US512829A - Washinqton - Google Patents

Description

b e e h S w e e h S 5 R T N U H B G a a 0 0 m.

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PLATES OR BARS T0 PUNGHING MA GHINES, 8:0.

Patented Jan. 16, 1894.

lllliriunulll COMPANY.

ma Nxnawu. um

G. B. HUNTER; APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PLATES 0R BARS T0 PUNGHING MACHINES, 8w.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

Patented Jan; 16; 1894.

5 Sheets-Sheet 3. G. B. HUNTER.

Patented Jan. 16, 1894.

(No Model.)

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PLATES 0R BARSTO PUNGHING MACHINES, 6:0.

(No Model. 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

G1 U TBR- I APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PLATES QR BARS ,TO PUNGHING MACHINES, 850

No. 512,829. Patented Jan. 16, 1894.

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Vfiwssesx we mmomu. Llmwiunnma COMPANY,

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UNIT D STATES. PATENT OF I GEORGE B. HUNTER, OF N'EWOASTLE-ON-TYNE, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PLATES OR BARS TO PUNCHlNG-MACHINES, dc.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 512,829, dated January 16, 1894. v

Application filed May 26, 1893. SerialNo.475,569. (N model.)

ing,.o'r Similar Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an apparatus for feeding plates or bars to machines designed for punching, drilling, slotting, shearing, or otherwise acting upon them. I

My invention has for its object the substitution of steam, hydraulic or other power for,

the hand labor hitherto employed in accomplishing this work, which hand labor, owing to the size of the plates and their great weight, is both slow and expensive. By my present apparatus, a plate which would'require from four to ten men to move it can be easily handled by at most two men.

My invention consists more particularly in the construction and mechanical arrangement of the machine hereinafter set forth, and more particularly in the devices for moving and adjusting the plate by hydraulic, steam, or other power with reference to the tool; the mechanism for gripping and relieving the plate: and the index bar adjustable on said plate, with the fixed'stop or guide with which said bar is brought into contact in order to to more accurately and certainly cause the plate to become adjusted. in proper position.

In the accompanying drawings, my invention is shown applied to an ordinary punching machine for making holes in metal plates, such as are commonly used in ship-building. The construction and arrangement of this punching machine are not material, and therefore the details of said punching machine are not shown here.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the machine, and

also of the bogie which carries the plate to be punched. Fig. 2 is a front elevation. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3, 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail view showing in side elevation the arrangement of punch and die. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4, 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an end view of the bogi'e showing the means for advancing the plate. Fig. 6 is a vertical section showing in detail the construction of the rams on which the plate rests while in the machine. Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7, 7

of the clamping bars and index bar. Fig. 8 is a section on, the line 8, 8 of Fig. 1, and also shows in detail the arrangement of the same parts.

Similar numbers and letters of reference indicate like parts.

In order to avoid confusion with the indi- Qisthefixedbed of the machine upon which the various working parts are supportfed. Above this bed-plate there is disposed a reetangular'frarne having longitudinal bars,

11, and cross bars, 10. Secured to the ends of this frame and extending longitudinally thereto and above the same are two girders, 12. This structure, composed of'the frame 1011 and girders 12, is rnarkedAon the draw- ;ings, and will hereinafter be so designated. Each girder 12 of structure A has two cylinders; 13, so that there are four cylinders 13. These, as will hereinafterbe explained, constitute means for clamping the plate 18 in the structure A.

In Fig. 4, 15 represents the body of the punching machine, 16 represents the punch, and 17 the die. The same parts are also shown in'Fig. 3.

In all the views, 18represents the plate to be acted upon; and. it is to be particularly noted that in Fig. 1 this plate, for purposes of clearness, is indicated only by dotted lines. Of course the longitudinal edge of the plate 18 is shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 8, and its lateral or transverse edge is shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 7. The plate is shown in plan in Fig. 1.

The plate 18 is supported independently of this structure Aupon three points; namely, upon the die 17 and upon two rollers, 64, upon of Fig. 1, showing in detail the arrangement".v

side of the plate, and hence the plate becomes clamped between said frame 1011 and the cylinder rams. This I will now explain in detail.

In each cylinder 13 (see Fig. 4) there is a port, 44, which communicates by pipes, 45, with the cock 46, Fig. 2. The cock 46 communicates with the outlet pipe 47 and the inlet pipe from the main 4S; consequently, by turning the cook 46, the full main pressure may be delivered into the cylinder 13 through the port 44; or, by turning the cock 46 in the other direction, the contents of the cylinders may be allowed to escape through the ports 44 to pipe 47 and so to waste. Also in the sides of the cylinders 13 are ports, which communicate by suitable pipes 49 directly with the main. In each cylinder 13 isa ram, 50, of less diameter than the bore of the cylinder, but provided with a head, 51, which fits the cylinder. As will be seen from Fig. 4, the constant pressure from the main delivered through pipe 49 acts on the under side of the head, or rather upon simply the annular border of the head. On the other hand, the pressure delivered through the port 44 acts upon the whole area of the head 51. As the pressure of the main through pipe 49 is constant, it follows that the plunger 50 is normally kept in its highest position; in which case, of course the cook 46 is turned to open the waste outlet. When, however, it is desired to force the plunger down, then the cook 46 is turned to communicate with the main through pipe 48, and the water pressure, acting on the whole cross-sectional area of the head 51, easily overcomes the pressure which is exerted simply on the annular lower side thereof. Now the effect of forcing the plunger down against an abutment is of course to raise the structure A. Therefore, as the plungers press down on the upper side of the plate 18 (or, as will be hereinafter seen, upon certain interposed parts) and the whole structure A rises, the frame 10--11 moves up against the under side of the plate, and thus the plate and the structure A aforesaid become tightly clamped together. a

The frame 10and 11 has on the under sides of its longitudinal bars 11 and on the under side of one of its cross bars 10, long channels. In these channels enter projections, 29, Fig. 4, and 37, Fig. 3. These projections I will explain farther on, but for the present I refer to them to show how the structure A is supported, and particularly to point out that said structure may move freely up and down to a limited extent upon said projections.

In Figs. 3 and 4 it will be seen that the frame 10 and 11 is shown as raised against the plate, and hence there is a space above the tops of the projections 29 and 37. lVhen the plate is clamped in the manner described in the structure A, it is ready to be moved in proper position to be acted upon by the tool. The tool here shown, for purposes of illustration, is a punching machine, which is, of course, fixed and invariable in position.

In order that the punch may act upon any part of a plate, the plate must have a universal movement in a horizontal plane;,and, as is well known, such auniversal movement may be given by devices acting upon the plate to move it in directions relatively at right angles one to the other. These devices I will now describe; it being understood that such devices do not move the plate in the structure A, butdo move the entire structure A, and with it the plate.

Referring to Fig. 1, 19 and 20 are two hydrauliccylinders. Their function is to move the plate to and fro in a longitudinal direction. 30 and 31 are two hydraulic cylinders disposed with their axes at right angles to the axes of the cylinders 19 and 20. Their function is to move the plateito and fro in a lateral direction.

Referring to Fig. 4, there is here shown a longitudinal section of the cylinders 19 and 20 and associated parts. In the cylinder 20 is a ram, 21, and in cylinder 19 a ram, 22. The ram 21 has a head, 23, which operates in a trough-shaped guide box, 24, supported on the main frame 9. The ram 22 has a similar head, 25, which operates in a guide box, 26, also supported on the main frame 9. The ram 22 is operated by water admitted into the cylinder 19 through the port 27. The inlet port of cylinder 20 is shown at 28. On the upper sides of the ram heads 23 and 25, are the projections 29. tudinal grooves or channels formed on the under sides of the longitudinal bars 11 of the frame 101l. It will therefore be plain that when the rams 21 and 22 move in one direction or the other, they will cause a movement of the supporting structure A from right to left, or left to right, of the drawings, Fig. 4. The plate 18 will therefore be carried forward or back in the direction of its length; but by reason of the long channels in the bars '11, it

is clear that the structure A may still be moved by other means in a lateral direction. This lateral movement is caused by the cylinders 30 and 31, Fig. 1. A longitudinal section of the cylinders 30 and 31 is given in Fig. 3. The cylinder 30 has a ram, 32, and the cylinder 31 a ram, 33. Water is admitted into These projections enter longithese cylinders respectively at the ports 34 I and 35. The rams 32 and 33 are connected to a single head, 36, and on this head is an upward projection, 37. This projection enters a long channel or groove in one of the transverse bars 10, and of course this channel in the bar 10 stands at right angles to the channels already described as existing in the bars 11. Therefore the rams 32 an d 33 of cylinders 30 and 31 serve to move the structure A to and fro in a lateral direction, and this motion is permitted by the sliding of the channel in the bars 11 over the projections 29 on the rams 21 and 22; and, on the other hand, the structure A is moved in a longitudinal direction by means of the rams 21 and 22, and this motion is permitted by reason of the chan nel in bar 10 sliding over the projection 37 on rams 32, 33. Therefore, by admitting water in suitable manner into the cylinders 30, 31 and 19, 20, it becomes easily possible to cause the structure A, and hence the plate thereon, to move under the fixed punch 16 in any direction in the plane of theplate. 36 is guided by a projection, 38, which moves in a slot, 39, on the bed 9.

It will be noticed that the rams 33 and 21 are of larger cross-sectional area than the rams 32 and 22. The object ofthis construction is as follows: Theport 27 of cylinder 19 and 34 of cylinder arevboth connected directly to the water pressure main, so that a constant pressure is maintained upon the rams 22 and 32, which therefore proceed to the outer limit of their stroke, and therefore carry the structure A to a definite position. The ports 28 and 35 of the cylinders 20 and 31, on the other hand, communicate with a source of water supply by a pipe, 40, Fig. 2. This pipe leads to a two-way cock, 41, which in turn connects both with the main by pipe 42 and with the waste outlet by pipe 43. Now whenthe cock 41 is turned so as to open the waste, the rains 32 and 22 will move the structure Atoacertain extreme position, and when the cock 41 is turned to communicate with' pipe 42 so as to allow the pressure of the main to act upon the rams 33 and 21, thenthese rams, being of larger area than the rams 32 and 22, the pressurethereon will overbalance.

the pressure constantly exerted on rams 32 and 22, and hence the structure A will be moved by a force equal to the difference of pressure in a direction opposite to that in which it wasmoved by the rams 32 and 2 2; and this is the movement whereby the plate becomes adjusted underneath the punch in some desired position. While, therefore, it might be possible, by the exercise of care, to adjust the pressures in the cylinders which move the support A so that the plate is .ex-. actly brought to a certainpredetermined position, it will readily be seen that this might be a somewhat slow operation, or require considerable skill and niceness of manipulation on the part of theoperator. It is to be distinctly understood that the machine in such condition would be byrno means inoperative. It would be distinctly useful, and would be a valuable improvement over any means of adj usting the plate which, so far as I know now, exists. But for purposes of convenience of handling and, of reducing the skill required therefor, it isbetterto provide the machine with another and additional devicewhereby the setting of the plate in a definite prede term-ined position with accuracy, is insured irrespective of any manipulative skill or special capacity for adjustment by the operator. This device I will now describe.

Referring toFigs. 7 and 8, it will therebe seen that the lower extremities of the rams belonging to the cylinders, 13 areconnectedto two cross bars, 52 and 53. The rams are The head connected rigidly to thecross-bar 52 by pins, 54, and the bar 52 therefore has no play up and down on the ends of the rams 50. The bar 53, on the other hand, is connected to the rams 50 below the bars 52 by pins, 55. These pins pass through elongated slots, 56, in the ends of the rams 50, and therefore the bar 53 has some play on the ends of the rams 50. Now, still referring to Fig. 7, it will be plain that when the rams 50 rise, the structure A descends andthe frame 10 11 moves away from contact with the under side of the plate. The bar 53 does not rise with the ram until the pin 55 reaches the end of the slot 56. The bar 52, connected to theplungers 50, remains fixed 'in position with relation thereto, so that the plate 18 is first freed from the clamping pressurebetween frame 10 11 and then the interval between bars 52 and 53 becomesincreased. In the bar 53 is a longitudinal groove in which slides a shoe,57. The shoe has an upward projectionwhich enters a slot in the index bar 58. It will be seen from this construction that while the .shoe may slide to and fro in one direction in the channel in the bar 53, the index bar 58 mayslide to and fro in adirection at right angles to that of the move-v ment of the shoe 57. Upon the shoe 57, there fore, a point on the index bar 58 has universalvmovement in a horizontal plane. The relation of,this index bar 58, which isa light piece of metal, to the other parts of the apparatus will be readily understood from Figs. 1 and 3, from which it will be seen that at the middle there is a downward projection,'59, the rectangular corner of which projection is received in the rectangle formed bya fixed guide, 60, which guide is secured, as shown in Fig. 3?, upon the fixed punching machine.

In the projection 59, and likewise in the fixed. guide 60 are formed two semicircular conical openings, 61 and 62, Fig. 1, which openings come together to form a circular aperture directly underneath the punch. This is shown in Figs. 3 and 4 in section. Through this opening the punch descends upon the plate beneath. Now, by referring to Fig. 7, it will be seen that the index bar 58 and its traveling shoe 57 are both located between the bars 52 and 53, and that, by reason of the mode of connection already'described of the bars 52 and 53 to the rams .50, the effect of the. de-

scentof the rams 50 and the rising of struct- 1 Suppose, simply to illustrate, that we desire to punch a hole in the plate 18 at the point X represented in Fig. 1.. A chalk mark is made at that point and the thing that we have to doQis to move the plate so as to bring that chalk mark accurately underneaththe punch. No pressure beingexerted in the clamping IXO cylinders, the pistons being raised and hence the structure A lowered, the workman grasps the index plate 58 with his hand, and moves it say to the position indicatedin dotted lines of Fig. 1; so that the semi-circular openings 2 at the edge of the projection 59 will come directly over the chalk mark on the plate. This, of course, he can easily do, because the index plate slides freely, as has already been explained, upon its shoe 57, and because the shoe slides freely in the bar 53. The cook 46 is then turned so as to close the outlet 47 and open the inlet 48; and the water pressure being admitted to the top of the rams 50 lifts the structure A, thus securing the index bar 58 in place as adjusted, and also the plate 18 firmly in said structure A. Neither plate nor index bar can now move with reference to structure A, but all parts now are united. Meanwhile, the pressure acting upon the rams in cylinders 19 and 30 has moved the structure A into some definite position, as already described; and these rams are at the farther end of their stroke. The operator now admits, by means of cock 41, the pressure of the main into the cylinders 20 and 31, so that the rams of these two cylinders now act upon the structure Asimultaneously, and move it, and hence the plate, of course, in a resultant direction; say in that of the arrow crossing the point Xshown in Fig. 1. Whatever, however, this resultant direction may happen to be, it is certain that the plate will be carried longitudinally until one side of the projection 59 on the index bar strikes the guide 60, and laterally until the adjacent side of the projection 59 on the index bar strikes the parallel side of the guide 60, or, in other words, until the projecting angle of the projection 59 fits itself into the mentoring angle of the guide 60. Then the projection 59 on the index bar 58 and the guide 60 will have come into contact and hold the relative position shown in Fig. 1, and then of course the two semi-circular openings respectively in the projection 59 and the guide 60 will register and will form a complete circular opening. As the chalk mark on the plate is below the semi-circular opening 62, it is clear that we shall have moved the plate into exactly the right position underneath the punch 16, which in descending passes through that opening, and so reaches the plate. After the punch has been caused to descend to make the hole, the cook 46 is opened so as to allow the water above the pistons in the clamping cylinders to pass to the outlet 47. The water from the main then acting upon the under side of the rams 50 causes'the structure A to descend and the clamping pressure upon the index bar and the plate to be relaxed. The index bar may now be set in a new position to suit a new mark indicating the next hole to be punched. Meanwhile, the cook 41 is turned to allow the pressure to be relaxed in cylinders 20 and 31. The pressure from the main then acts upon the rams in cylinders 30 and 19, and the structure A is returned to its initial position. The operation then above described is repeated until all the holes are punched in the plate. It will be seen that the labor of the operator consists simply in adjusting the index plate 58 in the manner described, and in manipulating the cocks which regulate the water pressure to the several cylinders.

I will now describe certain details of the mechanism which are conveniently added, though not essential to the operation of the machine in any way. It will be apparent from Fig. 2 that the plate 18 is supported upon the bogie 63, and also upon rollers, 64, which are supported on the bed 9 of the machine. The plate is further supported upon the lower die, 17, of the punch, so that in the machine proper the plate 18 rests upon three points-the lower die and the two rollers 64. The construction'of the rollers 64 is shown in detail in Fig. 6, and they are arranged upon yielding supports, so that the plate may rest firmly upon the lower die 17. To this end, the rollers 64 are carried on brackets, 76, which are pivoted in a supporting plate, 77. Bracket 76 also has rollers, 78, conical in shape, which rest upon the Dev eled, circular, upper side of the plate 77 and turn thereon. The plate 77 is received in a flanged opening in the bed 9, and has on its under side a circular recess in which is received a spiral spring, 79, which also rests upon the bed-plate. In the said recess is a plate, 77*, having a central opening. Through this opening and through the spring 79 passes a fixed spindle, 80, which has a head, 80*, above the plate 77*. The weight of the plate 18 resting on the rollers 64 forces down the plate 77 against the action of the spring; but the extent of its downward motion is limited by the bed-plate 9, while its upward motion is limited by the head 80* meeting the plate 77*. In this way, any inequality in the shape of the plate 18 is provided for by the yielding of the spring, and any movement of said plate in a horizontal plane is allowed for by the turning of the brackets 76 about their pivot centers.

In order to assist the lateral movement of the plate in the machine, the plate rests upon a supporting frame, 65, in the bogie 63. This frame is supported on rollers, 66, which are free to travel on ways, 67, laterally the bogie. On the bottom of the frame 65 is a number of ratchet bars, 81, having inclined teeth, stepped as indicated in Figs. 1 and 5. With these teeth engage pawls, 68, which pawls are pivoted on a transverse bar, 69, carried by the levers 7 O, which levers are fast upon the square shaft 71. The shaft 71 is supported so as to rotate in the standard 72 of the bedplate 9 (see Fig. 2), and carries levers, 73, which are united to a cross head, 74, Fig. 3, to which cross head is pivoted one end of a pitman, 75, the other end of which is pivoted to the ram head 36. The motion of this ram head, therefore, is transmitted to the square I shaft 71 to cause it to vibrate, and, thus to adjusted in thestructure A.

move the pawls 68, which pawls engage with rack bars, 81, and move the carriage, and thus cause a transverse or lateral travel of the plate 18. By this means the plate, maybe Q While I have described here a machine organized for the use of hydraulic power, I wish it distinctly understood that I do not limit,

myself to this power only; because, in place of the hydraulic "cylinders I, may use steam cyllnders arranged in substantially the same way and operating by steam pressure differen- .tially applied as described; or, I may use any any machine embodying a reciprocating punch and fixed die, between which the work is acted upon. I

The word tool, in the claims means any tool capable of doing useful work uponthe plate, when said plate is adjusted and moved with reference to it, by the apparatus herein set forth. I

1. In a machine for moving and adjusting a plate with reference to a tool, the combination of a movable holder, a means for clamping said plate to said holder, and means for moving said holder universally in a plane parallel to the plane of the plate, whereby said plate is adjusted in' definite position with reference to said tool, substantially as described.

2. In a machine for moving and adjusting a plate with reference to a tool, the combination of a movable holderfor said plate, a tool constructed to act upon said plate, a guide,

and means for moving said holder universally in a plane parallel to the plane of the plate and into contact with said guide: whereby said plate isadj usted and by said guide arrested, in definite position with reference to said tool,sub stantially as described.

3. In a machine for moving and adjusting a plate with reference-to a tool, the combination of a movable holder for said plate,a tool constructed to act upon said plate, a guide projection upon said holder, a guide or stop, and means for moving said holder universal-1y and in a plane parallel to the plane of the plate and causing said guide projection to meet said guide: whereby said plate is adjusted andby said guide. arrested in definite position with reference to'said tool, substantially as described. 7 1

4. In a machine for moving and adjusting a plate with reference to a, tool, the combination of a movable holder for saidplate, atool constructed to act upon said plate, ,a guide projection having two faces disposed relatively ata salient angle, a fixed guide or stop having two faces disposed relatively at a reentering angle equalto said salientangle, and means for moving said holder universally and in a plane parallel to the plane of the'plateand, causing said angular projection to enter saidfixed' guide: whereby said plate is adjusted and by said fixed, guide arrested in definiteposition with reference to saidtool, substantially as described.

5. Ina machine for moving and adj usting a plate withreference toa tool, the combination of a. movable holder for said plate, a tool con- .structed to act upon said plate, an adjustable guide projection upon said holder, a guide or stop and means for moving said holder' universally in a plane parallel ,to the plane of the plate and causing said guide pro ection to meet said guide: whereby said .plate is adj usted and by said guide arrested in definite positionwith reference to said tool, substantially as described.

6. Ina machine for moving and adj ustinga of a tool constructed to actupon saidplate, a

guide proj ectionsecured to said plate, a guide or stop and meansfor movingsaid plate universally in the plane of itsface and thus caus- IOO ing, said guide projection to meet said guide: whereby said plate is adjusted and by said guide arrested in definite position with reference to said tool, substantially as described.

7. In a machinefor movingand adjusting a plate withreference to a tool, the combination of a tool constructed to act upon said plate, a

guide projection secured to said plate supported in a plane parallel to the plane of the plate, and independently movablem-fiversally over the surface ofsaid plate, a guide or stop, and means for-imparting to said plate a universal movement in its 'own plane, and thus causing said guide projection to meet said guide: whereby said plate is adjusted, and by said guide arrested, in definite position with reference to said tool, substantially as described. 1

8. In amachine for moving and adjusting a plate with reference to a tool,-the combination of a tool constructed to act upon said plate, a guide projection supported in a plane parallel to the plane of the plate, and independently movable universally over the surface of said plate, a means for detachably clamping said guide projection rigidly to said plate, a

guide or stop, and means for imparting to said plate a universal movement in itsown planeand thus causingsaid guide projection to meet said stopzwhereby said plate isadjusted, and by said stop arrested-,in definite position with reference to said. tool, substantially as described.- A

9. In a machine for moving and adjusting a 95 plate with reference to a tool, the combination c,

plate with reference to a tool, the combination of a tool constructed to act upon said plate, a movable holder for said plate and a cylinder having a movable piston or ram acting upon said holder to move the same in a plane parallel to the plane of the plate: the said parts being constructed and arranged so that when said piston is actuated by pressure exerted within saidcylinder the said plate is changed in position with reference to said tool, substantially as described.

10. In a machine for moving and adjusting a plate with reference to a tool, the combination of a tool constructed to act upon said plate, a movable holder for said plate and two cylinders each having a movable piston or ram acting upon said holder to move the same in a plane parallel to the plane of the plate and in relatively opposite directions: the said parts being constructed and arranged so that when said pistons are respectively actuated by pressure exerted within said cylinders, the said plate is changed in position 1n relatively opposite directions with reference to said tool, substantially as described.

11. In a machine for moving and adjusting a plate with reference to a tool, the combination of a tool constructed to act upon said plate, a movable holder for said plate and two cylinders each having a movable piston or ram acting upon said holder to move the 1 same in a plane parallel to the plane of the plate and in directions relatively at an angle: the said parts being constructed and arranged so that when said pistons are respectively actuated by pressure exerted within said cylinders, the said plate is changed in position in directions relatively at an angle with reference to said tool, substantially as described.

12. In a machine for moving and adjusting a plate with reference to a tool, the combination of a tool constructed to act upon said plate, a movable holder for said plate, two cylinders, and in each cylinder a movable piston or ram acting upon said holder to move the same in a plane parallel to the plane of the plate and in relatively opposite directions: the said pistons or rains being of different eross-sectional area and the said parts being constructed and arranged so that when said pistons are actuated by pressure simultaneously exerted within said cylinders, the said plate is changed in position with reference to said tool by the action of the piston having the greater area of cross section, substantially as described.

13. In a machine for'moving and adjusting a plate with reference to a tool, the combination of a tool constructed to act upon said plate, a movable holder for said plate, two cyl nders, a movable piston or ram in each cylinder acting upon said holder to move the same in a plane parallel to the plane of the plate and in relatively opposite directions, and means for varying the pressure in one of said cylinders: whereby the overbalancing pressure in the other cylinder may change the position of the plate with reference to the tool, substantially as described.

14. In a machine for moving and adjusting a plate with reference to .a tool, the combination of a tool constructed to act upon said plate, a holder for said plate, a cylinder, and a movable piston or ram within said cylinder: the said parts being constructed and arranged so that pressure exerted upon said piston or ram shall cause said piston to clamp or compress said plate in said holder, substantially as described.

15. In a machinefor moving and adjusting a plate with reference to a tool, the combination of a tool constructed to act upon said plate, a holder for said plate, a cylinder, a movable piston or rain and means for conveying a fluid under pressureinto said cylinder on opposite sides of the head of said piston or ram: the said parts being constructed and arranged so that pressure exerted upon said piston or ram in one direction shall cause said plate to be clamped in said holder, and in the opposite direction shall relieve said pressure, substantially as described.

16. In a machine for moving and adjusting a plate with reference to a tool, the combination of a tool constructed to actupon said plate, a holder for said plate, a cylinder, a movable piston or ram within said cylinder having a head of different efiective cross-sectional area on opposite sides, means for conveying a fluid under pressure into said cylinder on opposite sides of said piston head, and means for varying the pressure on one side of said head: whereby the direction of movement of said piston or ram with reference to said plate to clamp the same in said holder is determined by the overbalancing pressure exerted upon said piston.

17. In a machine for moving and adjusting a plate with reference to a tool, the combination of a tool constructed to act upon said plate, an independent support for said plate, a frame or structure extending around said plate and in front of both faces thereof, and a pressing device in said frame abutting upon said plate: the aforesaid parts being constructed and arranged so that when said pressing device is forced against one side of said plate, said frame may be moved bodily to bring it into contact with the opposite side of said plate, thereby clamping said plate in said frame.

18. In a machine for moving and adjusting a plate with reference to a tool, the combination of a tool constructed to act upon said plate, an independent support for said plate, a frame, 10 11, below said plate, girders, 12, united to said frame 10 11 and extending over said plate, cylinders 13 supported on said girders above said plate, and rams, 50, in said cylinders constructed to abut upon said plate.

19. In a machine for moving and adjusting a plate with reference to a tool, the combination of a tool constructed to act upon said plate, the movable structure A, means for securing said plate in said structure, cylinders 19 and 20, movable rams 21 and 22 in said cylinders, and projections 29 on said rams entering grooves or channels in the longitudinal bars 11 of said structure, substantially as described.

20. In a machine for moving and adjusting a plate with reference to a tool, the combination of a tool constructed to act upon said plate, the movable structure A, means for securing said plate in said structure, cylinders 30 and 31, movable rams 32 and 33 in said cylinders, and a projection, 37, connected to said rains and entering a groove or channel in a lateral bar 10 of said structure A, substantially as described.

21. In a machine for moving and adjusting a plate with reference to a tool, the combination of a tool constructed to act upon said plate, the movable structure A, means for securing said plate in said structure, cylinders 19 and 20, movable rams 21 and 22 in said cylinders, projections 29 on said rams entering grooves or channels in the longitudinal bars 11 of said structure A, cylinders 30 and 31, movable rams 32 and 33 in said cylinders 30 and 31, and a projection, 37, connected to said rams and entering a groove or channel in a lateral bar 10 of said structure, substantially as described.

22. In a machine for moving and adjusting a plate with reference to a tool, the combination of a tool constructed to act upon said plate, the movable structure A, pressure cylinders l3, rigidly secured upon said structure, pistons or rams, 50, in said cylinders and means for admitting fluid pressure into said cylinders, whereby said rams are moved to clamp said plate in said structure, substantially as described.

23. In a machine for moving and adjusting a plate with reference to a tool, the combination of a tool constructed to act upon said plate, the movable structure A, pressure cylinders 13, rigidly secured in said structure, pistons or rams, 50, in said cylinders, a bar, 52, extending between and rigidly connected to said rains 50, a second bar, 53, extending between and loosely connected to said rams 50, and a freely movable index plate, 58, between said bars 52 and 53: the aforesaid parts being constructed and arranged so that said pistons operate to clamp said plate in said structure and also said index plate 58 between saidbars 52 and 53, substantially as described.

24. In a machine for moving and adjusting a plate with reference to a tool, the combination of a tool constructed to act upon said plate, the movable structure A, the index bar 58 secured upon said structure and movable universally thereon in a plane parallel to the plane of said plate, a means for rigidly clamping-said bar upon said structure A, and a fixed guide or stop, 60, wherewith said bar may be moved into contact, substantially as described.

25. In a machine for moving andadjusting a plate with reference to a tool, the combination of a tool constructed to act upon said plate, the movable structure A, the bars 52 and 53, the shoe 57 disposed and sliding in a longitudinal groove or channel in said bar 53, the sliding index bar 58, having a longitudinal slot or opening receiving a projection on said shoe 57, the said index bar and shoe being disposed between said bars 52 and 53, and means for forcing together said bars 52 and 53 and thereby rigidly securing said index bar in position, substantially as described.

GEORGE B. HUNTER.

Witnesses:

GEO. F. ALLISON, H. R. MOLLER.

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