of rollers according to the particular class of work. This is
accomplished by mounting the last intermediate pinion, as 22, upon a stud 23 in a
slotted bracket 24 in such a manner that a change of pinions may be made after
lowering or raising the stud to suit the required diameter of the pinion.
This machine is specially adapted for the working of aluminium into shapes for
the aforesaid purpose on account of the peculiar qualities contained in this metal, it
being passed through the rollers cold which gives it the required stiffness and
wearing qualities required.
Referring to Figs. 7 to 11 inclusive, I will now describe that part of my invention
which relates to machines for bending or shaping the horse shoe blanks into the
required form to fit the hoof.
The bending or shaping apparatus consists of a former 31, in rotative connection
with a shaft 28, by means of gearing hereinafter described. This former consists
of a plate of horse-shoe form, having in its periphery a groove 32, of a form and
size to admit the whole of the blank when properly bent so as to lie therein. To
admit of the ready removal of the shoe when bent to conform to the shape in the
former, the latter is divided in a plane corresponding with the plane of the side of
the groove adapted to receive the inner face of the shoe blank and the outer part 34,
is so mounted upon the shaft as to slide thereon and to leave space between the
same and the permanent part of the former, thus permitting the easy removal of
the shoe. The fixed or inner part of the former serves as a bed or guide track.
The movable part 34 is brought back to and held in proper position by means of
a nut 35, mounted upon the shaft outside of the former, and the whole former is
retained in rotative connection with the shaft by means of a feather fixed in the
shaft and lying in a groove in the former center. This nut is provided with an
operating handle 38, by which it may be turned to clamp the movable part against
the fixed part of the former. A small lug or burr 39, is provided at one point
upon the groove or upon the face of the former within the groove, to pinch the end
of the blank when inserted within the same, upon the tightening of the nut 35.
The former is mounted upon one extremity of the shaft 28, upon the other extremity
of which is carried the gear 111, in operative connection with the shaft 28, the
shaft being mounted in suitable bearings in an upright standard upon the frame.
The gear 111, is loose upon the shaft 28, and is in mesh with a pinion upon the
drive shaft 112. Upon the outer face of the hub of the gear 111, is formed a
clutch member 113, and a corresponding clutch member 114, is mounted upon the
shaft so as to slide longitudinally thereon, but retained in rotative connection with
the shaft by means of a feather fixed in the shaft and lying in a groove in the
clutch member. To this movable member is connected by a fork 115, a bell-crank
lever 116, pivoted upon the frame, whose longer arm extends out to, and lies in
position to be struck by a cam 171, on face of the gear 111, to throw the clutch
member out of engagement at each revolution of the gear. This allows the gear
to revolve idly upon the shaft, without rotating the bending former. To throw the
clutch again into engagement, the bell-crank arm is connected to a foot lever 118,
under control of the operator.
For the purpose of exerting a pressure upon the blank to force the same to follow
the groove 32 in the former, there is provided a presser roller 119, mounted in
bearings in a sliding head 120, which is held in guides 121, upon the standard.
This roller 119 rests upon the edge of the former, closing the groove 32. The
sliding head 120, carrying the presser roll, is held closely but with a yielding pressure,
against the periphery of the former bed by means of a lever 122, resting upon a
suitable support 123, attached to the frame, one end of which lever lies close to the
sliding head. The other end has spring connection 241, with a fixed support, and
the tension of the spring is made adjustable by means of a nut 125, or other
.convenient means. The lever also has several notches 126, at the point where it
rests upon its support, by means of which the relative lengths of its two arms may
-be varied to suit the pressure required for various classes of work. Thus as the
former rotates, the sliding head 120, is caused to reciprocate in its guides or track

page_text: according as the periphery of the bed with which the roller is in contact is at a
greater or less distance from the center of rotation, the spring retaining the roller
pressed at all times closely up to the periphery of the bed. The blank being
introduced at one point and there clamped by means of the nut before described,
the rotation of the former causes the roller to press the blank into the groove until
it assumes the form thereof. The reciprocating head 120 is also provided with a
guide 27, located in front of the presser roll in line with the groove in the former
to hold the blank in proper position for introduction into the same.
The operative parts of the shaping device are thrown into and out of gear with
the main shaft 28, by means of the clutch before described, for the reason that it is
of advantage that the movement of the former should cease each time the operation
of bending a single shoe is completed, or at each revolution of the former. That
the outer part may be thrown away from the inner when the shoe is to be removed,
coiled springs 29 are inserted, which bear against the ends of the sockets in each
part of the former. The effect is to force the two plates apart as soon as released
by the turning of the nut.
The operation is as follows:-The end of the blank is introduced into the shaper
through the guide, is clamped in position by the turning of the nut and is brought
around in the groove until its farther end has passed the presser roll. Upon the
completion of one revolution of the shaping former, the movement of the same is
automatically stopped by the operation of the clutch lever before described. The
clamp being released, the shoe drops or is taken out.
It is to be understood that various forms and sizes of shoes may be constructed
by different curves upon the same former, or by means of different formers which
may be mounted upon the shaft in the same position as described.
It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular details of
construction or the particular arrangement of the parts set forth and shown as
constituting the preferred form of the invention but that on the contrary the details
of construction and arrangement can be varied as circumstances or the judgment
of those skilled in the art may dictate, without departing from the spirit of the
invention.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. In a machine for forming horse-shoe blanks or other articles, the combination
with a series of pairs of rolls, of a closed guiding channel for the bar placed in
front of the first pair of rolls, between each pair and behind the last pair, the top
or cover of each of said guiding channels having teeth or projections extending
into the pass between the rolls to act as a rake-off, and a take-off roller for carrying
off the product of the rolling mill as it emerges from the last pass, substantially as
described.
2. In a machine for forming horse-shoe blanks or other articles, a pair or a
series of pairs of rolls, each roll made in sections, keyed together upon a shaft,
each section being hollowed out upon its face, thus forming an open space between
adjacent sections, and each section having a hole through the hollowed out portion,
the shafts upon which the sections are mounted being bored at each end and
communicating with the hollowed out portion of each end section, thus forming a
passage way for a cooling fluid as described.
3. In a machine for forming horse-shoe blanks or other articles, a series of pairs
of rolls geared together each pair consisting of a grooved and a tongued roll, an
intermediate gear or pinion being mounted in a stud secured in a slotted bracket,
whereby said pinion may be raised and lowered for the purpose described.
4. In a machine for forming horse-shoe blanks or other articles, means for bending
the blanks consisting of a main frame, a separable former consisting of two sections
one of which is movable toward and from the other, said former having in its
periphery a groove of a shape corresponding to the article to be bent, means for

page_text: separating the sections of the former and for forcing and holding them together,
and a roller opposite the groove in the former for forcing the article into said
groove, said former and roller movable the one toward and from the other and
rotative the one relatively to the other, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
5. In a machine for forming horse-shoe, blanks or other articles, means for
bending the blanks consisting of the main frame, a rotatable shaft journaled therein,
a separable former fixed to said shaft one section of which is slidable to and from
the other, said former having in its periphery a groove of horse-shoe shape, springs
for separating the sections, and a nut for forcing the sections together, a slidable
head, and a roller movable thereon and adapted to force the blank into the peripheral
groove of the former, substantially as shown and described.
6. In a machine for forming horse-shoe blanks or other articles, means for bending
the blanks consisting of shaft 28, the separable former 31, springs 29, nut 35,
presser roller 119 mounted in sliding head 120, lever 122, adjustable fulcrum 123,
spring connection 241, and nut 125, substantially as shown and described.
7. In a machine for forming horse-shoe blanks or other articles, means for bending
the blanks consisting of a divided former having the peripheral groove of horse-shoe
shape, the springs and nut for separating and closing the sections of the former, a
rotatable shaft upon one end of which said former is mounted, a driving gear
loosely mounted upon said shaft, a cam moving with said gear, and the hub of said
gear provided with a clutch member, a corresponding clutch member slidably
mounted upon the shaft, and a pivoted lever connected to the latter clutch member
and having an arm extended in the path of said cam, whereby the driving gear
may be automatically unclutched from its shaft, substantially as shown and
described.
Signed at New York, N.Y., U.S.A., this 9th day of November 1894
WILLIAM JOSEPH KENT.